The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has been given marketing approval for FDG, a radiopharmaceutical that is used to detect malignant cancers, heart problems and neurological diseases.
FDG, (fluorodeoxyglucosez) is labelled with fluorine-18, a radioisotope with a 110-minute half life. Produced at ANSTOs cyclotron at Camperdown, FDG is distributed by ANSTO to hospitals around Sydney and the local region. Director of Radiopharmaceuticals at ANSTO Dr Stuart Carr said that FDG is a well proven product that had been used safely in more then two million clinical studies to date.
"FDG-Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging is mainly used in the diagnosis of cancers, but is also used in cardiac imaging and has some neurological applications," Dr Carr said. "Getting marketing approval is a major achievement for ANSTO as there are only a few registered manufacturing sites in Europe."
ANSTO has received approval from Australias regulatory agency for medical drugs and devices, the Therapeutic Goods Administration, to market the radiopharmaceutical, which has been registered under the tradename FDGen (pronounced efdgen). Doctors know that malignant cancer cells take up more glucose than benign cells, and that FDG behaves like glucose in the body.
The fluorine-18 emits gamma rays which are picked up by a PET camera for imaging . The images allow doctors to judge how active cancers are within the body, and make better decisions about treatment. Because glucose is used throughout the body, FDG imaging is also useful for investigating many different diseases.
ANSTO Media Release. ANSTO to market product for cancer and heart disease detection epilepsy and Alzheimers disease. Recent studies have also found uses for FDG in the diagnosis and better management of both non small-cell and small-cell lung cancers.
Published: 24/10/2001