Leaders at Huntsman Cancer Institute drive theranostics expansion to transform cancer care

(Press-News.org) Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) announces leadership team appointments overseeing clinical and research efforts in theranostics, an innovative approach to radiation treatment for cancer that combines diagnostics and therapeutics. 

Heloisa Soares, MD, PhD, Huntsman Cancer Institute medical oncologist and associate professor of internal medicine at the U, will serve as medical director of the theranostics program. 

Theranostics is a powerful new way to both find and treat cancer. It uses radioactive drugs—called radiopharmaceuticals—that help doctors locate tumors and deliver targeted radiation directly to cancer cells. This approach, known as radioligand therapy, helps protect healthy tissue by focusing on treatment only where it’s needed.

Huntsman Cancer Institute is launching new clinical trials to explore how theranostics can help more patients. These trials will test new therapies for different types of cancer, with the goal of offering improved treatment options.

Soares is a renowned expert in neuroendocrine tumors—a type of cancer that is treated with theranostics—who also serves as the medical director of Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Clinical Trials Office. In her new role, she will focus on clinical and research coordination of the theranostics program, leveraging her experience in clinical trials and patient care.   

“The growth of our theranostics program reinforces Huntsman Cancer Institute’s commitment to radioligand therapy. We’ve offered this treatment for the last few years, and this expansion means more patients with prostate and neuroendocrine tumors—and soon many others—will have access to these therapies, whether as part of routine care or through pioneering clinical trials,” says Soares. “It’s an exciting step forward in precision oncology.”

Jeffrey Yap, PhD, Huntsman Cancer Institute investigator and professor of radiology and imaging sciences at the U, will now serve alongside Soares as research director of theranostics. Yap will also continue in his role as director of the Center for Quantitative Cancer Imaging, which will now be known as the Center for Quantitative Cancer Imaging and Theranostics (CQCIT). The CQCIT provides researchers, clinicians, and patients with the most advanced molecular imaging technologies, including radiopharmaceuticals. 

“I’m excited to work with Dr. Soares to expand access to theranostics across the Mountain West,” says Yap. “Her leadership in neuroendocrine tumor care and her work developing this clinical offering have helped make Huntsman Cancer Institute a national leader in theranostic clinical trials. This field is transforming cancer care—and we’re proud to be at the forefront.”

"We at Huntsman Cancer Institute feel a deep sense of purpose in bringing the latest therapies and innovations to our patients. Theranostics is one example of this, offering new pathways for treatment and many more in the pipeline,” says Sachin Apte, MD, MS, MBA, chief clinical officer and physician-in-chief at Huntsman Cancer Institute and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the U. “Through dedicated research efforts, the leadership of Dr. Yap and Dr. Soares, and vital federal support, we are uniquely positioned to advance lifesaving research and clinical care for the benefit of our patients." 

About Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah
Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah (the U) is the National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center for Utah, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. With a legacy of innovative cancer research, groundbreaking discoveries, and world-class patient care, we are transforming the way cancer is understood, prevented, diagnosed, treated, and survived. Huntsman Cancer Institute focuses on delivering a cancer-free frontier to all communities in the area we serve. We have more than 300 open clinical trials and 250 research teams studying cancer at any given time. More genes for inherited cancers have been discovered at Huntsman Cancer Institute than at any other cancer center. Our scientists are world-renowned for understanding how cancer begins and using that knowledge to develop innovative approaches to treat each patient’s unique disease. Huntsman Cancer Institute was founded by Jon M. and Karen Huntsman.   

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