The GE HealthCare system, installed in collaboration with Cyclomedical International, will enable on-site production of radioisotopes for PET imaging and theranostics.
GE HealthCare, in partnership with the University of Oklahoma (OU) and Cyclomedical International, announced that a new cyclotron will be installed at the OU Health campus. The system is intended to provide on-site production of radiotracers, the radioactive compounds used in PET imaging and theranostic applications.
The GE HealthCare PETtrace 890 cyclotron will allow the facility to produce its own short-lived radioisotopes for the diagnosis of conditions including cancer and heart disease, as well as for the evaluation of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. By creating these materials locally, the health system aims to avoid supply chain disruptions and scheduling delays that can affect patient care.
“Unlike most imaging modalities, PET can visualize physiological processes throughout the body with one radiopharmaceutical injection,” says Wendy Galbraith, PharmD, clinical associate professor at the OU College of Pharmacy, in a release. “This cyclotron will allow onsite production of imaging radioisotopes used to detect cancer, monitor treatment effectiveness, and offer investigational products in clinical trials that were previously unavailable.”
The cyclotron works by accelerating particles to nearly one-fifth the speed of light to produce the radiotracers, which are then administered to patients. This technology enables the detection of disease at a molecular level and can be used in theranostics to deliver targeted treatments directly to cancer cells.
Improving On-Demand Production and Patient Access
The move toward localized production reflects a growing need for advanced diagnostic imaging as the prevalence of chronic diseases increases. According to the partners, higher demand for new therapies has impacted the supply of tracers available for basic diagnostic PET scans. An on-site cyclotron is expected to expand access to molecular imaging for patients throughout Oklahoma and the region.
“Cyclotrons are central to the future of precision health,” says Larry Biscotti, president, US & Canada Imaging, GE HealthCare, in a release. “By enabling on-demand production of radiopharmaceuticals, we’re helping clinicians deliver efficient, accurate diagnoses and personalized treatments.”
The facility will also support the academic health center’s educational and research missions. Students and residents will have the opportunity for hands-on experience with the technology, preparing them for work in the field of nuclear medicine.
“With this new cyclotron and the treatments we can offer, patients will have the choice to stay in Oklahoma for care instead of traveling out of state and away from their families and support groups,” Galbraith adds in the release.
Photo caption: GE HealthCare PETtrace 890 cyclotron
Photo credit: GE HealthCare
