World scientists united in the fight against cancer

On November 8, 2019, an unprecedented event took place in Berlin, the Russian-German session “Nuclear Medicine – the Alchemy of modern Oncology”, which brought together the world’s leading experts on one platform. The event was held within the framework of an authoritative international event in the field of science and technology – Berlin Science Week (Berlin Science Week, November 1-10, 2019)

It is noteworthy that Russian scientists for the first time initiated such an event within the framework of the Berlin Science Week, presenting their own developments and technologies in the field of nuclear medicine. The event was organized by the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation jointly with the Russian-German scientific organization for the implementation of scientific knowledge in the field of healthcare in practice – the Koch and Mechnikov Forum with the support of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Embassy of the Russian Federation. Experts of the German Cancer Society took an active part in the work of the scientific program.

Throughout the day, scientific sessions were held at the event site – at the Russian House of Science and Culture in Berlin – with the participation of leading experts from Russia, Germany, Israel, Switzerland, Italy and France. The conference was opened by a panel discussion with the participation of Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation E.G. Kamkin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation S.Y. Nechaev, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Director General of the FSBI “NMIC Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation A.D. Kaprin, Director General of Rusatom Healthcare A.S. Shibanov. The President of the Koch and Mechnikov Forum, Honorary foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, also spoke.Khan, a world-class scientist and expert in the field of nuclear medicine, founder and Board member of GlobalMorphoPharma, Chrysalium Consulting SARL R. Zimmerman.

In their speeches throughout the day, Russian experts noted that the development of unique domestic nuclear medicine technologies in cooperation with research centers and enterprises of Rosatom, Rostec and the Russian Academy of Sciences already makes it possible to talk about new heights in modern oncology. Our scientists presented technologies in the field of nuclear medicine, many of which are not performed anywhere else in the world except Russia. First of all, we are talking about such methods as: radionuclide therapy, radioembolization of the liver using Russian–made microspheres, high–dose brachytherapy of tumors of various localization, including the mammary gland, and, what makes the experience of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia unique – the pancreas. Answering questions from journalists, A.D. Kaprin noted: “Indeed, we were the first in the world to conduct brachytherapy for pancreatic cancer. Everyone knows that this is a very difficult localization in oncology, which is difficult to treat and gives a very high percentage of one-year mortality. The introduction of the method of high-dose brachytherapy into clinical practice will not only significantly prolong the lives of many of our patients, but also significantly improve their quality of life.” Andrey Kaprin stressed that the use of such “breakthrough technologies” of nuclear medicine, of course, opens up new horizons for the salvation of hundreds of thousands of patients around the world, which foreign experts have repeatedly confirmed in their reports.

Also during the session, three agreements on cooperation and mutual understanding were signed at once. The agreement on trilateral cooperation between the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia, the German Cancer Society and the R. Koch and I.I. Mechnikov Forum is especially important for many reasons, the main of which is the revival of cooperation between the two srans in the field of research and development in the field of cancer treatment. The signatories expressed hope that the planned cooperation will serve not only the development of medical technologies in Russia and Germany, but will also play a positive role in strengthening the friendship of the two countries.

Another important step aimed at improving and improving the quality and effectiveness of oncological care was the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation and interaction between the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and the Joint Stock Company “Rusatom Healthcare”. According to this document, the parties will cooperate on topical issues in the field of radionuclide therapy and the development of the production of radiopharmaceuticals in our country.

Press Service of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “NMIC of Radiology” of the Ministry of Health of Russia