Dr Sean Kitson: Medical Imaging Blogger

Dr Sean Kitson is a prominent figure in radiochemistry with extensive academic and professional achievements. He earned his PhD in Organic Chemistry and Molecular Toxicology from the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, a postgraduate diploma in medical physics, and an MSc in science from the Open University. His thesis explored carcinogenesis mechanisms linked to urethane.

He currently represents the Oncidium Foundation as an Ambassador in Northern Ireland and works as a Radiochemistry Investigator in the Department of Technology at Almac Sciences. His experience includes a significant stint as a senior radiochemist at GE Healthcare, where he focused on carbon-14 custom labelling and synthesis.

Recognised for his contributions, Dr Kitson has received multiple awards, such as the 2006 Wiley—Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals—Young Scientist Award for his radiosynthesis work on the Parkinson’s drug apomorphine. He was the founding Editor-in-Chief of Current Radiopharmaceuticals.

His research spans new chemistry for functional groups, carbon-14 radiolabelling, and radiotheranostics. With over 50 publications, his work is influential in radiochemistry and radiopharmaceuticals, highlighted by his roles in scientific and editorial committees.

Additionally, Dr Kitson shares his expertise in medical imaging through the “Open MedScience” blog, focusing on the latest PET, SPECT, and radiotheranostics techniques. His insights help demystify complex radiochemical concepts for broader clinical applications.

