Rimma Axelsson

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) and metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC) have poor prognoses with low survival rates. Treatment options for these metastatic solid tumors have been expanded through the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors (such as atezolizumab and pembrolizumab), systemic chemotherapy, or antibody-drug conjugates (ADC) directed against cell surface proteins like TROP-2 (Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2).A promising approach is to develop radiotheranostics using radiolabelled novel antibodies that target TROP-2 expression, a protein highly expressed in both TNBC and mUC. The concept utilizes  a TROP-2 specific monoclonal antibody, radiolabelled with alpha- or beta particle radiation for therapy or radiolabelled with gamma och positron radiation for diagnostics. This approach delivers therapeutic quantities of radioactivity specifically to the tumor cells while sparing normal tissues. The same antibody, radiolabelled with diagnostic radionuclides, tumors are detected by imaging modalities that are currently used in clinical practice. We believe that targeting TROP-2 with radiotheranostics might provide an effective treatment option with a favourable toxicity-benefit balance, and might be a better option for patients who do not respond to ADC or other later line systemic therapies. The project is currently in preclinical development and has high translational feasibility into patients within 4-5 years.