When you hear the word “radioactive,” what comes to mind? Some might think of nuclear power or scientific experiments. Others may recall the 2012 pop-rock hit that alludes to the apocalypse.
However, radioactivity isn’t just about doomsday scenarios. It is being harnessed in an emerging field of medicine to diagnose and treat previously undetectable and untreatable diseases. This field is called theranostics, where patients are injected with radioactive drugs that have minimal side effects and the potential to save lives.
Understanding Theranostics
Theranostics combines radiopharmaceuticals to both detect and destroy diseases like cancer. Although the concept has been around since the 1940s, it has gained significant traction recently.
This approach uses unique markers found in disease cells. Radiopharmaceutical imaging agents attach to these markers and emit signals that PET scans can detect, revealing the disease’s location. Therapeutic agents then attach to these markers and deliver targeted radiation to destroy the disease at the molecular level. Currently, FDA-approved therapies treat metastatic prostate cancer and neuroendocrine cancer using this method.
BAMF Health: Leading the Way in Theranostics
BAMF Health, one of the few comprehensive theranostics centers globally, stands at the forefront of this medical innovation. Founded in 2018 by Dr. Anthony Chang, BAMF (Bold Advanced Medical Future) began treating patients in July 2022 and is the world’s first facility built specifically for theranostics.
“I left academia in 2016 to start this risky venture because I knew theranostics had the potential to save many lives,” said Dr. Chang. “I couldn’t accept that patients were dying when the technology to diagnose and treat them was in our hands. I founded BAMF Health to make these life-saving treatments accessible and affordable — now.”
Dr. Chang assembled a team of experienced theranostics experts, including Dr. Harshad Kulkarni, BAMF Health’s chief medical advisor, who brings nearly 20 years of experience in nuclear medicine and theranostic oncology.
“These non-invasive technologies offer a significant opportunity to advance diagnostics and treatments for cancer, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and cardiac diseases,” said Dr. Kulkarni. “This approach may also extend to PTSD, depression, endometriosis, pain, and more.”
Expanding Access to Radiopharmaceutical Imaging and Therapy
Currently, patient access to radiopharmaceutical imaging and therapy is limited. Some hospitals, academic centers, and independent offices offer these services, but on a small scale. BAMF Health aims to replicate their model nationwide to provide these life-saving therapies to more patients.
“We’ve cracked the code on scaling theranostics,” reported Dr. Chang. “Our team established an economical and efficient way to integrate a radiopharmacy, molecular imaging clinic, molecular therapy clinic, and clinical trials platform all in one facility. Now it’s our goal to deploy this platform across the country so every patient has access to these therapies.”
The Future of Radiopharmaceutical Therapies
Hundreds of radiopharmaceutical therapies are currently in development for various diseases. Theranostic centers must be prepared to offer these new treatments.
“Big pharma companies like Novartis and Lilly are investing billions into developing radiopharmaceuticals and acquiring companies that do the same,” Dr. Chang explained. “As more drugs enter the pipeline, pharmaceutical companies will need ways to quickly bring them to market. That’s where we come in.”
BAMF Health is partnering with dozens of pharmaceutical companies to launch clinical trials for these novel drugs. While traditional clinical trials can take months to launch and years to complete, BAMF Health accelerates this process, maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
“The faster we complete clinical trials, the more FDA-approved options patients will have,” said Dr. Chang. “Many patients in our trials have exhausted other options. These treatments can potentially extend their lives and significantly improve their quality of life, giving them more time with their loved ones.”
A New Era in Cancer Care
For decades, researchers have claimed theranostics is the future of medicine. That future is now.
So perhaps the song was right: Welcome to the new age, the new age of cancer care.
