Blakes Breakfast Speaking Series: Radiopharmaceuticals

A new class of drugs is emerging to expand the spectrum of treatments for cancer, called radiopharmaceuticals, which deliver radiation directly and specifically to cancer cells. These drugs contain radioactive isotopes and can be used as both diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Targeting radiation therapy at the cellular level has the potential to reduce the risk of both short-term and long-term side effects of treatment, while proving effective at killing even the small clusters of cancer cells throughout the body.

Reduced side effects and precision delivery are driving the interest and high growth in this new generation of radiopharmaceuticals. A number of new therapies are emerging, including using lutetium-177 to treat prostate and neuroendocrine cancers. The global market for radiopharmaceuticals was estimated at $6.1 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach $12.6 billion by 2027.