A CD33-targeted radiation therapy for acute myeloid leukemia
Novel Approaches to CD33-Directed Radioimmunotherapy
An antibody carrying a short-lived alpha-emitting radioactive atom (astatine-211) is being developed to kill CD33-positive leukemia cells in people with AML.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11251213 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating fully human antibodies that stick to different parts of the CD33 protein found on most AML cells and attaching the short-lived alpha-emitter astatine-211 to them. The goal is to deliver very high, highly localized radiation to leukemia cells while minimizing damage to normal tissues because 211At has a short half-life and no long-lived radioactive daughters. The team is comparing antibodies that bind the V-set versus the membrane-proximal C2-set domain of CD33 to find the best way to target leukemic blasts and possible leukemia stem cells. Most work so far uses humanized mouse models to test safety and how well the labeled antibodies kill AML cells before any human testing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with CD33-positive acute myeloid leukemia, particularly those whose disease persists or returns after standard treatments, would be the likely candidates.
Not a fit: People whose leukemia does not express CD33 or who cannot tolerate radioactive therapies for medical reasons would likely not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a more precise and powerful option against CD33-positive AML with less long-term radioactive toxicity than some earlier alpha therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Antibody-based CD33 therapy (gemtuzumab ozogamicin) has helped some patients and early actinium-225 CD33 radioimmunotherapy showed activity but had cost and safety drawbacks, so using 211At is a newer, less-tested strategy.
Where this research is happening
Seattle, United States
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center — Seattle, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walter, Roland Bruno — Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Study coordinator: Walter, Roland Bruno
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.