Theranostics in Oncology: Integrating Molecular Imaging and Targeted Radionuclide Therapy for Precision Cancer Care
Categories :
Molecular Diagnostics , Narrative Review , Nuclear Medicine , Oncology , Review , Review Article , TORGJ Vol 2 Issue 3 , Translational Medicine
Tags : Cancer ImagingCancer TreatmentDiagnostic ImagingMolecular DiagnosticsMolecular ImagingNarrative ReviewNuclear MedicineNuclear OncologyOncologyOriginal ResearchPersonalized MedicinePrecision Cancer CarePrecision OncologyRadiopharmaceuticalsTargeted Radionuclide TherapyTargeted TherapyThe Operating Room GlobalThe Operating Room Global JournalTheranosticsTORGJTORGJ Vol 2 Issue 3 2026Translational Medicine
Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2607004
Authors: Ishaan Bakshi1*, Prashant Anand2, Hriday Singh Rawat3
1 Director, Quality and Performance Monitoring, The Operating Room Global (TORG)
2 MSY5, University of Technology, Mauritius
3 MSY3, University of Technology, Mauritius
Cite:
- APA (7th edition): Bakshi, I., Anand, P., & Rawat, H. S. (2026, August 3). Theranostics in oncology: Integrating molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy for precision cancer care. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), 2(3). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2607004
- Harvard: Bakshi, I., Anand, P. and Rawat, H.S., 2026. Theranostics in oncology: Integrating molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy for precision cancer care. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), 2(3). Published 3 August. Available at: https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2607004
- Vancouver: Bakshi I, Anand P, Rawat HS. Theranostics in oncology: Integrating molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy for precision cancer care. The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ). 2026 Aug 3;2(3). https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2607004
- MLA (9th edition): Bakshi, Ishaan, Prashant Anand, and Hriday Singh Rawat. “Theranostics in Oncology: Integrating Molecular Imaging and Targeted Radionuclide Therapy for Precision Cancer Care.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ), vol. 2, no. 3, 3 Aug. 2026, https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2607004
- Chicago (Author-Date): Bakshi, Ishaan, Prashant Anand, and Hriday Singh Rawat. 2026. “Theranostics in Oncology: Integrating Molecular Imaging and Targeted Radionuclide Therapy for Precision Cancer Care.” The Operating Room Global Journal (TORGJ) 2 (3), August 3. https://doi.org/10.64573/torgj2607004
*Corresponding Author:
Dr. Ishaan Bakshi
[email protected]
Declaration:
Authors’ Contributions:
Equal contributions.
Conflict of Interest:
No conflict of interests.
Funding:
No funding received by the authors.
| Article History: |
| Received: 14-07-2026 Accepted: 26-07-2026 |
| Available Online: 03-08-2026 |
| QR Code Access to this Article |
| ABSTRACT |
| Background: Theranostics has become a key pillar of precision oncology, combining molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy for individualized cancer diagnosis, treatment selection and response assessment. Theranostics, however, utilizes tumor-specific molecular targets to guide tailored patient care as opposed to conventional techniques that are focused primarily on morphological or histological classification. Its role in neuroendocrine tumors, prostate cancer and differentiated thyroid carcinoma has been demonstrated in clinical studies and is being explored in an increasing number of solid and hematologic malignancies. Objective: This state-of-the-art overview covers the biological bases, clinical applications and emerging evidence of theranostics in modern oncology. Methods: It provides a critical evaluation of major advancements in radiopharmaceutical research, quantitative molecular imaging, tailored dosimetry and artificial intelligence and discusses their potential for treatment optimisation as well as the limits that still prevent their broad use. We reviewed emerging molecular targets such as fibroblast activation protein (FAP), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) and delta-like ligand 3 (DLL3), together with advances in alpha-particle therapy, ligand engineering and next-generation radiopharmaceuticals. Moreover, we discuss unmet obstacles such as the varied clinical evidence, the legal and infrastructural barriers, the availability of isotopes, cost-effectiveness, and the requirement of standardization of dosimetry and multidisciplinary integration. Results: Theranostics has already changed the way some malignancies are treated, but for it to be used more widely in clinics there will need to be good quality data comparing different treatments, more access to radionuclides globally and new technology will need to be incorporated into everyday practice. Future progress is likely to include alpha-particle therapy, AI-guided tailored dosimetry, FAP-targeted theranostics, radiogenomics, combination radionuclide–immunotherapy approaches, and expanded radionuclide production. This study critically evaluates the current data and future approaches and highlights theranostics as an emerging platform that may revolutionize customized cancer therapy. Keywords: Theranostics; Precision oncology; Nuclear medicine; Radiopharmaceutical therapy; Molecular imaging; Targeted radionuclide therapy; Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA); Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT); Lutetium-177; Alpha-particle therapy; Personalized dosimetry; Artificial intelligence; Precision medicine. |
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