From June 2–6, 2025, the Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology (INCT) in Warsaw hosted the Technical Workshop on Production and Quality Control of Actinium-225 Radiopharmaceuticals — the first event of its kind in Poland focused on the production and quality control of radiopharmaceuticals based on the radionuclide Actinium-225.
The workshop was co-organized with the Joint Research Centre in Karlsruhe under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as part of an ongoing international project. The event brought together leading experts from around the world working in the fields of radiochemistry, radiopharmacy, and alpha-emitting radionuclides for cancer therapy.
Official Opening and International Guests
The workshop was officially opened by Prof. Andrzej Chmielewski, Director General of INCT. Among the distinguished guests were: Andrzej Głowacki – President of the Polish Atomic Energy Agency; Dr. Celina Horak and Dr. Aruna Korde – representatives of the IAEA; Dr. Frank Bruchertseifer – from JRC Karlsruhe and co-organizer of the event; and Prof. Agnieszka Pollo – Acting Director of the National Centre for Nuclear Research.
Lectures by World-Class Experts
Participants attended a series of high-level lectures delivered by internationally recognized scientists, including:
Dr. Alfred Morgenstern – Clinical Experience with Actinium-225
Dr. Sushil Sharma – From Bench to Bedside: Advancing Positron and Positronium Imaging Using J-PET
Representatives of Biomtech (one of the event sponsors) – Tumour Targeting Studies through In Vivo Imaging of Ac-225 Labelled Compounds
Prof. Walter Mier – Development of New Tumor Targeting Vectors – Current Status and Future Trends
Dr. Serge Lyashchenko – Setting Up GMP Alpha Production Facility in an Academic Setting: Considerations and Lessons Learned
Prof. David Bauer – Click Chemistry and Pretargeting with Ac-225 and Direct Gamma Imaging of 225Ac and Its Progeny
Dr. Erik de Blois - Ac-225 radiolabellingand GMP
Dr. Frank Bruchertseifer – Ac-225: Production and Radiolabeling
Dr. Valery Radchenko – Alternative Radionuclides for Diagnosis and Therapy
Prof. Agnieszka Korgul – Dosimetry with Alpha Emitters
Prof. Agnieszka Majkowska-Pilip and Dr. Frank Bruchertseifer – Preclinical (Cell) Experiments with Alpha Emitters
Hands-On Laboratory Sessions
An essential component of the workshop were the hands-on practical sessions, during which participants independently carried out the synthesis and quality control of Actinium-225-labeled radiobioconjugates and evaluated their effects on cancer cell lines. These sessions were led by experienced researchers in the field of radiopharmacy: Prof. Agnieszka Majkowska-Pilip, Dr. Monika Łyczko, Dr. Frank Bruchertseifer, Dr. Rafał Walczak, and PhD students Agata Malinowska and Magdalena Piątkowska.
Cultural Engagement and Exploration
In addition to the scientific program, the organizers offered opportunities for cultural exploration. Thanks to the cooperation with the Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum in Warsaw, participants learned about the life and achievements of the Polish double Nobel laureate. Many guests also explored Warsaw’s historical landmarks, museums, and Polish cuisine on their own.
Summary and Future Plans
The workshop concluded with a formal summary and the presentation of official participation certificates. The organizing committee — Prof. Agnieszka Majkowska-Pilip, Dr. Monika Łyczko, Dr. Frank Bruchertseifer, and Dr. Rafał Walczak — expressed their satisfaction with the success of the event and announced plans to continue organizing similar international initiatives in the future.
