From June 6 to 9, 2023, Cairo hosts the second pan-African exhibition and conference Africa Health ExCon 2023, dedicated to the healthcare market and pharmacology. The event is held under the patronage of the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and brings together delegates and participants from more than 70 countries. Rosatom takes part in the event. Speakers of Rosatom take an active part in the business program, where they will talk about high-tech Russian solutions and products in the field of healthcare. On the sidelines of the exhibition, there is also an exhibition stand of Rosatom dedicated to Rosatom’s product solutions in the field of nuclear medicine.
We spoke with Igor Obrubov, General Director of Rusatom Healthcare, a division that promotes Russian nuclear technologies for medicine, as well as radiation technologies for irradiation and sterilization centers.
The company was created on the basis of enterprises and institutes of Rosatom with the aim of comprehensive development of medical technologies in Russia and abroad. Rusatom Healthcare develops in four main areas:
1. Complex turnkey solutions for medicine
2. Production and supply of isotope products (50 countries of the world)
3. Equipment for diagnostics and therapy
4. Solutions for industrial application of radiation technologies.
To the interview…
- Why do we need nuclear medicine and when is it used?
If we talk about technologies, then the essence of nuclear medicine is the use of radioisotopes – these are short-lived elements formed during the decay process of ionizing radiation. There are different ways to use ionizing radiation (high energy photons, protons, neutrons, electrons and heavy ions). Radiotherapy can be either tele (the radiation source is at a distance from the patient), or contact (the radiation source is in contact with the tumor) or systemic (the introduction of radiopharmaceuticals)
Radiotherapy is required for the diagnosis and treatment of approximately 50% of cancer patients, and approximately 20 million new cases are discovered annually worldwide. An important feature of nuclear medicine is also the possibility of simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of cancer tumors (the so-called theranostics – a concept consisting of two words: diagnosis and treatment). It is clear that there were classic methods – surgery, chemotherapy, and now there are targeted drugs that have nothing to do with radiotherapy.
But in some cases, only treatment with our technologies can save and prolong the lives of people with stage III or IV cancer. Moreover, if we are talking about centers that also have the possibility of diagnosis, we can detect a much greater number of diseases in the early stages and thus not only save people who are already seriously ill, but also act preventively and proactively.
- What are the types of radio-pharmaceuticals and how do they work?
Medical isotopes are produced in Rosatom reactors, where the process of merging these isotopes with carrier molecules takes place, and as a result we get radiopharmaceuticals. These drugs allow radiation to be delivered exactly to the affected cell, without harming healthy tissue. As for the application method, radiopharmaceuticals are most often given to the patient by intravenous injection, in the form of liquids or, less commonly, in the form of capsules. For example for I-131 drugs for the diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism. Upon reaching the affected organ, the radiopharmaceuticals begin to emit radiation.
In the case of giving radiopharmaceuticals for diagnosis, the gamma radiation emitted from the radioactive isotopes is received by a special medical device, which is a gamma camera. This method allows obtaining non-invasive images that reflect the function of the organ to be treated, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis.
But if the drug is given for treatment, it is directed precisely at the target tissues. The drugs contain radioactive isotopes that emit molecules that destroy diseased cells without harming healthy cells.
- How are healthcare providers trained to work in the Nuclear Medicine filed?
We are fully aware of the fact that qualified personnel are the reason of all Rosatom’s achievements. We have our own academy whose mission is to raise the level and rehabilitate the employees. In addition, Rosatom cooperates with leading educational institutions in Russia and in the world, which helps us to train new highly qualified specialists.
- What are the products that Rosatom presented at Africa Health ExCon that can be applied in Egypt?
Rosatom approaches the issue of carrying out its tasks in the field of healthcare in a more comprehensive way. We use our achievements and expand our competencies to create an effective system of medical care in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of social importance. Rosatom State Corporation’s healthcare activities include isotope complex, radiopharmaceutical production, production of high-tech medical equipment, processing of medical products with ionizing radiation, and its own medical infrastructure and facilities.
Currently, Rosatom brings to the market 16 types of required medical equipment of its own design and production. Here, it should be noted that the equipment and devices produced by Rosatom are highly appreciated not only by the relevant Russian institutions, but also by the international medical community. Today, we are working to obtain licenses to organize the supply of these devices abroad.
I would like to especially note the gamma therapeutic complex “Brachium”, in which our colleagues in Egypt showed great interest in this therapeutic complex. Among the various methods of treating oncology patients, contact radiotherapy (brachytherapy) is of great importance as one of the leading methods. This method, together with the availability of the required equipment, can be used to treat almost all cancer patients and also preserves the body’s organs intact, allowing for early and complete rehabilitation of the patient.
The gamma therapeutic complex “Prachium” is intended for the comprehensive treatment of oncological diseases of the pelvic organs, breast, esophagus, nasopharynx and oral cavity using contact radiation therapy.
A gamma ray source is delivered directly to the tumor area for a short time and this source produces radiation of very high precision, while leaving the surrounding healthy tissues practically unaffected. This method is used both independently and in combination with teleradiation therapy, chemotherapy and with surgical methods.
Gamma therapeutic complex “Prachium” is intended for the comprehensive treatment of oncological diseases of the pelvic organs, breast, esophagus, nasopharynx and oral cavity using contact radiation therapy.
A gamma ray source is delivered directly to the tumor area for a short time and this source produces radiation of very high precision, while leaving the surrounding healthy tissues practically unaffected. This method is used both independently and in combination with teleradiation therapy, chemotherapy and with surgical methods.
The Prachium device uses modern high-dose brachytherapy techniques, which makes it possible to insert radiation sources and perform treatment procedures with high accuracy down to 1 mm. The wide range of sources provides a full package of clinical applications.
A unique planning system has been established for the complex, which will ensure accurate radiation guidance and full control over the treatment method, starting from the development of the treatment plan and ending with the number of sources provided. Also, 3D imaging, which was introduced for the first time in a brachytherapy device, will allow the improvement and modification of the treatment method in real time.
For medical infrastructure facilities and facilities, here we also provide comprehensive solutions, starting from designing a building taking into account all security and safety requirements, to equipping it with the required equipment and devices, and training medical personnel.
If we conduct an assessment on a global scale, we see a clear lack of nuclear medicine centers in various countries of the world, including Russia and Egypt. There are studies indicating that one of these complex medical diagnostic centers for medical and radiological nuclear techniques is needed today for an average of 10 million people. But in reality there are not so many of them, and many countries still need such centers.
Therefore, we want to develop in this direction as a reliable partner with all friendly countries that are in dire need of such centers, including, of course, the Arab Republic of Egypt. Our mission is to provide quality treatment to as many people as possible in the world.
