Nuclear Medicine Therapy
Clinical Research
Clinical research is an integral part of our clinic. In order to continuously improve treatment outcomes for our patients, we conduct clinical studies in addition to laboratory research.
Nuclear Medicine Diagnosis and Therapy of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is a malignant tumor of the prostate. It is the most common cancer in men, accounting for 22.7% of all male cancers (as of 2020), with 65,820 new cases diagnosed annually in Germany. In this disease, various factors cause the prostate cells to become abnormal and grow in a dysregulated manner.
About 90% of prostate cancers are adenocarcinomas, which predominantly arise from glandular cells. These tumor cells often express the Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), which serves as the target for nuclear medicine PSMA therapy. This therapy, alongside surgical removal, hormonal therapy, and radiation therapy, represents a relatively new and promising treatment option, which has been performed at our institution for several years. In this therapy, radioactive substances (Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) or Yttrium-90 (Y-90)) are coupled to binding molecules that specifically attach to PSMA after injection. The high-energy radiation then destroys the tumor and its metastases. ¹⁷⁷Lu-PSMA-617 was developed by the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in collaboration with Heidelberg University Hospital and specifically targets metastatic prostate cancer.
In rare cases, prostate cancer occurs as neuroendocrine prostate cancer, in which hormone-producing cells become malignant. Most often, this type appears in a mixed form with glandular cells, and in many cases, metastasized castration-resistant prostate cancers contain neuroendocrine components. These tumors generally express lower levels of PSMA, making them less responsive to PSMA therapy and highlighting the need for research into new treatment options.
To advance the development and optimization of these therapeutic approaches and improve patient care, we conduct intensive research in this field. Below, we provide an overview of currently ongoing studies on nuclear medicine therapies for prostate cancer at our institute:
Title: A Phase IV, Post-Authorization Safety Study to Investigate the Long-Term Safety of Lutetium (177Lu) Vipivotide Tetraxetan in Adult Participants With Prostate Cancer.
Description: This long-term study aims to investigate the long-term risks and potential side effects of the drug 177Lu Vipivotid Tetraxetan (AAA617) across multiple study centers. The goal is to more precisely characterize known and potential risks and to monitor serious adverse events over time. The study is intended for adults with prostate cancer who have received at least one dose of AAA617 in a Novartis-sponsored clinical trial (Phase I–IV).
Study Procedure: This is a purely observational study lasting up to 10 years, with regular follow-up visits every 6 to 8 months to monitor adverse events and laboratory values.
Objectives: The long-term observation aims to collect information on the safety and potential side effects of AAA617, in order to better evaluate the treatment with this drug in the future.
Inclusion Criteria:
Signed informed consent must be obtained prior to participation in the study.
Participants must have received at least one dose of AAA617 in an interventional Phase I–IV prostate cancer study sponsored by Novartis and have fulfilled the requirements of that trial that allow participation in this follow-up study.
Title: An International Prospective Open-label, Randomized, Phase III Study Comparing 177Lu-PSMA-617 in Combination With SoC, Versus SoC Alone, in Adult Male Patients With mHSPC (PSMAddition).
Description: This study investigates whether the combination of 177Lu-PSMA-617 with standard therapy (Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitor (ARPI) + Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT)) improves progression-free survival compared to standard therapy alone in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). The total study duration is 50 months.
Study Procedure: Before starting therapy, a screening is performed to assess eligibility, including a 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT scan to evaluate PSMA expression. Eligible participants are then randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: standard therapy alone or 177Lu-PSMA-617 combined with standard therapy. After completion of the therapy, there is a follow-up period of approximately 12 months to assess safety and efficacy, followed by regular long-term monitoring.
Title: An International Prospective Open-label, Multi-center, Randomized, Non-comparative Phase II Study of Lutetium [177Lu] Vipivotide Tetraxetan (AAA617) Alone and Lutetium [177Lu] Vipivotide Tetraxetan (AAA617) in Combination With Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitors in Patients With PSMA PET Scan Positive Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.
