1
|
Dissolution of Molybdenum in Hydrogen Peroxide: A Thermodynamic, Kinetic and Microscopic Study of a Green Process for 99mTc Production. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052090. [PMID: 36903336 PMCID: PMC10004273 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
99mTc-based radiopharmaceuticals are the most commonly used medical radioactive tracers in nuclear medicine for diagnostic imaging. Due to the expected global shortage of 99Mo, the parent radionuclide from which 99mTc is produced, new production methods should be developed. The SORGENTINA-RF (SRF) project aims at developing a prototypical medium-intensity D-T 14-MeV fusion neutron source specifically designed for production of medical radioisotopes with a focus on 99Mo. The scope of this work was to develop an efficient, cost-effective and green procedure for dissolution of solid molybdenum in hydrogen peroxide solutions compatible for 99mTc production via the SRF neutron source. The dissolution process was extensively studied for two different target geometries: pellets and powder. The first showed better characteristics and properties for the dissolution procedure, and up to 100 g of pellets were successfully dissolved in 250-280 min. The dissolution mechanism on the pellets was investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. After the procedure, sodium molybdate crystals were characterized via X-ray diffraction, Raman and infrared spectroscopy and the high purity of the compound was established by means of inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The study confirmed the feasibility of the procedure for production of 99mTc in SRF as it is very cost-effective, with minimal consumption of peroxide and controlled low temperature.
Collapse
|
2
|
Tai W, Yang J, Wu F, Shi K, Zhang Y, Zhu S, Hou X. Ultrafast and selective separation of 99mTc from molybdenum matrix using DBDGA deliberately tailored macrocyclic crown-ethers. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 444:130437. [PMID: 36436388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Technetium-99m (99mTc) is an important medical radionuclide. Due to the crisis in supply of molybdenum-99 (99Mo), production of 99mTc directly via the 100Mo (p, 2 n) reaction by cyclotron was proposed. In this process, the most critical challenge is to rapidly and efficiently separate 99mTc from high concentration of molybdenum. In this work, a novel ligand, bis(N,N-dibutyldiglycolamide)dibenzo-18-crown-6 (BisDBDGA-DB18C6) was successfully synthesized and used for extraction of TcO4- /ReO4- from molybdenum. The results demonstrated that BisDBDGA-DB18C6 expressed excellent selectivity for TcO4- with a high separation factor of 1.6 × 105 against Mo, a fast extraction kinetic (within 45 s), and a high extraction capacity of 211 mmol ReO4- (99TcO4-)/per mole of extractant. The extraction mechanism was proposed as a co-interaction of macrocyclic crown ether and N,N-dibutyldiglycolamide group through slope analysis, FT-IR, ESI-MS, 1H NMR titration and theory calculations. Importantly, 99Tc in the organic phase can be quantitatively (> 99%) and easily back-extracted using deionized water, which can be directly used for medical applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenya Tai
- Frontier Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Junqiang Yang
- Frontier Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Fei Wu
- Frontier Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Special Function Materials and Structure Design, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Keliang Shi
- Frontier Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Special Function Materials and Structure Design, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| | - Yaowen Zhang
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Shaodong Zhu
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Hou
- Frontier Science Center for Rare Isotopes, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; School of Nuclear Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China; Key Laboratory of Special Function Materials and Structure Design, Ministry of Education, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Qaim SM, Spahn I, Scholten B, Spellerberg S, Neumaier B. The role of chemistry in accelerator-based production and separation of radionuclides as basis for radiolabelled compounds for medical applications. RADIOCHIM ACTA 2022. [DOI: 10.1515/ract-2022-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Radiochemical separations used in large scale routine production of diagnostic and therapeutic radionuclides at a particle accelerator for patient care are briefly outlined. The role of chemistry at various stages of development of a production route of a novel radionuclide, namely nuclear data measurement, high-current targetry, chemical processing and quality control of the product, is discussed in detail. Special attention is paid to production of non-standard positron emitters (e.g. 44gSc, 64Cu, 68Ga, etc.) at a cyclotron and novel therapeutic radionuclides (e.g. 67Cu, 225Ac, etc.) at an accelerator. Some typical examples of radiochemical methods involved are presented.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed M. Qaim
