What is Theranostics?

Theranostics is a personalised approach at treating cancer. Theranostics involves using a radioactive drug to diagnose a condition, and a second radioactive drug to treat it. Initially patients have a diagnostic PET-CT nuclear medicine scan which identifies if tumour receptors are present on tumour cells. If tumour receptors are present, a radioactive drug can be used to selectively target the tumour cells while avoiding healthy tissue. 

In the diagnostic stage, a tracer with biological and radioactive components is administered, the biological component latches on to the cancer cells in the body, while the radioactive part shows where these cells are on  a PET-CT nuclear medicine scan.  

In the therapy stage, another tracer is administered. The biological component latches on to the cancer cell, but the radioactive component is stronger this time and is designed to destroy the cancer cells. Theranostic treatments can extend and improve the quality of life for people with cancer and the effects are generally well tolerated.