Ferronostics: novel radiotracer may identify tumors vulnerable to iron-targeting therapies

A new study demonstrates that imaging of tumors exposed to a novel, iron-targeting radiotracer gives a strong indication of how much the tumor will respond to iron-based therapies. This may prove an invaluable tool in the selection of appropriate therapies to treat cancers on a personalized basis. Cancer therapies rely on mechanisms of distinguishing tumor cells from healthy cells. Chemotherapy agents such as cisplatin interrupt DNA replication, which occurs more frequently in cancer cells. However, this is not completely selective and leads to the death of many healthy but fast-replicating cells, such as those involved in hair and nail growth....