On June 16, in a quiet corner of Montreal’s Glen site, history blinked to life inside a PET scanner—three patients with advanced HER2-positive cancer became the first in the world to enter a groundbreaking clinical trial that could redefine how we treat some of the most aggressive forms of the disease. At the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), researchers have launched the first human trial of a novel radioligand therapy for HER2-positive cancers, a move that places Montreal at the epicenter of a new frontier in precision oncology. Sponsored by Novartis and supported by the Research Institute of the MUHC and its Centre for Innovative Medicine (CIM), this phase 1 trial marks a critical first step in evaluating a therapy designed to deliver radiation directly to cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue—a promise that could transform outcomes for patients who’ve run out of options.
HER2-positive cancers, known for their rapid growth and resistance to treatment, affect not only those with certain types of breast cancer but also individuals battling lung, stomach, and bladder cancers. While targeted therapies have improved survival rates in recent years, many patients eventually progress to metastatic disease with limited next-line treatments. That’s where radioligand therapy enters: by pairing a tumor-seeking ligand with a radioactive isotope, the treatment zeroes in on cancer cells expressing the HER2 protein. Before receiving the therapy, patients undergo a specialized PET scan using a radioactive tracer to confirm HER2 expression—ensuring only those most likely to benefit move forward. This theranostic approach, blending diagnostics and therapy, represents a shift toward truly personalized medicine.
The trial’s launch underscores more than scientific innovation—it reflects the MUHC’s growing reputation as a global hub for radioligand research. With state-of-the-art infrastructure at the CIM and a multidisciplinary team spanning oncology, nuclear medicine, and clinical research, the center has positioned itself at the forefront of a competitive international landscape. "The MUHC is increasingly establishing itself as a leader in the field of radioligand therapy," says Dr. Ramy Saleh, medical oncologist and medical director of oncology clinical trials at The Institute. The collaboration between clinical and research teams, he notes, is what makes such pioneering work possible.
For patients who’ve faced dwindling options, this trial offers more than hope—it offers access to science at its most precise. As Dr. Farzad Abbaspour, director of the Nuclear Medicine Department at the MUHC, puts it, the success lies in seamless integration: cutting-edge technology, dedicated personnel, and a vision aligned with the future of cancer care. If early results show safety and efficacy, this therapy could expand treatment pathways worldwide. For now, the journey begins with a single injection, a PET scan, and the quiet courage of the first participants—ushering in a new chapter in the fight against metastatic cancer.