Perspective Therapeutics Inc. (NYSE-A:CATX) has treated the first patient with a type of brain tumor called meningioma using its experimental drug [212Pb]VMT-a-NET, broadening a clinical trial that previously focused only on a different cancer type known as neuroendocrine tumors.
The new arm of the Phase 1/2a study, called LEMONaDE, aims to assess how safe the treatment is and whether it shows early signs of shrinking tumors in meningioma patients. Meningiomas are the most common primary brain tumors in adults, making up about 40% of all central nervous system tumors diagnosed each year in the United States. While many cases are slow-growing and manageable, roughly 20% are higher-grade tumors that are harder to treat, and about 30% of lower-grade cases either cannot be surgically removed or come back after initial treatment. Once a meningioma recurs or progresses, patients have few effective treatment options.
The drug works by targeting a protein called SSTR2, which meningioma tumors reliably carry on their surface. That makes them a natural fit for Perspective's radiopharmaceutical approach, which uses a radioactive molecule to home in on cancer cells and deliver a concentrated dose of radiation directly to the tumor.
The broader trial is enrolling patients with SSTR2-positive tumors that cannot be surgically removed or have spread, and who have not previously received radiopharmaceutical therapy. Earlier interim results were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting in May, covering data from two patient cohorts. Results from additional patients in those cohorts, as well as eight patients in a third cohort, are still pending. More data presentations are planned later in 2026.
Beyond the meningioma and neuroendocrine tumor programs, Perspective is also developing treatments for melanoma and solid tumors, and is building out its drug manufacturing and supply network to support future clinical and commercial needs.