Introduction to Theranostics
Introduction to Theranostics
Theranostics is a field of medicine that refers to a combination of diagnostic imaging and therapy to treat various types of cancers. Theranostics = Therapy + Diagnostics. Patients are imaged and depending on the tumour size and spread, are identified for therapy. The therapy is given by localized radiation delivered only to the diseased region, reducing the impact on surrounding healthy cells.
How does it work?
- Radioactive compound is attached to a linking molecule that is bound to the binding molecule, which attaches to the cancer cell.