University of Missouri Launches First On-Campus Radiopharmaceutical Clinical Trial Using Eye90 Microspheres for Liver Cancer
Key Insights
The University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care (search) have launched their first clinical trial using Eye90 microspheres (search) manufactured on campus at the university's research reactor for treating unresectable liver tumors (search).
Eye90 microspheres (search) are radiopaque glass beads embedded with yttrium-90 radioisotope, engineered for precise visualization during delivery to accurately target liver tumors while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue.
The clinical trial represents a major advancement in radiopharmaceutical capabilities at Mizzou, with the University of Missouri Research Reactor serving as the only domestic source of Y-90 in the United States.
The University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care (search) have achieved a significant milestone in cancer treatment by launching their first clinical trial using a radiopharmaceutical therapy manufactured on campus. The trial, which began February 9, 2026, represents the first patient enrollment using Eye90 microspheres (search) at MU Health Care's Ellis Fischel Cancer Center (search) in collaboration with ABK Biomedical (search).
Breakthrough Radiopharmaceutical Technology
Eye90 microspheres (search) are radiopaque glass beads embedded with the radioisotope yttrium-90 (Y-90) designed to treat unresectable liver tumors (search), including hepatocellular carcinoma (search) and metastatic colorectal cancer (search). The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) serves as the only domestic source of Y-90 and creates the microspheres for ABK Biomedical (search).
"This clinical trial is significant for Mizzou because it shows the power of our campus research," said University of Missouri President Mun Choi. "We have the nation's largest university research reactor and unmatched research facilities in veterinary medicine, at our School of Medicine, and at NextGen Precision Health. This allows our faculty and researchers to partner with industry to develop and test ground-breaking treatments and get them to patients faster, all from one campus."
What distinguishes Eye90 from existing treatments is its unique design engineered for precise visualization during delivery. This enables interventional radiologists and oncologists to accurately target liver tumors with localized radiation therapy, aiming to enhance treatment efficacy while minimizing exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.
Clinical Trial Design and Objectives
"While we participate in many different clinical studies, this is the first radiopharmaceutical clinical trial for Ellis Fischel," said Ryan Davis, associate professor of clinical radiology in Mizzou's School of Medicine and on-site study coordinator. "Studies like this provide early availability of therapies for our patients, and they continue our leadership in translational research. We are excited to be part of this study because we recognize the growing significance of targeted radiotherapy for metastatic tumors."
The Mizzou clinical trial is part of a broader effort to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of Eye90 microspheres (search) in patients with unresectable liver tumors (search). The study involves a single administration of the microspheres, followed by a year-long monitoring period to assess patient outcomes, including tumor response and quality of life measures.
Preclinical Development and Safety Studies
The path to human clinical trials involved comprehensive preclinical research conducted at the University of Missouri. ABK Biomedical (search) funded research and preclinical trials conducted by Jeffrey Bryan, professor of oncology in Mizzou's College of Veterinary Medicine and associate director of comparative oncology at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center (search).
Bryan served as the principal investigator on initial small animal model studies to demonstrate that the microspheres performed well in living animals. He subsequently led a clinical trial in dogs with hepatocellular carcinoma (search), partnering with Davis to treat companion animals who had developed liver tumors. Treatment effectiveness and safety were monitored, and the animals were imaged using scanning equipment at the MU Veterinary Health Center's PET Imaging Center.
Historical Context and Manufacturing Partnership
Mizzou has been a pioneer in the development and production of glass microspheres for Y-90 therapy since the 1980s. The first microsphere treatment, TheraSphere, was created through a collaboration between Delbert Day, Missouri University of Science & Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla) and Gary Ehrhardt, MURR. Together, they combined their ceramic and nuclear chemistry expertise to create radioactive glass beads. TheraSphere received full FDA approval in 2021, and MURR continues to be the only U.S. producer today.
For the new Eye90 technology, ABK Biomedical (search) worked with MURR to irradiate and process their microspheres on-site, establishing the reliable capability to provide necessary doses for preclinical and clinical trials.
"Our collaborations with companies like ABK Biomedical (search) are advancing the care and treatment of cancer patients right here in Columbia, as well as patients across the country and around the world," said Matt Sanford, executive director of MURR. "We are proud to support ground-breaking advancements in nuclear medicine. By leveraging our expertise in radioisotope production, we are helping bring innovative cancer treatments from laboratory to the clinic, offering new hope for cancer patients."
Broader Clinical Development Program
ABK Biomedical (search) has previously initiated similar studies, with the first patient treated at Auckland Hospital in New Zealand. The ongoing research aims to gather comprehensive data to support regulatory approvals and broader clinical adoption of this promising therapy.
The new innovative therapy represents a significant advancement in the treatment of unresectable liver tumors (search), including hepatocellular carcinoma (search) and metastatic colorectal cancer (search). The clinical trial represents a major step forward as Mizzou expands capabilities to conduct radiopharmaceutical clinical trials, in collaboration with the NextGen Precision Health initiative.