TOMSK, Aug 28 – RIA Tomsk. Scientists of Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) released trial batch of
isotopes of chemical element lutetium for the first time in Russia; it will
become basis of radiopharmaceuticals for radiation therapy of tumors, these
drugs will have less side effects unlike analogues, the rector of the
university Petr Chubik told journalists on Wednesday.
Earlier it was reported that TPU plans to launch the first production of
lutetium-177 in Russia at the university reactor, which will become the basis
of radiopharmaceuticals for radiation therapy of malignant neoplasms.
Without side effects
These days studies to obtain lutetium-177, which went on for two years,
successfully completed. On Wednesday, the Governor of the Tomsk region Sergei
Zhvachkin visited the research nuclear reactor TPU, whose employees invented a
new technology for obtaining lutetium-177.
"Lutetius is a pharmaceutical, the main purpose of which is not
diagnostics, but therapy. We first received lutetium-177 not from lutetium-176,
but from the isotope ytterbium-176. This allowed to remove excess substances in
it and make it much more "pure." This should provide a good
therapeutic effect. <…> It is a development, which has no equal in Russia",
– Chubik said.
© РИА Томск. Павел Стефанский
Sergey Zhvachkin at TPU training reactor.
According to the head f the laboratory of isotopic analysis and
technologies Igor Shamanin, some clinics in Israel and Germany are currently
synthesizing and using lutetium-177-based radiopharmaceuticals, but they
synthesize them on the basis of lutetium, obtained on the carrier. As a result,
in addition to the local effect, there is a side action.
"Our lutetium-177 has a unique property to act locally, its decay is
not accompanied by the emission of rigid gamma radiation, as a result of which
the surrounding tissues do not suffer, there is no side effect", – he
noted.
© РИА Томск. Павел Стефанский
Igor Shamanin
First batch
According to Shamanin, now isotopes of lutetium-177 is not produced in
Russia. TPU produced the first experimental batch, the university carried out
internal audit and certification, after which the drugs were sent to the
consumer.
"Consumers explore our goods by their own methods. At the moment, it
suits everyone. When our potential consumer – the Center of Molecular Research
(Moscow) - issues us a certificate, after that we can declare ourselves",
– the scientist said, noting that the certification process will be completed
approximately in October.
According to him, the production line will be located on the basis of the
reactor of the Tomsk Polytechnic University, which is the only active nuclear
research reactor in the country at a university. The technology of polytechnics
will allow to produce the volumes needed by potential customers in the future.
© РИА Томск. Павел Стефанский
Container with radiopharmaceutical
According to Zhvachkin, currently there is a shortage of
radiopharmaceuticals of therapeutic purpose in Russia, so these products will
be in demand.
'It 's a cut above than the diagnosis that exists in the world today. We
are completing the construction of PET-center on oncology, building the
surgical building of oncology clinic. This (construction of the surgical corps.
– Ed.) is the last link, and it would be impossible if there was no scientific
feed in the form of those drugs that are produced here", – the Governor
added.
The head of the region instructed his Deputy for Scientific and Educational
Complex Ludmila Ogorodova and Deputy for Social Policy Ivan Deev to develop a
road map for the introduction of the new drug.
© РИА Томск. Павел Стефанский
Sergey Zhvachkin, Petr Chubik and Ivan Deev at TPU training reactor