Authors :
Eddahoumi Y.; Elqabissi O.; Mousannif S.; Bentaleb N.; Bouatia M.
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 10 - October
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/5n6pvkhz
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/552etadb
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25oct1065
Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.
Note : Google Scholar may take 30 to 40 days to display the article.
Abstract :
Background
The convergence of nanotechnology and radiopharmaceutical science represents a transformative approach in
precision oncology. By combining nanoscale delivery systems with therapeutic radioisotopes, nano-radiopharmaceuticals
achieve targeted tumor irradiation while minimizing off-target toxicity. Despite growing clinical adoption, systematic
assessments integrating clinical efficacy, safety, and pharmacy practice implications remain limited.
Objective
To systematically review the clinical applications, therapeutic efficacy, safety outcomes, and pharmacy practice
considerations of nano-radiopharmaceuticals currently approved or in development for cancer treatment.
Methods
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov
from January 2015 to August 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. Human clinical trials reporting therapeutic applications
of nano-radiopharmaceuticals were included. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data on study
characteristics, efficacy outcomes, safety profiles, manufacturing requirements, and pharmacy practice implications.
Results
Of 3,247 records screened, 89 studies involving 12,456 patients were included. Agents approved for clinical use include
ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®), lutetium-177 dotatate (Lutathera®), lutetium-177 PSMA-617 (Pluvicto®), and
yttrium-90 microspheres. Overall response rates ranged from 23% to 83%, with hematologic malignancies showing superior
activity (median ORR 78%) compared with solid tumors (median ORR 42%). Grade 3–4 toxicities occurred in 15–45% of
patients, mainly hematologic. Implementation required specialized facilities in nearly 90% of institutions, with average
preparation times of 2.5–4.8 hours and costs per treatment course ranging from $15,000 to $85,000.
Conclusion
Nano-radiopharmaceuticals have demonstrated substantial clinical efficacy with manageable toxicity profiles across
multiple cancer types. Their integration into oncology practice demands significant pharmacy infrastructure, specialized
training, and rigorous quality control. Continued research is needed to refine patient selection, enhance manufacturing
efficiency, and establish cost-effectiveness frameworks.
Keywords :
Nano-Radiopharmaceuticals, Systematic Review, Oncology Pharmacy, Targeted Radiotherapy, Cancer.
References :
- Sung H, Ferlay J, Siegel RL, et al. Global Cancer Statistics 2020: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. CA Cancer J Clin. 2021;71(3):209-249. doi:10.3322/caac.21660
- DeVita VT Jr, Chu E. A history of cancer chemotherapy. Cancer Res. 2008;68(21):8643-8653. doi:10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-07-6611
- Kelkar SS, Reineke TM. Theranostics: combining imaging and therapy. Bioconjug Chem. 2011;22(10):1879-1903. doi:10.1021/bc200151q
- Pouget JP, Lozza C, Deshayes E, et al. Introduction to radiobiology of targeted radionuclide therapy. Front Med (Lausanne). 2015;2:12. doi:10.3389/fmed.2015.00012
- Sgouros G, Bodei L, McDevitt MR, et al. Radiopharmaceutical therapy in cancer: clinical advances and challenges. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2020;19(9):589-608. doi:10.1038/s41573-020-0073-9
- Matsumura Y, Maeda H. A new concept for macromolecular therapeutics in cancer chemotherapy: mechanism of tumoritropic accumulation of proteins and the antitumor agent smancs. Cancer Res. 1986;46(12 Pt 1):6387-6392.
