30 September 2022 | Friday | News
Image Source : Public Domain
As Illuccix rolls out to positron emission tomography (PET) sites across the country, Mercy Radiology in Auckland became the first to administer this new PSMA[1] PET imaging agent that can help health care professionals diagnose the stage and spread of disease – an important step for the optimal care of men with prostate cancer.
Illuccix, after radiolabelling with Ga-68, is a radioactive diagnostic agent indicated for use with PET imaging combined with computed tomography (CT) in patients with prostate cancer:
Prostate cancer is New Zealand's most common cancer, and with one in eight men diagnosed during their lifetime, New Zealand has amongst the highest rates in the world. Illuccix is the only gallium-based PSMA-targeting PET agent available in New Zealand for the diagnostic imaging of men with prostate cancer.
Dr. Remy Lim, Medical Director at Mercy Radiology stated, "We are pleased to have administered this first dose of Illuccix in New Zealand, opening up the potential for more equitable access to this new game changing imaging diagnostic scan for Kiwi men with prostate cancer. One of the main benefits of Illuccix is that the radioisotope (gallium-68) can be produced in a generator and preparation taking just a few minutes onsite with minimal equipment. This will enable greater service delivery and scheduling flexibility in our two Auckland PET/CT centres. The ease of preparation will eventually also allow us to bring PSMA PET/CT to NZ's regional centres when our mobile PET/CT service is launched in 2023."
Peter Dickens, CEO Prostate Cancer Foundation of New Zealand added, "As we mark the end of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we must focus on improving overall survival and underpinning quality of life through early detection based on medical innovation such as MRI and PSMA PET imaging for the many thousands of men suffering from this, NZ's most commonly diagnosed cancer. The arrival of Illuccix in Aotearoa is a welcome contribution to this fight."
Dr. David N. Cade, CEO Telix Asia Pacific continued, "This first dose marks an important milestone for Telix and for men living with prostate cancer in New Zealand, with Illuccix now available for imaging at PET sites nationwide. As an Australian headquartered company we are delighted to make this product accessible to our friends across the Tasman, fulfilling what was until now an unmet medical need, helping Telix deliver on its purpose to help people with cancer and rare diseases live longer, better quality lives."
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