- Institut für Neurowissenschaften und Medizin: INM-5 (Nuklearchemie), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , D-52425 Jülich , Germany
| | - Ingo Spahn
- Institut für Neurowissenschaften und Medizin: INM-5 (Nuklearchemie), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , D-52425 Jülich , Germany
| | - Bernhard Scholten
- Institut für Neurowissenschaften und Medizin: INM-5 (Nuklearchemie), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , D-52425 Jülich , Germany
| | - Stefan Spellerberg
- Institut für Neurowissenschaften und Medizin: INM-5 (Nuklearchemie), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , D-52425 Jülich , Germany
| | - Bernd Neumaier
- Institut für Neurowissenschaften und Medizin: INM-5 (Nuklearchemie), Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH , D-52425 Jülich , Germany
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cleynhens J, Verbruggen A. Technetium-99m radiopharmaceuticals—Radiochemistry and radiolabeling. Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-822960-6.00006-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
|
5
|
Sciacca G, Martini P, Cisternino S, Mou L, Amico J, Esposito J, Gorgoni G, Cazzola E. A Universal Cassette-Based System for the Dissolution of Solid Targets. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26206255. [PMID: 34684836 PMCID: PMC8539783 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26206255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotron-based radionuclides production by using solid targets has become important in the last years due to the growing demand of radiometals, e.g., 68Ga, 89Zr, 43/47Sc, and 52/54Mn. This shifted the focus on solid target management, where the first fundamental step of the radiochemical processing is the target dissolution. Currently, this step is generally performed with commercial or home-made modules separated from the following purification/radiolabelling modules. The aim of this work is the realization of a flexible solid target dissolution system to be easily installed on commercial cassette-based synthesis modules. This would offer a complete target processing and radiopharmaceutical synthesis performable in a single module continuously. The presented solid target dissolution system concept relies on an open-bottomed vial positioned upon a target coin. In particular, the idea is to use the movement mechanism of a syringe pump to position the vial up and down on the target, and to exploit the heater/cooler reactor of the module as a target holder. All the steps can be remotely controlled and are incorporated in the cassette manifold together with the purification and radiolabelling steps. The performance of the device was tested by processing three different irradiated targets under different dissolution conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Sciacca
- Legnaro National Laboratories, National Institute for Nuclear Physics, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (S.C.); (L.M.); (J.E.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Petra Martini
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy;
| | - Sara Cisternino
- Legnaro National Laboratories, National Institute for Nuclear Physics, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (S.C.); (L.M.); (J.E.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Liliana Mou
- Legnaro National Laboratories, National Institute for Nuclear Physics, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (S.C.); (L.M.); (J.E.)
| | - Jonathan Amico
- Cyclotron & Radiopharmacy Department, Sacro Cuore Hospital, 37024 Negrar, Italy; (J.A.); (G.G.); (E.C.)
| | - Juan Esposito
- Legnaro National Laboratories, National Institute for Nuclear Physics, 35020 Legnaro, Italy; (S.C.); (L.M.); (J.E.)
| | - Giancarlo Gorgoni
- Cyclotron & Radiopharmacy Department, Sacro Cuore Hospital, 37024 Negrar, Italy; (J.A.); (G.G.); (E.C.)
| | - Emiliano Cazzola
- Cyclotron & Radiopharmacy Department, Sacro Cuore Hospital, 37024 Negrar, Italy; (J.A.); (G.G.); (E.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Highly Efficient Micro-Scale Liquid-Liquid In-Flow Extraction of 99mTc from Molybdenum. Molecules 2021; 26:molecules26185699. [PMID: 34577170 PMCID: PMC8464863 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26185699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The trend to achieve even more compact-sized systems is leading to the development of micro-scale reactors (lab-on-chip) in the field of radiochemical separation and radiopharmaceutical production. Technetium-99m extraction from both high and low specific activity molybdenum could be simply performed by MEK-driven solvent extraction if it were not for unpractical automation. The aim of this work is to develop a solvent extraction and separation process of technetium from molybdenum in a micro-scale in-flow chemistry regime with the aid of a capillary loop and a membrane-based separator, respectively. The developed system is able to extract and separate quantitatively and selectively (91.0 ± 1.8% decay corrected) the [99mTc]TcO4Na in about 20 min, by using a ZAIPUT separator device. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time in our knowledge the high efficiency of a MEK-based solvent extraction process of 99mTc from a molybdenum-based liquid phased in an in-flow micro-scale regime.
