SNUH discovers new diagnostic, treatment agent for prostate cancer

A research team at Seoul National University Hospital has discovered a new diagnostic and treatment agent that targets prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a protein mainly present on prostate cells' surface.

A research team, led by Professors Kwak Chul (left), Jung Chang-wook, and Kang Kun-wook at the Seoul National University Hospital, has discovered new diagnostic and treatment agents for castration resistance prostate cancer. (SNUH)

With the discovery, the team, led by Professors Kwak Chul and Jung Chang-wook of the Department of Urology and Kang Kun-wook of the Department of Radiology, will work with Cellbion, a local biopharmaceutical firm, in commercializing the PSMA-targeted diagnostic agent "PSMA-NGUL" and the treatment "PSMA-DGUL."

Cellbion has completed non-clinical trials for PSMA-DGUL, where they confirmed that the treatment effect was better than the existing treatment PSMA-617, and is conducting clinical trials.

The company received approval from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to conduct phase 1 and 2 clinical trials this month. Patients participating in the clinical trial will receive four treatment sessions every six weeks.

The company expects that as the molecular structure is simpler, the treatment's excretion rate from other organs will be faster while presenting fewer side effects.

The company has completed phase 1 early and is set to begin phase 2 and 3 multicenter clinical trials regarding the diagnostic agent.

In phase 1 clinical trial, the company confirmed that the diagnostic performance was better than the competing diagnostic agent PSMA-11. In another study comparing PSMA-NGUL from PSMA-11, patients receiving PSMA-NGUL had low absorption rates in other organs such as kidneys and salivary glands while showing high absorption rates in lesions.

"Previously, diagnosis and treatment were inconsistent for prostate cancer as hospital used fluoride for diagnosis and PSMA-617 for treatment," Professor Kang said. "This technology allows hospitals to achieve true theranostics by providing both diagnostic and treatment."

Professor Kwak also said, "Currently, many patients with castration resistance prostate go abroad to receive PSMA treatment as there are no standard treatment options. However, with the team's discovery, local patients will be able to receive PSMA treatment with superior Korean technology.”