Ultra-pure radionuclides for nuclear medicine

An Italian research group has developed a new method for producing high-quality radionuclides for use as precursors for radiopharmaceuticals. Isobar beams generated by a low-energy cyclotron are used to produce carrier-free radionuclides, with potential applications in nuclear medical research.

How does it work?

Current methods for producing precursors for radiopharmaceuticals have problems such as other costs, the production of contaminants, laborious separation methods, and the creation of large quantities of radioactive waste. ISOL (Isotope Separation Online) is recognized as a technique for producing high-intensity, high-quality radioactive ion beams for nuclear physics studies. It allows exotic ions to be produced with high efficiency, yield, and selectivity, and is therefore applicable to the production of high specific activity radionuclides for use as precursors for radiopharmaceuticals. A proton beam from a primary accelerator irradiates a target to form radioactive atoms, which are then ionized and accelerated to form a beam. Mass separation generates an isobaric beam, which is deposited in an ion collector and subsequently chemically treated to obtain carrier-free radionuclides.

Applications

• Medical research into high-quality radionuclides (precursors of radiopharmaceuticals);
• Production of highly innovative carrier-free radionuclides, which cannot be produced using traditional technologies;
• Supply of radionuclides to hospitals.

Advantages

• Mass separation allows the elimination of impurities;
• Very high specific activity;
• Possible use of low-energy commercial accelerators, which are less expensive than reactors;
• Very limited quantities of radioactive waste.