Patients across Sussex are gaining earlier access to pioneering cancer scans and treatments thanks to the international leadership of Professor Sabina Dizdarevic, Consultant in Nuclear Medicine, and Research and Innovation Divisional Director at UHSussex. Through her clinical, research and leadership roles, Professor Dizdarevic is helping bring the latest advances in molecular imaging, precision diagnostics and targeted cancer treatments to patients across Sussex.
One example is the Trust’s involvement in the national STAMPEDE2 clinical trial for advanced prostate cancer. Earlier this year, the first Sussex patients began receiving an innovative targeted radiopharmaceutical treatment at the Royal Sussex County Hospital as part of the study.
The study brings together specialists in nuclear medicine, oncology, radiotherapy, medical physics and research, with Professor Dizdarevic playing a leading role in making the trial available to patients in Sussex. It reflects UHSussex’s commitment to offering local people opportunities to access innovative treatments through clinical research, often years before they become routinely available through the NHS.
Alongside this work, Professor Dizdarevic has reached two significant milestones for the specialty in 2026. As President of the British Nuclear Medicine Society (BNMS), she has led the Society’s 60th anniversary celebrations, recognising six decades of progress in nuclear medicine, molecular imaging and theranostics – highly specialised techniques that use advanced imaging and targeted radioactive medicines to diagnose and treat diseases such as cancer with greater precision.
She has also led the UK’s participation as the Highlight Country at the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, one of the world’s largest international congresses dedicated to nuclear medicine and molecular imaging.
Representing the UK, Professor Dizdarevic addressed more than 2,500 delegates from around the world, chaired invited scientific sessions and helped showcase British research, education and clinical innovation. While these achievements are recognised internationally, they also bring direct benefits to patients receiving care at UHSussex.
Since joining the Trust, Professor Dizdarevic has worked with colleagues to develop one of the region’s leading nuclear medicine and PET-CT services, introducing advanced molecular imaging techniques, expanding specialist diagnostic services and helping establish new molecular radiotherapy treatments for patients in Sussex. Together with her team, she also pioneered the clinical use of 99mTc-PSMA imaging in the UK, an innovative imaging technique that can help identify prostate cancer more accurately and support clinicians in selecting the most appropriate treatment for each individual patient.
These advances are supporting more personalised care, enabling patients to benefit from earlier diagnosis, more precise treatment planning and increased access to innovative therapies closer to home.
Professor Sabina Dizdarevic said: “Research and innovation are fundamental to improving patient care. By working with colleagues across the UK and internationally, we can bring the latest evidence, technologies and treatments into everyday clinical practice more quickly. Our aim is always to ensure that patients in Sussex have access to the highest quality care and, wherever possible, the opportunity to benefit from new treatments through clinical research. It is incredibly rewarding to see local patients taking part in studies such as STAMPEDE2 and helping shape the future of cancer care.”
Professor Martin Llewelyn, Director of Research and Innovation at UHSussex, said: “Professor Dizdarevic’s achievements are a fantastic example of how our clinicians are shaping healthcare far beyond Sussex while delivering direct benefits for our patients here at home. As Consultant in Nuclear Medicine, and Research and Innovation Divisional Director, Sabina plays a vital role in ensuring that innovation and research are embedded within clinical care across our Trust.
We are incredibly proud to have internationally recognised experts like Professor Dizdarevic leading research and innovation at UHSussex. Her work reinforces our commitment to providing Excellent Care Everywhere today while helping develop the treatments and technologies that will improve healthcare for future generations, in Sussex and beyond.”
Research is a vital part of patient care at UHSussex. Every year, thousands of patients take part in studies across a wide range of specialties, helping researchers develop new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat disease. Through international collaboration, pioneering research and clinical innovation, UHSussex is helping ensure that the future of cancer care is benefiting Sussex patients today.
What is nuclear medicine?
Nuclear medicine is a specialised area of healthcare that uses tiny amounts of radioactive medicines together with advanced imaging technology to diagnose and treat disease. It can help detect illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and neurological conditions earlier, allowing clinicians to plan more personalised and effective treatments. Some nuclear medicine treatments, known as theranostics, combine diagnosis and therapy by using the same biological target to both identify and treat disease, delivering treatment directly to diseased cells while reducing damage to healthy tissue.
Find out more
To find out more about research at UHSussex or opportunities to take part in research studies, visit our Research and Innovation pages at Research and innovation – University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust or speak to your clinical team about studies that may be suitable for you.
You can also sign up to Be Part of Research to be contacted about studies that may be suitable for you.