PUBLICATIONS

• Overview and aspects of radiopharmacy and nuclear medicine in Brazil and Argentina. Paredes Pires L, Kitson SL, Zubillaga M, Jimena Salgueiro M, Ralph Santos-Oliveira R. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging (2024).
• Kitson SL, Watters W, Moody TS, Chappell T, Mazitschek R. Nitrilase mediated mild hydrolysis of a carbon-14 nitrile for the radiosynthesis of 4-(7-hydroxycarbamoyl-[1-¹⁴C-heptanoyl]-oxy)-benzoic acid methyl ester, [¹⁴C]-SHP-141: A novel class I/II histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm. 2023 Jun; 66(7-8): 172-179. CrossRef
• Al Fares E, Sanikidze T, Kalmakhelidze S, Topuria D, Mansi L, Kitson S, Molazadeh M. The Alleviating Effect of Herniarin Against Ionizing Radiation-Induced Genotoxicity and Cytotoxicity in Human Peripheral Blood Lymphocytes. Curr Radiopharm. 2021; 15(2): 141-147. CrossRef
• Cheki M, Papie M, Mansi L, Kitson SL, Gali H. Preliminary Human Radiation Dose Estimates of PET Renal Agents, Para-¹⁸F-Fluorohippuric Acid and Ortho-¹²⁴I-Iodohippuric Acid from Rat Biodistribution Data. Curr Radiopharm. 2018; 11(1): 58-63. Reference Source
• Kitson SL, Mansi L. Editorial Review 2017. Curr Radiopharm. 2018; 11(1): 2-3. Reference Source
• Kitson SL, Moody TS, Watters W, Speed D. Radiolabeling is Still Hot. Contract Pharma. 7 Nov 2017. Reference Source
• Kitson SL. Squaryl Molecular Metaphors – Application to Rational Drug Design and Imaging Agents. J Diagn Imaging in Ther. 2017; 4(1): 35-75. CrossRef
• Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Ciarmiello A, Mansi L. Targeted Therapy Towards Cancer-A Perspective. Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry. 2017; 17(3): 311-317. Reference Source
• Kitson SL, Mansi L. Editorial Review 2017. Curr Radiopharm. 2017; 10(1): 2-5. Reference Source
• Kitson SL, Mansi L. Editorial Review 2015. Curr Radiopharm. 2016; 9(1): 2-5. Reference Source
• Mansi L, Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Ciarmiello A. Basic premises to molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy. J Diagn Imaging Ther. 2014; 1(1): 137-156. CrossRef
• Sperandeo A, Ficola U, Quartuccio N, Kitson SL, Mansi L, Cistaro A. Automated synthesis of [¹⁸F]fluorocholine using a modified GE TracerLab module. J Diagn Imaging Therapy. 2014; 1(1): 49-58. CrossRef
• Kitson SL. Moody TS, Watters W. Modern Developments in Isotopic Labelling. OutsourcedPharma. 2014; Sept 2. Reference Source
• Kitson SL. Positron Emission Tomography Neuro-Imaging. Neuro Open J. 2014; 1(1): 1-4. CrossRef
• Kitson SL. Application of Radionuclides and Antibody-Drug Conjugates. Cancer Stud Mol Med Open J. 2014; 1(1): 1-7. CrossRef
• Kitson SL, Moody TS, Speed D, Watters W. Making Hot ADCs. ADC Review / Journal of Antibody-drug Conjugates. 2014; March 7. CrossRef
• Kitson SL, Mansi L. Editorial Review. Curr Radiopharm. 2014; 7(1), 1-6. Reference Source
• Kitson SL, Moody TS, Quinn DJ, Miskelly I; Speed D, Watters W. Technology Driven Isotopic Labelling Integration, SP2 Inter-Active. 2013; September/October: 34-35.
• Kitson SL, Quinn DJ, Moody TS, Speed D, Watters W, Rozzell D. Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) – A New Generation of Biotherapeutic Bullets. Chimica Oggi/chemistry Today. 2013; 31(4): 30-36. Reference Source
• Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Moody TS, Mansi L. Radionuclide antibody-conjugates, a targeted therapy towards cancer, Curr Radiopharm. 2013; 6(2): 57-71. CrossRef PubMed
• Kitson SL, Moody TS, Rozzell D, Caswell J. Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs): Carbon-14 Labelling Requirements. Drug Discovery and Development. 2013; May 30.
• Hay A, Kitson SL, Quinn DJ, Moody TS. Carbon-14 Bioconjugation: Peptides and Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs). Pharmaceutical Technology. 2013; May 8. Reference Source
• Kitson SL. Tracking Human Metabolism with Carbon-14. Drug Discovery Development. 2013; February 14.
• Kitson SL, Speed D. Carbon-14 API Manufacturing. Drug Discovery World. 2013; 14: 72-77. Reference Source
• Kitson, SL. Editorial Review. Curr Radiopharm; 2013; 6(1): 1-6. PubMed Reference Source
• Kitson SL. Seeing through the MIST. Manufacturing Chemist. 2012; Sept 24.
• Bell SJ, McIntyre S, Garcia CF, Kitson SL, Therkelsen F, Andersen SM, et al. Development of an Efficient and Practical Route for the Multi-kilogram Manufacture of Ethyl 5-Cyano-2-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate and Ethyl 6-Chloro-5-cyano-2-methylnicotinate, Key Intermediates in the Preparation of P2Y12 Antagonists. Org Process Res. Dev. 2012; 16(5): 819-823. CrossRef
• Kitson SL. Keeping Tags on Biomolecules. ManufacturingChemist. 2012; April: 36-37.
• Kitson SL. Editorial Review of 2012. Curr Radiopharm. 2012; 5(1): 1-4. Reference Source
• Leman L, Kitson SL, Brown RT, Cairns J, Watters W, McMordie A, et al. Synthesis of isotopically labelled [¹⁴C]ZT-1 (Debio-9902), [d₃]ZT-1 and (−)-[d₃]huperzine A, a new generation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2011; 54: 720-730. CrossRef
• Kitson SL, Jones S, Watters W, Chan F, Madge D. Carbon-14 radiosynthesis of 4-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-[4-14C]quinolin-2(1H)-one (XEN-D0401), A novel BK channel activator. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2010; 53: 140-146. CrossRef
• Kitson SL. Accelerated Radiochemistry, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Packing Sourcer. 2010; Spring: 68-70.
• Kitson SL, Cuccurullo V, Ciarmiello A, Salvo D, Mansi L. Clinical Applications of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging in Medicine: Oncology, Brain Diseases and Cardiology. Curr Radiopharm. 2009; 2, 224-253. CrossRef
• Duatti A, Kitson SL, Mansi L. Is there only F-18 (and on-site cyclotrons) in the future of Nuclear Medicine? Curr Radiopharm. 2009; 2, 222-223. Reference Source
• Kitson SL. Editorial (Letter from the Editor-in-Chief of Current Radiopharmaceuticals).Curr Radiopharm. 2009; 2(1): 1. Reference Source
• 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. CrossRef
• Woolley GT, Kitson SL, Reid RG. Synthesis of the Myoview Ligand [bisphosphinoethane-1,2-¹⁴C]tetrofosmin. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2007; 50: 468-470. CrossRef
• Shemilt G, Newby M, Kitson SL. The Design of Radiolabelled Carbon-14 Polymers. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2007; 50: 515-518. CrossRef
• Kitson SL. 5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) Receptor Ligands. Curr Pharm Des. 2007; 13: 2621-2637. CrossRef PubMed
• Kitson SL. Amersham Radiochemistry to GE Healthcare. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2007; 50: 737-745. CrossRef
• 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. CrossRef
• Kitson SL. (2004), ‘Design and Application of Stable or Radolabelled Carbamates’, Synthesis and Applications of Isotopically Labelled Compounds, Edited by D C Dean, C N Filer and K E McCarthy. John Wiley and Sons Ltd,8, pp. 317-320.
• Kitson SL. Squarate Molecular Metaphors: A Strategy for Drug Design,’ personal communication, 1, 1-140 (2001).
• Kitson SL. Molecular Metaphor Drugs: A New Approach to Rational Drug Design’, personal communication, 2, 1-263 (2001).
• Bleasdale C, Golding BT, Kitson SL. Preparation of Ethenyl and Oxiranol Carbamates and their [2-²H₂]-Derivatives using Selenium Chemistry; Thermolysis of Oxiranol Carbamate and Reaction with Adenosine. Chem. Letts. 1994; 4: 291-296. Reference Source
• Khaled A, Bleasdale C, Golding BT, Kitson SL. New Applications of the Protecting Group Di-(4-methoxyphenyl)methyl: N-Protection of Urethanes and Uridines, and Efficient Removal by either Ceric Ammonium Nitrite/Silica or 2,3-Dichloro-5,6-Dicyanoquinone.Tetrahedron Letts. 1992; 33: 4807-4810. Reference Source

