Nuclear agent Illuccix comes to Mackay Qscan to fight prostate cancer

A new ‘magic’ technology is lighting up cancerous cells in mens’ prostates to give them a greater chance at beating the disease. Read how it works.

Regional patients fighting prostate cancer now have access to a new nuclear medicine imaging agent, as local advocates say the technique is a “game-changer”.

A game-changing new technology described as “magic” is lighting up cancerous cells in mens’ prostates to give them a greater chance at beating the disease.

The new technology at North Mackay’s QScan – a nuclear generator for Illuccix tracer agent – can detect prostate cancer cells up to 1000 times more accurately, helping doctors tailor treatment plans.

Mackay Prostate Cancer Support Group convener Chris Bartlem, during a demonstration on Thursday, said the system was “going to mean a lot” to patients.

“This is going to be the big game changer – I think I’ve heard that word used quite a lot,’ Mr Bartlem said.

Mackay Prostate Cancer Support Group convener Christ Bartlem at Qscan Mackay. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“I understand the treatments that are available now, and I can see that men with advanced cancer in particular will have huge benefits.

“And especially in the early stages (where) you’ve got a chance.

“If they can identify little hot spots around the body, that gives the opportunity to use radiation or another treatment.

“It is magical.”

Nuclear medicine technologist Steven Kentish with the new Illuccix diagnosing tracer agent generator at Qscan Mackay. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Though the science may seem like magic to the uninitiated, Qscan nuclear medicine scientist Steven Kentish explained how it helped doctors.

“It labels the prostate cells, more specifically the prostate cancer cells 100 to 1000 times more (accurately),” Mr Kentish said.

“Gets them onto the camera and then we’re getting a distribution map of where in the patient those cells are.”

The new Illuccix diagnosing tracer agent generator at Qscan Mackay on August 10, 2023. Photo: Zoe Devenport

Mr Kentish said whether it was good news or bad, it was all information that could help doctors tailor a patient’s treatment to the most effect.

Illuccix is the first PSMA-PET/CT diagnosing tracer agent registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration to diagnose prostate cancer.

A radiopharmaceutical generator created in collaboration with Melbourne-based Telix Pharmaceuticals allows staff at Mackay Qscan to create it on demand for regional patients.

Nearly 5000 men in Queensland are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year, with 40 per cent of those newly diagnosed living in regional areas.

Mr Kentish said the Illuccix generator was key to getting through patient waitlists, which bloated whenever the tracer expired en route from Brisbane.

“(Before) we were relying on these flights from Brisbane, (but) there’s a two hour half-life on the tracer,” Mr Kentish said.

“So if that flight gets delayed two hours, three hours, four hours … we’ve hit expiry time and we have to cancel everyone.

“How do you tell someone who’s just been diagnosed with cancer, ‘Oh we cant stage you today’?

Qscan Mackay. Photo: Zoe Devenport

“So this takes it from that unreliable source in Brisbane to (having) a generator on site.”

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia CEO Anne Savage said the Illuccix program could “help to save many thousands of lives”.

“Providing men with access to Allucciz PSMA-PET/CT scanning through Qscan Radiology will empower doctors to accurately diagnose prostate cancer and provide greater confidence in their treatment decisions,” Ms Savage said.

“Giving regional men access to world-class care, closer to home.”