Radiopharmaceutical shows remission in pancreatic cancer model

A CD44v6-targeted radiopharmaceutical achieved complete remission in a pancreatic cancer mouse model, according to research published in The Journal of Nuclear Medicine.

The therapy, ¹⁷⁷Lu-AKIR001, targets CD44v6, a variant of the CD44 glycoprotein expressed in several cancers, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Researchers tested the radiopharmaceutical alone and in combination with paclitaxel chemotherapy in mice bearing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma xenografts. Tumor uptake was strong and selective, according to SNMMI.

At a dose of 12 MBq, ¹⁷⁷Lu-AKIR001 achieved complete remission in 40% of treated mice. A combination of 4 MBq of ¹⁷⁷Lu-AKIR001 with paclitaxel achieved complete remission in 14% of mice, with no significant toxicity observed.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma accounts for most pancreatic cancer cases and has limited treatment options. Surgery remains the only curative option, but fewer than 20% of patients are surgical candidates.

“New options are urgently needed,” said Marika Nestor, PhD, professor in the Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University in Sweden.

The authors said the findings support further evaluation of CD44v6-targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy in pancreatic cancer and other CD44v6-positive tumors. A related first-in-human Phase 1 trial of ¹⁷⁷Lu-AKIR001 is already underway, according to Akiram Therapeutics.

Further studies will be needed to determine whether the preclinical response can translate into clinical benefit in patients.