Day 4

Thursday, July 4

• Introduction to nuclear medicine and regulatory aspects
• Radiopharmacy lecture with a focus on the case of astatine-211
• Lecture on theranostic approaches

• Of mice and men
  Mickaël Bourgeois
  Radiopharmacist and professor assistant at nuclear medicine department, University Hospital of Nantes, and GIP ARRONAX

• Radiopharmacy of Astatine-211: from bench to bedside
  Emma Aneheim
  Associate professor in radiochemistry at the department of Medical Radiation Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gotheburg, Sweden

In this lecture we will explore most aspects of using astatine-211 in nuclear medicine, from the irradiated target to the production of an astatine based radiopharmaceutical ready for patient treatment. Targeted alpha therapy is an emerging technique utilizing the large linear energy transfer and destructive power of the alpha particle, directed to the cancer cells by a tumor specific targeting vector. Only very few alpha particle emitting nuclides fulfill the requirements for nuclear medicine applications, such as suitable half-life and decay properties, feasible production route, etc. Among the proposed candidates, astatine-211 is often considered to be the most promising choice for treatments with a curative intent. Astatine-211 is produced by cyclotron bombardment of natural bismuth with high energy alpha particles. In theory limitless amounts of astatine can therefore be produced, but in reality production sites are scarce. The second heaviest halogen in the periodic table, astatine, do not have any stable isotopes and the longest half-life is only 8.1 hours. Because of this, contrary to most other elements, many basic chemical and physical properties of astatine are still not known. These are things that naturally pose some challenge in working towards producing radiopharmaceuticals with astatine but all challenges are meant to be overcome…

• Personalized medicine in nuclear medicine
  Clément Bailly
  Physician at the nuclear medicine department, University Hospital of Nantes

• Back to ISI NucMed program 2024