{"id":2094,"date":"2023-12-23T10:57:47","date_gmt":"2023-12-23T09:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8888\/progetti\/laramed\/?page_id=2094"},"modified":"2026-03-25T12:32:31","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T11:32:31","slug":"aphrodite-155","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/aphrodite-155\/","title":{"rendered":"Aphrodite-155"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2800\" height=\"355\" src=\"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo-Firma-imamgine.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3119\" style=\"width:936px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo-Firma-imamgine.png 2800w, https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo-Firma-imamgine-1536x195.png 1536w, https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo-Firma-imamgine-2048x260.png 2048w, https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo-Firma-imamgine-500x63.png 500w, https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo-Firma-imamgine-768x97.png 768w, https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Logo-Firma-imamgine-1024x130.png 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2800px) 100vw, 2800px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b\"]{text-align:center;font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-md, 1.25rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2094_ef5d7d-6b\"><strong>APHRODITE-155 PRIN PNRR 2022 (2024-202<\/strong>6) Project completed &#8211; February 28, 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"591\" height=\"591\" src=\"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LOGO-APHRODITE.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2847\" style=\"width:325px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LOGO-APHRODITE.jpg 591w, https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LOGO-APHRODITE-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/LOGO-APHRODITE-500x500.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 591px) 100vw, 591px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-877f1f471345af1237a6a71d0e5a1f40\">APHRODITE-155 is the acronym of \u201cAccelerator-based Production of tHeranostic radionuclides: Investigations on TErbium-155\u201d funded as <a href=\"https:\/\/prin.mur.gov.it\/Iniziative\/Detail?key=xntlwCEQJ%2BTLxeoukrh%2FdQ%3D%3D\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/prin.mur.gov.it\/Iniziative\/Detail?key=xntlwCEQJ%2BTLxeoukrh%2FdQ%3D%3D\">PRIN PNRR 2022<\/a> for the years 2024-2026 (<em>\u201cFinanziato dall&#8217;Unione europea \u2013 Next Generation EU\u201d<\/em> Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.1).&nbsp;The project has involved a national collaboration between INFN, University of Ferrara (UNIFE), and University of Milan (UNIMI) and has been successfully completed, achieving all its scientific and technological objectives also thanks to the <a href=\"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/collaborations\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"172\">collaboration<\/a> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sacrocuore.it\">Sacro Cuore Don Calabria Hospital <\/a>(Negrar, VR), the Istituto Oncologico Veneto (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ioveneto.it\/\">IOV<\/a>, PD), the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arronax-nantes.fr\/en\/\">GIP ARRONAX<\/a> facility and the Physics Departments of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.unipd.it\/\">Padova<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/web.unipv.it\/)\">Pavia Universities<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-theme-palette-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0f1329f4fe5f367f877584d2fb125acb\"><em><strong>Project overview<\/strong> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11dcbe6ee62e3fc95c78f848e0201a6a\">Terbium radionuclides are gaining increasing attention in nuclear medicine due to their unique ability to combine diagnostic imaging and targeted therapy within the same chemical family. In particular, terbium offers a full set of medically relevant isotopes, including \u03b1-, \u03b2\u207b-, \u03b2\u207a-, and \u03b3-emitters, making it especially attractive for theranostic applications. Within this family, <strong>\u00b9\u2075\u2075Tb<\/strong> is a promising radionuclide for SPECT imaging, thanks to its suitable gamma emissions and relatively long half-life (about 5.3 days), which allows extended imaging protocols and accurate biodistribution studies.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"294\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image.png\" alt=\"Main decay characteristics of 155Tb\u00a0\" class=\"wp-image-2098\" srcset=\"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image.png 294w, https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/image-245x300.png 245w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 294px) 100vw, 294px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><br><br>&nbsp;Main decay characteristics of <strong><sup>155<\/sup>Tb<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-63b4a70f17750f767dc905bac15b5117\">Despite its potential, the widespread use of \u00b9\u2075\u2075Tb is still limited by the complexity of its production and the lack of reliable and scalable supply routes. In particular, achieving high radionuclidic purity while maintaining sufficient production yield represents a major challenge, especially when using cyclotron-based methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c1837152587471a48ce9f064bd3576a8\">The APHRODITE-155 project was conceived to address these limitations by systematically investigating and comparing two complementary production strategies based on proton-induced reactions. The first approach is a <strong>direct production route<\/strong>, relying on the irradiation of enriched \u00b9\u2075\u2075Gd targets with low-energy proton beams available at medical cyclotrons. The second approach is an <strong>indirect route<\/strong>, based on the production of \u00b9\u2075\u2075Dy via irradiation of natural \u00b9\u2075\u2079Tb at medium- to high-energy cyclotrons, followed by its decay to \u00b9\u2075\u2075Tb in a generator-like scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0466473d1c826f99d400535d140d617a\">A key objective of the project was not only to demonstrate the feasibility of these production routes, but also to provide a <strong>quantitative comparison<\/strong> in terms of production yield, radionuclidic purity, and suitability for medical applications. To this end, the project combined experimental activities with advanced modelling and dosimetric evaluations, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the factors governing the production and quality of \u00b9\u2075\u2075Tb.