Innovative Radiotheranostic Targets for Better Diagnosis and Treatment of Endometrial Cancer

Recent research has uncovered two promising molecular targets—human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2) and cluster of differentiation 24 (CD24)—that could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of endometrial cancer. This advancement, published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, highlights the potential of nuclear imaging and targeted therapeutics to improve patient outcomes.

Endometrial cancer remains the most common gynecologic malignancy worldwide, with rising incidence and mortality rates over the past decade. While early-stage disease is often effectively managed through hysterectomy, advanced and recurrent cases lack specific molecular-targeted treatment options, leading to poorer prognoses.

The study, led by Dr. Brian M. Zeglis from Hunter College, examined the expression of HER2, MUC16, and CD24 proteins in both endometrial cancer tissues and healthy uterine cells. Using specialized immunoPET probes—⁸⁹Zr-DFO-trastuzumab for HER2, ⁸⁹Zr-DFO-AR9.6 for MUC16, and ⁸⁹Zr-DFO-ATG-031 for CD24—the researchers performed PET imaging in cell line and animal models. Their findings revealed elevated levels of HER2 and CD24 in cancer cells compared to healthy tissues, indicating these proteins as effective targets for radiotheranostic applications.

Among the probes tested, ⁸⁹Zr-DFO-ATG-031 demonstrated the highest tumor uptake and clear contrast between cancerous and normal tissues in mouse models. This suggests that targeting CD24 could be particularly effective for imaging and therapy. PET imaging of these markers in patient-derived xenograft models reinforced the potential of HER2 and CD24 as key molecular targets.

Dr. Zeglis emphasized the significance of these findings: "The identification of HER2 and CD24 as viable targets opens new avenues for molecular imaging and personalized therapy in endometrial cancer. We hope this research accelerates the development of targeted radiotheranostics, leading to more precise treatments and better patient outcomes."

This study underscores the urgency of developing targeted approaches for managing endometrial cancer, especially in advanced stages where current options are limited. The promising results pave the way for future clinical trials and novel treatment strategies that could transform care for patients battling this disease.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-radiotheranostic-diagnosis-treatment-endometrial-cancer.html