UMMC to Offer New Diagnostic Testing for Kidney Cancer Patients

The University of Minnesota Medical Center has been selected as one of 20 top cancer institutions across the US to provide new diagnostic testing to kidney cancer patients. This testing provides a more definitive and less invasive diagnosis of renal masses.

Current diagnostic options, including cross-sectional imaging and biopsy, can be unreliable and invasive, presenting patient management challenges. Better imaging methods are needed to accurately identify renal masses and prevent unnecessary procedures and surgeries.

The ZIRCON study evaluates Zr89-Girentuximab, a first-in-class radio-antibody drug conjugate that targets carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), which is overexpressed in 95% of clear cell renal carcinoma tumors. This agent has been shown to provide an accurate and non-invasive diagnosis of ccRCC, which makes up over 70% of renal cell cancers.

Zr89-Girentuximab is currently only available in an expanded access program to serve a vital need prior to commercial launch, which is anticipated by the end of this year.