A revolutionary cancer therapy that uses radioactive agents to seek and destroy malignant cells has begun its first human trial in Australia, marking a significant milestone in personalized cancer treatment. The groundbreaking therapy, developed over 24 years by Professor John Hooper of Mater Research's Cancer Biology Research Group, targets the CDCP1 protein found in several common cancers including ovarian and bladder cancer.
The first patient to receive the experimental treatment was Ena Menerey, a 69-year-old Brisbane woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer six years ago. "I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer six years ago and I've had lots of different treatments, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy," Menerey said. "I was a bit scared at first, to be the first to receive this new treatment, but they've kept me informed every step of the way, and I hope this trial helps other sufferers be diagnosed and treated early."
Innovative Two-Phase Treatment Approach
The therapy employs a sophisticated two-phase approach that first locates cancer cells before delivering targeted treatment. "What we're doing is injecting the patient with a radioactive tracing agent which is designed to pinpoint the exact location of cancer cells, and we're looking at how it accumulates in their tumours," Professor Hooper explained. "Then, we're trying to identify patients who can go on to be treated with the same tracing agent, but with a different radioactive particle attached, that can treat the cancer."
The innovative agent, or antibody, binds specifically to CDCP1, a protein found in malignant cells of several common cancers. For cancer detection, the agent is attached to a low-radiation chemical, and once it locks onto cancer cells, PET/CT scanning detects the radioactive substance in the body.
Collaborative Development and Future Applications
The therapy represents a collaborative effort between multiple Australian institutions. Professor Hooper engaged Australia's national science agency, CSIRO, to join a collaborative research team with The University of Queensland that successfully modified the agent to carry a radioactive isotope, enabling it to both seek and destroy cancer cells.
After the initial imaging trials are completed, the team plans to add a more powerful radioactive 'payload' to the agent, such as lutetium-177, which is designed to seek and kill cancer cells with highly targeted radiotherapy.
Potential for Multiple Cancer Types
The research promises applications beyond ovarian and bladder cancer. "We're confident that our first human trials will provide doctors with exceptionally accurate imaging of metastasising (spreading) cancer, which is usually difficult to determine with both ovarian and bladder cancer," Professor Hooper said. "If successful, we believe this will become the gold standard treatment for a wide range of metastatic ovary, bladder, pancreas, breast and lung cancers."
Dr Catherine Shannon, medical oncologist at South Brisbane's Mater Cancer Care Centre, emphasized the broader implications: "The ability to deliver very targeted radiation to tumour deposits opens up a whole new field of treatment options for patients."
Addressing Critical Medical Need
The therapy addresses a significant medical need, particularly for ovarian cancer, which is the deadliest gynaecological cancer with a five-year survival rate of just 49 percent. Mater is the leading treatment and research centre for ovarian cancer in Queensland, treating almost half of all women diagnosed each year.
Professor Roslyn Francis, Director of Herston Imaging Research Facility, noted that "the aim is to develop new treatments for these patients which improve responses to therapy and have lower side-effects through delivering a targeted treatment. This highlights that Australia is at the cutting edge of innovation and discovery in the field of personalised medicine."
Trial Structure and Funding
Up to 45 patients with ovarian and bladder cancer will participate in the trial, led by Mater Research and The University of Queensland, in collaboration with Herston Imaging Research Facility and the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital.
The research is being funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Medical Research Future Fund, Mater Foundation, CSIRO with support from Biotech Incubator CUREator for bladder cancer and UniQuest, The University of Queensland's commercialisation company.
