SNMMI Clinical Trials Network Research Series for Technologists: Clinical Research Primer-Regulatory Process, Part I: How and When Radiopharmaceuticals Can Be Used

The radiopharmaceutical development and approval process in the United States has changed dramatically over the past decade with the emergence of several new and exciting diagnostic and therapeutic drugs. This impressive expansion is a direct result of the symbiotic relationship that exists between drug development, clinical research, and improved regulatory guidance. The correlative increase in clinical research has introduced diverse opportunities for newcomers in medical and scientific professions. Knowing how to successfully navigate the clinical research process can be challenging for a novice. The pathway is highly regulated and, with the addition of radiopharmaceuticals, may be confusing and daunting. Moreover, very little clinical research education and training is provided in the typical collegiate curricula for these new initiates. This article will familiarize the reader with the U.S. regulatory process by providing basic definitions and understanding of how and when radiopharmaceuticals can be used in clinical research, including those involving investigational new drug applications and radioactive drug research committees. A later article will expand the reader's clinical research knowledge by focusing on the identity and role of the institutional review board.