Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU), in collaboration with researchers from other universities and research centers, has successfully developed a new type of radioactive drug specifically for early diagnosis of prostate cancer. According to a recent announcement from TPU's press office, the drug has demonstrated high accuracy in phase one clinical trials.

Prostate cancer accounts for a significant proportion of male cancer cases in Europe. Blood biomarker testing, particularly prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process. TPU scientists have previously developed and obtained patents based on the compound BQ-PSMA for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. Building on this, they have now developed a novel radiopharmaceutical based on GRPR antagonists, carefully formulated with the isotope technetium-99m and DB8 peptide.

The press release states: "This new radiopharmaceutical can effectively diagnose prostate cancer, including early-stage cases. Its phase I clinical trial has been successfully completed at the Oncology Institute of the Tomsk National Research Medical Center." The drug focuses more on safety during development due to reduced acute side effects. The antagonist molecule has strong stability and can be rapidly cleared from physiological tissues.

In clinical trials, researchers administered a single injection of 40, 80, or 120 micrograms of radioactive medication to 16 prostate cancer patients of varying ages who had been clinically diagnosed. After different time intervals, single-photon emission computed tomography was used to image the tumors. "The results of Phase I clinical trials showed that the injection had good tolerability and safety, with a detection rate of primary prostate cancer lesions exceeding 90%," said Vladimir Chernov, head of the "Health Engineering" strategic project at Tomsk Polytechnic University.
Source: Tomsk News Agency, Russia