Precision Radionuclide Therapy™

Also known as PRnT™, the treatment uses highly localized radiation to destroy cancerous tumors by placing a radioactive isotope directly inside the treatment area, delivering therapeutic radiation from within the tumor. Vivos Inc. has developed a Yttrium-90 based injectable device to treat tumors in animals (IsoPet® Division) and humans (RadioGel® Division, not currently approved for human use).

Radionuclide therapy, also known as nuclear medicine therapy or radiopharmaceutical therapy, involves the use of radioactive substances to treat diseases, most commonly cancer. The therapy utilizes radionuclides, which are radioactive isotopes, attached to molecules that can specifically target cancer cells. This allows the radionuclides to deliver targeted radiation directly to the tumor or diseased area, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.

In this treatment, the radioactive isotopes emit radiation that damages the DNA of the targeted cells, leading to cell death or a significant reduction in the cell's ability to multiply. The most familiar forms of radionuclide therapy include treatments for thyroid cancer using iodine-131, pain relief from bone metastases with strontium-89 or samarium-153, and peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) for treating neuroendocrine tumors using radionuclide peptides. Vivos Inc. and their patented Precision Radionuclide Therapy™ uses Yttrium-90 to kill tumors and is revolutionizing the treatment of cancer.

Yttrium-90’s Role In Cancer Treatment

Yttrium-90 (Y-90) is a radioactive isotope commonly used in radionuclide therapy, particularly for cancer treatment. Y-90 emits beta radiation, which is effective for treating certain types of cancers because of its ability to deliver high doses of radiation to localized areas with minimal impact on surrounding healthy tissue. Here are some key applications of Yttrium-90 in cancer therapy:

• Radioembolization: Also known as selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), it involves delivering Y-90 microspheres directly into the arteries feeding a tumor, typically in the liver. This is commonly used for treating hepatocellular carcinoma (primary liver cancer) and metastatic colorectal cancer in the liver when surgery is not an option.
• Radiosynovectomy: Y-90 is used to treat inflammation in the synovial joints (such as in rheumatoid arthritis) by injecting it directly into the joint. Although not a cancer treatment, it's worth mentioning for its therapeutic use in joint disease using radiation.
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: Y-90 is conjugated to monoclonal antibodies that target specific cancer cells in some types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The antibodies deliver Y-90 directly to the cancer cells, where it can destroy them with localized radiation.

The use of Y-90 allows for high precision in targeting tumors, reducing the risk of side effects typically associated with external beam radiation. The treatment planning involves sophisticated imaging techniques to ensure accurate delivery of the radioactive material.

Y-90 therapy is effective in extending survival and improving the quality of life for patients with specific types of cancer, making it a valuable option in the oncological toolkit.

Radionuclide therapy has several advantages, including its ability to treat cells systematically throughout the body, which makes it particularly useful for conditions where cancer cells have spread to multiple locations. It is typically considered for use when other treatments have failed or as an adjunct to other therapies to enhance their effectiveness.

The Radionuclide Market 

The market for radionuclide therapy is expected to experience steady growth in the coming years, driven by several factors:

• Rising Cancer Burden: The increasing prevalence of cancer globally creates a larger patient pool for this treatment approach.

• Targeted Therapy Advantages: Radionuclide therapy offers a targeted approach with potentially fewer side effects compared to traditional radiation therapy.

• Technological Advancements: Developments in radiopharmaceuticals and targeted isotopes are improving the effectiveness and specificity of the treatment.

• Focus on Minimally Invasive Procedures: Radionuclide therapy can sometimes be administered with minimal invasiveness, leading to faster recovery and potentially lower costs.

Market segments - The radionuclide therapy market can be segmented based on various factors, including:

• Type of Radionuclide: Different isotopes with varying properties are used for specific applications.

• Cancer Type: The market can be further segmented by the types of cancers treated with radionuclide therapy (e.g., prostate cancer, neuroendocrine tumors).

• Delivery Method: The market can be segmented based on how the radiopharmaceuticals are administered (e.g., oral, intravenous, injection).

Market Research - While a single definitive market size for the global radionuclide therapy market might be elusive, some market research firms provide reports on related segments:

• Radioligand Therapy Market: This segment focuses on radiopharmaceuticals that use antibodies or peptides to target cancer cells. 

• Radionuclide Therapy Market: Considering the growth drivers and targeted therapy advantages, the radionuclide therapy market is expected to be a promising area within nuclear medicine.

• Reports suggest this market could reach USD 13 billion by 2030

The global radiation therapy market size was estimated at $7.47 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $10.4 billion to $16.3 billion by 2033 at a CAGR of 8.58% from 2024 to 2033. Major companies like Pfizer (NYSE: PFE) are returning to their emphasis on cancer treatment after focusing on COVID-19 for the past few years. Other major pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca(NASDAQ: AZN) and Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) are also going nuclear with radiation to tackle cancer, and Big Pharma’s billions of dollars in investments in nuclear medicine highlight how cancer treatment is shifting to targeted approaches.

Vivos Inc. has made significant developments in both their human and animal divisions. The company has achieved milestones announcing that the FDA granted RadioGel® Precision Radionuclide Therapy™ the designation of a Breakthrough Device and will use this designation to accelerate clinical trial approvals. 

The IsoPet® division is treating animal cancer in eight clinics across the United States and is expanding quickly. Key regional clinics are the University of Missouri, Johns Hopkins Medicine, and the most recently certified University of Wisconsin for Equine cancer treatment. 

The RadioGel® Division is working closely with the Mayo Clinic for the initial indication for delivering therapeutic radiation to solid metastatic tumors in lymph nodes associated with papillary thyroid cancer.  

RadioGel® is currently not approved for human therapy.