Referring Physicians
Radioimmunotherapy
Radioimmunotherapy or RIT is an exciting and relatively new personalized cancer treatment that combines the cancer killing of radiation therapy with the precise targeting capacity of immunotherapy. In RIT, a tumor-killing dose of a radioactive substance is linked to a monoclonal antibody that targets and binds selectively to a malignant tumor (cancer) when injected into the body. The ability of the antibody to bind to a tumor-associated antigen (a molecule that can stimulate an immune response) ensures that the tumor gets a high dose of radiation, which can kill the targeted cancer cells and nearby cancer cells, while normal tissue gets only a minimal dose. This minimizes toxicity to normal tissues.
One of the most promising areas of radioimmunotherapy is in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Two radiopharmaceuticals, Bexxar and Zevalin, have been approved for treatment of follicular and b-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas that have recurred or resisted treatment from standard chemotherapy. Results are very encouraging with a high percentage of patients entering long-term remission.
Other radioimmunotherapy compounds are being tested in other cancers.