Collapse
|
7
|
Koźmiński P, Gumiela M, Walczak R, Wawrowicz K, Bilewicz A. A semi-automated module for the separation and purification of 99mTc from simulated molybdenum target. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-07710-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
AbstractA semi-automated purification module for the cyclic separation of 99mTc was designed for production of [99mTc]TcO4– from γ irradiated 100Mo target. The separation process was carried out by using a 3-column purification system and the final product, [99mTc]TcO4–, was obtained in a total volume of 7 mL. To confirm proper separation achieved for 99mTc, a radio-labeling procedure using DTPA chelator was performed. The radiochemical purity was higher than 95%, which meets the strict radiopharmaceutical requirements. The yielded 99mTc can be separated with high efficiency from Mo in a quick and repeated way. Loss of 99mTc radioactivity during such a three-column separation process was not larger than 10%.
Collapse
|
8
|
O'Hara MJ, Krzysko AJ, Hamlin DK, Li Y, Dorman EF, Wilbur DS. Development of an autonomous solvent extraction system to isolate astatine-211 from dissolved cyclotron bombarded bismuth targets. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20318. [PMID: 31889075 PMCID: PMC6937302 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56272-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cyclotron-produced astatine-211 (211At) shows tremendous promise in targeted alpha therapy (TAT) applications due to its attractive half-life and its 100% α-emission from nearly simultaneous branched alpha decay. Astatine-211 is produced by alpha beam bombardment of naturally monoisotopic bismuth metal (209Bi) via the (α, 2n) reaction. In order to isolate the small mass of 211At (specific activity = 76 GBq·µg−1) from several grams of acid-dissolved Bi metal, a manual milliliter-scale solvent extraction process using diisopropyl ether (DIPE) is routinely performed at the University of Washington. As this process is complex and time consuming, we have developed a fluidic workstation that can perform the method autonomously. The workstation employs two pumps to concurrently deliver the aqueous and organic phases to a mixing tee and in-line phase mixer. The mixed phases are routed to a phase settling reservoir, where they gravity settle. Finally, each respective phase is withdrawn into its respective pump. However, development of a phase boundary sensor, placed in tandem with the phase settling reservoir, was necessary to communicate to the system when withdrawal of the denser aqueous phase was complete (i.e., the intersection of the two phases was located). The development and optimization of the autonomous solvent extraction system is described, and the 211At yields from several ~1.1 GBq-level 211At processing runs are reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J O'Hara
- Nuclear Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd., PO Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA.
