About this Research Topic
Theranostics refers to the combination of a predictive biomarker, identified through diagnostic imaging using radiolabeled ligands (which lock onto the specific cancer cell receptor/biomarker), with precise therapy targeted on the now-marked cancer cells. The cancer cells are destroyed, while healthy cells are unharmed—minimizing side effects and improving quality of life for patients. Safe and effective delivery of targeted radiopharmaceuticals requires delineation of the best target for each malignant disease as well as delivering a safe dose in the context of an overall treatment plan precisely developed for a specific patient.
Radionuclide Theranostics through targeted systemic endoradiotherapy exerting cytotoxic action through direct DNA strand breaks and bystander effects on tumor and supporting stroma has the potential to achieve tumor control with prolonged survival, minimal toxicity, and improved QOL, as the Theranostic imaging and therapy pair (68Ga-DOTATATE and 177Lu-DOTATATE) Lutathera has shown in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).
This Research Topic brings together medical and endocrine oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians, medical physicists, clinical trial specialists, and industry scientists to provide an up-to-date review and discussion of different imaging and therapy modalities in the field of Radionuclide Theranostics in endocrine-related cancers including neuroendocrine tumors, thyroid cancer, pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma. The role of different radiotheranostic modalities in disease management will be discussed including therapy, imaging, and fundamentals of radiation dosimetry.
Keywords: radionuclide theranostics, endoradiotherapy, endocrine cancers
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