To select the right cancer patient for the best (optimal) immunotherapeutic approach
Immunotherapy is a novel, rapidly evolving field in oncology, with several drugs registered but also new drugs and drug combinations under development. Cancer treatments are revolutionized by these drugs due to their broad activity across a variety of different cancers, leading to remarkable and durable responses. Unfortunately, no validated tools are available to predict which patients will benefit from these expensive drugs or will experience life-threatening toxicity. Patient selection based on factors such as PD-L1 expression and somatic mutations in tumor biopsies still undervalues the complexity and dynamics of immune response in which, next to tumor cells also, several immune cells are involved.
Modern PET technology and tracer development has made it possible to perform non-invasive whole body imaging with PET-antibody tracers. This can provide information on whole body distribution of the antibody and proofs whether the antibody does reach the presumed target. It provides insight in target expression against which the antibody is developed, quantitative uptake of the antibody in the tumor lesions and potential heterogeneity in uptake of different tumor lesions.
For the antibodies that act at immune checkpoint inhibitors this molecular imaging approach is of major interest as these drugs have activity across tumor types but not all patients do respond and major side effects can occur. Therefore imaging of these immunotherapeutics with PET might potentially allow personalized immunotherapy decisions.
Modern PET technology and tracer development has made it possible to perform non-invasive whole body imaging with PET-antibody tracers. This can provide information on whole body distribution of the antibody and proofs whether the antibody does reach the target. It provides insight in target expression against which the antibody is developed, quantitative uptake of the antibody in the tumor lesions and potential heterogeneity in uptake.
