The Australasian Radiopharmaceutical Trials Network (www.ARTnet.org.au) was officially launched in April 2014 and is a joint initiative of the Australasian Association of Nuclear Medicine Specialists (AANMS) and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nuclear Medicine Ltd (ANZSNM).

ARTnet has been established to address the need for a formal research network in Australia to support collaborative, multicentre clinical trials utilising radiopharmaceuticals for imaging or therapy.

“The development of well-targeted multicentre clinical trials will contribute to a comprehensive evidence base that will assist in expanding future access to improved diagnostic and therapeutic agents and improved health care for the Australian and New Zealand community,” explain ARTnet Co-Chair’s Associate Professor Paul Roach and Elizabeth Bailey.

Among the Network’s key priorities will be to encourage and facilitate collaborative clinical trials by providing direct support for clinical researchers and actively seeking opportunities for collaboration not just with other nuclear medicine facilities, but also with the wider medical research community and industry.

‘The development of ARTnet represent an exciting initiative, as research networks have great potential to improve health care and patient outcomes through innovative collaborative research,’ states Assoc Prof Roslyn Francis, Scientific Chair of ARTnet. 

ARTnet has been approached to provide technical validation for PET-CT imaging at sites participating in the TROG 12.02 Trial. This trial, led by the Trans-Tasman Radiation Oncology (TROG) Clinical Trials Group, aims to determine whether breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and PET-CT are better ways of seeing how breast cancer responds to chemotherapy or hormone therapy compared to mammogram, ultrasound and examination by doctors.

ARTnet has also been approached regarding a promising therapy initiative, which uses a treatment called radioimmunotherapy to target radiation to tumours in patients with lymphoma.

The Network celebrated the launch of its website (www.artnet.org.au) last month and is keen to hear from any researchers who have ideas for multicentre trials or other research projects. To discuss any proposals or learn more about ARTnet please contact Assoc Prof Roslyn Francis.