‘Assembling and investigating Tl-201 radiolabelled texaphyrin nanoparticles targeted to prostate cancer cells for Auger electron radiotherapy’

Thallium-201 (Tl-201) is mostly known to clinicians from its previous use in diagnostic imaging. However, this radionuclide is also a potent Auger electron emitter, releasing around 21 short range, low energy electrons per decay. Auger electron emitters have a potential in targeted treatment of small tumours due to localised energy transfer. So far, Tl-201 therapeutic effect remains unexplored mainly due to the lack of efficient, cancer-targeted delivery methods. In this UK-Canada collaboration project we will address the challenge of efficient binding and delivering Tl-201 to cancer cells by using targeted texaphyrin nanoparticles. These self-assembled nanoparticles have been already studied with radiometals, such as In-111, and present a great potential for radiotherapy and radionuclide imaging. Nonetheless, using texaphyrin compounds and texaphyrin nanoparticles to encapsulate thallium ions has not yet been investigated. This could provide an innovative approach to solving the challenge in selectively delivering Tl-201 into cancer cells for Auger electron radiotherapy.

Faculty Supervisor:

Raymond Reilly

Student:

Partner:

King's College London

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Toronto

Program: