PET Imaging with 124I-PUH71 for Cancer

This trial tests a new drug, PUH71, to determine its distribution in the body and duration in the blood. The goal is to assess whether PUH71 can treat cancer or aid in tumor detection through scanning. Participants receive a small dose of the drug and undergo multiple PET scans over several days. This trial may suit individuals with solid tumors, blood cancers like lymphoma, or certain rare blood disorders, provided they do not have thyroid issues or iodine allergies. As a Phase 1 trial, the research focuses on understanding how PUH71 works in people, offering participants the chance to be among the first to receive this new treatment.

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Research has shown that 124I-PUH71 has been tested in people before. One study found that using 124I-PUH71 for PET scans in cancer patients was safe and effective, with patients experiencing no serious side effects. Another study discovered that the tracer, part of the treatment, sometimes unexpectedly accumulated in the heart muscle. However, this did not harm the patients. These findings suggest that 124I-PUH71 is generally safe when used in small amounts for imaging.¹²³⁴⁵

Researchers are excited about the use of 124I-PUH71 for cancer because it offers a novel approach to imaging tumors. Unlike traditional imaging techniques, which often rely on general radiotracers, 124I-PUH71 specifically targets the heat shock protein Hsp90, a protein commonly overexpressed in cancer cells. This targeted approach could potentially improve the accuracy of tumor detection and monitoring by highlighting cancer cells more clearly, making it easier to assess how well treatments are working. Additionally, through PET imaging, it allows for a non-invasive method to track the progression of the disease in real time.

Research has shown that PUH71 targets a part of cancer cells called the epichaperome. In this trial, participants will receive 124I-PUH71, which helps make tumors visible by causing them to light up on PET scans. This effect has been observed in various solid tumors and lymphomas, a type of blood cancer. Early studies indicate that PUH71 effectively locates these cancer-related areas in the body, making it a promising tool for understanding tumor location and behavior.²⁴⁶⁷⁸