Accelerating the Development of New Alpha Therapies for Cancer Treatment
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The overall aim of the present proposal is to take full advantage of the treatment potential of a new cancer therapy. This involves novel radiopharmaceuticals that incorporate alpha-emitting radioactive isotopes for cancer-specific targeted alpha therapy (TAT), which is expected to revolutionize cancer care. The development and implementation of this new treatment is, however, hindered and delayed due to the cumbersome detection of alpha emitters during the TAT pharmaceutical development. We will change this by developing a new advanced alpha sensor for the pharmaceutical industry. The sensor will facilitate and greatly simplify monitoring, benchmarking, and quality control of the TAT radiopharmaceutical. The sensor will be principally based on UK detector technology which has been developed under an STFC-funded research programme for nuclear structure and nuclear astrophysics experiments at TRIUMF, Canada.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Christian Diget (Principal Investigator) | |
| Pankaj Joshi (Researcher) |
| Description | We have produced a demonstrator model of the sensor which is now ready to undergo testing at an end-user facility for production of medical isotopes for cancer treatment. These achievements have been recognised by the end-user for the device, as well as the hosting university, who are currently (2023) funding the testing programme intended to be implemented during the Covid years. Outcomes have not been publicised yet because of IP considerations. |
| Exploitation Route | The device is not yet at a sufficiently advanced stage to be directly utilised outside of the present collaborating partners (including end-user), as this is demonstration (proof-of-principle) only. However, following the upcoming testing during 2023 (see above), the project can move to a prototyping stage. |
| Sectors | Energy,Healthcare,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED MEDICAL ISOTOPES (IAMI), TRIUMF, Canada. |
| Organisation | TRIUMF |
| Country | Canada |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | IAMI is currently developing advanced and cost-effective production mechanisms for alpha-therapy radio isotopes. We are, through the present project, contributing to this programme through there development of a radiation sensor which will form part of their radio-chemical production plant. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Our partners at IAMI have (spearheaded by Dr C Hoehr, IAMI, TRIUMF) contributed to the design of the sensor to ensure that it will integrate into their production pathways, both mechanically, and in relation to chemical processing constraints. Partner at IAMI furthermore contributed to two Nuclear Masterclasses (see engagement) to broaden the impact of this work to include also educational impact. |
| Impact | The collaboration is multidisciplinary, with contributions from IAMI complementing the York nuclear sensor and electronics contributions. The IAMI contributions include chemical constraints, and biomedical treatment design. Project is ongoing, and while the sensor design is complete, we would only count this as a concrete outcome once demo components have been tested. |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Nuclear Physics Masterclass - York - Summer 2020 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Nuclear Physics Masterclass: Online Join the Department of Physics at the University of York and leading experts from around the world for a Nuclear Physics Masterclass. Find out more about cutting-edge research in Nuclear Physics and applications of nuclear technologies. This four-week programme is suitable for students studying Physics in years 12 and 13 (S5 and S6 in Scotland) and allows for flexible learning in or out of the classroom. Details Masterclasses are open to all students studying Physics in years 12 and 13 / S5 and S6, (ages 16-18). Four week programme with 3-5 hours content per week. Live webinars with leading experts weekly. Recording available after the event. Ask questions of experts live during the weekly webinar and throughout the week through a forum. Complete all activities and receive a certificate of participation. Work at your own pace Register as an individual, or teachers can make class bookings Week 1: Energy and Decay Discover the nuclear chart of the isotopes with a 3D fly-through and find out more about the building blocks of our Universe. Follow nuclear decay chains, explore the concept and applications of binding energy, and investigate half-lives. Optional activity to explore the 3D nuclear isotopes chart in Minecraft. Week 2: Nuclear Astrophysics Explore the Hot CNO Cycle: Discover the nuclear reactions happening in stars during stellar explosions, in particular on the surface of neutron stars, in an activity demonstrating half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decay. Investigate a computer simulation of the liquid drop model of nuclei and apply this to the formation of neutron stars. Learn about the influence of the fundamental forces at the nuclear scale. Week 3: Fusion Technology Find out about methods of creating nuclear fusion as a power source - from lasers to tokamaks. Investigate how the most extreme conditions in the Solar System are created in a laboratory setting, and how materials are designed to withstand such temperatures and pressures. Explore research labs through virtual tours. Week 4: Medical Physics Hear from a medical physicist about how nuclear physics shaped her career. Find out how PET scanners work and discover how cutting-edge research into quantum entanglement is making these more effective. Use computer modeling to investigate proton-therapy and see if you can optimise cancer treatments. [Online Nuclear Masterclass N/A UK 22/06/2020 - 31/07/2020 Masterclass Schools KS4/5 840] |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/nuclear-masterclass-homepage-summer2020/ |
| Description | Nuclear Physics Masterclass - York - Winter 2020/21 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Schools |
| Results and Impact | Nuclear Physics Masterclass: Online Join the Department of Physics at the University of York and leading experts from around the world for a Nuclear Physics Masterclass. Find out more about cutting-edge research in Nuclear Physics and applications of nuclear technologies. This four-week programme is suitable for students studying Physics in years 12 and 13 (S5 and S6 in Scotland) and allows for flexible learning in or out of the classroom. Details Masterclasses are open to all students studying Physics in years 12 and 13 / S5 and S6, (ages 16-18). Four week programme with 3-5 hours content per week. Live webinars with leading experts weekly. Recording available after the event. Ask questions of experts live during the weekly webinar and throughout the week through a forum. Complete all activities and receive a certificate of participation. Work at your own pace Register as an individual, or teachers can make class bookings Week 1: Energy and Decay Discover the nuclear chart of the isotopes with a 3D fly-through and find out more about the building blocks of our Universe. Follow nuclear decay chains, explore the concept and applications of binding energy, and investigate half-lives. Optional activity to explore the 3D nuclear isotopes chart in Minecraft. Week 2: Nuclear Astrophysics Explore the Hot CNO Cycle: Discover the nuclear reactions happening in stars during stellar explosions, in particular on the surface of neutron stars, in an activity demonstrating half-lives and the random nature of radioactive decay. Investigate a computer simulation of the liquid drop model of nuclei and apply this to the formation of neutron stars. Learn about the influence of the fundamental forces at the nuclear scale. Week 3: Fusion Technology Find out about methods of creating nuclear fusion as a power source - from lasers to tokamaks. Investigate how the most extreme conditions in the Solar System are created in a laboratory setting, and how materials are designed to withstand such temperatures and pressures. Explore research labs through virtual tours. Week 4: Medical Physics Hear from a medical physicist about how nuclear physics shaped her career. Find out how PET scanners work and discover how cutting-edge research into quantum entanglement is making these more effective. Use computer modeling to investigate proton-therapy and see if you can optimise cancer treatments. [Online Nuclear Masterclass N/A UK 23/11/2020 - 10/01/2021 Masterclass Schools KS5 558] |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/physics/public-and-schools/nuclear-masterclass-homepage-winter2020/ |