Radiotheranostics in Nuclear Medicine

This new Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on radiotheranostics will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of the principles and practice of radiotheranostics - a rapidly evolving field that combines the use of diagnostic molecular imaging with targeted radionuclide therapy for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

The BIP involves 3 CIVIS alliance partner universities (ULB, NKUA, AMU). Also, we have selected a number of internationally recognized academic experts in this discipline to offer students the highest scientific and pedagogical quality.

These course consists of two parts:

• the online part of the programme will introduce the basic concepts of radiotheranostics. Participants will complete modules on radiobiology, radiochemistry, radiopharmacy, cancer biology, medical physics, and nuclear physics.
• the face-to-face part of the programme will provide participants with hands-on experience in radiotheranostics. Participants will participate in modules involving theoretical and case practice on a computer with a medical visualization station, as well as more in-depth discussions on more difficult clinical situations. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to follow a patient's radionuclide treatment, and visit our laboratories (preclinical and radiopharmacy) in the Nuclear Medicine Department of the Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B).

Upon completion of this Blended Intensive Programme, the participants will be able to:

• understand the basic principles of radiobiology, radiochemistry, radiopharmacy, cancer biology, medical physics, and nuclear physics as applied to radiotheranostics;
• know what can radiotheranostics be used for today;
• know the criteria to identify patients likely to be treated by this technique;
• know the determining factors that can be influenced to deliver a personalised treatment;
• use computerized image processing tools to analyze and interpret some example of radiotheranostic nuclear medicine images.

The physical mobility part of the course will take place in Brussels, between 28 June - 2 July 2027. Building upon the foundational knowledge acquired through the online courses, the physical component of the program delves deeper into the biomedical scientific principles of these radiotheranostics and practical applications of radiotheranostics will be offered. Participants will engage in interactive sessions with the instructors/ professors that reinforce their understanding and equip them with the skills to apply radiotheranostic techniques in real-world settings.

A key highlight of the face-to-face program is the opportunity to witness the practical application of radiotheranostics firsthand. Participants will embark on a guided tour of the radiopharmacy laboratory, gaining insights into the intricate processes involved in radiopharmaceutical preparation. 

Additionally, they will observe a treatment of a patient in real-time using radiotheranostics, gaining exposure to the clinical implementation of this innovative therapy. Through this immersive and hands-on approach, participants will solidify their understanding of radiotheranostics and gain the confidence to apply their knowledge in their respective fields. 

To foster a deeper understanding and engagement with radiotheranostics, the program incorporates a range of innovative pedagogical approaches:

• problem-based learning;
• visualization of complex clinical cases; 
• observing radionuclide treatment;
• radiopharmacy laboratory and preclinical research facilities visit.

The virtual component of the course will be running from 01 February to 31 May 2027: 

Module 1: Radiotheranostics Overview

• Introduction to Radiotheranostics

Module 2: Radiochemistry and Radiopharmacy 

• Basics of Radiochemistry
• Radiopharmacy Practices

Module 3: Radiobiology 

• Fundamentals of Radiobiology
• Radiobiological Principles in Therapy

Module 4: Cancer Biology 

• Introduction to Cancer Biology
• Targeted Therapies in Cancer

Module 5: Nuclear Physics and Medical Physics

• Basics of Nuclear Physics
• Principles of Medical Physics
• Dosimetry in Radiotheranostics

The assessment will consist of a written evaluation for the online and physical components.

Motivation Letter

Level of english (According to CEFR)

CV

Research project outlines

Student's evaluation will be based on:

• academic background: degree in medicine, pharmacy, medical physics, molecular biology, or a related field;
• professional experience: previous experience in nuclear medicine, oncology, radiology, or relevant research laboratories;
• motivation and goals;
• technical skills: basic knowledge of radiobiology, radiopharmacy, and medical imaging;
• research skills.

Erwin Woff (Université libre de Bruxelles), MSc, MD, PhD, Professor of Nuclear Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB) and Professor of Medical Imaging at the University of Mons (UMONS). He is a hospital professor in the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Hôpital Universitaire de Bruxelles (H.U.B).

Ioannis Karfis (Université libre de Bruxelles), MD, PhD, in the Nuclear Medicine Department of Jules Bordet Institute/HUB (Brussels) and head of the ULB NET Center (an ENETS Center of Excellence in neuroendocrine tumors).

Wendy Delbart (Université libre de Bruxelles) is a biomedical scientist in the Nuclear Medicine Department at Institut Jules Bordet, Brussels, Belgium. 

Stavros Spiliopoulos, Associate Professor of Interventional Radiology, at the 2nd Department of Radiology, of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” University General Hospital, Greece and an Honorary Senior Lecturer in the Institute of Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. 

Benjamin Guillet, Professor in Pharmacology and Physiology at the faculty of pharmacy (Aix-Marseille Univ), professor of “Institut national des sciences et techniques nucléaires” and head of Radiopharmacy department of Marseille University Hospital. B Guillet is also Director of European Imaging research center (CERIMED). 

Hugo Levillain (Université libre de Bruxelles), medical physicist and head of R&D in the Department of Medical Physics at the Brussels University Hospital and professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB). 

Zéna Wimana (Université libre de Bruxelles), Professor in Radiopharmacy and supervisor of internships and master's theses at the ULB Faculty of Pharmacy. 

Ayça Arçay Öztürk (Université libre de Bruxelles), nuclear medicine physician with a PhD degree working in the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Institut Jules Bordet in Brussels, Belgium. 

Magdalena Mileva (Université libre de Bruxelles), nuclear medicine physician with a PhD degree working in the Nuclear Medicine Department at the Institut Jules Bordet in Brussels, Belgium. 

Isabel Marin-Melero - Nuclear Medicine Physician in Clinique Notre-Dame de Grâce, Gosselies.

Carlos Artigas (Université libre de Bruxelles), MD, PhD, nuclear medicine physician currently working at Institut Jules Bordet, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles, as Director of Clinic. He is associate professor at ULB faculty of medicine and Full Professor at the school of technologists in medical imaging at Ilya Prigogine Institut HELB. Brussels.

Romain Diamand (Université libre de Bruxelles), MD, PhD, Head of the Prostate Cancer Center Willy Gregoir, uro-oncologist currently working at Institut Jules Bordet, Hopital Universitaire de Bruxelles, Belgium.

Victor Nutens (KUL University) – medical physicist in the Aalst nuclear medicine department and PhD candidate in KUL University, Belgium. 

Alain Hendlisz, Head of the Gastro-Enterology Unit, Medical Oncology Unit at the CHIREC Cancer Institute, Belgium.

Blended Intensive Programme

This CIVIS course is a Blended Intensive Programme (BIP): a new format of Erasmus+ mobility which combines online teaching with a short trip to another campus to learn alongside students and professors across Europe.

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