- Callahan RJ, Chilton HM, Ponto JA, et al. Procedure guideline for the use of radiopharmaceuticals 4.0. J Nucl Med Technol. 2007;35(4):272-275. doi:10.2967/jnmt.107.046318
- Hope TA, Calais J, Zhang L, et al. 177Lu-PSMA-617 theranostics versus cabazitaxel in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (TheraP): a randomised, open-label, phase 2 trial. Lancet. 2022;399(10334):1695-1706. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(22)00605-2
- Moher D, Liberati A, Tetzlaff J, et al. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses: the PRISMA statement. PLoS Med. 2009;6(7):e1000097. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000097
- Witzig TE, Gordon LI, Cabanillas F, et al. Randomized controlled trial of yttrium-90-labeled ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy versus rituximab immunotherapy for patients with relapsed or refractory low-grade, follicular, or transformed B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. J Clin Oncol. 2002;20(10):2453-2463. doi:10.1200/JCO.2002.11.076
- Strosberg J, El-Haddad G, Wolin E, et al. Phase 3 trial of 177Lu-dotatate for midgut neuroendocrine tumors. N Engl J Med. 2017;376(2):125-135. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1607427
- Sartor O, de Bono J, Chi KN, et al. Lutetium-177-PSMA-617 for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(12):1091-1103. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa2107322
- Salem R, Gordon AC, Mouli S, et al. Y90 radioembolization significantly prolongs time to progression compared with chemoembolization in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Gastroenterology. 2016;151(6):1155-1163.e2. doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2016.08.029
- Czuczman MS, Weaver R, Alkuzweny B, et al. Prolonged clinical and molecular remission in patients with low-grade or follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma treated with rituximab plus CHOP chemotherapy: 9-year follow-up. J Clin Oncol. 2004;22(23):4711-4716. doi:10.1200/JCO.2004.12.123
- Parker C, Nilsson S, Heinrich D, et al. Alpha emitter radium-223 and survival in metastatic prostate cancer. N Engl J Med. 2013;369(3):213-223. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1213755
- Bodei L, Cremonesi M, Ferrari M, et al. Long-term evaluation of renal toxicity after peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with 90Y-DOTATOC and 177Lu-DOTATATE: the role of associated risk factors. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2008;35(10):1847-1856. doi:10.1007/s00259-008-0778-1
- Cremonesi M, Ferrari M, Bodei L, et al. Dosimetry in peptide radionuclide receptor therapy: a review. J Nucl Med. 2006;47(9):1467-1475.
- Kam BL, Teunissen JJ, Krenning EP, et al. Lutetium-labelled peptides for therapy of neuroendocrine tumours. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2012;39 Suppl 1:S103-S112. doi:10.1007/s00259-011-2039-y
- Dash A, Pillai MRA, Knapp FF Jr. Production of 177Lu for targeted radiotherapy: available options. Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2015;49(2):85-107. doi:10.1007/s13139-014-0315-z
- International Atomic Energy Agency. Therapeutic Radiopharmaceuticals Labelled with Copper-67, Rhenium-186 and Rhenium-188. IAEA-TECDOC-1945. Vienna: IAEA;
Background
The convergence of nanotechnology and radiopharmaceutical science represents a transformative approach in
precision oncology. By combining nanoscale delivery systems with therapeutic radioisotopes, nano-radiopharmaceuticals
achieve targeted tumor irradiation while minimizing off-target toxicity. Despite growing clinical adoption, systematic
assessments integrating clinical efficacy, safety, and pharmacy practice implications remain limited.
Objective
To systematically review the clinical applications, therapeutic efficacy, safety outcomes, and pharmacy practice
considerations of nano-radiopharmaceuticals currently approved or in development for cancer treatment.
Methods
A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov
from January 2015 to August 2025, following PRISMA guidelines. Human clinical trials reporting therapeutic applications
of nano-radiopharmaceuticals were included. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data on study
characteristics, efficacy outcomes, safety profiles, manufacturing requirements, and pharmacy practice implications.
Results
Of 3,247 records screened, 89 studies involving 12,456 patients were included. Agents approved for clinical use include
ibritumomab tiuxetan (Zevalin®), lutetium-177 dotatate (Lutathera®), lutetium-177 PSMA-617 (Pluvicto®), and
yttrium-90 microspheres. Overall response rates ranged from 23% to 83%, with hematologic malignancies showing superior
activity (median ORR 78%) compared with solid tumors (median ORR 42%). Grade 3–4 toxicities occurred in 15–45% of
patients, mainly hematologic. Implementation required specialized facilities in nearly 90% of institutions, with average
preparation times of 2.5–4.8 hours and costs per treatment course ranging from $15,000 to $85,000.
Conclusion
Nano-radiopharmaceuticals have demonstrated substantial clinical efficacy with manageable toxicity profiles across
multiple cancer types. Their integration into oncology practice demands significant pharmacy infrastructure, specialized
training, and rigorous quality control. Continued research is needed to refine patient selection, enhance manufacturing
efficiency, and establish cost-effectiveness frameworks.
Keywords :
Nano-Radiopharmaceuticals, Systematic Review, Oncology Pharmacy, Targeted Radiotherapy, Cancer.