Michigan State Cyclotrons to be Used for Precision Medicine

June 09, 2021 - Michigan State University, in partnership with Bold Advanced Medical Future (BAMF Health), announced the arrival of two cyclotrons to be used in the advancement of precision medicine treatments for cancer patients.

The GE PETtrace 890 cyclotrons, also known as particle accelerators, will live in the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building in Grand Rapids, MI, situated in the building’s radiopharmacy. The particle accelerators will aid in the manufacturing of radiopharmaceuticals.

“Together, BAMF Health and MSU will propel the precision medicine industry forward,” said Norman J. Beauchamp Jr., MD, MHS, Michigan State University’s executive vice president of health sciences.

“Precision medicine provides the ability to create a treatment plan tailored uniquely to each person and the very specific manner in which a disease is impacting them. In so doing, each person is provided the greatest likelihood of outcomes that are personally meaningful. This partnership creates the platform where scientist and clinicians will accelerate the pace at which precise care is accessible and affordable for all.”

Radiopharmaceuticals deliver targeted radiation therapy to specific cancer cells. Targeted radiation at the cellular level could reduce the risk of side effects of radiation treatment while killing cancer cells, according to the National Cancer Institute. The cyclotron is responsible for producing the radioactive isotopes, which are then merged with the carrier portion of the radiopharmaceutical.

"The arrival and installation of these cyclotrons is a milestone for Grand Rapids and will allow the combined vision of BAMF Health and Michigan State University to be realized,” said Anthony Chang, PhD, CEO and founder of BAMF Health, in the announcement.

“The advancements in cyclotron technology have been stunning in the recent past. We are proud to partner with MSU to build off this exciting new technology in establishing Michigan as the leader in theranostic treatment.”

The cyclotrons will operate alongside BAMF Health’s molecular imaging clinic and its theranostics clinic. Cyclotrons can produce large amounts of isotopes, and the facility’s molecular imaging and theranostics capabilities allow for advanced personalized treatment. The possibilities for this technology appear to be extremely promising in the field of precision medicine.

Specifically, BAMF Health will focus on diagnostics for late-stage prostate cancer and neuroendocrine cancer, but they say the technology could have applications for treating Alzheimer’s disease, endometriosis, PTSD, depression, chronic pain, and cardiac diseases.

“The arrival of the cyclotrons is a symbolic first step in saving lives and improving quality of life for thousands of people with prostate cancer,” said Doug Meijer, co-chairman of Michigan supermarket chain Meijer, whose $19.5 million gift funded the radiopharmacy.

“These cyclotrons are made for scale and can create multiple isotopes, the remarkable cancer fighting technology that’s the first step in treatment. I am living proof this technology works.”

With the addition of the two cyclotrons, the facility will now be able to treat thousands of cancer patients with a personalized treatment approach.

Advances in precision medicine are happening fast, with more funding and research being funneled into the field. Many researchers are hopeful that precision medicine could revolutionize cancer care in the near future.