Description: This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 177Lu Vipivotide Tetraxetan (AAA617) alone and in combination with an Androgen Receptor Pathway Inhibitor (ARPI) in patients with non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups: AAA617 alone or AAA617 in combination with the ARPI.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participants must be 18 years or older and have provided signed informed consent prior to study participation.
Histologically or cytologically confirmed prostate cancer.
Participants must be receiving ongoing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) with a GnRH agonist/antagonist or have had a prior bilateral orchiectomy at the time of randomization. Intermittent ADT before randomization is acceptable if the serum testosterone criterion is met.
Castrate level of serum testosterone (< 1.7 nmol/L [50 ng/dL]) on GnRH agonist or antagonist therapy (continuous or intermittent) or after bilateral orchiectomy prior to randomization.
Evidence of PSMA-positive disease (N1 or M1) on baseline PET/CT scan with AAA517 or Piflufolastat F18, as determined by Blinded Independent Central Review (BICR) based on the Prostate Cancer Molecular Imaging Standardized Evaluation (PROMISE) methodology (Eiber et al., 2018). Participants with M1 disease only visible on PSMA PET are eligible.
Conventional imaging must be negative for M1 disease.
Participants must have adequate organ function, including bone marrow reserve, liver, and kidney function.
Title: An International, Prospective, Open-label, Multi-center, Randomized Phase III Study Comparing Lutetium (177Lu) Vipivotide Tetraxetan (AAA617) Versus Observation to Delay Castration or Disease Recurrence in Adult Male Patients With Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) Positive Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer (OMPC).
Description: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 177Lu Vipivotide Tetraxetan (AAA617) in patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer (OMPC) whose tumor progresses after definitive primary therapy. The goal is to prevent progression to lethal metastatic disease and maintain quality of life by delaying therapy with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT).
Study Procedure: Before therapy, a 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT screening and other assessments are performed. Subsequently, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is administered over approximately 3 weeks. After SBRT, participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups. One treatment group receives up to 4 cycles of AAA617 therapy, while the control group undergoes observation only following SBRT.
During AAA617 therapy, participants undergo monitoring during weeks 1 and 3 of each cycle. For both groups, follow-up visits occur every 16 weeks after the end of therapy. The total study duration is approximately 6.5 years.
Inclusion Criteria:
Histologically confirmed prostate cancer prior to randomization.
Biochemical recurrence after definitive primary therapy of the prostate (Radical Prostatectomy (alone or with post-operative radiation), External Beam Radiation Therapy (prostate ± seminal vesicles ± pelvic lymph nodes), or brachytherapy).
Oligometastatic disease: 1–5 PSMA-positive metastases on PSMA PET/CT (Ga-68 Gozetotide or F-18 Piflufolastat), with at least one lesion being a distant metastasis (M1) according to AJCC8.
Conventional imaging (CT/MRI and bone scintigraphy) must be negative for M1 metastases.
Serum testosterone in the non-castrated range (>100 ng/dL) at screening.
Title: Prospective, Multi-Center Study to Assess the DIagnostic Performance of [18F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT Imaging in Patients with Newly-DIagnosed High-Risk or Very-High-Risk Prostate Cancer.
Description: This study aims to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of [18F]PSMA-1007 positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) for detecting pelvic lymph node metastases (N1) in newly diagnosed high-risk or very-high-risk prostate cancer.
Inclusion Criteria:
Patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer who are initially planned to undergo surgery for removal of the prostate and pelvic lymph nodes.
Conventional imaging must have been performed within 60 days prior to the planned study.
Title: A Phase I, open-label, multi-center exploratory safety and efficacy study with PSMA, SSTR2 and GRPR targeted radioligand therapy in metastatic neuroendocrine prostate cancer.
Description: The aim of this study is to investigate a new targeted treatment approach for patients with metastatic neuroendocrine prostate cancer (mNEPC). Three potential target proteins are evaluated: PSMA, SSTR2 (somatostatin receptor 2), and GRPR (gastrin-releasing peptide receptor).
