PhD student in Radiopharmaceutical Sciences

DLL3-targeting peptides for imaging and therapy of lung neuroendocrine tumors (NETs).

Job description

Lung neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), including pulmonary carcinoids and large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), are rare tumors and with limited treatment options and poor survival rates in metastatic disease. Although systemic therapies remain the mainstay of treatment, they offer limited benefit to lung NET patients. Therefore, there is a critical need for targeted strategies enabling both accurate tumor visualization and effective therapy. DLL3 (Delta-like ligand 3) is a transmembrane protein aberrantly expressed in 50% of (metastatic) lung NETs and 65% of LCNEC and minimally expressed in normal adult tissues, making it an ideal target for selective tumor targeting. Recent studies have shown remarkable response rates utilizing T-cell engagers targeting DLL3 in these tumors, but considering the DLL3 heterogeneity PET-imaging will be useful for patient ...