ProstaView™
In Vivo Imaging of Prostate Cancer
ProstaView™ is an experimental monoclonal antibody-based technology for the in vivo diagnostic imaging of metastatic prostate cancer. ProstaView™ antibodies bind to a protein called Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) located on the outside of live prostate cancer cells. PSMA is found in both primary tumors and in tumor metastases located in the lymph nodes or bones. The ability to recognize bone metastases is of particular importance because 80% of metastatic prostate cancer patients have bone metastasis, and the current marketed product only recognizes prostate cancer cells in the prostate bed and in the lymph nodes.
The Technology
ProstaView™ antibodies are loaded with a radioactive imaging agent. The product is administered intravenously, after which the patient undergoes a scan to visualize the presence and location of the tumor lesions. In contrast to some similar agents, Northwest Biotherapeutics’ antibodies are designed to be highly specific to live tumor cells, and to bind these cells with high affinity.
The Target: PSMA
Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen is a protein specifically expressed on prostate cells, with increased expression on prostate cancer cells. The antibodies used to formulate ProstaView™ bind to a portion of PSMA that is on the outside of the cancer cell, which suggests that these antibodies may be especially suitable for the detection of live cancer cells.
Clinical Indications
ProstaView™ is being developed for use in diagnosing the presence of metastatic disease in patients at high risk of developing metastases. ProstaView™ is expected to have increased sensitivity relative to existing techniques like X-rays and bone scans which will result in more rapid detection of the spreading disease. Such earlier detection, if accomplished, will allow for faster implementation of effective treatments for metastatic disease.
Development Stage
ProstaView™ is in late preclinical development.
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