Study Procedure: PET/CT scans are used in advance to determine whether the cancer cells express any of these proteins, which helps assign patients to a specific study group and therapy. Treatment is performed using a Lutetium-177 (177Lu)-based radiopharmaceutical. The drug specifically binds to the identified target protein and destroys cancer cells directly through high-energy radiation.
Participants are assigned to one of the following therapy groups depending on the target protein:
177Lu-PSMA-617 for PSMA-positive cells
177Lu-DOTA-TATE for SSTR2-positive cells
177Lu-NeoB for GRPR-positive cells
Treatment is administered every 6 weeks for up to 36 weeks. During therapy, regular assessments including MRI, SPECT, and additional PET/CT scans are performed to monitor efficacy.
Inclusion Criteria:
Participants must have metastatic prostate cancer with neuroendocrine differentiation.
PSMA- and/or SSTR2- and/or GRPR-positive PET scan with at least one measurable lesion according to RECIST 1.1 and moderate target expression in at least one of the three PET scans.
Castrate level of serum/plasma testosterone (< 50 ng/dL or < 1.7 nmol/L) for participants with an adenocarcinoma component, or stable testosterone levels for participants with pure neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Recovery to grade 2 or lower from all clinically significant toxicities related to prior therapy.
Adequate bone marrow and organ function as assessed by a central laboratory for study eligibility.
ECOG performance status of 2 or lower.
Title: VISION: An International, Prospective, Open Label, Multicenter, Randomized Phase 3 Study of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in the Treatment of Patients With Progressive PSMA-positive Metastatic Castration-resistant Prostate Cancer (mCRPC).
Description: This phase III study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 177Lu-PSMA-617 in patients with progressive PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The primary objectives of the study are: 1. comparison of overall survival between patients receiving 177Lu-PSMA-617 plus standard therapy and patients receiving standard therapy alone, and 2. radiographic progression-free survival. Other parameters being assessed include tumor response, time to first symptomatic skeletal event, safety, quality of life, and health economics.
Study Procedure: Patients with PSMA-positive scans are randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first group receives 177Lu-PSMA-617 plus standard therapy, and the second group receives standard therapy alone. The treatment duration is 6–10 months, with a maximum of 6 cycles, administered every 6 weeks. After 4 cycles, a check is performed to determine if further cycles should be given. Imaging assessments are conducted every 8 weeks during the first 24 weeks and every 12 weeks thereafter. Blood tests are performed at specific time points. After completion of therapy, follow-up visits are scheduled every 3 months for over 2 years. The standard therapy is determined individually for each patient.
Nuclear Medicine Therapy of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer
Various types of skin cancer are included under the term “skin cancer,” and they can present in different ways. Broadly, skin cancer can be divided into melanoma (dark skin cancer) and non-melanoma (light skin cancer). Non-melanoma skin cancer can be further divided into numerous forms, with the two most common being basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. The most important risk factor for non-melanoma skin cancer is UV radiation.
Non-melanoma skin cancer occurs much more frequently in the population than melanoma, and its incidence continues to increase year by year. It is estimated that approximately 213,000 people are diagnosed with non-melanoma skin cancer in Germany each year, of which about 75% have basal cell carcinoma and 22% have squamous cell carcinoma.
Basal cell carcinoma originates from epidermal stem cells of the hair follicle and most often occurs in the head and neck region, less commonly on the trunk. Its growth is relatively slow, and metastasis is very rare. However, the tumor grows locally in a destructive manner and can also affect deeper tissue structures, including bone and cartilage.
Squamous cell carcinoma also arises in the epidermis of the skin, usually from precursor lesions (e.g., actinic keratosis) or on damaged skin. Like basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma grows relatively slowly and mainly causes local tissue destruction. Metastasis is rare, but occurs more frequently than in basal cell carcinoma.
Title: Efficacy of Personalised Irradiation with Rhenium-Skin Cancer Therapy (SCT) for the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer; a phase IV multi-centre, international, open label, single arm study.
