Radiopharmacy Advanced

Program Overview

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King's College London's Radiopharmacy Advanced course offers a comprehensive exploration of advanced radiopharmaceutical science, including design, development, and clinical applications. Through lectures and practical sessions, participants gain in-depth knowledge of radiopharmaceutical chemistry, biologicals, PET, molecular radiotherapy, and selected clinical topics, enabling them to contribute to the advancement of the field.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

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Radiopharmacy Advanced

is a four-day lecture and practical course offered by King's College London under the Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine. It is designed for individuals with at least one year of hands-on experience in radiopharmacy who are seeking a deeper understanding of the field.

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Objectives:

• The course provides in-depth coverage of radiopharmaceutical science, including design, development, formulation, biologicals, molecular radiotherapy, and selected clinical topics.
• With respect to positron emission tomography (PET), the course explores challenges in production, emerging radionuclides, and multi-modal imaging.

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Program Description:

This intensive course builds on the introductory Postgraduate Course in Radiopharmacy and delves into advanced topics such as:

• Radiopharmaceutical chemistry: Exploring the latest developments in Tc-99m radiopharmaceutical chemistry, stability of radiopharmaceuticals, and formulation of various radiopharmaceuticals.
• Biologicals: Understanding the use of proteins, peptides, and cells as radiopharmaceuticals, including advanced cell isolation and labeling techniques.
• Positron emission tomography (PET): Examining the challenges and advances in PET radiopharmaceutical production, focusing on emerging radionuclides like Ga-68, Cu-62/64, and Zr-89, and exploring multi-modal imaging approaches.
• Clinical topics: Analyzing specific clinical applications such as gastric emptying, sentinel node, and non-imaging studies like GFR and red cell mass.

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Benefits:

Upon completion, participants will achieve a deeper understanding of radiopharmaceutical science, enabling them to:

• Contribute to the design and development of novel radiopharmaceuticals.
• Improve their skills in the formulation and stability of radiopharmaceuticals.
• Gain advanced knowledge of biologicals and their applications in radiopharmacy.
• Understand the principles of molecular radiotherapy and its clinical applications.

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Outline:

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Course Content:

The course syllabus is structured as follows:

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Day 1:

• Advances in Tc-99m radiopharmaceutical chemistry
• Stability of radiopharmaceuticals in vivo
• Challenges in radiopharmacy
• Formulation and stability of Tc-99m kits
• Formulation of other radiopharmaceuticals

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Day 2:

• Clinical topics: gastric emptying; sentinel node
• Antibodies and peptides as radiopharmaceuticals
• Advanced cell isolation and labelling: beyond inflammation
• Non imaging studies: GFR, red cell mass
• Selection of radionuclides for therapy
• Therapeutic nuclear medicine

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Day 3:

• Half-day laboratory practical session on protein radiolabeling techniques using Tc-99m

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Day 4:

• PET chemistry F-18 and automation
• PET chemistry radiometals Cu-62/64 and Zr-89
• Multi modal imaging
• Ga-68 generators and labelling
• Clinical trials of radiopharmaceuticals

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Course Structure:

The course features a blend of lectures and practical sessions, offering participants a comprehensive learning experience.

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Modules:

Each day of the program focuses on specific modules related to the overarching theme of advanced radiopharmacy.

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Schedule:

• The course takes place annually in central London.
• It consists of 16 lectures and one day in the laboratory.

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Teaching:

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Teaching Methods:

• The course employs a combination of lectures and practical sessions to facilitate active learning.

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Faculty:

• The course is led by Victoria Gibson, Head of Radiopharmacy at Guy's and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, and other renowned experts in the field.

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Unique Approaches:

• The course offers a hands-on experience through the laboratory practical session, allowing participants to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.

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Other:

• The course is suitable for individuals with prior experience in radiopharmacy, including pharmacists, chemists, nuclear medicine technologists, radiographers, and research personnel.
• Limited places are available on the course, and early booking is encouraged.
• The course fee is £540, and various discounts may apply.

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Conclusion:

The Radiopharmacy Advanced course at King's College London provides participants with a valuable opportunity to deepen their understanding of radiopharmaceutical science and expand their knowledge and skills in this rapidly evolving field.