Rigshospitalet is launching a new research collaboration with DTU Space that could have major implications for cancer treatment through targeted radionuclide therapy.
The collaboration focuses on the production and use of astatine-211, a radioactive isotope of the rare element astatine (At).
Astatine-211 is considered particularly promising for the targeted treatment of cancer using radioactive drugs. As part of the project, Rigshospitalet’s Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Unit within the Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine is collaborating with DTU Space to develop and optimise new equipment and production processes for the isotope.
The goal is to increase Rigshospitalet’s production capacity and support the development of more precise and gentler treatments.
The treatment method is interesting because it makes it possible to target very small metastases and individual cancer cells with great precision.
Holger Jensen, Chief Physicist from Rigshospitalet’s Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Unit, who leads the partnership project at Rigshospitalet.
Gentle treatment close to the cancer cells
Radionuclide therapy differs from traditional radiotherapy in that the radiation does not come from an external source outside the body. Instead, a radioactive substance is attached to a drug, which is introduced into the body and transported directly to the cancer cells, where it releases radiation.
Rigshospitalet has extensive expertise in delivering radiation directly to cancer cells over distances of less than one-tenth of a millimetre using targeted radioactive drugs.
“With radionuclide therapy, we can deliver radiation very locally around cancer cells and thereby spare the healthy tissue surrounding the tumour to a greater extent. This makes the treatment particularly interesting for the development of future targeted cancer therapies,” adds Holger Jensen.
When space research benefits patients
The collaboration on astatine-211 treatment comprises a number of projects over the next five years and is supported by research funding from, among others, the EU’s Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) and Innovation Fund Denmark. The total funding amounts to DKK 150 million.
It’s a really exciting project to contribute to. We are working with technologies developed for space research that can now help improve the treatment of serious cancers here on Earth.
Professor Irfan Kuvvetli, who leads DTU Space’s contribution to the project.
He researches sensor systems and detector technology for measuring X-ray and gamma radiation. “DTU has previously collaborated with Rigshospitalet, and we are pleased to participate in this project, where we can bring together the extensive knowledge and experience of both institutions,” he says.
Developing new treatments for cancer patients
Irfan Kuvvetli’s experience in developing advanced sensor systems for space research is being used, among other things, to analyse and optimise the processes involved in the production of radioactive isotopes. “For example, we contribute expertise in detector technology, target design and heat-transport simulations,” says Irfan Kuvvetli.
In space research, this technology is used to detect and observe extreme and energetic phenomena in the universe, such as black holes, neutron stars and stellar explosions.
“The collaboration is a really good example of how technology and methods developed for space research can find applications far beyond their original research area. In this case, they are being used to develop new treatments for cancer patients,” adds Irfan Kuvvetli.
The new collaboration
The collaboration is an extension of a strategic partnership between DTU and Rigshospitalet that was initiated in 2023. Among other things, the partnership aims to bring technological and digital expertise closer to research, innovation and treatment at the hospitals.
Rigshospitalet’s Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Unit has 25 years of experience in the production of astatine-211 and is considered one of the leading producers in Europe in this field. Rigshospitalet produces and supplies astatine-211 daily to partners in Denmark and several other European countries. DTU Space has also been a leading centre of expertise in space-based detector technology and related processes for analysing X-ray and gamma radiation for many years.
Astatine-211 is used in targeted cancer therapy by being attached to a molecule, such as an antibody or peptide, that can recognise and bind to cancer cells. The substance is typically administered by injection or intravenous infusion and travels through the body until it binds to cancer cells.
When astatine-211 decays near or on cancer cells, it emits alpha radiation that causes severe damage to the DNA of the cancer cells. Alpha particles have a very short range in tissue — just 50–100 thousandths of a millimetre — making it possible to target cancer cells very precisely while largely sparing the surrounding healthy tissue.
Photo: In a new project, DTU Space Professor Irfan Kuvvetli (center) is transferring space technology to the healthcare sector in collaboration with Chief Physicist Holger Jensen (left) from Rigshospitalet’s Cyclotron and Radiochemistry Unit. DTU student Emil Caroli Juul (right) is also contributing to the project.
