Research Overview

Our group focuses on the development and optimization of novel radiolabeled compounds to improve in vitro (target affinity, lipophilicity, internalization, albumin binding) and in vivo (stability, pharmacokinetics, clearance kinetics, tumor uptake and retention) aspects, aiming at clinical translation and improving patient care. In general, diseases like cancer overexpress certain targets (receptors, enzymes, transporters, etc.) while healthy organs do not. Hence, radiolabeled molecules designed to specifically bind to these targets will help to identify and treat areas in the body that show increased activity uptake compared with those that do not show elevated uptake. By combining diagnostic radionuclides such as fluorine-18 or gallium-68, among others, with molecules that specifically bind to the overexpressed target, we are able to diagnose and monitor diseases that correlate with target expression using positron emission tomography (PET). By combining the same or a similar ligand with therapeutic radionuclides such as lutetium-177, high-energy beta or alpha radiation can be delivered to and deposited at the target site. This ultimately results in the damage of malignant and adjacent cells, which enables site-specific treatment and usually leads to less side effects. Despite significant progress in the field of nuclear medicine in the last decades, there are still a lot of challenges, particularly in treating late-stage cancers. Together with the Preclinical Theranostics group and the Department of Nuclear Medicine we intend to identify and address unmet clinical needs. Our group will focus to address potential drawbacks of existing radioligands by chemical design, for example, stabilizing the biovector by introducing unnatural instead of natural amino acids or reducing the number of charged moieties within the molecule to prevent unspecific accumulation in healthy organs like the kidneys. Developed radioligands will be extensively studied in in vitro and in vivo studies, while constantly optimizing identified drawbacks. We will use established and novel labeling techniques and radionuclides which might improve imaging and therapy outcomes. The ultimate goal of our group represents the design of best-in-class radiopharmaceuticals for different targets and diseases, which will be translated in our clinic and improve patient care.

Read more