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In a landmark achievement for cancer care in India, the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, has successfully administered the country’s first high-dose 131I-mIBG therapy to a 17-year-old male patient with relapsed neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that mostly affects young children.
The procedure was conducted on 05 May, 2025, and was followed by autologous hematopoietic stem cell infusion on 29 May, 2025. “The patient is currently doing well,” stated Director, Tata Memorial Centre, Dr. Sudeep Gupta in a statement issued by the Tata Memorial Centre.
High-dose 131I-mIBG therapy is a critical treatment option for high-risk neuroblastoma, a common solid tumour in children, especially when conventional therapies fail. While the standard permissible dose in India is 5 mCi/kg (maximum 300 mCi), ACTREC administered a supra-high dose of 800 mCi, a first in the country, made possible through special approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
Neuroblastoma treatment requires a multi-modality approach including chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, stem cell transplant, and immunotherapy.
However, due to the high costs of certain treatments like anti-GD2 immunotherapy, radioisotope-based therapies such as high-dose MIBG are being explored as effective alternatives to improve patient outcomes in India.
Dr. Sudeep Gupta also appreciated the dedicated team of doctors, physicists, technical staff, nurses, and auxiliary personnel from ACTREC and TMH for their exemplary coordination and collaboration in successfully delivering this complex treatment.
He acknowledged that such achievements are possible only through seamless teamwork and strong leadership, and thanked Director ACTREC, Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, and Director TMH, Dr. C. S. Pramesh, for guiding their respective units towards this national milestone.
