Skip to main content
The X-ray of the human brain closeup image
merydolla - stock.adobe.com

First Patient Administered New Drug for Brain Tumor Treatment

Transfer, Molecular Targets and Therapeutics, STB,

In an ongoing phase 1 clinical trial targeting malignant glioblastoma, the initial patient has received a dosage of a novel drug candidate, derived from an antibody originating at Helmholtz Munich. This innovative compound, coupled with a radionuclide provided by the radiopharmaceutical biotech firm ITM Isotope Technologies Munich, seeks to eradicate residual cancer cells that have proven resistant to conventional therapies, thus offering potential for complete elimination.

The University Hospital Münster is the sponsor of the clinical trial that is conducted in hospitals in Münster, Essen, Cologne, and Würzburg. Prof. Reinhard Zeidler, who spearheaded the basic research at Helmholtz Munich and provided scientific oversight throughout the transition to clinical trials says: “The phase I study builds on previous preclinical data that point to radiopharmaceuticals as a potential new method with which to circumvent previous challenges posed by glioblastoma. This novel drug candidate is unique in its ability to spread throughout tissue easily – a pharmaceutical property that has the potential to make a true difference in treatments and outcomes for patients confronted with a brain cancer diagnosis.”

About the scientist

Prof. Dr. Reinhard Zeidler, Head of the Research Group “Therapeutic Antibodies” at the Institute of Structural Biology at Helmholtz Munich