Theranostics refers to a combined therapy and diagnostics approach to patient treatment. It involves the use of a diagnostic drug to first identify and label tumour cells – followed by the delivery of a therapeutic isotope (radioactive drug) to then kill the identified tumours.
Whilst used to diagnose and treat Neuroendocrine Tumours (NETs) for many years, researchers and biotech companies are making new discoveries in prostate, brain, kidney, ovarian cancer and neurological disorders.
In late 2021 NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia and the National Theranostics Roundtable Committee brought together stakeholders from around Australia to discuss – The Future of Precision Oncology in Nuclear Medicine. Australia is in an enviable position with an expert nuclear specialist workforce, cutting edge research, new and emerging biotech companies, and manufacturing and sovereign capabilities through the Australian Nuclear and Science Organisation (ANSTO), although we need to ensure we future proof these competences, upscale, and most importantly have a HTA system that can adapt to new discoveries and technologies.
The report from this first National Theranositcs Roundtable summarises the many aspects presented at the event required for this precision medicine, hearing from researchers, clinicians, industry and from the Chairs of the MSAC, TGA and Cancer Australia.
The next steps are to put forward Theranostics as part of precision medicine considerations in the upcoming HTA review, as well as hold another forum concentrating on Theranostics Horizon Scanning and how Australia can maintain their capabilities in this fast-moving space.
Please below to read the report.
