Innovative Radiolabeled Antibody Offers New Hope for Diagnosing and Treating Solid Tumors

Researchers have developed a highly specific radiolabeled antibody that targets IL13Rα2, a cancer-associated cell surface receptor. Unlike related proteins, IL13Rα2 is predominantly expressed in various solid tumors such as glioblastoma, melanoma, and breast cancer, while its presence in healthy tissues is limited. This characteristic makes it an ideal marker for precise tumor detection and targeted therapy.

The antibody demonstrates strong binding affinity exclusively to IL13Rα2, avoiding cross-reactivity with IL13Rα1, which is widely present in normal tissues. In preclinical studies, this radiolabeled antibody successfully identified malignancies at low-dose injections, providing clear imaging of tumor sites through positron emission tomography (PET). The imaging showed high contrast with minimal off-target accumulation, indicating promising potential for diagnostic applications.

Furthermore, the research team, involving institutions like Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and MD Anderson Cancer Center, developed several anti-IL13Rα2 antibody variants. Among these, KLG-3 was identified as the most effective, showing high specificity and retention in tumor tissues. Dosimetric analyses predict that compounds derived from KLG-3 labeled with therapeutic radioisotopes, such as lutetium-177, could deliver cytotoxic radiation directly to tumors, sparing healthy tissues. This paves the way for potential radioimmunotherapy options.

The findings suggest that IL13Rα2-targeted radiolabeled antibodies could revolutionize how solid tumors are diagnosed and treated, offering highly specific imaging and therapeutic capabilities with minimal side effects. The research has been published in the April issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine and represents a significant step toward clinical translation of targeted radioimmunotherapy for cancer patients.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-radiolabeled-antibody-diagnosis-treatment-solid.html