| | - Anthony J Krzysko
- Nuclear Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, 902 Battelle Blvd., PO Box 999, Richland, WA, 99352, USA
| | - Donald K Hamlin
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, 616 N.E. Northlake Place, PO Box 355016, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Yawen Li
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, 616 N.E. Northlake Place, PO Box 355016, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - Eric F Dorman
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, 616 N.E. Northlake Place, PO Box 355016, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| | - D Scott Wilbur
- Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, 616 N.E. Northlake Place, PO Box 355016, Seattle, WA, 98105, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Meléndez-Alafort L, Ferro-Flores G, De Nardo L, Bello M, Paiusco M, Negri A, Zorz A, Uzunov N, Esposito J, Rosato A. Internal radiation dose assessment of radiopharmaceuticals prepared with cyclotron-produced99mTc. Med Phys 2019; 46:1437-1446. [DOI: 10.1002/mp.13393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Guillermina Ferro-Flores
- Laboratorio Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo de Radiofármacos-CONACyT; Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares; Carretera México-Toluca S/N. La Marquesa; Ocoyoacac Estado de México 52750 México
| | - Laura De Nardo
- Department of Physics and Astronomy; University of Padova; Via Marzolo 8 Padova 35131 Italy
| | - Michele Bello
- Department of Physics and Astronomy; University of Padova; Via Marzolo 8 Padova 35131 Italy
| | - Marta Paiusco
- Medical Physics Department; Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS; Via Gattamelata 64 Padova 35138 Italy
| | - Anna Negri
- Medical Physics Department; Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS; Via Gattamelata 64 Padova 35138 Italy
| | - Alessandra Zorz
- Medical Physics Department; Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS; Via Gattamelata 64 Padova 35138 Italy
| | - Nikolay Uzunov
- Faculty of Natural Sciences; University of Shumen; 115 Universitetska str. Shumen 9712 Bulgaria
| | - Juan Esposito
- Legnaro National laboratories; National Institute of Nuclear Physics; Viale della Università 2 Legnaro 35020 Italy
| | - Antonio Rosato
- Veneto Institute of Oncology IOV-IRCCS; Via Gattamelata 64 Padova 35138 Italy
- Department of Surgery, Oncology and Gastroenterology; University of Padova; Via Gattamelata 64 Padova 35138 Italy
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Boschi A, Martini P, Costa V, Pagnoni A, Uccelli L. Interdisciplinary Tasks in the Cyclotron Production of Radiometals for Medical Applications. The Case of 47Sc as Example. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24030444. [PMID: 30691170 PMCID: PMC6385051 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24030444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The growing number of cyclotrons of different sizes installed in the territory has given a strong impulse to the production of conventional and emerging radionuclides for medical applications. In particular, the great advantage of using medical cyclotrons is the possibility to produce on-site, when needed (on-demand), with medical radionuclides of interest encouraging the personalized medicine approach. Radiometals satisfy the ideal characteristics that radionuclides should have for routine employment in nuclear medicine, especially since they have a robust chemistry suitable to synthetize stable in vivo radiopharmaceuticals with high radiochemical yields. In this letter several interdisciplinary aspects involved in the radiometals cyclotron production cycle are summarized focusing the attention on cyclotron production facilities, target material, and chemical processing available for medical applications. As an example, the current status and recent development in the production of the theranostic radionuclide scandium-47 have been reported.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Boschi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Petra Martini
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell' Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Valentina Costa
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Antonella Pagnoni
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Licia Uccelli
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Luigi Borsari, 46-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Perspectives on the Use of Liquid Extraction for Radioisotope Purification. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24020334. [PMID: 30669256 PMCID: PMC6359044 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24020334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The reliable and efficient production of radioisotopes for diagnosis and therapy is becoming an increasingly important capability, due to their demonstrated utility in Nuclear Medicine applications. Starting from the first processes involving the separation of 99mTc from irradiated materials, several methods and concepts have been developed to selectively extract the radioisotopes of interest. Even though the initial methods were based on liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) approaches, the perceived difficulty in automating such processes has slowly moved the focus towards resin separation methods, whose basic chemical principles are often similar to the LLE ones in terms of chelators and phases. However, the emerging field of flow chemistry allows LLE to be easily automated and operated in a continuous manner, resulting in an even improved efficiency and reliability. In this contribution, we will outline the fundamentals of LLE processes and their translation into flow-based apparatuses; in addition, we will provide examples of radioisotope separations that have been achieved using LLE methods. This article is intended to offer insights about the future potential of LLE to purify medically relevant radioisotopes.
