What if a single scan could reveal a more complete picture of a patient's cancer? ABSCINT, a spin-off of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and VIB, is transforming cancer diagnostics with next-generation molecular imaging. Using innovative single-domain antibodies, the company enables clinicians to visualise tumours throughout the entire body, helping deliver faster, more precise, and truly personalised treatment.
The challenge: A biopsy only tells part of the story
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. While early detection and improved therapies have significantly increased survival rates, successful treatment depends on selecting the right therapy for the right patient at the right time.
Current diagnostic methods, however, have important limitations. Treatment decisions often rely on invasive biopsies, which provide information from only a single location. Yet cancer is a dynamic and heterogeneous disease. A single tissue sample may fail to capture the full biological heterogeneity of the disease or detect key molecular markers present in metastatic lesions elsewhere in the body. As a result, clinicians may face incomplete information, leading to suboptimal treatment choices or unnecessary delays in adapting therapy.
The solution: Whole-body precision imaging with single-domain antibodies
ABSCINT has developed a new generation of in vivo molecular imaging agents for PET scans based on single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), a unique technology originally discovered at VUB.
These exceptionally small, stable and highly specific molecules act as precise molecular guides, binding to specific proteins on diseased cells with remarkable accuracy. Labelled with a short-lived radioactive isotope, sdAbs are rapidly cleared from the body after injection, allowing patients to undergo imaging quickly while minimising their time in hospital.
Unlike a conventional biopsy, ABSCINT's tracers provide a whole-body view of the distribution of disease targets in a single scan. This gives clinicians a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the patient's condition, enabling more informed treatment selection and more accurate monitoring of how therapies are working.
The impact: Enabling truly personalised medicine
ABSCINT is currently evaluating its novel imaging technology for breast cancer through the HERMIA clinical study, which visualises HER2 expression in patients with metastatic disease. Because HER2 is a key biomarker used to determine the most effective treatment, accurately mapping its presence throughout the body has the potential to significantly improve clinical decision-making.
The impact of ABSCINT extends well beyond breast cancer. Its imaging platform also shows promise for cardiovascular and immune-related diseases, where identifying specific molecular targets throughout the body is equally important for personalised care.
As precision medicine continues to evolve, ABSCINT's technology has the potential to complement fragmented diagnostics with a more complete, non-invasive view of disease, helping clinicians deliver more targeted treatments and ultimately improve outcomes for patients.
From breakthrough science to whole-body precision, ABSCINT is redefining the future of personalised diagnostics.
