New Hope in Lymphoma Treatment: Terbium-161 Radioimmunotherapy
Researchers at PSI have developed a targeted radioimmunotherapy using terbium-161 to effectively combat lymphoma, offering new hope for precise and effective treatment options.
Recent research conducted at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in collaboration with Bern University Hospital has highlighted promising developments in lymphoma treatment using radionuclide therapy. The study focuses on terbium-161, a radioactive isotope showing potential for targeted cancer cell destruction. The team attached terbium-161 to an antibody that specifically targets the CD30 receptor, a molecule found on the surface of many lymphoma cells. When injected into the bloodstream, this conjugate localizes to tumor sites and delivers lethal radiation directly to cancer cells, sparing healthy tissue.
Lymphoma affects nearly 2,000 individuals annually in Switzerland alone, with approximately 570 succumbing to the disease. Current treatments include radioimmunotherapy using lutetium-177, which is effective against larger tumors but less so for microscopic cancer cells or circulating tumor cells often seen in lymphoma. Terbium-161 offers a significant advantage due to its emission of not only beta particles but also conversion and Auger electrons, which have a range of less than one micrometer—roughly the size of a single tumor cell. This enables precise targeting and destruction of small tumor deposits or individual cancer cells, potentially reducing recurrence.
Laboratory tests and animal studies demonstrated terbium-161’s superior efficacy compared to lutetium-177, with treated mice surviving twice as long and some becoming tumor-free. The isotope’s half-life of 6.9 days facilitates transportation and clinical application without substantial activity loss, and its targeted nature minimizes side effects.
This innovative approach has already reached clinical trial stages for other cancers, and researchers believe terbium-161-based therapy could soon be adapted for lymphoma treatment. The team aims to optimize the drug further for human studies, with the hope of expanding treatment options for patients and improving long-term survival chances.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-terbium-powerful-treatment-lymphoma.html
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