New Tc-99m and Re-188 theranostic radiotracers for cancer treatment

About the Project

Project background

We have recently developed a versatile diphosphine chelator to incorporate either diagnostic technetium-99m (Tc-99m) or radiotherapeutic rhenium-188 (Re-188) into cancer-targeting peptides or molecules [1]. This chemical technology enables preparation of receptor-targeted, “theranostic” radiopharmaceuticals, for dual diagnostic imaging and systemic radiotherapy. We have further demonstrated that a pair of chemically analogous Tc-99m and Re-188 radiotracers behave identically in vitro and in vivo, and show promise for targeted imaging and therapy of prostate cancer [2].

Objective

This PhD project aims to develop dual diagnostic imaging and injectable radiotherapeutic drugs for “hard-to-treat” cancers. It will apply synthetic, inorganic and radio chemistry, alongside in vitro and in vivo experiments including SPECT imaging, to identify new and efficacious radiotracers based on Tc-99m for diagnostic imaging and Re-188 for radiotherapy.

Project plan

The student will select a biomolecule that targets a specific cell-surface receptor of a hard-to-treat cancer (pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma or ovarian cancer). The biomolecule will then be attached to our diphosphine chelator, and the resulting disphophine-biomolecule will be radiolabelled with Tc-99m and Re-188. The student will undertake in vitro and in vivo studies of the theranostic radiotracers, including biodistribution, SPECT imaging and therapeutic efficacy studies in a relevant mouse model of cancer.

About the team

This PhD project is co-funded by an industry partner, Serac Healthcare and King’s Multiscale Medical Imaging Doctoral Training Programme. This project will be an integral part of a Cancer Research UK-funded programme focussed on the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for cancer. There is a strong focus on deploying research outcomes to benefit cancer patients.

The first supervisor, Dr Michelle Ma, has expertise in inorganic chemistry, radiochemistry and cancer imaging. The second supervisor, Prof Gary Cook, is a senior academic clinician who has led the evaluation of several novel first-in-human SPECT and PET oncology tracers. Industry supervisors from Serac Healthcare will also be involved in driving project outcomes towards clinical translation.

The project will have research support from two full-time postdoctoral CRUK-funded researchers.

About you

This project is highly interdisciplinary and spans chemistry, tissue culture, imaging and cancer models, with training provided across all these areas. We are looking for a candidate who has aptitude for learning new laboratory skills and high motivation for translational research. The project would suit a student with a chemistry, pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences or biochemistry background, or a related discipline.

Funding Notes

Full funding for 3.5 years, covering tuition fees, a stipend, and a research support allowance as indicated below

Tuition Fees: Covered for Home students ONLY.

Stipend: £23,805 (2026/27 UKRI rate), paid monthly and tax-free.

Research Training Support Grant (RTSG): Up to £10,500 over 3.5 years for research costs and conference attendance.

Informal enquiries to supervisors are welcome, but all candidates must follow the application process outlined on the Multiscale Medical Imaging website (View Website) and submit an application via King’s College London by the stated deadline to be considered.

References

[1] Nuttall et al., Chem. Sci., 2025, 16, 17112. DOI: 10.1039/D5SC02110C.
[2] Pham et al., J. Nucl. Med., 2024, 65, 1087. DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.124.267450.