The Nuclear Medicine Center of the Medical Center Hospital of the President’s affairs Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan launches a unique radioisotope-based diagnostic technology for prostate cancer

The Nuclear Medicine Center of the Medical Center Hospital of the President’s affairs Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan has announced the launch of a unique radioisotope diagnostic technology — PET/CT scanning using a next-generation radiopharmaceutical, 18F-PSMA.

18F-PSMA (fluorine-18–prostate-specific membrane antigen) is an innovative diagnostic agent designed for the highly accurate detection of primary and recurrent prostate cancer, as well as its metastases. It is recommended for patients with suspected prostate cancer and elevated PSA levels, for staging and assessment of disease spread in confirmed cases, in cases of suspected recurrence, and during preparation for radionuclide therapy or surgical intervention.

For the first time in Kazakhstan, a PSMA-based compound synthesized using cyclotron technology has been officially introduced into clinical practice.

 «The implementation of 18F-PSMA marks a major advancement for Kazakhstan’s oncological urology and nuclear medicine. This new technology enables early tumor detection, supports the selection of personalized therapies, and improves patient prognosis. It is a testament to Kazakhstan’s progress toward greater precision, technological sophistication, and individualized approaches in the fight against cancer,» - emphasized Aigul Saduakassova, Head of the Nuclear Medicine Center at the Medical Center Hospital.

Experts highlight several advantages of the new agent: high image clarity and contrast — crucial for early tumor detection, a stable molecular structure that ensures diagnostic reliability, and a long half-life (110 minutes). These features expand its geographic reach and allow more patients to be examined per day.

This new agent is the seventh radiopharmaceutical produced by the Nuclear Medicine Center as part of its own state-of-the-art cyclotron production facility.

In total, the Nuclear Medicine Center of the Medical Center Hospital of the President’s affairs Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan produces ten radiopharmaceuticals: seven are cyclotron-based (18F-FDG, 18F-NaF, 11C-Met, 18F-DOPA, 18F-FLT, 18F-FET, 18F-PSMA) and three are generator-based (68Ga-PSMA, 68Ga-DOTA, 68Ga-FAPI)