Work has now started on a brand new, $5 million nuclear medicine manufacturing facility that from next year is scheduled to produce an Australian supply of potentially-lifesaving Lutetium-177.
Lutetium-177 is used in the treatment of a variety of cancers, particularly neuroendocrine tumours. Approximately 750 Australians are diagnosed with this form of cancer each year.
The drug is currently only available through import, and the new plant at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) will create a reliable, more widely available supply.
It is estimated that 8000 Australians suffer from neuroendocrine tumours, but less than 300 currently access Lutetium-177.
Subject to the relevant approvals, an Australian-made version of the drug is scheduled to be available for clinical trials in the first half of 2014.
“Overseas experience and limited Australian trials have indicated that Lutetium-177 can offer hope to patients suffering neuroendocrine tumours,” said ANSTO’s.
“At the moment evidence points towards it being an effective last line of defence – with outcomes that can potentially include tumour shrinkage, and patients both living longer and feeling better.”
ANSTO will produce Lutetium-177 through a process that involves irradiating target material called Ytterbium-176 in the OPAL research reactor. It will separated, purified and sterilised.
The $460 million OPAL reactor is located at Lucas Heights, and is Australia’s only operational nuclear reactor. Its main purposes include medical, environmental and minerals research.
“One in two Australian’s will need a nuclear medicine dose during their lifetime, and around 85 per cent of that medicine comes from OPAL,” said ANSTO’s CEO, Dr Adi Paterson.
“ANSTO produces more than 10,000 doses of nuclear medicine a week, and distributes it to some 250 hospitals and medical centres around the country.
“That medicine is used in diagnoses or treatment of conditions including heart disease, muscular and skeletal conditions and a variety of cancers.
“The new drug, Lutetium-177, represents an exciting new frontier for nuclear science and medical research in Australia, and we look forward to progressing to manufacture as quickly as possible.”
Published: 13/07/2011