Applications of Radioimmunotherapy and Imaging in Nuclear Medicine

Dear Colleagues,

Since the introduction of the "magic bullet" concept a century ago, radioimmunotherapy (RIT) has become a growing field of interest in the fight against cancer. The possibility to combine different radionuclides with tumor-directed monoclonal antibodies (Abs) paved the way for FDA and EMA approval of 131I-tositumomab and 90Y-ibritumomab tiuxetan in the management of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma decades ago. Despite proven efficacy in hematologic disease, the benefit of RIT in solid tumors has yet to be demonstrated and represents one of the most interesting challenges for radioimmunotherapy.

In the era of theranostics, several agents based on Ab fragments or small mimetic Abs, such as peptides, affibody molecules, or single-chain Abs, with improved tumor-targeting capabilities have been developed for diagnostic purposes. In particular, immuno-PET has combined the sensitivity of functional imaging (SPECT or PET) with the high affinity and specificity of monoclonal antibodies or ligands based on monoclonal antibodies. This approach allows for the detection, quantification, and longitudinal monitoring of specific immune receptors or cells, and at the same time, it allows us to identify patients who could benefit from a specific treatment. In this scenario, radiomics and artificial intelligence may potentially support personalized treatment by identifying imaging features which could be predictive of outcome.

This Special Issue of Bioengineering, titled "Applications of Radioimmunotherapy and Imaging in Nuclear Medicine", aims to explore the latest developments in preclinical and clinical research in the expanding field of radioimmunotherapy and molecular imaging of cancer, including the use of radiomics and artificial intelligence as complementary tools to identify new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for cancer patients. High-quality original research work, case reports, case series, and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Giulia Santo
Dr. Gianpaolo Di Santo
Guest Editors

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• radioimmunotherapy
• solid tumor
• pre-targeting
• immuno-PET
• radiomics
• artificial intelligence