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188RNL-BAM

A precise radiotherapeutic
targeting rare liver cancers.

Rhenium-188 NanoLiposome Biodegradable Alginate Microsphere (188RNL-BAM) is a radioembolization drug designed to treat a variety of solid organ tumors, such as primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and secondary liver cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

We are currently evaluating the safety and efficacy of 188RNL-BAM in preclinical trials. We have received licensed patents and technologies for the development of 188RNL-BAM from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Our Formulation

An innovative combination of radioisotopes, nanoparticles and biodegradable microspheres.

188RNL-BAM consists of alginate microscale particles, tailored for vascular radioembolization and containing thousands of nanoliposomes with the radioisotope, Rhenium-188. As opposed to non-biodegradable implants (like glass or resin) that do not break down easily and are essentially permanent, alginate is a nontoxic, biocompatible and biodegradable material that is widely recognized as safe.

Alginate microspheres are designed to not only to block blood flow to the tumor, which in itself helps kill the tumor, but also carry the radioisotope to the tumor area where the radiation will eventually decay, becoming harmlessly absorbed and cleared by the body.

Potential Clinical Benefits

Rapid Clearance

Biodegradability

Toxicity Levels

About 3 weeks after administration, the Rhenium (now largely decayed and free of radiation) is released via the kidneys. The nanoliposome and alginate microsphere then biodegrade with no bone marrow affinity, potentially decreasing a patient’s toxicity levels and side effects.

Accurate Dosimetry

Precise Calculations

Dosimetry Errors

As the alginate microsphere for pre-dosimetry imaging equals that of the therapeutic microsphere, we are able to conduct a more accurate pre-dosimetry assessment.

Improved Retention

Effective Containment

Early Release

When encapsulated in a nanoliposome, Rhenium breaks down slowly such that it destroys tumor tissue more completely than methods where radioisotopes alone are injected directly.

Live Imaging

Tumor Visualization

Dosing Errors

Rhenium emits gamma energy that allows us to visualize the tumor and drug location, track the rate of drug uptake or clearance in real-time, and potentially adjust the delivery parameters accordingly.

Liver Cancers

Our Treatment Method

188RNL-BAM is administered through a 2-step, minimally invasive procedure called trans-arterial radioembolization (TARE). It is performed on an outpatient basis on two separate days, where the drug is infused through a microcatheter into the hepatic artery, inducing selective tumor necrosis.

About Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) & Metastatic Colorectal Cancer (mCRC)

HCC is the most common type of primary liver cancer and has few effective treatment options at an advanced stage. mCRC is an advanced secondary liver cancer that has spread to the liver from the breast, lung, colon or rectum and is difficult to treat when unresectable.

  1. Catheter Placement
    During a procedure called an angiogram, a catheter is inserted into the tumor’s feeding artery in the groin. Tumors typically have abnormal and excessive blood flow that facilitate angiographic visualization and access to the tumor.
  2. Trans-arterial Infusion
    The radioembolization therapy is infused into the artery, causing the blood supply to the malignant liver tumor to be blocked by the microsphere, which then carriers the radiation directly to the tumor, while sparing normal tissue. The radiation in the particles gradually disappears over a month.