2001/11/16 by Michael R. McDevitt, Dangshe Ma, Lawrence Lai +9 · 3 citations
Medicine · Chemistry · #Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry and Applications #Radiation Therapy and Dosimetry #Mass Spectrometry Techniques and Applications
paper · doi:10.1126/science.1064126
openalex publication_date 2001/11/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
A single, high linear energy transfer alpha particle can kill a target cell. We have developed methods to target molecular-sized generators of alpha-emitting isotope cascades to the inside of cancer cells using actinium-225 coupled to internalizing monoclonal antibodies. In vitro, these constructs specifically killed leukemia, lymphoma, breast, ovarian, neuroblastoma, and prostate cancer cells at becquerel (picocurie) levels. Injection of single doses of the constructs at kilobecquerel (nanocurie) levels into mice bearing solid prostate carcinoma or disseminated human lymphoma induced tumor regression and prolonged survival, without toxicity, in a substantial fraction of animals. Nanogenerators targeting a wide variety of cancers may be possible.