Radioimmunotherapy
Radioimmunotherapy (RIT) is a form of targeted cancer therapy that combines radiation therapy with the specificity of immunotherapy. This therapy uses an antibody labeled with a radionuclide to deliver cytotoxic radiation directly to a targeted cell.
History[edit | edit source]
The concept of RIT was first proposed in the 1970s, but it was not until the 1990s that the first RIT drugs were approved by the FDA. These were Zevalin and Bexxar, both used for the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
In RIT, a monoclonal antibody is combined with a radioactive isotope, creating a radioimmunoconjugate. This conjugate is then administered to the patient, where it binds to a specific antigen on the surface of cancer cells. The radiation emitted by the isotope damages the DNA of the cancer cells, causing them to die.
Applications[edit | edit source]
RIT has been used to treat a variety of cancers, including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. It is also being investigated for use in other types of cancer, such as breast cancer and ovarian cancer.
Advantages and Disadvantages[edit | edit source]
One of the main advantages of RIT is its specificity. Because the radioimmunoconjugate specifically targets cancer cells, it can deliver a high dose of radiation to the cancer while sparing healthy tissue. However, RIT also has some disadvantages. These include the risk of radiation exposure to healthcare workers and the patient's family, and the potential for side effects such as bone marrow suppression.
Future Directions[edit | edit source]
Research is ongoing to improve the effectiveness of RIT and to expand its use to other types of cancer. This includes the development of new radioimmunoconjugates, as well as strategies to overcome resistance to RIT.
| Radioimmunotherapy Resources | |
|---|---|
|
 |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
