Advancing next-generation radioconjugates to redefine radiotherapy in oncology

Home / R&D / Next generation therapeutics / Radioconjugates


Radioconjugates are a novel drug modality that delivers radiation directly to cancer cells. Here we explain their mechanism of action and implications for targeted radiotherapy in cancer.


What are radioconjugates and how do they work?

Radioconjugates are targeted medicines that combine a potent medical radioisotope, known as the payload, with a targeting molecule such as an antibody, peptide or small molecule via a chemical linker.1

Traditional radiotherapy, such as external beam radiation therapy, can kill surrounding healthy cells in the process of cancer treatment. In contrast, radioconjugates’ targeting molecule is designed to bind specifically to tumour associated antigens on the surface of cancer cells. This allows for more stable and prolonged tumour uptake of the therapeutic agent.1

For example, by attaching a radioactive payload, such as actinium-225, which is an alpha-emitting particle that holds the promise of being a next-generation radioisotope in cancer treatment, radioconjugates can deliver a greater radiation dose over shorter distance, with potential for more targeted delivery to reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissue.





Radioconjugate binding to a cancer cell to deliver radiation cancer treatment:

illustration of a radioconjugate drug targeting vectors on tumour cells. The radioactive isotope is delivered directly to the cancer cell.



Establishing a portfolio of differentiated radioconjugates


30–50% of patients receive radiotherapy at some point during their cancer treatment.2 Radioconjugates are an emerging modality which has the potential to bring transformative outcomes for many patients with cancer. Our vision is for radioconjugates to redefine radiotherapy regimens and to become the backbone for novel cancer therapies, including combination approaches.

Puja Sapra Senior Vice President, Biologics Engineering and Oncology Targeted Discovery, AstraZeneca
Headshot of Puja

Radioconjugates are an important part of the Oncology R&D strategy and a key part of our diverse portfolio, designed to attack cancer from multiple angles.

Building on an ongoing collaboration, the acquisition of Fusion Pharmaceuticals in 2024, a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company developing next generation radioconjugates, marked a major step forward in AstraZeneca delivering on our aim to transform cancer treatment and outcomes for patients by replacing traditional radiotherapy regimens with more targeted treatments.3

The next step for the field is to redefine the boundaries of radiation treatment by evaluating tumour types beyond those currently treated with traditional radiotherapy, and in patients whose tumours cannot be treated with available therapies.



Join us

If you believe in the power of what science can do, join us in our endeavour to push the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines.


Collaborate with us

We know that however innovative our science, however effective our medicines and delivery, to achieve all we want to achieve, we cannot do it alone.



References:

1. National Institute of Cancer. Radiopharmaceuticals: Radiation Therapy Enters the Molecular Age [Last Accessed 23 July 2024]. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/radiopharmaceuticals-cancer-radiation-therapy

2. Majeed H, Gupta V. Adverse Effects of Radiation Therapy. 2023. In: StatPearls [Internet].

3. AstraZeneca to acquire Fusion to accelerate the development of next-generation radioconjugates to treat cancer.


Veeva ID: Z4-65988
Date of preparation: September 2024