News and Events

The Zhang Lab proudly showcased its research excellence at Nuclear Medicine Update 2025, a prominent biennial international conference dedicated to innovations in molecular imaging and nuclear medicine.

Dr. Jingjing Zhang served as a moderator for the plenary session delivered by Prof. Xiaoyuan Chen, director of NUS TCE. The plenary focused on FDA IND applications and regulatory frameworks, with Prof. Zhang offering valuable insights on the translation of radiopharmaceuticals across global and Singaporean contexts. She emphasised the complete regulatory journey—from investigator-initiated trials (IITS) to official Phase I clinical trials—including requirements for HSA Clinical Trial Authorisation (CTA), DSRB ethics approvals, and CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) documentation.

Our lab members achieved outstanding recognition across both oral and poster presentations:

• 🥇 Our work won the 1st Prize for Oral Presentation for the innovative study, "FAP-targeted Radioligand Therapy with 68Ga/177Lu-DOTA-2P(FAPI)₂ Enhances Immunogenicity and Synergizes with PD-L1 Inhibitors for Improved Antitumor Efficacy." This work introduces a promising combination therapy strategy integrating FAP-targeted radionuclide therapy with immune checkpoint inhibition.

• 🥉 Tianzhi Zhao received the 3rd Prize for Oral Presentation for his translational research: "Preclinical and Clinical Translation of a Long-acting Heterodimeric Radiotracer Targeting FAP and Integrin αvβ₃." His work highlights novel tracer engineering to enhance tumor targeting and in vivo stability.

• Dr. Loren Skudder-Hill presented her study on:" Molecular Imaging of B7–H3–Targeting Bispecific T Cell–Engaging Antibody MGD009 in Glioblastoma Models", introducing a first-in-class tracer to evaluate immunotherapeutic engagement in brain tumors.

• 🏅 Dr. Qinghe Wu was awarded the Merit Award for Poster Presentation for the project: "FAP-Targeted Nanoplatform for Sensitized Radionuclide Therapy and Immunotherapy of Deep-Seated Cancers." This interdisciplinary work bridges nanomedicine and nuclear therapy for tackling hard-to-treat tumor types.

These honors are a testament to the lab’s commitment to cutting-edge innovation and its strong translational pipeline, from molecular design to early-phase clinical studies. Our international presence and collaborations reflect the growing global relevance of our research in cancer theranostics.

Stay tuned for further updates as we continue advancing the future of precision molecular imaging and targeted radionuclide therapy.

The Molecular Imaging Workshop 2024, held at the Theranostics Centre of Excellence (NUS TCE), successfully brought together 30 students for an immersive experience in cutting-edge imaging modalities. Designed as part of the ABM5103: Advanced Technologies in Immune Therapeutic Development course, the workshop aimed to provide hands-on exposure to cutting-edge molecular imaging equipment, bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world clinical applications.    Under the leadership of Dr. Jingjing Zhang, the workshop showcased four advanced imaging platforms, demonstrating their pivotal roles in preclinical research and clinical diagnostics. Participants had the rare opportunity to interact with Singapore’s first-ever nanoSPECT/CT system, along with other state-of-the-art imaging tools.The event featured live demonstrations by leading experts in the field:

• Jing Li presented and demonstrated the SPECT/CT, a breakthrough system for molecular imaging and nuclear medicine applications.

• Tianzhi Zhao introduced the PET/MRI, a hybrid imaging system that integrates metabolic and anatomical insights for superior diagnostic accuracy.

• Tianyang Han showcased the Near-Infrared Imaging II (NIRII) system, demonstrating its effectiveness in in vivo fluorescence imaging for preclinical research.

• Qinghe Wu led the session on the In Vivo Imaging System (IVIS) Spectrum, highlighting its applications in bioluminescence and fluorescence imaging in small animal models.

Bridging Theory with PracticeBy engaging directly with these technologies, students gained a deeper understanding of the principles underlying molecular imaging and its transformative impact on immune therapeutic development. The hands-on experience provided them with a crucial real-world perspective on imaging technologies frequently used in both research laboratories and clinical settings.Speaking at the event, Dr. Zhang emphasized the importance of integrating practical exposure into academic curricula:“Molecular imaging plays a crucial role in modern medicine, enabling early disease detection and treatment monitoring. This workshop equips students with hands-on skills and enhances their understanding for molecular imaging in biomedical research and healthcare innovation.”

We are excited to announce our lab's recent participation in the prestigious European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) conference 2024 (19-23 Oct, Hamburg, Germany), where we presented our latest advancements in nuclear medicine. Our team, led by A/P Dr. Jingjing Zhang and Professor Xiaoyuan Chen, shared a series of impactful oral presentations and e-posters, underscoring our dedication to radiotheranostics.​

Dr. Rongxi Wang's oral presentation, Head-to-head comparison of the dual heterobivalent tracer [68Ga]Ga-FAPI-RGD and the cyclic RGD homodimer [68Ga]Ga-PRGD2 for PET imaging of lung carcinoma, was selected as a highlight abstract for EANM 2024. This research emphasizes the clinical value of novel dual-targeting heterodimeric tracers for enhanced PET imaging in lung carcinoma.

