The Shadow
ROANOKE, Va. (VR)– Patients with brain and urologic cancers will soon have access to a broader array of the latest treatment options here, thanks to new clinical trials at Carilion Clinic for targeted radiopharmaceutical therapies.
Radiopharmaceuticals, also known as “theranostics,” is a form of precision medicine that uses radioactive isotopes for both imaging and therapy, and has been shown to be effective in treating a wide range of tumors.
In the pipeline are new theranostic treatment trials for cancer pain, renal cell carcinoma and glioblastoma. They build on the health system’s earlier research in partnership with Blue Ridge Cancer Care that has attracted patients from across the country and led to FDA approval of therapies in use today, including Pluvicto (Lu177PSMA) and Lutathera (dotatate).
“Our longstanding partnership with Carilion Clinic has allowed us to be early adopters of theranostics,” said David Buck, president of Blue Ridge Cancer Care. “Through our shared collaboration with industry partners and the SCRI research network, we’re excited to continue to offer these novel, cutting-edge therapies to the patients here in their communities.”
Increasing the number of theranostics-related clinical trials is part of Carilion’s rapidly growing research enterprise, which has prioritized these novel therapies as the health system prepares to open the Carilion Taubman Cancer Center in 2028.
“The opportunity to expand access to these much-needed, innovative therapies for patients is exciting, and we are aggressively seeking clinical trials that will make Roanoke a destination for cancer research and leading-edge care,” said Lana Wahid, M.D., vice chair for research in Carilion Clinic’s Department of Medicine.
In addition to leading clinical trials, Carilion is joining with Virginia Tech’s Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC to support vital education for physicians, researchers and staff, such as today’s Appalachian Radiotheranostics Coalition workshop that features researchers from around the world presenting their findings on astatine, a promising isotope for use in brain, prostate and other cancers. The workshop is the second of four ARC is sponsoring as part of the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging’s “Mars Shot” initiative.
“Our overarching goal is to expand access to theranostics beyond larger academic health centers where they have traditionally been offered and into rural areas to benefit Carilion patients in Southwest Virginia,” said James Crowley, Carilion imaging services manager, who along with Dustin Osborne, Ph.D., of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, were awarded SNMMI’s $100,000 Mars Shot grant in 2025.
Clinical trials are research studies that help determine whether new treatments, medications, and medical devices are safe and effective and are a critical part of the FDA approval process before new therapies are approved for public use. Clinical trials present additional options for patients by providing access to promising new therapies and interventions that may not yet be widely available.
In all, Carilion has approximately 150 clinical trials underway in more than 20 specialties, broadening access to innovative therapies and strengthening the quality of care for patients across Southwest Virginia.
Carilion’s expanding research portfolio, along with a new regional biotech incubator, an embedded usability consultancy known as Usability Works, and other developments, is contributing to continued biotech growth in the region and state, which have targeted the sector for economic development.
For more information about clinical trials available at Carilion, visit Research and Clinical Trials | Carilion Clinic.