Collapse
|
12
|
Skliarova H, Cisternino S, Cicoria G, Marengo M, Palmieri V. Innovative Target for Production of Technetium-99m by Biomedical Cyclotron. Molecules 2018; 24:E25. [PMID: 30577612 PMCID: PMC6337538 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24010025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Technetium-99m (99mTc) is the most used radionuclide worldwide in nuclear medicine for diagnostic imaging procedures. 99mTc is typically extracted from portable generators containing 99Mo, which is produced normally in nuclear reactors as a fission product of highly enriched Uranium material. Due to unexpected outages or planned and unplanned reactor shutdown, significant 99mTc shortages appeared as a problem since 2008 The alternative cyclotron-based approach through the 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc reaction is considered one of the most promising routes for direct 99mTc production in order to mitigate potential 99Mo shortages. The design and manufacturing of appropriate cyclotron targets for the production of significant amounts of a radiopharmaceutical for medical use is a technological challenge. In this work, a novel solid target preparation method was developed, including sputter deposition of a dense, adherent, and non-oxidized Mo target material onto a complex backing plate. The latter included either chemically resistant sapphire or synthetic diamond brazed in vacuum conditions to copper. The target thermo-mechanical stability tests were performed under 15.6 MeV proton energy and different beam intensities, up to the maximum provided by the available GE Healthcare (Chicago, IL, USA) PET trace medical cyclotron. The targets resisted proton beam currents up to 60 µA (corresponding to a heat power density of about 1 kW/cm²) without damage or Mo deposited layer delamination. The chemical stability of the proposed backing materials was proven by gamma-spectroscopy analysis of the solution obtained after the standard dissolution procedure of irradiated targets in H₂O₂.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Skliarova
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell’Università 2, 35020 Legnaro PD, Italy;
| | - Sara Cisternino
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell’Università 2, 35020 Legnaro PD, Italy;
| | - Gianfranco Cicoria
- Medical Physics Department, University Hospital “S. Orsola-Malpighi”, 40100 Bologna, Italy; (G.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Mario Marengo
- Medical Physics Department, University Hospital “S. Orsola-Malpighi”, 40100 Bologna, Italy; (G.C.); (M.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Palmieri
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell’Università 2, 35020 Legnaro PD, Italy;
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Esposito J, Bettoni D, Boschi A, Calderolla M, Cisternino S, Fiorentini G, Keppel G, Martini P, Maggiore M, Mou L, Pasquali M, Pranovi L, Pupillo G, Rossi Alvarez C, Sarchiapone L, Sciacca G, Skliarova H, Favaron P, Lombardi A, Antonini P, Duatti A. LARAMED: A Laboratory for Radioisotopes of Medical Interest. Molecules 2018; 24:E20. [PMID: 30577598 PMCID: PMC6337324 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The widespread availability of novel radioactive isotopes showing nuclear characteristics suitable for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in nuclear medicine (NM) has experienced a great development in the last years, particularly as a result of key advancements of cyclotron-based radioisotope production technologies. At Legnaro National Laboratories of the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Italy, a 70-MeV high current cyclotron has been recently installed. This cyclotron will be dedicated not only to pursuing fundamental nuclear physics studies, but also to research related to other scientific fields with an emphasis on medical applications. LARAMED project was established a few years ago at LNL-INFN as a new research line aimed at exploiting the scientific power of nuclear physics for developing innovative applications to medicine. The goal of this program is to elect LNL as a worldwide recognized hub for the development of production methods of novel medical radionuclides, still unavailable for the scientific and clinical community. Although the research facility is yet to become fully operative, the LARAMED team has already started working on the cyclotron production of conventional medical radionuclides, such as Tc-99m, and on emerging radionuclides of high potential medical interest, such as Cu-67, Sc-47, and Mn-52.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Esposito
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Diego Bettoni
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
- Department of Physic and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat, 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Boschi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Michele Calderolla
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Sara Cisternino
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Giovanni Fiorentini
- Department of Physic and Earth Science, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat, 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Keppel
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Petra Martini
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Mario Maggiore
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Liliana Mou
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Micòl Pasquali
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Pranovi
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Gaia Pupillo
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Carlos Rossi Alvarez
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Lucia Sarchiapone
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Gabriele Sciacca
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Hanna Skliarova
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Paolo Favaron
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Augusto Lombardi
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Piergiorgio Antonini
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
| | - Adriano Duatti
- Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), Viale dell'Università, 2, 35020 Legnaro (PD), Italy.
