▲The staff of the Theranostics Center is performing peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PPRT), a type of theranostics treatment, on a patient with a neuroendocrine tumor.

The Theranostics Center, the first of its kind launched by Asan Medical Center, recently commenced full operation.

Theranostics is a portmanteau of 'therapy' and 'diagnosis,' referring to a technology of diagnosing and treating cancer by injecting radiopharmaceuticals into patients. These therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals are preferable due to their treatment efficacy because they specifically target cancer cells, resulting in minimized damage to normal cells and selective killing of cancer cells.

A therapeutic radiopharmaceutical for neuroendocrine tumors has received approval for use in Korea. Another therapeutic radiopharmaceutical for prostate cancer is currently pending approval, Asan Medical Center is participating in global clinical trials to expand its indications.

Meanwhile, the AMC Cancer Institute organized a health lecture on October 6 to celebrate the opening of the Theranostics Center and provide patients with information about Theranostics. The event consisted of lectures and Q&A sessions themed around the current application of Theranostics for neuroendocrine tumors and prostate cancer.