Description: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of Rhenium-SCT® in the treatment of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The primary objective of the study is to assess the effectiveness of Rhenium-SCT® in treating NMSC. Additional objectives include evaluating changes in participants’ quality of life before treatment and at 6 and 12 months after treatment, assessing treatment comfort from the participants’ perspective, and evaluating the cosmetic outcomes after treatment.
Study Procedure: Rhenium-188 (188Re), a beta-emitter whose high-energy radiation is used for therapeutic purposes with limited penetration depth, is used in the therapy. This allows targeted treatment of superficial tissue. The skin area to be treated is marked and covered with a protective film. The radioactive substance is then precisely applied directly over the tumor using an applicator. The treatment duration is approximately 30 to 180 minutes, after which the protective film containing the radioactive material is removed.
Nuclear Medicine Therapy of Glioblastoma
Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive primary brain tumor (WHO grade IV) that often develops from astrocytomas. It mainly affects individuals between the ages of 50 and 60, and is frequently associated with a very poor prognosis. Standard therapy for glioblastoma typically consists of surgical removal followed by radiotherapy.
An important factor is also the methylation status of the promoter region of O-6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in the DNA. This enzyme is a DNA repair protein that repairs mutations from guanine to O-6-methylguanine. Methylation of the MGMT promoter region leads to reduced MGMT activity, making tumor cells more susceptible to alkylating agents that induce the same type of DNA mutations that MGMT would normally repair. This principle is exploited in therapy by administering temozolomide.
There is evidence that tumor growth may be stimulated by activation of the gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR).
Title: Phase Ib Dose Finding Study Assessing Safety and Activity of [177Lu]Lu-NeoB in Combination With Radiotherapy and Temozolomide in Subjects With Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma and as a Single Agent in Recurrent Glioblastoma.
Description:
This study investigates a therapeutic approach using Lutetium-177 (177Lu). The aim is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 177Lu-NeoB in combination with radiotherapy and temozolomide (TMZ) in patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, as well as 177Lu-NeoB as a monotherapy in recurrent glioblastoma. Additionally, the safety and uptake of the PET imaging agent (68Ga-NeoB) will be assessed.
177Lu is a beta-emitter used for therapeutic purposes, delivering high-energy radiation to damage and destroy tumor tissue. Gallium-68 emits positrons (β+), which can be used for PET imaging.
Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: In patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma, the recommended dose of 177Lu-NeoB in combination with TMZ and radiotherapy will be determined, and the safety and tolerability of the therapy will be assessed. The radioactive agent is administered every 4 weeks, for a total of 6 applications, with the possibility of up to 4 additional applications. Weekly examinations are performed during this period. The efficacy of the therapy is evaluated every 8 weeks using contrast-enhanced MRI. After therapy, follow-up visits are conducted for up to 5 years.
Recurrent Glioblastoma: In patients with recurrent glioblastoma, the recommended dose of 177Lu-NeoB as monotherapy will be determined, and safety and tolerability will be assessed. In addition, the presence of GRPR in the glioblastoma will be examined using 68Ga-NeoB PET. 177Lu-NeoB is administered every 3 weeks for a total of 6 applications, with the possibility of up to 4 additional applications.
General Inclusion Criteria:
- Signed informed consent must be obtained prior to participation.
- Age ≥ 18 years.
- Histologically confirmed glioblastoma according to WHO classification, established after surgical resection or biopsy.
- Participants receiving corticosteroid treatment with dexamethasone must be treated with a dose ≤ 4 mg/day (or equivalent doses of other corticosteroids) for at least 7 days prior to study treatment initiation.
- Adequate bone marrow and organ function.
Nuclear Medicine Therapy of Neuroendrocrine Tumors
Neuroendocrine tumors consist of cells that have somatostatin receptors on their cell membrane, which are binding sites for certain hormones. Today, it is possible to produce synthetic variants of the hormone somatostatin. For the planned therapy, DOTATOC or DOTATATE is labeled with radioactive Lutetium-177 (177Lu) or Yttrium-90 (Y-90), which specifically bind to the somatostatin receptors and can selectively destroy the tumor cells.
The largest group of these tumors are gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, meaning hormone-producing tumors of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas.
