Indiana University Health Establishes Center of Excellence in Theranostics to Advance Precision Targeted Cancer Therapy

Indiana University Health is establishing a new Center of Excellence in Theranostics, planning to provide cancer patients with more personalized diagnostic and treatment services through theranostic technologies.

The project combines advanced medical imaging, precision diagnostics, and image-guided targeted therapy, with the goal of enhancing Indiana patients' access to relevant medical services. Partial funding comes from a $20 million donor contribution, with Indiana University providing matching funds to bring total donations to $40 million.

According to Indiana University, theranostics is a technological approach that integrates diagnosis and treatment. Clinically, advanced imaging techniques are first used to determine the extent and location of disease, after which targeted therapeutic drugs are delivered to tumor sites, helping radiologists and other clinicians develop treatment plans based on each patient's specific condition. Such treatments are typically closely associated with radiopharmaceuticals, image guidance, and precision targeted drug delivery, representing one of the important emerging directions in nuclear medicine in recent years.

Dr. Jason Allen, Chair of the Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences at Indiana University Health and Director of the Center of Excellence in Theranostics, stated in an August 19 announcement that by combining imaging-based diagnosis, treatment, and verification, physicians can better understand disease progression and tailor treatment plans for each patient; relevant drugs may also improve treatment outcomes while minimizing side effects, offering new therapeutic possibilities for patients.

Indiana University noted that Indiana has a certain foundation in theranostics and radiopharmaceuticals. The construction of the new center will further improve the local radiopharmaceutical ecosystem composed of academic institutions, industry partners, and healthcare providers, promoting the translation of research findings into patient care.

According to the plan, the center will adopt FDA-approved precision targeted therapies for the treatment of prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. Meanwhile, the project will also expand opportunities for participation in clinical trials and investigational therapies for additional cancer types and other diseases. Indiana University hopes to further advance cancer treatment efforts by leveraging the state's only comprehensive cancer center certified by the National Cancer Institute.

In the long term, the project will also expand clinical service scope, enhance imaging technology capabilities, and strengthen collaboration with industry partners. Indiana University also plans to improve access to new drugs and expand the coverage of theranostic services within its healthcare system. The relevant team intends to extend services to multiple regions across Indiana, including Bloomington, Fort Wayne, Lafayette, and the northern metropolitan area of Indianapolis.

According to the introduction, the new Center of Excellence is not confined to a single location but plans to deliver services through multiple physical medical sites across Indiana. Allen stated that the project's goal is to bring advanced therapies to patients as quickly as possible and to build a comprehensive ecosystem covering drug discovery, clinical trials, imaging diagnosis, treatment, and patient care, enabling local patients to receive relevant medical services closer to where they live.