Production of cyclotron-based Gallium-68 radioisotope and related radiopharmaceuticals

Closed for proposals

Project Type

Coordinated Research Project

Project Code

F22073

CRP

2273

Approved Date

5 February 2020

Start Date

18 November 2020

Expected End Date

31 December 2025

Participating Countries

Armenia
Brazil
Canada
Hungary
India
Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Malaysia
Mexico
Portugal
Saudi Arabia
Slovakia
United States of America

Description

Theranostic radiopharmaceuticals have attracted enormous interest in the last decade and several radiopharmaceuticals have been developed based on related radionuclides (Lu-177, Y-90, Ga-68, Cu-61,64,67, ...). IAEA has already initiated/completed separate successful CRPs on Lu-177, Y-90, Cu-series, Sc-47 and Ga-68 (generator-based) covering all aspects of production, radiopharmaceutical development, quality control as well as preclinical studies. Among these, 68Ga-based radiopharmaceuticals have attracted increasing interest in recent years due to their expanding clinical applications and availability of generators well covered within a former CRP (F22050). This interest is fostered by the growing clinical use of theranostic applications in oncology where a diagnostic scan is performed with a gallium-based PET agent to select patients who will benefit from targeted therapies using agents containing therapeutic radionuclides such as 90Y or 177Lu. While currently 68Ga is mainly coming from 68Ge/68Ga generators, supply challenges for 68Ga remain. To this end, the IAEA has published the TECDOC-1863 ‘Gallium-68 Cyclotron Production’ in February 2019. Recent response to this TECDOC and inquiries demonstrate that due to the complex technology involved, Member States are looking for more guidance on how to implement alternative 68Ga production. The purpose of this Coordinated Research Project is provide assistance and sharing Member States experience on  cyclotron-produced 68Ga in the field of direct radionuclide production, radiopharmaceutical production, QC/QA and regulatory aspects for ultimate use in clinical applications. As the technology developed and shared will also be suitable for the production of several other radiometals.
 

Objectives

To formulate guidelines and exchange expertise between Member States to enable cyclotron-based production of 68Ga and the preparation of 68Ga-labelled radiopharmaceuticals for preclinical and human use.

Specific objectives

• Transfer technology and expertise for optimal cyclotron production of 68Ga using solid and/or liquid targets.

• Transfer expertise and methods for the separation and purification of cyclotron-produced [68Ga]Ga-chloride.

• Provide guidance for quality control and quality assurance of cyclotron-produced 68Ga.

• Provide radiosynthetic procedures for preparation of widely used 68Ga-labelled PET agents (i.e. somatostatin receptor and PSMA ligands) using cyclotron-produced 68Ga including quality control.

• Develop guidance for regulatory approval for the human use of radiopharmaceuticals using cyclotron-produced 68Ga for investigational and routine clinical applications.

• Adapt the methods developed for production of 68Ga with liquid and solid targets to other radionuclide accessible through this technology

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