NIF Radiopharmaceuticals

The WA NIF is partnered with RAPID, the cyclotron laboratory at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. RAPID is currently undergoing a significant expansion, with the installation of a new cyclotron and GMP Radiopharmaceuticals facility. This is enabling the newest and most impactful PET tracers to be generated right here on the QEII Health Campus.

Our human imaging systems

PET radiopharmaceuticals, or ‘tracers’ function just like a dye made from a medical isotope. The actual amount is vanishingly small, but they can be easily seen and monitored in the human body using a PET camera.

The most commonly used PET radiopharmaceutical is FDG (2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose, and it is the most readily available around Australia. As a marker for glucose metabolism it targets cancer cells, which are growing much faster than they should, making them visible on the PET camera. It is indicated for a broad spectrum of different cancers as well as for infection and inflammation.

Some cancers (depending on their type or stage) do not take up FDG as effectively. This is where other more specialised PET tracers come into the picture. Some of these, like [⁶⁸Ga]Ga-PSMA-11, target a receptor on the surface of cancer cells, a bit like a key fitting into a specific lock. This is being used to diagnose prostate cancer and monitor therapy. There are also now therapy versions of PSMA which deliver a dose of radiation to prostate cancer cells in a targeted strike, like a guided missile. Other PET tracers, like the labelled amino acid [¹⁸F]FET, act as a tracer for amino acid transport processes and are useful for imaging glioma.

Although FDG can be arranged on most days, the availability of specialised radiopharmaceuticals is not always a simple process, and we invite you to discuss this with us in the early planning stages of your study. We are here to help. The WA NIF Radiochemistry Fellow will assist in navigating all the possibilities and options.

Further, if there is interest in radiolabelling novel molecules for pre-clinical imaging, this can also be explored. Radiochemistry specifically tailored for your animal study can be developed.

For some short informative videos on PET radiochemistry and imaging, please check out one of these videos from Siemens and Imperial College London.

WA NIF Hot Lab

In addition to our TEMA Karl100 automated dispenser, the NIF facility is equipped with a dedicated laboratory for handling radiopharmaceuticals. We have a shielded laminar flow hood equipped with a dose calibrator, for drawing up unit doses in a clean-air environment. The lab is also equipped with centrifuge for blood work, and a Wizard2 gamma counter for performing assays. This last piece of equipment can be especially useful for dynamic PET imaging, as well as to support preclinical work. It can be used for most therapy radionuclides as well as for PET.

GMP Radiopharmaceutical Lab (RAPID)

Through UWA, NIF has contributed significant funds to the building of a Research Radiopharmaceutical Suite in the new RAPID GMP Laboratory, at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. The lab will be dedicated to PET radiopharmaceutical R&D, particularly for those tracers required to be manufactured in a more regulated environment. More will be announced following the official opening of the facility in early 2025.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

Contact us and one of our experts will get back you.

Contact us

FAQ

Can we do stand-alone CT scans on the PET/CT scanner?

Yes, we have a Siemens Edge 128-slice CT system which can do diagnostic CT scans. We also have a power injector for injecting CT contrast agent (Medrad Stellant FLEX from Bayer).
What PET radiotracers are available at WA NIF?

FDG is regularly available Monday to Friday in Perth metro. Specialised tracers may be sourced locally or from interstate. Get in touch with us to discuss tracer availability and possibilities.
Is your PET/CT scanner ARTnet accredited?

Yes. We have a general F-18,Ga-68 and Zr-89 ARTnet accreditation. We can also perform trial-specific phantoms or other radiotracers on request.
How do we get started to use WA NIF for our study?

Get in touch with us to get started. We can provide you with a quote and advice on further requirements (e.g. ethics and governance related to your institution).
Do you have a Medicare licence?

No, WA NIF does not currently have a Medicare licence for the PET/CT or MRI.
How much does it cost to use your facility?

Please get in touch with us to get a custom quote. The quote will depend on multiple factors such as scan length, radiopharmaceutical, protocol and uptake time, among others. Scanning fees will also depend if its an investigator-led, academic study or a pharmaceutical-sponsored trial. We can also help you with your study budget for an funding application.
Can we use your facility for diagnostic work?

We only do scans as part of research studies at WA NIF.
How do we book in study participants for WA NIF?

We have a booking system. Get in touch to get started.
Do you offer parking for study participants at WA NIF?

Fee parking is available on the QEII Hospital Campus. We recommend parking in the DD block carpark.
Are there any radiation risks of PET/CT imaging?

PET/CT imaging, along with many other types of imaging procedures employing ionising radiation are considered standard-of-care for many WA patients, according to their age and health status. The relatively small risk is weighed against the benefits of information gained. Please get in touch with us to discuss any concerns.
Can we collaborate with your facility on an upcoming study?

Yes. We have research fellows specialised in PET radiopharmaceuticals, PET/CT and MRI who are very keen to collaborate and help you with any scientific questions you may have.

image of the waiting room at the Harry Perkins Institute

Location and contact

Email: nif@uwa.edu.au

Address: WA National Imaging Facility
Level 3, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research
QEII Medical Centre campus
Nedlands WA 6009

The University of Western Australia

Centre for Microscopy Characterisation and Analysis

Metabolomics Australia (UWA)

Microscopy and Analysis

WA National Imaging Facility

WA Proteomics Facility

NIF Radiopharmaceuticals

Our human imaging systems

WA NIF Hot Lab

GMP Radiopharmaceutical Lab (RAPID)

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

FAQ

Location and contact

The University of Western Australia

How can we help you?

Metabolomics Australia (UWA)

Microscopy and Analysis

WA National Imaging Facility

WA Proteomics Facility

NIF Radiopharmaceuticals

Our human imaging systems

WA NIF Hot Lab

GMP Radiopharmaceutical Lab (RAPID)

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

FAQ

Location and contact