Innovative Radioimmunotherapy Successfully Eliminates Cancer Stem Cells in Ovarian Cancer Model

A groundbreaking research study has demonstrated that a novel radioimmunotherapy approach effectively targets and destroys cancer stem cells (CSCs) in preclinical ovarian cancer models, surpassing existing treatment strategies. Published in the July issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, this research highlights the potential of using radionuclide therapies to eradicate CSCs, which play a crucial role in cancer relapse, metastasis, and resistance to therapy.

Cancer stem cells are highly tumorigenic and possess the ability to self-renew, making them a key obstacle in achieving complete cancer remission. Despite their clinical significance, developing therapies to target these cells has been challenging. The recent study focuses on the application of Terbium-161 (¹⁶¹Tb), a radionuclide that emits short-range conversion and Auger electrons alongside beta particles, enabling precise targeting of CSCs.

Researchers identified ovarian cancer samples with biomarkers L1CAM⁺/CD133⁺, associated with CSCs, and created radiolabeled immunoconjugates with ¹⁷⁷Lu and ¹⁶¹Tb to attack these cells. In vitro experiments and in vivo mouse models showed that ¹⁶¹Tb-DOTA-chCE7 displayed significantly higher cytotoxicity than ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTA-chCE7, leading to the complete elimination of ovarian CSCs and associated tumor cells.

According to senior scientist Dr. Jürgen Grünberg, this approach enables targeted, effective delivery of radiation directly to cancer cells while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Tihomir Todorov, a researcher involved in the study, emphasized that these findings mark a pivotal step toward translating ¹⁶¹Tb-based therapies into clinical settings, paving the way for personalized medicine approaches to treat resistant and aggressive cancers.

This advancement signifies a promising hope for improving outcomes in ovarian cancer therapy, especially in cases where CSCs contribute to therapy resistance and relapse. The study opens new avenues for radionuclide treatments that could revolutionize the management of ovarian and potentially other types of cancers.