The European medical radionuclides program, PRISMAP, coordinated by CERN, has completed its five-year initiative, delivering 159 batches of 23 distinct radionuclides for biomedical research. The program's objective was to facilitate access to novel, high-purity radionuclides, thereby supporting the development of targeted medical treatments for cancer. It connected eight radionuclide production facilities and five biomedical research centers across Europe.
Program Overview and Objectives
Nuclear medicine employs radionuclides for both imaging and therapeutic purposes, leveraging the radiation emitted by decaying unstable nuclei to target cancer cells. The "theranostic" approach, which integrates imaging and therapy for personalized patient treatment, has emerged in the field. While some radiopharmaceutical products have received marketing authorizations for conditions such as neuroendocrine and prostate cancer, access to specific radionuclides for early-stage biomedical research has been identified as a challenge. PRISMAP aimed to address this by enhancing the supply chain for specialized radionuclides.
Activities and Deliverables
Over its five-year operational period, PRISMAP supported 47 medical research projects spanning 19 countries. It successfully delivered 159 batches of 23 different radionuclides to biomedical laboratories. In addition to radionuclide supply, PRISMAP offered research opportunities at its five biomedical facilities, providing access for teams requiring specialized equipment or authorizations for their studies.
CERN-MEDICIS Contribution
CERN-MEDICIS, a facility dedicated to producing radionuclides for biomedical research through mass separation, played a role in the program by supplying numerous alpha-emitting radionuclides. Alpha particles, which are helium ions composed of two protons and two neutrons, are reported to target cancer cells with precision, potentially sparing healthy tissue, and are noted for their effectiveness against micro-metastases. CERN-MEDICIS is identified as the only facility globally focused on producing highly pure nuclides by mass separation specifically for biomedical research. The PRISMAP program integrated radionuclides from traditional cyclotrons and nuclear reactors with those from CERN-MEDICIS to provide a range of innovative radionuclides.
Research Applications
An example of the program's contributions includes the delivery of a combination of two lead isotopes—Pb-203 from the ARRONAX nuclear reactor in France and Pb-212 from CERN-MEDICIS—to Dresden Hospital. This material was used for research on prostate cancer diagnostics and treatment, contributing to a theranostic approach.
Program Conclusion and Future Initiatives
The PRISMAP project officially concluded on December 31, 2025. A funding request for a three-year follow-up project, named PRISMAP+, has been submitted. This proposed initiative aims to continue and strengthen the established network for radionuclide production and supply.