Targeted New Cancer Drug Uses A Secret Weapon: Radiation Monday, March 1, 2010 Uses A Secret Weapon: Radiation (NAPSA)—Asphysicians and Radiation has long been known as a successful and well-under- “The future of effective and patient-friendly cancer treatment depends on the targeted delivery of a therapeutic agentatsufficient levels to kill tumorcells while having minimal impact on surrounding normal tissues. And now the use of targeted radiotherapeutics offers the promise fo do just that.” —Dr. John W. Babich ment, though its use is sometimes limited because of its effect on cannot be treated with traditional patients look to fresh approaches in the fight against cancer, a new generation of anti-cancer com- pounds that harness the power and clinical benefits of radiation therapy is joining the ranks as a potential novel option for targeting tumors. stood approach to cancer treat- surrounding tissue and organs. Now, researchers have developed innovative, targeted radiotherapeutics that allow precise delivery of radiation to diseased cells while sparing healthy tissue. “The future of effective and patient-friendly cancer treatment depends on the targeted delivery of a therapeutic agent at sufficient levels to kill tumor cells while having minimal impact on sur- @ radiation therapy,” said Daniel A. Pryma, M.D., assistant professor of radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and a clinical investigator studying Azedra’s ben- efits. “The ability to specifically target tumor metastases is expected to result in a higher degree of tumor kill with similar or less toxicity as compared to traditional cancer treatments.” Azedra is currently in ad- rounding normal tissues,” said vancedclinical trials for the treat- development, Molecular Insight Pharmaceuticals. “And now the gland. The adrenal glands are John W. Babich, Ph.D., executive vice president, chief scientific officer, president of research and use of targeted radiotherapeutics offers the promiseto do just that.” The investigational drug Aze- dra™ is leading the field as a radiotherapeutic focused on diffi- cult-to-treat neuroendocrine tumors. These are tumors that originate from cells that play a role in both the endocrine and nervous systems. Over 80,000 peo- ple in the U.S. are affected by neuroendocrine cancer. In neuroendocrine cancers, such as pheochromocytoma, the tumor overexpresses a protein on its sur- face called the norepinephrine transporter. Azedra is a radioactive molecule that selectively binds to the norepinephrine transporter to accumulate in tumors, killing the tumor cells while sparing normal tissue. In essence, Azedra is a smart bomb that is directed to tumor tissue and destroys tumor cells by radiotherapy. “Azedra allows us to deliver powerful radiation directly to can- cer cells even when they have spread throughout the body and ment of malignant pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytoma is a rare, hard-to-access tumor that develops in the core of an adrenal located just above both kidneys and produce hormonesthat regulate a range of bodily functions. This type of tumor causes an excess release of hormones, such as epinephrine and norepinephrine, resulting in high blood pres- sure and elevated heart rate. A pheochromocytoma can develop at any age, but most commonly oc- curs in middle age. Approximately 20 percent of pheochromocytoma tumors are malignant. “The success of Azedra in this setting would represent a significant therapeutic advance, as there are no approved treatments in the U.S. for patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumors,” said Edward Coleman, M.D., professor of radiology at Duke University Medical Center, and principal investigator in the pheochromocytoma study. Azedra is also being developed for use in malignant neuroblas- toma, the most common extra- cranial solid cancer in children and the most common cancerin infancy. --- PHOTOS --- File: 20190731-214741-20190731-214739-78962.pdf.jpg --- FILES --- File: 20190731-214739-78962.pdf