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via L. Borsari, 46, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chattopadhyay S, Saha Das S, Barua L, Pal AK, Kumar U, Alam MN, Hudait AK, Banerjee S. A compact solvent extraction based 99Mo/ 99mTc generator for hospital radiopharmacy. Appl Radiat Isot 2018; 143:41-46. [PMID: 30368052 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
A compact and portable 99Mo-99 mTc generator based on solvent-extraction, mimic to the conventional 99Mo-99 mTc alumina column generator is much-needed commodity for use in hospital radiopharmacy setup. The present study includes the development of a portable, simple and low cost 99Mo/99 mTc-generator based on MEK solvent extraction technique to obtain a very high concentration of no-carrier added (nca) 99 mTc solution, where low specific activity 99Mo source is obtained through 98Mo(n, γ)99Mo reaction in a research reactor. The unit is intended for operation under the conditions of medical radiological laboratories. Technical trials showed that the mean time of preparation of sodium [99mTc] pertechnetate radiopharmaceutical did not exceed 15 min. The quality and yield of 99 mTc-pertechnetate is upto the mark for formulation of radiopharmaceuticals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sankha Chattopadhyay
- Radiopharmaceuticals Lab., Regional Centre, Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), VECC, 1/AF, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700064, India.
| | - Sujata Saha Das
- Radiopharmaceuticals Lab., Regional Centre, Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), VECC, 1/AF, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700064, India
| | - Luna Barua
- Radiopharmaceuticals Lab., Regional Centre, Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), VECC, 1/AF, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700064, India
| | - Asit Kumar Pal
- Radiopharmaceuticals Lab., Regional Centre, Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), VECC, 1/AF, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700064, India
| | - Umesh Kumar
- Radiopharmaceuticals Lab., Regional Centre, Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), VECC, 1/AF, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700064, India
| | - Md Nayer Alam
- Radiopharmaceuticals Lab., Regional Centre, Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), VECC, 1/AF, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700064, India
| | - Arup Kumar Hudait
- Radiopharmaceuticals Lab., Regional Centre, Board of Radiation & Isotope Technology (BRIT), VECC, 1/AF, Bidhan Nagar, Kolkata 700064, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Uzunov NM, Melendez-Alafort L, Bello M, Cicoria G, Zagni F, De Nardo L, Selva A, Mou L, Rossi-Alvarez C, Pupillo G, Di Domenico G, Uccelli L, Boschi A, Groppi F, Salvini A, Taibi A, Duatti A, Martini P, Pasquali M, Loriggiola M, Marengo M, Strada L, Manenti S, Rosato A, Esposito J. Radioisotopic purity and imaging properties of cyclotron-produced 99mTc using direct 100Mo(p,2n) reaction. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 63:185021. [DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/aadc88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
|
16
|
Capogni M, Pietropaolo A, Quintieri L, Angelone M, Boschi A, Capone M, Cherubini N, De Felice P, Dodaro A, Duatti A, Fazio A, Loreti S, Martini P, Pagano G, Pasquali M, Pillon M, Uccelli L, Pizzuto A. 14 MeV Neutrons for 99Mo/ 99mTc Production: Experiments, Simulations and Perspectives. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23081872. [PMID: 30060449 PMCID: PMC6222560 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23081872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: the gamma-emitting radionuclide Technetium-99m (99mTc) is still the workhorse of Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) as it is used worldwide for the diagnosis of a variety of phatological conditions. 99mTc is obtained from 99Mo/99mTc generators as pertechnetate ion, which is the ubiquitous starting material for the preparation of 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals. 99Mo in such generators is currently produced in nuclear fission reactors as a by-product of 235U fission. Here we investigated an alternative route for the production of 99Mo by irradiating a natural metallic molybdenum powder using a 14-MeV accelerator-driven neutron source. Methods: after irradiation, an efficient isolation and purification of the final 99mTc-pertechnetate was carried out by means of solvent extraction. Monte Carlo simulations allowed reliable predictions of 99Mo production rates for a newly designed 14-MeV neutron source (New Sorgentina Fusion Source). Results: in traceable metrological conditions, a level of radionuclidic purity consistent with accepted pharmaceutical quality standards, was achieved. Conclusions: we showed that this source, featuring a nominal neutron emission rate of about 1015 s−1, may potentially supply an appreciable fraction of the current 99Mo global demand. This study highlights that a robust and viable solution, alternative to nuclear fission reactors, can be accomplished to secure the long-term supply of 99Mo.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Capogni
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
- ENEA-Italian National Institute of Ionizing Radiation Metrology (INMRI), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Roma, Italy.
