Theragnosis is still very poorly implemented in Europe. What does it mean for Atrys Health And for the Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona to position itself among the few centers that can apply it in pediatric oncology?
The teragnosis It is still an emerging technique in Europe, especially in the pediatric setting, where its availability is very limited. For Atrys and the Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB), being among the few centers capable of applying it represents a clinical and scientific achievement of enormous relevance.
On the one hand, it positions us in the European vanguard of precision nuclear medicine, an area where the combination of molecular diagnosis and targeted treatment opens new possibilities for complex tumors. On the other hand, it allows us to offer our pediatric patients therapeutic options that until now were only available in leading centers in the United States or through international trials.
In it PCCB We started applying teragnosis three years ago and we are currently participating in a European multicenter clinical trial coordinated by the Karolinska Institutetwith very promising preliminary results. The joint work between Replace SIMM and the PCCB places our team at the forefront of a paradigm shift in children’s cancer treatment.
What challenges and entry barriers exist today for these types of advanced techniques to spread more quickly in Europe: regulatory, technological or financing?
The expansion of theragnosis in Europe is currently facing several challenges that slow down its adoption. First of all, there are important regulatory barrierssince the implementation of these therapies requires highly specialized facilities that must comply with strict health authorization and radioprotection requirements.
Added to this are the technological barriers: Not all centers have the necessary equipment or infrastructure to guarantee the safe handling and administration of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. There are also relevant challenges in the pharmaceutical fieldgiven that multinationals must be able to stably supply the radiopharmaceuticals used, something that is still not completely resolved in many European countries. Finally, the main obstacle is probably the financial.
As with most highly personalized cancer treatments, upfront costs are high. The industry needs to recover the investments made over years in research and development, and public funding models in Europe are still in the process of adapting to integrate these advanced therapies. All of this causes the adoption of theragnosis to be slower than its clinical potential would allow. Until regulation, infrastructure, stable supply and sustainable financing are aligned, the expansion will be gradual.
Could theragnosis become one of the strategic lines of Atrys’ nuclear medicine business in the coming years?
Everything indicates that theragnosis will be one of the therapeutic pillars of nuclear medicine of the future. Large pharmaceutical companies are making multi-million dollar investments and developing new molecules aimed at multiple tumor targets. At the same time, oncologists are incorporating these therapies thanks to the excellent results that clinical trials are showing in neuroendocrine tumors, prostate, bone and other pathologies.
For Atrys, it represents a clear strategic opportunity to provide differential clinical value, position the company in precision oncology and complete our diagnostic offering with an innovative therapeutic route.
Atrys is strengthening its oncology activity in Latin America, especially in Mexico. To what extent could these new models of advanced nuclear medicine be transferred to those markets or other countries in the future?
The global trend indicates that theragnostic treatments will be progressively implemented in all countries, including Latin America, as the availability of radiopharmaceuticals expands and specialized teams are formed.
In Mexico and other markets where Atrys is growing, there is growing interest in incorporating advanced nuclear medicine, especially in large hospitals and cancer centers. Our knowledge, experience and international network place us in an ideal position to accompany this development.
Imaging technologies, such as PET-CT or SPECT-CT, are acquiring a key role in precision oncological diagnosis. How do these tools contribute to better integrating diagnosis and treatment within the new nuclear medicine models?
He PET-TC y el SPECT-TC They are essential tools for oncologists because they allow visualization not only of the tumor anatomy, but also of its metabolic and molecular activity. This provides critical information to accurately determine the extent of the disease, select the most appropriate initial treatment, monitor response, and introduce therapeutic changes at the optimal time.
In some cases, the specificity of certain radiopharmaceuticals—such as PSMA in prostate cancer—even allows them to replace conventional biopsies in some cases.
Within the framework of theragnosis, these technologies are the basis that allows diagnosis, selection of candidates, dosage and evaluation of treatment, all within the same integrated model.
The availability of radiopharmaceuticals is a critical factor in expanding advanced nuclear medicine. What strategies is Atrys considering to ensure stable access to these compounds and accompany the growth of theragnosis and other therapeutic areas?
Collaboration with the pharmaceutical industry is key. Atrys maintains excellent relationships with the main laboratories producing radiopharmaceuticals, both in the healthcare and research fields.
We currently participate in more than 30 clinical trials with the industry, which allows us: early access to new molecules, the ability to accompany developments in early phases, and guarantee continuity of supply for our centers. In addition, we are analyzing supplier diversification strategies and collaboration models that ensure stable supply in the medium and long term.
What will be the role of nuclear medicine in oncological diagnosis in the coming years and what other key projects is Atrys advancing in this area?
The nuclear medicine will be increasingly decisive in oncological decision-making. The trend is clear: oncologists increasingly demand more functional and molecular information to personalize treatments.
We actively participate in oncology committees of large, medium and small hospitals, truly integrating ourselves into the patient’s journey. This multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to optimize the therapeutic approach.