Research
Radiobiology and Targeted Radiotherapy : JP. Pouget

Our team is developing a streamlined approach in preclinical targeted radiotherapy for translational purposes. It consists of researchers and clinicians from nuclear medicine. TRT consists of treating cancer by the administration of radiolabelled molecules called radiopharmaceuticals. These radiopharmaceuticals are composed of a vector molecule (monoclonal antibody, peptide, etc.) targeting the tumor cells or their environment and of a radionuclide that decays by emitting ionizing radiation. The therapeutic activity of the radiopharmaceutical can be due to both the biological action of the carrier molecule and the effects of irradiation. These radiopharmaceuticals can also be developed for diagnostic purposes to detect tumor cells in the body. For this, the carrier molecule must be adapted and the radionuclide must emit detectable radiation by SPECT and PET molecular imaging techniques. The approach associating the same targeting molecule for diagnosis and therapy is called theranostic. The rationalization of our approach focuses on establishing dose-response relationships between administered activities and observed biological effects (therapeutic efficacy / toxicity). It therefore requires knowledge of the biological mechanisms involved (radiobiology) and the control of doses delivered (dosimetry). Our work focuses on the role of targeted (radiative) and non-targeted (bystander and abscopal) effects involving intercellular communications and / or the involvement of the immune system. The final aim of our research, led by a multidisciplinary team, is to be transferred to the clinic for optimal cancer diagnosis and treatment.

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