Radiopharmaceutical Therapy

The
Science

Therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are a safe and effective targeted approach to treating many types of cancer and serious diseases. NorthStar is routinely producing Cu-67 poised to be one of the first commercial-scale producers of Ac-225. Both are used to deliver precise therapeutic doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells in patients while sparing healthy tissue.

HOW DOES Radiopharmaceutical
THERAPY WORK?

Radiopharmaceuticals suited for therapeutic purposes are those that strongly bind to the tumor.

They transport targeted doses of radiation directly to the tumor and its metastases, thereby sparing normal healthy tissue.

The carrier molecule type, such as antigens or receptors, is determined by its affinity to the tumor’s structure.

The ionizing radiation emitted by a radionuclide linked to the carrier, kills cancer cells by damaging their DNA, causing the tumors to shrink.

An IDEAL RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL
FOR THERAPEUTIC PURPOSES SHOULD:

1
Reach all malignant tumor cells wherever they are localized
2
Act exclusively in the cells of the malignant tumors
3
Destroy malignant tumors cells with great efficiency
4
Deliver targeted radiation with high specificity, sparing healthy tissue
VIEW OUR
Therapeutics
Backgrounder

THERAPEUTIC
RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS

THERAPEUTIC RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS ARE COMPRISED OF A THERAPEUTIC RADIOISOTOPE AND A TARGETING MOLECULAR CARRIER THAT DELIVERS THE RADIOACTIVE DRUG SELECTIVELY TO CANCER CELLS, LEAVING HEALTHY CELLS INTACT.

Radioisotopes that decay by beta-particle (negatively charged electrons) or alpha-particle (helium nuclei) emissions are selected for these radiotherapeutics as they can deliver lethal radiation to tumor sites during their radioactive decay. The molecular carriers, such as monoclonal antibodies or peptides, target a specific site on a tumor cell and are designed for high tumor uptake. The radioisotopes are bound to the carrier molecules with a chemical linker to ensure the radionuclide remains attached to the molecule in the bloodstream and is carried to the tumor site to deliver their therapeutic dose. This graphic demonstrates this process.

GREENING
CANCER THERAPY

NorthStar is already at the forefront of using environmentally preferred technologies to produce radioisotopes. Our advanced processes using electron accelerators produce far less problematic, long-lived waste and radioactive byproducts requiring highly sophisticated trans-uranial storage methods.

CANCER THERAPY
REIMAGINED™

Important clinical studies are underway using Actinium-225 and Copper-67 in patients with various types of cancers such as prostate, lung, breast, colon, melanoma, lymphoma and neuroendocrine. NorthStar is proud to play a critical role in these emerging treatment options for patients with cancer.