Reducing saliva gland and kidney damage from PSMA-targeted prostate cancer therapy
Minimizing salivary gland and renal toxicity arising from PSMA-targeted alpha therapy
This project will test whether adding a non-radioactive PSMA molecule (PSMA-11) can lower salivary gland and kidney side effects of PSMA-targeted alpha therapy for men with advanced prostate cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309143 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Doctors are working to make a powerful prostate cancer radioligand therapy ([225Ac]-PSMA-617) safer by lowering damage to salivary glands and kidneys. They plan to add PSMA-11 to reduce the effective specific activity of the radioactive drug so less of it ends up in healthy glands and kidneys while keeping tumor uptake high. In mouse studies this approach cut salivary gland and kidney uptake without reducing tumor targeting, and the team will use imaging, biodistribution tests, and dosing experiments to optimize the method. The goal is to refine a safe dosing strategy that could be moved into clinical use so more patients can benefit from the therapy with fewer side effects.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who express PSMA and who are considering or receiving PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy.
Not a fit: Patients without PSMA-expressing prostate cancer, those not eligible for PSMA-targeted therapy, or those with severe preexisting kidney disease may not directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could let more men receive effective PSMA-targeted alpha therapy with less risk of dry mouth and kidney harm.
How similar studies have performed: Related clinical use of [225Ac]-PSMA-617 has produced strong tumor responses but notable salivary and kidney toxicity, and preclinical animal studies have shown that adding cold PSMA ligand can reduce healthy-tissue uptake.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pillarsetty, Nagavarakishore — Sloan-Kettering Inst Can Research
- Study coordinator: Pillarsetty, Nagavarakishore
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.