State-of-the-Art Equipment for Preclinical Molecular Imaging and Targeted Radiotherapy

Numerous chronic diseases, such as cancer and early heart disease, are often symptomless. Consequently, these diseases are often diagnosed at a late stage which reduces the treatment options that are available to the patient. We are creating new ways of seeing inside the body to identify the processes that go wrong with these devastating diseases using a process called 'molecular imaging'. These innovative scans require the administration of radioactive drugs into the blood stream. The drugs home to the site of the disease, or identify a particular feature related to the disease that will help medical professionals provide the correct treatments for the specific patient. The radioactivity is needed so advanced medical scanners can identify the disease location in the body. Instead of taking a picture of the outside, these scanners can see deep within the body and locate regions of disease that are just millimetres in size. The type and amount of radioactivity used are not harmful but provide the 'beacon' so these diseases can visualised by the scanner.

At King's College London we have pioneered the discovery of new molecular imaging applications for the past fifteen+ years. We have built a critical mass and extensive research infrastructure to make pioneering discoveries in molecular imaging research with the ultimate goal of improving human health. This exciting area of research is now on the cusp of new discoveries to not only see but treat disease. By changing the nature of the radioactivity attached to the drug we can deliver a targeted therapeutic payload to the site of disease, resulting in its elimination. Known as 'radionuclides therapies', they have already shown improvements over normal chemotherapy in prostate cancer patients with a lower number of side effects. At King's College London we have the facilities, know-how and ambition to make a significant contribution to this emerging field of research.

To fully exploit our critical mass in molecular imaging and radionuclide research we require new scanners to detect both imaging and therapeutic radioactivity. Here, we have requested funds to purchase miniaturised clinical scanners for research using animal models of human diseases. Replacing our >12-year-old equipment they possess advanced features that enable researchers to develop and optimise these imaging tools before their use in humans. Specifically, we will be able to track the movement of these radioactivity-based treatments throughout the body in real time. The improved resolution of the scans will also allow us to identify microstructures in the body or track just a few thousand therapeutic cells that are injected to fight cancer. Working with researchers across the UK will use these scanners to improve our understanding of a host of different diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, heart disease, pregnancy, inflammatory disorders, and arthritis. Finally, by partnering with pharmaceutical and biotech companies we aim to commercialise these discoveries to deliver maximum benefit to a wide range of patients both in the UK and world-wide.

King's College London (KCL) has the UK's largest concentration of academics dedicated to molecular imaging research and development. Our established preclinical imaging research facility has successfully operated since 2009 using a cost recovery model, with supporting infrastructure, scientific and key technical expertise embedded within KCL. Through this proposal we will significantly enhance our programme of preclinical imaging research through the creation of a state-of-the-art theranostics equipment platform. Specifically, we will replace our aging (>12 years) and no long fit-for-purpose preclinical PET/CT and SPECT/CT scanners with next-generation systems equipped with new high-sensitivity detectors with large axial fields of view. These scanners will provide significant new capabilities, including simultaneous multi-animal and multi-tracer imaging at sub-mm resolution, AI integration for enhanced image segmentation/processing, advanced kinetic modelling to improve reliability and accuracy of image quantitation, and importantly, spatiotemporal quantitation of both diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides. Leveraging our strengths in biology, chemistry, engineering, AI and clinical translation, these scanners will allow state-of the-art developments in preclinical molecular imaging and underpin game-changing clinical nuclear medicine applications total body PET and theranostics. Supporting MRC key strategic priorities, we will (i) image disease processes faster and more accurately, at an earlier stage, and with greater resolution (precision health); (ii) develop new strategies incorporating targeted radiotherapy to treat disseminated cancer (advanced therapies); and (iii) enhance our understanding of disease biology.