Aims

The objectives of the course are:

- to familiarize with basic concepts related to the medical applications of radioactive compounds for diagnosis and therapy.

- to provide in-depth knowledge of the chemical and physical characteristics, method of preparation, analysis and applications of radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo diagnostic and therapeutic use.

- to gain insight into the pharmacokinetics of the various radiopharmaceuticals and vectorization principles.

- to know the main quality criteria to which radiopharmaceuticals must comply and the means of determining them

- to understand the concepts of "good manufacturing practice" (GMP), qualification, validation and their applications in industry, small-scale production center or hospital.

The specific leaning outcomes are:

• define the term "radiopharmaceutical"
• give examples of radiochemical, radionuclidical and microbiological impurities and their sources
• explain the difference between complexation chemistry and covalent binding of radionuclides
• compare relevant characteristics of different radionuclides for diagnosis and therapy
• give examples of desired or unwanted drug interactions that may exist with radiopharmaceuticals
• know the main quality criteria to which radiopharmaceuticals must comply and the means of determining them.
• use of analytical techniques and instruments in the analysis of radiopharmaceuticals
• good knowledge of radiopharmaceuticals (including specific problems of production, analysis, biological behavior, indications)  for diagnostic use and for therapeutic use

Previous knowledge

Students should have knowledge in basic nuclear physics (radioactivity emissions and properties, radioactive decay kinetics, interaction of radiations with matter, and detection of radiations). Alternatively, a short module can be followed to refresh these basics.

Is included in these courses of study

• Master of Medical Physics (Leuven et al) 120 ects.