PhD THESIS

Kitson SL. The Mechanism of Carcinogenesis by Urethane. PhD Thesis, University of Newcastle upon Tyne. 1993. ISNI 0000 0001 3600 6154.

CONFERENCE SPEAKER

• 26th Workshop of the IIS-CED at Bad Soden, Germany, on May 11-12, 2023. ‘Application of Nitrilase in [¹⁴C]-SHP-141 Synthesis: Advancing Remetinostat, an HDAC Inhibitor.’
• Cancer Drug Discovery & Preclinical Development conference on 17-18 September, 2014 in London. ‘Antibody-Drug Conjugates.’
• 4^th Annual Biologics Symposium, London, UK, February 25-26, 2014. ‘Enabling Technologies – Carbon-14 Labelled ADCs and Peptides.’
• BioTrinity 2012 – European Bio-partnering and Investment Conference, Newbury Racecourse, UK, April 24-26. ‘Workshop on Carbon-14 Labelled Peptides – Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Bio-tinylation and PEGylation.
• SP² Peptide Conference 2012, Chilford Hall Conference Centre, Cambridge, April 17-18. ‘Carbon-14 Labelled Peptide APIs:Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Biotinylation & PEGylation.’
• 7^th International Conference on Isotopes -Moscow, Russia 2011, World Trade Center, September 5-8. ‘Synthesis of isotopically labelled [¹⁴C]ZT-1,[d³]ZT-1 & (-)-[d³]huperzine A, a new generation of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
• The Synthesis of BioActive Molecules VI Symposium 2011, University College Cork, July 29. ‘Synthetic Strategies for Carbon-14 Labelling of Drug Molecules.’
• International Isotope Society, 18^th Annual UK Group Symposium on Synthesis and Applications of Labelled Compounds2009, Hinxton, Cambridge 12 November. ‘Carbon-14 radiosynthesis of 4-(5-chloro-2-hydroxyphenyl)-3-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-(trifluoromethyl)-[4-¹⁴C]quinolin-2(1H)-one (XEN-D0401), A novel BK channel activator.’
• 9^th International Symposium on the Synthesis and Application of Isotopes and Isotopically Labelled Compounds 2006, Edinburgh 16-20 July. ‘The Radiochemical Synthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-¹⁴C]Apomorphine.’
• Newcastle-Kyoto Chemical Biology Symposium 2006, University of Newcastle December 1-4. ‘The Radiochemical Synthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-¹⁴C]Apomorphine.’      

