Developments in 177Lu-based radiopharmaceutical therapy and dosimetry

Abstract

¹⁷⁷Lu is a radioisotope that has become increasingly popular as a therapeutic agent for treating various conditions, including neuroendocrine tumors and metastatic prostate cancer. ¹⁷⁷Lu-tagged radioligands are molecules precisely designed to target and bind to specific receptors or proteins characteristic of targeted cancer. This review paper will present an overview of the available ¹⁷⁷Lu-labelled radioligands currently used to treat patients. Based on recurring, active, and completed clinical trials and other available literature, we evaluate current status, interests, and developments in assessing patient-specific dosimetry, which will define the future of this particular treatment modality. In addition, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities of the existing dosimetry standards to measure and calculate the radiation dose delivered to patients, which is essential for ensuring treatments' safety and efficacy. Finally, this article intends to provide an overview of the current state of ¹⁷⁷Lu- tagged radioligand therapy and highlight the areas where further research can improve patient treatment outcomes.

Keywords: 177Lu; absorbed dose; calculation methods; clinical trials; contemporary developments; dose calculations; imaging; patient-specific dosimetry.