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0f8d5e7db6049d88bc4fec3dc0e8712c\">The work covered the entire production chain, including the development of solid targets, irradiation campaigns, radiochemical separation processes, and quality control through gamma spectrometry. By integrating these elements, APHRODITE-155 aimed to establish a reliable framework for the future implementation of \u00b9\u2075\u2075Tb production and its use in preclinical and clinical studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-theme-palette-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0443a7cd08f2f4eb8e72f17d6e579044\"><em><strong>Main results<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1b77646e7ffd77c1af38077e53bda15c\">The project delivered significant scientific and technological outcomes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a3d06ce7b70eb19831eef81fb716681c\">development of solid target manufacturing techniques for Gd\u2082O\u2083 and Tb\u2082O\u2083 using <a href=\"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/sps-2\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"3186\">Spark Plasma Sintering<\/a>;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7866a30b98dcd7f26c4649eebd94da94\">implementation of optimized <a href=\"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/radiochem\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"1850\">radiochemical<\/a> separation protocols (Tb\/Gd and Tb\/Dy\/Tb);<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4537b0f07d1f7210842113ac10880c04\">experimental validation of \u00b9\u2075\u2075Tb production using both medical and research cyclotrons;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-027ad546cf0b0633c4bf570c01977c43\">identification of optimal irradiation and processing parameters;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7941b1acff200e90c4479f7e83492687\">definition of radionuclidic purity requirements for medical applications, supported by dosimetric analysis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d64381e883d2b26d326ac39310e33a4b\"><strong>A major achievement of the project was the first demonstration in Italy of the complete production of \u00b9\u2075\u2075Tb using a medical cyclotron<\/strong>.<br>The results of the project clearly indicate that the direct and indirect production routes should not be considered as alternatives, but rather as complementary strategies. The direct route offers simplicity, shorter production times, and compatibility with widely available medical cyclotrons, while the indirect route provides access to higher yields and potentially higher radionuclidic purity, albeit with increased complexity and infrastructure requirements.<br>The choice of the most suitable approach therefore depends on several factors, including available facilities, target material, required activity levels, and the intended clinical application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-theme-palette-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e57500e6e105463f136919545bec466b\"><em><strong>Impact and future perspectives<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b4701c030d5a32c2c9a58d261bcc1621\">The APHRODITE-155 project provides a solid scientific and technological basis for the future implementation of \u00b9\u2075\u2075Tb production in Italy. The developed methodologies enable the transition from experimental validation to routine production, particularly for preclinical applications, and represent a key step toward clinical translation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b602e868ee0d57f02a97260329e0b1b2\">From a broader perspective, the project contributes to the development of a national capability in the production of innovative medical radionuclides, strengthening Italy\u2019s role within the European nuclear medicine landscape. By supporting the availability of \u00b9\u2075\u2075Tb and related isotopes, APHRODITE-155 opens new opportunities for the advancement of personalized theranostic approaches and for future clinical applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-theme-palette-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-705554892a2c7069f12b320721734005\"><em><strong>Main publications<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-407b5d06e1af6e6c1e6b4cb07c1586f5\">The scientific results of the project have been disseminated through several open-access publications, including studies on target manufacturing, nuclear data, and production optimization. Among these:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-9a5dc278d31d4257b89b09412e2f58d7\">F. Barbaro et al., 155Tb production by cyclotrons: what level of 155Gd enrichment allows clinical applications? EJNMMI Physics (2024) 11:26. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40658-024-00630-6\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s40658-024-00630-6<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-f2189f88db92ac90c1f361221817bdf9\">M. Colucci et al., Experimental cross-section measurement of the nuclear reactions induced by protons on 159Tb: Evaluation of the 155Dy\/155Tb precursor system. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 224 (2024) 112069. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.radphyschem.2024.112069\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.radphyschem.2024.112069<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-314c301e6268c745465bdb697c24f13d\">F. Barbaro et al., Hospital-cyclotrons production of high-purity 155Tb via 155Gd(p,n). Applied Radiation and Isotopes 225 (2025) 112026. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.apradiso.2025.112026\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.apradiso.2025.112026<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-6dca476d053aec66c9b5aef527441fd5\">G. Piteo et al., Optimization of the production process of gadolinium oxide targets for nuclear medicine by spark plasma sintering. Ceramics International (2026). <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ceramint.2026.02.423\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.ceramint.2026.02.423<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-theme-palette-3-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-56a327e8fe9683fda52c9bc69efc1d8b\">Additional publications summarizing the final results are in preparation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>APHRODITE-155 PRIN PNRR 2022 (2024-2026) Project completed &#8211; February 28, 2026 APHRODITE-155 is the acronym of \u201cAccelerator-based Production of tHeranostic radionuclides: Investigations on TErbium-155\u201d funded as PRIN PNRR 2022 for the years 2024-2026 (\u201cFinanziato dall&#8217;Unione europea \u2013 Next Generation EU\u201d Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.1).&nbsp;The project has involved a national collaboration between INFN, University&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2094","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2094","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2094"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2094\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3259,"href":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2094\/revisions\/3259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/web.infn.it\/LARAMED\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2094"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}