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Development of 18F-labeled Radiopharmaceuticals (beyond [18F]FDG) for use in Oncology and Neurosciences
Closed for proposals
Project Type
Project Code
F22048CRP
1533Approved Date
Status
Start Date
Expected End Date
Completed Date
16 December 2013Description
Fluorine-18 is the most utilized positron emitting radionuclide as a result of its relatively easy production in large quantities using compact cyclotrons, its convenient half-life, and its nearly optimal decay properties. The use of [18F]FDG for PET imaging has considerably improved diagnosis and patient management in oncology, cardiology and neurology. Additionally, a variety of 18F labelled biomolecules are also developed for PET-imaging of processes beyond glucose metabolism and found to be useful, particularly, in areas where [18F]-FDG PET is unable to help. Such instances are: (i) discriminating between malignancy and infection/inflammation, and (ii) in neurology, psychiatry and brain tumours where the high background uptake of [18F]FDG hampers resolution. Research studies and to an extent clinical-diagnostic PET-imaging studies in oncology, neurology, psychiatry and cardiology are performed using these 18F radiopharmaceuticals. Considering that several countries have set up cyclotrons and involved in the large scale production of [18F]FDG, it is appropriate to expand the 18F radiopharmaceuticals beyond [18F]FDG. This CRP intends to help the participating countries develop and/or adapt methods for the production and QC of such other 18F radiopharmaceuticals useful in oncology and neurosciences.
Objectives
To enhance technical capability of Member States to develop/adopt diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals for assured local availability.
Specific objectives
Development of synthetic capabilities for selected fluorine-18 radiopharmaceuticals for use in oncology and/or neurosciences; scaling up the synthesis, development of process chemistry as well as QA/QC procedures such that the radiopharmaceuticals can be used for patient studies.
Impact
The IAEA has several mechanisms for knowledge transfer to recipient Member States, among
which coordinated research projects, CRPs, are one of the most efficient . In CRPs, both
developed and developing countries are brought together to work together towards a common
goal. Typically the technology involved is already in place for specific developed Member
States and the knowledge and idea can be transferred to less developed Member States with
appropriate background and potential for sustainability. Usually applications that are ‘close to
routine’, such as radiopharmaceuticals under clinical trials or near to approval, are target
objectives of these CRP projects. In 2008, a new project on the dissemination of knowledge
for the routine production and QC of new 18F radiopharmaceuticals was planned with the title
‘Development of 18F labelled Radiopharmaceuticals (beyond [18F]FDG) for use in Oncology
and Neurosciences’ F22048, and implemented from January 2009 to December 2013. Fifteen
participants from 15 Member States from America, Europe, Asia and Oceania took
part in this project and shared the technical experience on the subject, which is to be
disseminated to all the Member States [3]. It is noteworthy that several other CRPs with focus
on clinical applications of [18F]FDG are also in progress1
Relevance
The targeted readers of this publication are radiopharmacists, radiochemists, as well as
cyclotrons/radiopharmacies decision makers interested in providing their network clinics with
new 18F radiopharmaceuticals for clinical applications. The technologists already working in
Member States radiopharmaceutical labs wanting to enhance the utility of the existing
synthesisers and setting up QC procedures would also highly benefit from this publication. Due
to presentation of some new 18F radiochemistry methods that are new or on the verge of
entering application in clinical grade radiopharmacy production, many graduate students and
scientists from Member States would also benefit.