Over 170 patients already treated with this innovative technique
Since 2016, the Centre Baclesse has been offering a clear diversification of its cutting-edge approach to nuclear medicine: Vectorized Internal Radiotherapy (VIR). Activity, which has been rising sharply since 2022, has treated over 170 patients, with more than 650 injections performed, making the Centre Baclesse one of the benchmark facilities in Normandy for this targeted therapy.
What exactly is RIV?
IVR involves the use of radiopharmaceuticals for the targeted destruction of cancer cells, while limiting the effects on healthy tissue. They are most frequently administered intravenously.
This approach relies on the use of radiation to damage the DNA of cancer cells.
This treatment is based on two components:
- A carrier molecule (peptide, antibody or the radioisotope itself in the case of Radium223 or Iodine131) capable of specifically recognizing the target (tumor cells) often via markers or receptors present on their surface, such as prostate-specific membrane antigen(PSMA ) in prostate cancer or somatostatin receptors in neuroendocrine tumors and meningiomas, for example.
- A radioisotope, such as Lutetium-177, emitting (beta) radiation over a very short distance to destroy targeted tumor cells while sparing healthy tissue.
A theranostic approach: diagnosis for better treatment
IVR is often part of a so-called theranostic strategy, which combines diagnosis and treatment in two stages:
- Diagnostic stage: A radiopharmaceutical tracer is injected to verify the presence of markers on target tumour cells (e.g. PSMA in prostate cancer). Only patients with good tumor fixation and no other contraindications are eligible for treatment.
- Therapeutic stage: A very similar or even identical vector is used, this time linked to a therapeutic isotope. The radiation emitted (beta or alpha) damages the DNA of cancer cells within a radius of a few millimeters for beta particles and less than a millimeter for alpha particles.
The main indications
IVR is currently used at the Centre Baclesse for the treatment of several pathologies:
- Metastatic prostate cancer
- Inoperable or metastatic neuroendocrine tumors
- Meningiomas
- Thyroid cancers and certain benign thyroid pathologies such as hyperthyroidism
Building on its experience with Lutetium-177-DOTATATE in the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors and meningiomas, the Centre Baclesse was able to extend its offer to patients with metastatic prostate cancer thanks to Lutetium-177-PSMA-617 and Radium-223.
A personalized, better-tolerated method
This therapeutic strategy offers several major advantages:
- Personalized treatment: only patients likely to respond positively to therapy receive the treatment.
- Reduced side effects: the targeted nature of irradiation means that healthy tissue is preserved as much as possible.
- Optimized follow-up: post-therapy scans are used to check that the drug is being properly distributed and is working.
An organization dedicated to excellence
Implementing IVR requires a highly specialized , multidisciplinary team. The nuclear medicine department at the Centre Baclesse relies on :
- 4 nuclear physicians
- 2 radiopharmacists
- 1 radiophysicist
- 14 medical electroradiology manipulators
- 2 care assistants
- 5 medical assistants
- 1 health executive
This service, approved by the French Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN), meets rigorous safety standards, particularly in terms of radiation protection.
Facilities adapted to radiation protection
RIV treatment often requires day-long hospitalization in radiation-protected rooms, designed to guarantee the safety of patients, staff and the public. These individual rooms are equipped with :
- Leaded walls
- Filtered ventilation systems
- And sanitary facilities connected to specific treatment tanks located in the basement.
The Centre Baclesse is one of the few facilities in Normandy to have this infrastructure. To meet growing demand, the Center plans to expand from 4 to 5 specialized rooms in the near future.
Expertise in constant evolution
Faced with the challenges of radiation protection and changing regulations, the Centre Baclesse is constantly improving its protocols and equipment to guarantee ever safer and more effective treatments.
With its expertise and dedicated infrastructures, the Centre Baclesse is a leading player in theranostic nuclear medicine. Vectorized Internal Radiotherapy opens up new treatment prospects for patients with complex cancers, as part of a personalized, targeted and innovative approach to medicine.
