PRISMAP 5 – Dr. Karolina Zajdel
PRISMAP Call 2024–1
The Marvel of Advanced Radiolanthanides: Next-Generation Radio-Optical Nanoparticles in Modern Nuclear Medicine
The PRISMAP Consortium brings together key European, national, and regional research infrastructures selected for their expertise in the production, processing, and distribution of non-conventional radionuclides.
Dr Karolina Zajdel’s project was selected and approved by the PRISMAP User Selection Panel within the framework of the European Union’s Horizon 2020 PRISMAP project (Grant Agreement No. 101008571).
Among 23 eligible proposals submitted to the 5th PRISMAP call, the project was chosen to receive PRISMAP services for the production and delivery of Er-169 (up to 250 MBq) from the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), Switzerland
Submission date: 15 October 2024
Acceptance date: 21 November 2024
Project ID 1729015804_3WOEY
Project no 68
Abstract: Currently, nuclear medicine is witnessing a growing interest in theranostic strategies that integrate diagnostics and therapy into a single tool. Innovative solutions involving nanomaterials are being sought for their unique properties that can significantly enhance treatment effectiveness and diagnostic precision. The scientific goal of this project is to develop and synthesize novel nano-radiopharmaceutical tools for theranostic applications, combining diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities in one platform. These tools will utilize a new generation of luminescent up-converting nanoparticles (UCNPs), which will be radiolabelled with therapeutic radionuclides for both imaging and treatment. UCNPs are inorganic nanomaterials composed of matrices like fluorides, oxides, or sulphides, doped with lanthanide ions. Their distinct spectroscopic properties allow them to emit light in the visible (VIS) or ultraviolet (UV) spectrum upon excitation with near-infrared radiation (NIR), a process known as NIR-to-VIS/UV upconversion, offering advantages in biomedical applications such as reduced background fluorescence and deeper tissue penetration. The project focuses on the radiomodification of UCNPs using the beta-emitting radionuclides ytterbium-175 (¹⁷⁵Yb) and erbium-169 (¹⁶⁹Er). ¹⁷⁵Yb emits beta radiation effective for targeted cancer therapy and releases gamma photons suitable for SPECT imaging. Meanwhile, ¹⁶⁹Er provides therapeutic benefits with minimal gamma emission, reducing radiation exposure to healthy tissues while delivering effective beta radiation to tumors. These radionuclides are ideal for precise, targeted cancer therapies, facilitating personalized and less invasive medical interventions. This project represents a pioneering effort to create a novel theranostic platform by radiolabelling UCNPs with ¹⁷⁵Yb and ¹⁶⁹Er. To our knowledge, this is the first global attempt to apply these radionuclides in a theranostic context, highlighting the innovative potential.
Link to the webpage:
