A comprehensive review published in the Medical Journal of Peking Union Medical College Hospital outlines significant advances in radionuclide drug conjugates (RDCs), a class of therapeutics that combines diagnostic imaging with targeted radiotherapy. The review, covering 15 years of research, emphasizes the potential of RDCs to transform cancer management by enabling simultaneous tumor detection, treatment, and response monitoring within a single platform.
RDCs are formed by coupling radioactive isotopes with antibodies, peptides, or small molecules, allowing precise targeting of cancer cells. The study, conducted by a team from Peking Union Medical College Hospital, categorizes RDCs into antibody-, peptide-, and small-molecule–based conjugates, each offering unique pharmacological benefits. Notably, the review highlights the emergence of cyclic peptide conjugates, which exhibit low toxicity and high tumor selectivity.
Policy reforms have played a crucial role in advancing RDC development. Since 2020, regulatory agencies have issued technical guidelines that standardize clinical evaluation, non-clinical research, and radiochemical quality control, creating a more predictable environment for innovation. These efforts have contributed to an expanding number of clinical trials and new therapeutic targets.
"RDCs represent the only class of therapeutics capable of achieving true integration of diagnosis and treatment," said Prof. Hongyun Wang, senior author of the review. "Despite challenges in radiochemical synthesis, stability, and regulatory alignment, we are witnessing unprecedented enthusiasm and cross-disciplinary collaboration in this field."
The review underscores the need for stronger innovation capacity, improved isotope supply chains, and streamlined approval processes to support RDC translation from laboratory to clinic. As aging populations and cancer incidence rise, demand for next-generation radiopharmaceuticals is expected to grow. Through coordinated scientific, industrial, and regulatory efforts, RDCs are poised to become a cornerstone of precision oncology, offering patients more accurate diagnoses and safer, more effective treatment pathways.
The full review is available at https://xhyxzz.pumch.cn/article/doi/10.12290/xhyxzz.2024-0577.