CONFERENCE SCIENTIFIC POSTERS

• Sundaram R, Kitson SL, Brown RT, Hamilton NM, Watters W. (Radio)Isotope labelling at Almac for Clinical Studies. ELRIG 2024.
• Sundaram R, Kitson SL, Brown RT, Hamilton NM, Watters W. (Radio)Isotope labelling at Almac for Clinical Studies. 29^th Annual Symposium on the Synthesis and Applications of Isotopically Labelled Compounds, Friday, ¹⁷th November 2023, The Møller Institute, Cambridge.
• Kitson SL. Carbon-14 Labelled Peptide APIs: Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, Biotinylation & PEGylation, Abstracts of the 20^th International Isotope Society (UK group) Symposium: Synthesis & Applications of Labelled Compounds. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2011; 55: 125-134. [Reference Source]
• Kitson SL, et al. Carbon-14 Labelling of Antibody Drug Conjugates (ADCs) (2011), 19^thinternational isotope society (UK group) symposium: synthesis & applications of labelled compounds. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2010; 54: 387-398. [Reference Source]
• Kitson SL. Hydrolysis of [¹⁴C]-Nitrile using Nitrilase (NIT) Biocatalysts, Abstracts of the 18^thinternational isotope society (UK group) symposium: synthesis & applications of labelled compounds. J Label Compd Radiopharm. 2009; 53: 521-534. [Reference Source]
• Kitson SL. Synthesis of the Ligand [bisphosphinoethane-1,2-¹⁴C]tetrofosmin for Myoview^TMdevelopment, Abstracts of the 9^th International Symposium on the Synthesis and Application of Isotopes and Isotopically Labelled Compounds 2006, Edinburgh 16-20 July, UK. 248.
• Kitson SL. Application of the Bischler-Napieralski-Pschorr Radiosynthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-¹⁴C]Apomorphine, A D₁/D₂Dopamine Receptor Agonist, Abstracts of the 9^th International Symposium on the Synthesis and Application of Isotopes and Isotopically Labelled Compounds 2006, Edinburgh 16-20 July, UK. 25.
• Kitson SL. ‘Bischler-Napieralski-Pschorr Radiosynthesis of (R)-(-)-[6a-¹⁴C]Apomorphine’, Abstracts of the 15th International Isotope Society (UK group) Symposium 2006. J Label Compd Radiopharm; 49, pp. 411-412. [Reference Source]
• Kitson SL. (2004), ‘Application of Stable or Radiolabelled Carbamates’, 13^th IIS UK symposium Hinxton, UK, J Label Compd Radiopharm, 47, pp. 320 (Abstract) [Reference Source]
• Kitson SL. (2003), ‘Application of Stable or Radiolabelled Carbamates’, 8^th International Symposium on the Synthesis and Application of Isotopes and Isotopically Labelled Compounds, Boston, USA. Abstract: (2004), 13^th IIS (UK group) symposium. J Label Compd Radiopharm, 47: 299–334. [Reference Source]

EDITORIAL

• 2021 – Present: Editorial Board Member of Current Radiopharmaceuticals.
• 2014 -2023: Editorial Director – Journal of Diagnostic Imaging in Therapy.
• 2007 – 2021: Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Current Radiopharmaceuticals.
• 2014 – 2021: Associate Editor – The Open Chemistry Journal.
• 2007 – 2014: Editor-in-Chief of Current Process Chemistry.
• Reviewer for the Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals.
• Reviewer for the Journal of Chemical and Biomedical Imaging

SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEES

• 2024 – Present: Oncidium Foundation Ambassador
• 2009 – 2023: International Isotopes Society (IIS) scientific committee member (UK group).

2006 JLCR YOUNG SCIENTIST AWARD

My contribution to radiochemistry was acknowledged in 2006 when I won the first Wiley JLCR Young Scientist Award for the elaborate carbon-14 radiosynthesis of the Parkinson’s drug apomorphine.