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A Report on the “Brics International Forum on Nuclear Medicine” June 19–21, 2024, Saint Petersburg, Russia
Address for correspondence: Dr. Maroor Raghavan Ambikalmajan Pillai, Molecular Group of Companies, Puthuvype, Vypin, Ernakulam - 682 508, Kerala, India. E-mail: pillai.m.r.a@gmail.com
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This article was originally published by Wolters Kluwer - Medknow and was migrated to Scientific Scholar after the change of Publisher.
The first “BRICS International Forum on Nuclear Medicine” was held in Corinthia Palace Hotel at Saint Petersburg, Russia during June 20–21, 2024. The meeting was organized jointly by the Russian Health Ministry and the State Corporation of Rosatom. The Participants of the meeting were from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) countries. Also associate members from Iran, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Ethiopia attended the meeting. The total number of participants was about 200 as per the organizer’s note.
There were 14 technical sessions conducted in two separate halls in addition to the inaugural and plenary sessions. The presentations were in English or Russian language with simultaneous translation. The entire proceedings of the meeting were video recorded and are available online.
Inauguration and Plenary Session
Ms. Tatyana Golikova, Vice-Premier of the Russian Federation addressed the meeting “on-line.” She mentioned that Russia as the Chair of BRICS, this year has a special mission and responsibility to enhance collaboration among BRICS countries not only in nuclear medicine but also in the entire healthcare sector. She emphasized the need for a unified strategy among BRICS countries for the production as well as utilization of radiopharmaceuticals. Mr. Alexander Beglov, Governor of Saint Petersburg welcomed the delegates. Dr. Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health for the Russian Federation mentioned that about 800,000 patients in Russia were benefited from nuclear medicine in the past 1 year and the entire services were provided free. He emphasized the need to enhance radiopharmaceutical production and application capabilities in BRICS countries. Yuri Olenin, Deputy Director General of the State Corporation of Rosatom gave details about the work done by Rosatom as a manufacturer of radioisotopes, radiopharmaceuticals, and equipment needed for nuclear medicine. Rosatom-manufactured isotopes are extensively used in many BRICS countries including India.
Head of delegations from each country including Prof. Prabhu Ethiraj, President, Society of Nuclear Medicine India spoke in the Plenary Session on “Nuclear Medicine of BRICS Countries: Challenges and Opportunities for collaboration.”
Technical Sessions
The session on “Education and training in the field of nuclear medicine and radiopharmacy: Main challenges and ways for cooperation” discussed issues related to improving the quality of education and training in the field of nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals in the BRICS countries. Potential initiatives within BRICS countries for the creation and development of joint educational programs in the field of nuclear medicine were discussed. The need for the creation of competence and a unified educational environment for the BRICS member countries were presented by each country delegate. Dr. Prabhu Ethiraj spoke in this session on the training opportunities of nuclear medicine available in India.
A session named “Radiopharmacy industry in the BRICS countries: Is there a ground for the long-term growth?” was held in which the Russian Federation, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, and China gave their manufacturing capabilities in radiopharmaceuticals. The radiopharmaceutical manufacturing activities in participating countries were discussed in this session. The technologies for the production of radioisotope products, advanced infrastructure for the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals, etc., were presented in this session. The need to recognize and harmonize national rules and requirements for the organization of production and certification of radiopharmaceutical products in accordance with the current good manufacturing practice were discussed by the members. A talk on radiopharmaceutical production capabilities in India in this session would have been appropriate.
The session on “Equipment for nuclear medicine in BRICS countries: A dialogue between producer and end-user” was devoted to the issues of interaction between developers/manufacturers of equipment for nuclear medicine and end users. Dr. Partha Choudhary gave a presentation on the nuclear medicine equipment in use in India in this session.
A session was devoted for the “Production of the main radionuclides for nuclear medicine in the BRICS countries: Mo-99, Lu-177, I-131, and Ac-225. The session discussed the available production facilities in BRICS member states for the important radionuclides for nuclear medicine. Russian Federation is one of the major producers of radioisotopes followed by South Africa among the BRICS countries. The 20 MW South African research reactor, Safari-1 is nearing 60 years of operation. The South African Government has already approved the construction of a new research reactor which will enhance the supply of isotopes.
The session on “Clinical trials of newer radiopharmaceuticals and their registration in the BRICS countries: exchange of experience” discussed the regulations applicable in each country on clinical trials and bench-to-bed transfer of new radiopharmaceuticals. The session was also intended to exchange experience and discuss the possibilities of conducting multicentre clinical trials and postregistration studies of radiopharmaceuticals in BRICS countries. Dr. Venkatesh Rengarajan spoke “on-line” on “Specifics of clinical transfer regulations for new radiopharmaceuticals in India.”
