Dr. Elba Etchebehere, professor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the University of Campinas (FCM/Unicamp), principal researcher at CEPID CancerThera, president-elect of the Brazilian Society of Nuclear Medicine (SBMN), and administrative director of the MND Group, has been playing a prominent role in initiatives that aim to expand access to Nuclear Medicine in Brazil. These efforts bring significant benefits to public health and reinforce the country’s technological sovereignty.
On November 26, Etchebehere formalized an unprecedented partnership with the Belgian Oncidium Foundation, which will fund nuclear medicine treatments for socially vulnerable patients with prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. The agreement, signed in São Paulo in the presence of Princess Astrid of Belgium, is considered a historic milestone. It will enable access to advanced therapies offered by the MND Group, including treatment with the PSMA-lutetium radiopharmaceutical for prostate cancer patients, consolidating the city of Campinas as a reference center in this field.
On November 28, the researcher traveled to Brasília (DF) to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Eletronuclear — a mixed-economy company that operates and builds nuclear power plants in Brazil, responsible for approximately 3% of the country’s electricity production. The agreement aims to enable the production of the radioisotope lutetium-177 at the Angra 2 nuclear reactor, a key radioisotope used in Nuclear Medicine. This initiative will reduce Brazil’s dependence on imports and ensure a stable supply of this essential radioactive input for cancer treatments.
“Eletronuclear’s commitment to Nuclear Medicine by producing radioactive inputs at Angra 2 will have an extremely significant impact on public health,” says Etchebehere. The initiative will not only strengthen Nuclear Medicine in Brazil but also contribute to the security of the healthcare system by reducing the risks of shortages and the high costs associated with imports.
In addition to these actions, the researcher participated in the Nuclear Technology and Innovation Conference (TINS 2024), held on December 2 and 3 at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ). During the event, she took part in a panel of experts discussing the challenges and perspectives for isotope production for Nuclear Medicine in Brazil. In her speech, Etchebehere emphasized the importance of Nuclear Medicine for public health and the difficulties faced by the sector, such as over-regulation and the lack of national production of radioactive inputs.
The initiatives led by Elba Etchebehere reflect a strategic position. By building international partnerships, fostering national production of inputs, and advocating for public policies aimed at expanding Nuclear Medicine, she is helping to make cancer care more accessible to Brazilians and to create an environment where scientific research can advance with fewer barriers, especially financial ones.
Text: Romulo Santana Osthues with contributions from Vinícius Brito (SBMN) | Photos: Personal archive
