Cancer Targeted Technology, a Seattle-based biotechnology company, recently initiated Phase I clinical trial of CTT1403, a radiotherapeutic drug to treat patients with advanced stage prostate cancer. In collaboration with Principal Investigator, Dr. Rahul Aggarwal, the clinical trial is being conducted at University of California, cite sources. The radiotherapeutic drug targets PSMA (Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen). Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen is over expressed on greater than 90% of all prostate cancer & the amount of expression increases as the cancer spreads. The two main features that differentiates CTT1403 from other PSMA-targeted drugs currently in development. One feature is that its molecules bind irreversibly to Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen which results in enhanced uptake of the drug within the tumor. The other feature is that CTT1403 contains an albumin binding component that increases circulation of the drug in the body leading to increased dose of drug that accumulates at the tumor sites. The radiotherapeutic drug is labeled with Lutetium-177 (radionuclide) & once transported to the tumor, the radionuclide destroys the tumor cell. Reportedly, the National Institute of Health recently announced that it was awarding Cancer Targeted Technology a competitive SBIR Phase IIB grant for $3.2 million over next 3 years to help fund the clinical trial & further the development of CTT1403. Dr. Beatrice Langton-Webster, CEO, Cancer Targeted Technology was reportedly quoted saying that the company is elated to receive grant from the National Institute of Health, as it will help the Phase I clinical trial of the drug to treat patients suffering from advanced prostate cancer. Targeting the Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen biomarker is revolutionizing how biotechnology companies think of both diagnosing and treating prostate cancer with CTT1403. The drug’s well-designed & unique mode of binding has the potential to be both safe and more effective against prostate cancer than the prevalent therapies, Webster added. As per sources close to the matter, Cancer Targeted Technology recently completed clinical trials at University of California, San Francisco with CTT1057, the companion PET diagnostic to CTT1403, with excellent safety & imaging results. Source credits: https://www.cancertargetedtechnology.com/view.cfm/30/cancer-targeted-technology-commences-phase-i-clinical-trial-in-prostate-cancer-patients-with-an-innovative-radiotherapy-ctt1403-and-receives-a-32m-nih-grant-to-fund-the-trial