About Dr Sean Kitson – Editorial Director at Open MedScience

Dr Sean Kitson is the Editorial Director at Open MedScience and an internationally recognised expert in carbon-14 radiolabelling, with a strong interest in medical imaging, radiation therapy, and radiotheranostics. He is dedicated to advancing the understanding and practical application of these fields, with a focus on enhancing patient outcomes and promoting innovation in healthcare. Through accessible education and the dissemination of current research developments, he supports professionals, students, and researchers alike.

He earned his PhD in Organic Chemistry and Molecular Toxicology from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, where his thesis explored the mechanisms of carcinogenesis associated with urethane. In addition, he holds a postgraduate diploma in medical physics and an MSc in Science from the Open University.

Dr Kitson currently serves as an Ambassador for the Oncidium Foundation in Northern Ireland and as a Radiochemistry Investigator in the Department of Technology at Almac Sciences. His career has included senior positions at Amersham and GE Healthcare, where he specialised in custom carbon-14 radiolabelling and synthesis.

Career Highlights

  • 2006 Wiley JLCR Young Scientist Award for the radiosynthesis of apomorphine (Parkinson’s drug).
  • Founding Editor-in-Chief of Current Radiopharmaceuticals.
  • Editorial Director of The Journal of Diagnostic Imaging in Therapy (2014–2023).
  • Member of the International Isotopes Society (UK group) scientific committee (2009–2023).

Selected Publication

  1. Kitson SL, Watters W, Moody TS, Chappell T, Mazitschek R. Nitrilase-mediated mild hydrolysis of a carbon-14 nitrile for the radiosynthesis of SHP-141: a novel HDAC inhibitor. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm. 2023; 66(7–8):172–179.
  2. Al Fares E, Sanikidze T, Kalmakhelidze S, Topuria D, Mansi L, Kitson SL, Molazadeh M. The alleviating effect of herniarin against ionising radiation-induced genotoxicity in human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Curr Radiopharm. 2021; 15(2):141–147.
  3. Kitson SL, Mansi L. Targeted therapy towards cancer – a perspective. Anti-Cancer Agents Med Chem. 2017; 17(3):311–317.
  4. Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Ciarmiello A, Mansi L. Clinical applications of PET imaging in oncology, brain diseases, and cardiology. Curr Radiopharm. 2009; 2(3):224–253.
  5. Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Moody TS, Mansi L. Radionuclide antibody-conjugates: targeted therapy towards cancer. Curr Radiopharm. 2013; 6(2):57–71.
  6. Kitson SL, Knagg E. Application of the Bischler–Napieralski–Pschorr radiosynthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-14C] apomorphine, a non-selective D1/D2 dopamine receptor agonist. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2006; 49:517–531.
  7. Kitson SL. Mechanism of the Bischler–Napieralski exocyclic and endocyclic dehydration products in the radiosynthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-14C] apomorphine. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2007; 50:290–294.
  8. Kitson SL, Jones S, Watters W, Chan F, Madge D. Carbon-14 radiosynthesis of a novel BK channel activator. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2010; 53:140–146.
  9. Leman L, Kitson SL, Brown RT, Cairns J, Watters W, McMordie A, et al. Synthesis of isotopically labelled [14C]ZT-1 and (-)-[d3]huperzine A. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2011; 54:720–730.
  10. Woolley GT, Kitson SL, Reid RG. Synthesis of the Myoview ligand [bisphosphinoethane-1,2-14C]tetrofosmin. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2007; 50:468–470.

Selected Conference Contributions

  • 26th Workshop of the IIS-CED, Bad Soden, Germany (2023) – Application of Nitrilase in [14C]-SHP-141 Synthesis: Advancing Remetinostat, an HDAC Inhibitor
  • 29th Annual Symposium on the Synthesis and Applications of Isotopically Labelled Compounds, Cambridge, UK (2023) – (Radio)Isotope Labelling at Almac for Clinical Studies
  • 7th International Conference on Isotopes, Moscow, Russia (2011) – Synthesis of Isotopically Labelled [14C]ZT-1, [d3]ZT-1 & (-)-[d3]huperzine A
  • 9th International Symposium on the Synthesis and Application of Isotopes and Isotopically Labelled Compounds, Edinburgh, UK (2006) – Radiochemical Synthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-14C] Apomorphine
  • Cancer Drug Discovery & Preclinical Development Conference, London, UK (2014) – Antibody-Drug Conjugates
  • 4th Annual Biologics Symposium, London, UK (2014) – Enabling Technologies – Carbon-14 Labelled ADCs and Peptides

Editorial and scientific committee roles

  • Editorial Board Member, Current Radiopharmaceuticals (2021–present)
  • Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Current Radiopharmaceuticals (2007–2021)
  • Associate Editor, The Open Chemistry Journal (2014–2021)
  • Reviewer for multiple peer-reviewed journals in radiochemistry and imaging
  • Scientific committee member, International Isotopes Society (UK group) (2009–2023)

Through his Open MedScience blog, Sean provides clear explanations of PET, SPECT, and radiotheranostic techniques, translating complex radiochemistry concepts into practical knowledge for the broader medical community.

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