ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE Announces Investigator-Initiated Trial for ITM-31 in Glioblastoma Patients

The Departments of Neurosurgery and Nuclear Medicine at the University Hospital Münster, Helmholtz Munich, and ITM Isotope Technologies Munich SE (ITM) have announced a groundbreaking new trial involving a radiopharmaceutical drug candidate, ITM-31, for the potential treatment of glioblastoma patients.

Glioblastoma is known to be one of the most aggressive and hard-to-treat cancers, with high rates of relapse even after standard treatments such as surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The new drug candidate, ITM-31, aims to target and eliminate residual tumor cells that often go undetected post-surgery, potentially preventing relapse and improving patient outcomes.

Prof. Walter Stummer, Principal Investigator and Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University Hospital Münster, expressed optimism about the potential of ITM-31 to address the challenges posed by glioblastoma. The phase I trial will evaluate the safety and tolerability of the drug while determining the best possible patient dose for future studies.

ITM-31 is a carbonic anhydrase (CA) XII-specific antibody Fab fragment developed by Helmholtz Munich and coupled with ITM’s medical radioisotope, non-carrier-added Lutetium-177 (n.c.a. 177Lu, EndolucinBeta®). This innovative approach leverages the power of radiopharmaceuticals to target and treat aggressive cancers like glioblastoma.

The trial, which is enrolling up to 15 patients, will assess the impact of ITM-31 on glioblastoma patients by analyzing its effectiveness in eliminating residual tumor cells. Patients eligible for the trial must have either no or stable high-grade glioma residue following standard therapy and will receive personalized doses of ITM-31 in three fractions.

This trial represents a significant step in the development of new treatment methods for glioblastoma and underscores the potential of radiopharmaceuticals to improve outcomes for patients with aggressive cancers. The collaboration between the University Hospital Münster, Helmholtz Munich, and ITM highlights the importance of innovative research in the fight against cancer.