Title: PRRT in Germany – Use of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) in patients with neuroendocrine tumors (NET) in Germany – A retrospective analysis of the treatment pathway of GEP-NET patients in German NET treatment centers.
Description: In this study, retrospective existing patient data on the use and frequency of PRRT with 177Lu-DOTATATE in patients with GEP-NET will be collected and analyzed. The study is conducted nationally in treatment centers for NETs.
Other Projects With Participation of the Department of Nuclear Medicine
Übersicht
MCL Elderly III
Title: Venetoclax in combination with the BTK inhibitor Ibrutinib and Rituximab or conventional chemotherapy (Bendamustine) and Ibrutinib and Rituximab in patients with treatment naive Mantle Cell Lymphoma not eligible for high dose therapy.
FORTplus
Title: Early Stage Follicular LymphOma and RadioTherapy PLUS Anti-CD20 Antibody.
Relativity
Title: CA224-127 (RELATIVITY-127): A Phase 3, Randomized, Open-label, Study of Subcutaneous Nivolumab + Relatlimab Fixed-dose Combination Versus Intravenous Nivolumab + Relatlimab Fixeddose Combination in Participants With Previously Untreated Metastatic or Unresectable Melanoma.
X-Ray-Vision
Title: A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, 2-arm-Phase III study to assess efficacy and safety of xevinapant and radiotherapy compared to placebo and radiotherapy for demonstrating improvement of disease-free survival in participants with resected squamous cell carcinoma oft he head and neck, who are at high risk for relapse and are ineligible for high-dose cisplatin.
Pola-R-ICE
Title: An Open-label, Prospective Phase III Clinical Study to Compare Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus Rituximab, Ifosfamide, Carboplatin and Etoposide (Pola-R-ICE) With Rituximab, Ifosfamide, Carboplatin and Etoposide (R-ICE) Alone as Salvage Therapy in Patients With Primary Refractory or Relapsed Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL).
Celestimo
Title: A Study Evaluating the Efficacy and Safety of Mosunetuzumab in Combination With Lenalidomide in Comparison to Rituximab in Combination With Lenalidomide With a US Extension of Mosunetuzumab in Combination With Lenalidomide in Participants With Follicular Lymphoma (Celestimo).
AHEAD-MERIT
Title: An open label Phase II randomized trial of BNT113 in combination with pembrolizumab versus pembrolizumab monotherapy as a first line therapy in patients with unresectable recurrent, or metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) which is positive for human papilloma virus 16 (HPV16+) and expresses PD-L1.
AbbVie M22-132
Title: Phase 1b/2, Open-Label Study to Evaluate Safety and Tolerability of Epcoritamab in Combination with Anti-Neoplastic Agents in Subjects with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.
SkyGlo
Title: A Phase III, Multicenter, Randomized, Open-Label Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Glofitamab (RO7082859) in Combination With Polatuzumab Vedotin Plus Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, and Prednisone (Pola-R-CHP) Versus PolaR-CHP in Previously Untreated Patients With Large B-Cell Lymphoma.
NANORAY-312
Title: NANORAY-312: A phase III pivotal study of NBTXR3 activated by investigator’s choice of radiotherapy alone or radiotherapy in combination with cetuximab for platinum-based chemotherapy-ineligible elderly patients with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
ARCHED
Title: A Randomized, Open-label, Phase 3 Study of Acalabrutinib in Combination with Rituximab and Reduced Dose CHOP (R-miniCHOP) in Older Adults with Untreated Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.
AbbVie M20-429
Title: A Single Arm, Open-Label, Phase 1b Trial of Epcoritamab in Pediatric Patients with Relapsed/Refractory Aggressive Mature B-cell Neoplasms.
frontMind
Title: A phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial comparing the efficacy and safety of tafasitamab plus lenalidomide in addition to R-CHOP versus RCHOP in previously untreated, high-intermediate and high-risk patients with newlydiagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).
SCOOP
Title: Dose escalation and cohort expansion study of Niraparib and Dostarlimab in paediatric participants with solid tumors (SCOOP).