A breakthrough in medical imaging could transform cancer treatment by identifying resistant tumors early, allowing doctors to pivot to more effective therapies sooner. Researchers at King’s College London have developed a scanning technique that makes aggressive, treatment-resistant cancers visible on PET scans, potentially saving patients from ineffective chemotherapy.
Published in Nature Communications | Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Racing Against Time
For the 47,000 people diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in the UK each year, time is precious. Traditional approaches require patients to undergo 12 weeks of chemotherapy before determining if the treatment is working – valuable time that some patients cannot afford to lose. Now, a repurposed radiotracer could change that equation dramatically.
“Currently, there is no quick and early method that shows whether malignant tumours are resistant to treatment,” explains Professor Tim Witney, lead researcher from King’s College London. “Time is essential for patients with lung cancer, and many cannot afford to wait to see if chemotherapy is working.”
Lighting Up the Enemy
The technique employs a radiotracer compound that targets xCT, a protein found in therapy-resistant tumors. When injected, these resistant cancer cells “light up like a Christmas tree” on PET scans, making them immediately identifiable. This visual marker could help doctors make crucial treatment decisions before initiating potentially ineffective chemotherapy.
From Lab to Hospital
The research team’s five-year effort will move to human trials in January at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. The phase I clinical trial will involve 35 patients using the hospital’s total-body PET scanner to observe xCT before and after treatment. Beyond imaging, the research also revealed that xCT could be targeted by new antibody-drug conjugates, offering potential hope for patients with aggressive tumors in lung, pancreatic, and breast cancers.
Glossary
- Radiotracer: A compound injected into the body that can be detected by imaging equipment to reveal specific biological processes
- PET scan: Positron Emission Tomography – an imaging technique that uses radioactive tracers to show how tissues and organs are functioning
- xCT: A protein found on therapy-resistant tumors that can be targeted for imaging and treatment
Test Your Knowledge
How long do patients typically wait to determine if chemotherapy is working?
Patients typically wait 12 weeks before having a CT or PET scan to determine if the treatment is effective.
How many patients will be included in the initial human trial at St Thomas’ Hospital?
The phase I clinical trial will recruit 35 patients.
What specific protein does the radiotracer target in cancer cells?
The radiotracer targets xCT, a tumor-associated protein present on therapy-resistant tumors.
Beyond imaging, what additional therapeutic potential was discovered for xCT?
Researchers found that xCT can be targeted by antibody-drug conjugates, a new class of targeted treatment for therapy-resistant cancer cells that minimizes unwanted toxicity.
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