Innovative Radiotheranostic Therapy Undergoing Trials for Osteosarcoma Treatment

Researchers at UCLA Health's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have embarked on a pioneering clinical trial to explore a novel radiotheranostic therapy for aggressive bone cancer. This promising approach integrates imaging with targeted radiation therapy to specifically pinpoint and attack tumor cells.

The experimental treatment targets metastatic osteosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer affecting mainly children and young adults. The Phase 1 clinical trial goes beyond conventional therapies by utilizing a radioactive antibody to track and destroy treatment-resistant tumors safely.

Leading the trial are UCLA's Dr. Noah Federman, director of the Pediatric Bone and Soft Tissue Sarcoma Program, and a team including Dr. David Ulmert and Dr. Robert Damoiseaux. Their research has been instrumental in developing a monoclonal antibody named DUNP19, designed to bind tightly to the protein LRRC15. This protein, activated by TGF-β, is prevalent in various hostile tumor environments, providing a distinctive target for the therapy. Preclinical findings suggest the antibody's potential in reshaping the tumor's immune landscape, rendering it more susceptible to immune system attacks and other treatments.

DUNP19, when combined with the radioactive isotope lutetium-177, acts like a precision-guided weapon, delivering radiation specifically to cancer and supportive stromal cells, while minimizing impact on healthy tissues. "Using the same molecule for imaging and treatment allows us to be extremely precise," commented Dr. Ulmert, emphasizing its dual role in both therapy and tumor visualization.

Earlier studies have shown promising results with this method in laboratory models of osteosarcoma and other cancers such as glioblastoma. DUNP19 significantly reduced tumor growth, prolonged survival, and altered the tumor microenvironment to enable a robust immune response.

If successful, this trial could herald a new era for targeted cancer therapies, potentially extending its application to other cancers expressing LRRC15, including pancreatic and glioblastoma types. Alongside UCLA, other institutions are simultaneously evaluating this technology in broader cancer types across the United States and Europe. The investigation is sponsored by Lantheus, a leader in radiopharmaceuticals.

"This trial is a vital first step," said Dr. Federman, aiming to ensure the treatment's safety while exploring its potential effectiveness against a disease with historically stagnant survival rates for advanced cases.