Photo Source: Rosatom
PET/CT imaging with the new RPh targets the GRPR (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor). The agent is based on the DB8 peptide labeled with technetium-99m isotope. Initial testing demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy: detection rates for primary prostate cancer lesions exceeded 90%, with excellent image contrast for both primary tumors and metastases.
Development of a safe radiopharmaceutical for assessing GRPR expression in prostate cancer could serve as an alternative or complement for patients with insufficient PSMA expression. Targeting GRPR is effective not only in cases where PSMA imaging is suboptimal, but also for distinguishing benign tumors (adenomas) from malignant lesions in early-stage disease. This expands the diagnostic capabilities available for PET/CT imaging in clinical practice. Following additional trials, the RPh will become available to other medical centers.
The research involved investigators from Russian medical universities as well as Uppsala University in Sweden and the National Center for Scientific Research "Demokritos" in Greece.
Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies among men worldwide. Globally, it ranks second in incidence and fourth in mortality. Statistics in Russia are similar: according to 2023 data, prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among Russian men, accounting for 19.1% of all new cases.
The global average incidence is 29.3 new cases of prostate cancer per 100,000 male population, though several countries report below-average rates. Asian countries traditionally show lower incidence, for example, China reports 9.68 cases per 100,000 men, and Vietnam 4.7. Middle Eastern countries show higher rates, with Iraq at 19.9 and Saudi Arabia at 23.4 per 100,000.
Radiopharmaceuticals are essential for scintigraphy, PET/CT, and SPECT imaging, which are used in cardiac, oncologic, neurologic, and nephrologic conditions.
Source: TASS