A major success story of this new era of biomolecule-guided
radionuclide therapy for cancer is that of Samarium-153-EDTMP,
commercially known as Quadramet®. In this case the radiolanthanide
Sm-153 is attached to a molecule that is attracted to bone. Why is this
EDTMP molecule attracted to bone? Because
the biomolecule EDTMP contains Phosphorus, a
natural constituent of all bones. Cancerous bone uses phosphorus
much more rapidly than healthy bone, so the Quadramet® is
attracted to it. Once in place, the beta radiation from the samarium-153
relieves the pain from the bone cancer and in some cases shrinks
the tumor. This novel advancement in treating the often excruciating
pain of bone cancer was approved for use in the US in 1997 and
is available in other parts of the world as well. It represents
a great advance over the use of morphine and other opiate drugs
for relieving bone cancer pain—Samarium-153 Quadramet®
is not addictive and does not cause the extreme drowsiness that
degrades the quality of life of those using opiate drugs.
But people are not the only ones deriving benefit from Quadramet®.
Faculty in the MU College of Veterinary Medicine have long-standing
collaborations with MURR Center researchers, conducting vital
patient clinical trials. The pain relief from Samarium-153-EDTMP
was first observed in patient trials with pet dogs afflicted
with bone cancer. In fact, the benefits of treatment with Samarium-153
Quadramet® are even greater for these animals, with one out
of every seven dogs being cured. Samarium-153 Quadramet®
is now being used routinely in dogs and even horses and cats
suffering from bone cancer.
New radionuclide-biomolecule combinations to treat cancer and other diseases are currently being developed
at MU. A powerful combination of resources is uniting to bring comprehensive
cancer treatment to mid-Missouri. Central among them are MU's high flux Research
Reactor, departments such as
Chemistry and Food Science
and Nutrition,
the College of
Veterinary Medicine and
School of Medicine along
with their associated hospitals and clinics, including the
Ellis
Fischel Cancer Center, and the neighboring Harry S. Truman Veterans
Administration Hospital. Thus, the promise of a new era of effective
cancer treatments based on radionuclides linked to natural biomolecules
is on the way to fulfillment.
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University of Missouri-Columbia
