Putting Europe at the centre of radiopharmaceutical excellence
The EU-funded PRISMAP project, which runs until April 2025, was launched to ensure that Europe is well placed to capitalise on this emerging field of medicine, and to bring research breakthroughs quicker to patients. Drugs containing radioactive molecules, also called radiopharmaceuticals, are increasingly used in the medical field to provide accurate diagnostic information to clinical staff. Radiopharmaceuticals can be injected into the body and used to target specific organs, tissues or cells in a non-invasive manner. Positrons, beta and gamma rays emitted by the radionuclides can be captured, generating images that reflect the function of the tissue under investigation. In addition to enabling highly accurate diagnoses, radiopharmaceuticals can be used to treat many types of cancer. Once a radiopharmaceutical has stuck to a cancer cell, the radioactive compound naturally breaks down, releasing energy that damages the DNA of neighbouring cancer cells.
High-purity radionuclides for medical use
The project team aims to address a key barrier to the effective development of this area of research: the difficulties that many labs face in accessing radionuclides. PRISMAP will establish a sustainable source of high-purity radionuclides for medical use, and provide experts in the field with a single point of access to these resources. For this, a consortium of key neutron sources, isotope mass separation facilities and high-power accelerators and cyclotrons has been brought together, along with leading biomedical research institutes and hospitals. The project team also wants to establish harmonised research standards across Europe, and clarify current regulations. PRISMAP has already taken steps to provide researchers with easy access to this research infrastructure. The project has established a web-based entry platform, which includes public information alongside a private consortium section for data sharing and communication. The web platform covers a range of different radionuclides, all of which can be used as ingredients in diagnostics and treatment. For each radionuclide, general data, together with the mode of production and general application, is provided. New terminologies and standards have also been introduced to account for novel methods of radionuclide production, such as combining isotope mass separation and more established accelerator (cyclotron) and reactor methods.
Powering innovative radionuclide research
Interactions with other European infrastructure projects, such as Euro-BioImaging, have been forged in order to maximise future synergistic actions in the medical field. The project team plans to continue developing new production methods, generating new opportunities for cooperation and advancing medical radionuclide research in Europe.
Keywords
PRISMAP, isotope, radioactive, radiopharmaceuticals, radionuclides