The session “Development of innovative radiopharmaceuticals and its precursors in BRICS countries” discussed issues related to the development of targeting precursors and quality control of innovative radiopharmaceuticals for the diagnosis and treatment of socially significant diseases, primarily cancer. There were several interesting presentations in this session on the development of theragnostic radiopharmaceuticals. Dr. A. K. Mishra spoke on “Future direction in innovative theragnostic probes with enhanced affinity.” Dr. M. R. A. Pillai gave a presentation on “Emerging role of enzyme inhibitors in radiopharmaceuticals development.”
Issues on the clinical application of nuclear medicine technologies (single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT-CT], positron emission tomography-computed tomography [PET-CT], and positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging [PET-MRI]) based on the use of specific radiopharmaceuticals in the diagnosis of psychoneurological diseases (epilepsy, parkinsonism, and dementia), as well as visualization of inflammation foci was discussed in the Session on “Prospects of nuclear medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of non-oncological diseases.” Nuclear medicine applications in epilepsy and other neurologic disorders as well as infection were discussed in this session.
A fairly large time was spent on the session on “Nuclear cardiology: status and development prospects in BRICS countries.” The session discussed the use of modern methods of radionuclide hybrid imaging (PET-CT, SPECT-CT, and PET-MRI), scintigraphy in the diagnosis and assessment of the effectiveness of treatment of heart diseases (coronary artery disease, amyloidosis, parasympathetic innervation disorder, etc.) in the BRICS countries. Dr. Vikram Lele spoke on “PET myocardial Perfusion” in this session.
The objectives of the Session on “Radionuclide diagnostics in oncology” were to exchange experience in the use of hybrid imaging methods (SPECT-CT, PET-CT, and PET-MRI) in the diagnosis, determination of the prevalence, and assessment of the effectiveness of tumors of different origins with the use of new radiopharmaceuticals. The issues of standardization of data collection protocols and evaluation of the results obtained during the diagnostic procedures were discussed. The session discussed results with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and fibroblast activation protein (FAP) inhibitor-based radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis of different cancers.
The session on “Nuclear medicine in endocrinology: New goals, new ideas” focused on the exchange of experience of specialists and experts of the BRICS countries in the field of radionuclide diagnostics of pituitary neoplasms, primary and secondary hyperisulinism, and parathyroid glands. The session had a detailed discussion on radionuclide therapy for thyroid diseases and neuroendocrine tumors. Dr. Partha Choudhary gave a talk on “The management of differentiated thyroid cancers: Radioiodine and Beyond.”
The last two sessions were devoted to radionuclide therapy. This included a presentation on radioembolization with 90Y as well as the use of 177Lu-FAPI-2286 and CXCR4 ligands. The session on alpha and Auger electrons therapy discussed 225Ac-PSMA-617 therapy and 223Ra chloride for the management of metastatic bone cancer.
Preconference Meeting
There was a preconference meeting on June 19 at the Granov Russian Research Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies. The session on “Use of Alpha Emitters in the treatment of Cancer” discussed the use and availability of alpha emitters for targeted therapy. Dr. Partha Choudhary gave a talk on “Initial experience and future challenges in targeted alpha therapy in castration-resistant prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumor theragnostics.” The meeting also addressed the current issues on radiation protection in nuclear medicine departments in a separate session. Dr. M. R. A. Pillai gave a presentation on “Radiation Safety in Nuclear Medicine Centres while using different radioisotopes.”
Site Visit
The organizers arranged a site visit to the facilities of the Granov Russian Research Centre. Dr. Prabhu Ethiraj, Dr. Anil Mishra, and delegates from South Africa and Brazil were taken around the institution by Prof. Andrey Stanzhevskyi, the Deputy Director of the center, and President of the Russian Society of Nuclear Medicine and Prof. Dmitry Maistrenko, Director of the Institute. The delegates were shown around the facilities including the fully functioning medical cyclotron installed in the early 1970s and the new GE Cyclotron under installation. Notable was the enthusiasm of the scientists of the institution in showcasing their achievements and sharing their knowledge and experience without inhibition.
Sight Seeing and Side Events
The organizers arranged tours to some of the picturesque tourist spots in Saint Petersburg. The drive through Highway 118 connecting the two shores of the Gulf of Finland through the Kotlin islands, the touring of the Peterhof palace, and the return journey to Saint Petersburg in the boat are memorable. An exclusive Symphony Orchestra “Mozart and Saileri” featuring artists from the Alexandresky theater was hosted by the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom for the participants on the 2nd day. The late evening boat journey hosted by the Governor of Saint Petersburg to watch the twilight sun in the Gulf of Finland on the white night was another life experience.
Mr. Oleg Mansurov, Senior Nuclear Engineer of Rosatom, did an extraordinary coordination of the meeting starting from invitation, topic selection, visa facilitation, accommodation, and taking care of the delegates from landing till the flight back.
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
Nil.