Targeted alpha and beta radiotherapy: An overview of radiopharmaceutical and clinical aspects

For many years, the role of internal radiotherapy has remained limited to certain historical indications such as thyroid cancers or to academic medical research. However, the recent recognition of theranostics and targeted therapies as one of the cornerstones of the modern concept of personalized medicine, has participated in the promotion of new developments for beta and alpha radiotherapy. In this paper, we will review the emerging radionuclides, radiopharmaceutical developments and advances, as well as the clinical successes that have been made in past few years. The results obtained, for some very promising, could herald in a new era for nuclear medicine. However, as presented in this review, in order to fully exploit its potential, and not to remain static as a promising or emerging therapy, the entire field of nuclear medicine must invest in the implementation of well-designed prospective and comparative studies for targeted radiotherapy.