Pre-Targeting Radiopharmaceutical Therapy for Liver Cancer
Official title: Development of a Pre-Targeting Strategy for Liver Cancer Radionuclide Therapy
Funded at Zeest Bio INC · NIH-11405078 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing program aims to test a two-step radiotherapy approach that targets liver cancer more precisely while reducing side effects.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Zeest Bio INC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Watertown, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $398,040 |
| NIH project number | 1R43CA310036-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11405078 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with liver cancer who may benefit from targeted radiopharmaceutical therapy and could participate in future clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver cancer who cannot tolerate radiopharmaceutical therapy or have tumors not amenable to this targeting approach may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops a two-step treatment where a tumor-targeting agent is first given to home in on liver cancer, followed by a small radioactive molecule that binds to it to deliver therapy. By separating targeting from radiation delivery, the approach hopes to maximize tumor radiation and minimize exposure to healthy tissues. The work will start in preclinical models to optimize how well the targeting agent localizes in tumors, how long it stays there, and how it clears from the body, then test the binding and radiation dose distribution of the second molecule in living systems.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this strategy could allow higher tumor-killing radiation doses with fewer side effects for people with liver cancer.
How similar studies have gone: Previous radiopharmaceutical approaches show promise, and pre-targeting strategies have shown improved specificity in early studies, but this exact platform is being tested in liver cancer.
Where this research is happening
-
Zeest Bio INC
Watertown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vakili, Khashayar — Zeest Bio INC
- Study coordinator: Vakili, Khashayar
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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.