Our group has a profound reputation in PSMA-targeted radiotheranostics. In this congress, three abstracts were selected for oral presentations in the TROP session.  Professor Chen shared the frontier of a novel PSMA-targeted tracer, developed by Dr. Hongzhang Yang (Dansylated Amino Acid Derived 68Ga/177Lu-LNC1011 as Prostate Cancer Theranostics). Dr Jiarou Wang presented on the Theranostic Application of 68Ga/177Lu-LNC1011: A Novel Long-Circulating PSMA Probe for Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer, which showcased the clinical translation of a novel PSMA tracer for theranostic applications, with implications for advanced prostate cancer management. Tianzhi Zhao presented the latest research Targeted Alpha Therapy of Prostate Cancer with Actinium-225-labeled Novel Dansylated Amino Acid Derived PSMA-Targeted Radioconjugate 225Ac-LNC1011, showcased leading research on a novel PSMA-targeted tracer with an optimized, long-lasting formulation for effective prostate cancer treatment. delivered three notable studies. 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​As the spotlight in radiotheranostics, fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is always of interest. Dr Peipei Wang presented the clinical translation of a homodimeric FAPI compound, LNC1013 for enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic potential in cancer inmaging and radionuclide therapy.  In Tianzhi Zhao’s presentation of Combination of Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP)-targeted Radioligand Therapy with Anti-PD-L1 Immunotherapy and Anti-VEGF Therapy, our team explored the synergistic effects of combining radioligand therapy with immunotherapy to address tumor microenvironment. Our e-poster presentation further highlighted our team’s advances. FAP-Targeted Radiopharmaceutical Therapy using 177Lu-, 90Y-, 225Ac-labelled 3BP-3940 in 21 Different Advanced Malignancies: First-in-Humans Results demonstrated the potential clinical applications of FAP-targeted radio-labelled cyclic peptide across multiple malignancies, marking an important milestone in FAP-targeted radioligand development.

In clinical translation, Botulinum toxin plus transdermal scopolamine reduce salivary gland uptake of 225Ac/177Lu-PSMA ligands, highlighting a clinical approach addressing the emerging challenge of salivary gland uptake in targeted alpha therapy resistance was also presented in a featured session for PSMA-targeted therapy.

Another e-poster, Therapeutic Application of 177Lu-labeled anti-claudin-18.2 humanised VHH-based recombinant antibody in gastric cancer mouse xenograft model, presented by Zhenni Wei, showcased our progress in the development of radiolabeled antibody therapies, focusing on gastric cancer treatment.

As the leading annual event for specialists in nuclear medicine, EANM's annual congress is one of the largest gatherings in the field, bringing together nuclear medicine professionals, researchers, and industry representatives worldwide to share the latest advancements, research findings, and innovations. The congress features a range of presentations, including oral presentations, e-posters, and workshops, covering topics like molecular imaging, radiopharmaceuticals, theranostics, and emerging technologies in diagnosing and treating

We are thrilled to announce that our lab will be presenting

Our lab was excited to organize and present several groundbreaking research projects at the 2nd Singapore Molecular Imaging and Theranostics Symposium (MITS 2024).

The project titled "Precision Risk Stratification in Prostate Cancer: Unveiling Tumor Subregions through MRI-Based Habitat-Driven Radiomics Model for Enhanced Treatment Guidance" was presented by Yang Qiu, Huan Liu, Xin Shu, Yunfan Liu, Xiaofeng Qiao, Jingjing Zhang, and Xiaojing He. This study developed a habitat-driven radiomics model using MRI to assess spatial heterogeneity within prostate cancer tumors. The model, which combines sub-regional and conventional radiomic features, demonstrated strong predictive performance and significant correlations with PSA, Gleason Grade Group, and T-stage, aiding in precise treatment and monitoring of prostate cancer.

In "Theranostic Application of 177Lu-Labeled Anti-Claudin-18.2 Humanized VHH-Based Recombinant Antibody in Gastric Cancer Mouse Xenograft Model", Zhenni Wei, Bingyu Li, Cuicui Li, Tianzhi Zhao, Xiaoyuan Chen, and Jingjing Zhang developed 177Lu-labeled anti-claudin-18.2 Zolbetuximab and its humanized VHH-based recombinant antibody (VHH-Fc) for SPECT imaging and radioimmunotherapy in gastric cancer models. Results showed significant tumor-specific uptake and detection efficiency of CLDN18.2-overexpressing tumors, indicating high potential for clinical translation and offering a promising new treatment option for gastric cancer.

"Synthesis, Preclinical Assessment, and a Pilot Clinical Trial of 177Lu-LNC1010 for Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumor Therapy" was presented by Xuejun Wen, Wei Guo, Pengfei Xu, Jingjing Zhang, Haojun Chen, and Xiaoyuan Chen. This study reported results of 177Lu-LNC1010, a novel EB conjugated SSTR2-targeting radiopharmaceutical, to enhance tumor uptake and improve therapy for neuroendocrine tumors (NETs). 177Lu-LNC1010 demonstrated high binding affinity and targeting specificity, with significant tumor uptake and prolonged retention, indicating promising therapeutic potential for NETs.

Finally, the project "Comparison of Diagnostic PET Imaging between 68Ga-FAPI and 18F-FDG for Solitary Fibrous Tumor and Preliminary Application of FAP-Targeted Radionuclide Therapy", presented by Rongxi Wang, Jiarou Wang, Jialin Xiang, Linlin Li, Xingtong Peng, Xiaoyuan Chen, Zhaohui Zhu, and Jingjing Zhang, compared the performance of 68Ga-FAPI-04 and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in detecting recurrent/metastatic solitary fibrous tumors (SFTs) and explored the preliminary application of FAP-targeted radionuclide therapy with