Establishment of targeted RI therapy using At-211 in combination with molecular targeted drugs for thyroid cancer

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K18297
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 56050:Otorhinolaryngology-related
• Research Institution: Kansai Medical University
• Principal Investigator: FUKUI Kenta 関西医科大学, 医学部, 助教 (30867437)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 甲状腺癌 / α線放出核種 / At-211 / I-131 / 分子標的薬 / レンバチニブ / 併用療法

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we investigated the combination therapy with At-211, an alpha-ray emitting radionuclide, and molecular targeted drugs to establish a new treatment for refractory thyroid cancer. Combination therapy with I-131, the radioisotope that is used conventionally for thyroid cancer, and lenvatinib demonstrated a synergistic antitumor effect for thyroid cancer cells and xenograft model mice. We also performed the experiments using At-211 supplied by the collaborative research institute. Tumor-bearing mice were injected intravenously with At-211, and the accumulation of At-211 in various organs was successfully visualized and quantified by SPECT imaging and the gamma counter. We plan to continue basic research on combination therapy with At-211 and molecular-targeted drugs for thyroid cancer.

Free Research Field

耳鼻咽喉科・頭頸部外科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年本邦における甲状腺癌の罹患率は上昇傾向にあり、難治性の甲状腺癌に対する新たな治療法の開発が求められている。α線核種であるAt-211は、I-131などのβ線核種と比較して生物学的効果が高く、かつ被爆が少ない点において、甲状腺癌に対する臨床応用が期待されている。At-211と分子標的薬を併用することで、さらなる治療効果が期待され、本研究が持つ学術的・社会的意義は大きいと考えられる。