Radiochemistry Research Interests

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Research in the Radiochemistry Division is focused on the development of reagents and methods for targeted radiotherapy of cancer. Unlike other forms of radiotherapy where the radioactivity is administered from a source external to the body, the targeted radiotherapy approach involves injection of a radiopharmaceutical that is composed of a therapeutic radionuclide (radioactive atom) attached to a carrier molecule that selectively targets (binds with) cancer cells. This is not an easy approach because there are many factors that complicate selective targeting of cancer cells in a patient. One of the most important factors is obtaining a targeting agent that only binds with cancer cells, making it truly selective. Since 100% selectivity of cancer cells is very difficult, if not impossible, to achieve, the targeting reagents and the protocols used in their administration must be optimized. An important consideration in that optimization process is the choice of therapeutic radionuclide that is to be used. There are several different types of therapeutic radionuclides. These radionuclides emit particles (e.g. beta-, alpha-, and Auger-emitting), of which the photon or particle emission makes it imperative to couple it with a targeting agent that will take full advantage of its emission properties.

The current research focus is the development of reagents and methods for the use of alpha-particle emitting radionuclides in therapy of metastatic cancer, and in conditioning for bone marrow transplantation. The research involves developing reagents that will stably attach an a-emitting radionuclide to a carrier molecule so that it can be selectively delivered to the targeted cells, or obtaining those reagents through collaborations with other investigators. The alpha-emitting radionuclides being investigated, astatine-211 (At-211) and bismuth-213 (Bi-213) have short half-lives (i.e. decay quickly) so the reagents carrying them to targeted cells must rapidly localize to cancer cells.