| | - Antonino Pietropaolo
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
| | - Lina Quintieri
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
- ENEA-Italian National Institute of Ionizing Radiation Metrology (INMRI), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Roma, Italy.
| | - Maurizio Angelone
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Boschi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 35-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Mauro Capone
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
| | - Nadia Cherubini
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
| | - Pierino De Felice
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
- ENEA-Italian National Institute of Ionizing Radiation Metrology (INMRI), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Roma, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Dodaro
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
| | - Adriano Duatti
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto 35, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Aldo Fazio
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
- ENEA-Italian National Institute of Ionizing Radiation Metrology (INMRI), Casaccia Research Centre, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Roma, Italy.
| | - Stefano Loreti
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
| | - Petra Martini
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 35-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Guglielmo Pagano
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
| | - Micol Pasquali
- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto 35, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Mario Pillon
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
| | - Licia Uccelli
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Via Ludovico Ariosto, 35-44121 Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Aldo Pizzuto
- ENEA-Department of Fusion and Technology for Nuclear Safety and Security, Via E. Fermi 45, Frascati, I-00044 Roma, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Martini P, Boschi A, Cicoria G, Zagni F, Corazza A, Uccelli L, Pasquali M, Pupillo G, Marengo M, Loriggiola M, Skliarova H, Mou L, Cisternino S, Carturan S, Melendez-Alafort L, Uzunov NM, Bello M, Alvarez CR, Esposito J, Duatti A. In-house cyclotron production of high-purity Tc-99m and Tc-99m radiopharmaceuticals. Appl Radiat Isot 2018; 139:325-331. [PMID: 29936404 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2018.05.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
In the last years, the technology for producing the important medical radionuclide technetium-99m by cyclotrons has become sufficiently mature to justify its introduction as an alternative source of the starting precursor [99mTc][TcO4]- ubiquitously employed for the production of 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals in hospitals. These technologies make use almost exclusively of the nuclear reaction 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc that allows direct production of Tc-99m. In this study, it is conjectured that this alternative production route will not replace the current supply chain based on the distribution of 99Mo/99mTc generators, but could become a convenient emergency source of Tc-99m only for in-house hospitals equipped with a conventional, low-energy, medical cyclotron. On this ground, an outline of the essential steps that should be implemented for setting up a hospital radiopharmacy aimed at the occasional production of Tc-99m by a small cyclotron is discussed. These include (1) target production, (2) irradiation conditions, (3) separation/purification procedures, (4) terminal sterilization, (5) quality control, and (6) Mo-100 recovery. To address these issues, a comprehensive technology for cyclotron-production of Tc-99m, developed at the Legnaro National Laboratories of the Italian National Institute of Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN), will be used as a reference example.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petra Martini
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy; Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | - Alessandra Boschi
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
| | | | | | | | - Licia Uccelli
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Micòl Pasquali
- Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Gaia Pupillo
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Loriggiola
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Hanna Skliarova
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Liliana Mou
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Sara Cisternino
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Sara Carturan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Italy
| | | | - Nikolay M Uzunov
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Michele Bello
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Padua, Italy
| | - Carlos Rossi Alvarez
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Juan Esposito
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy
| | - Adriano Duatti
- Legnaro Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), Legnaro, Padua, Italy; Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Cyclotron production of 99mTc: Comparison of known separation technologies for isolation of 99mTc from molybdenum targets. Nucl Med Biol 2017; 58:33-41. [PMID: 29331921 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Revised: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Intensive efforts were undertaken during the last few decades for the separation of cyclotron-produced 99mTc from 99Mo and new papers have been published on this topic since the last review [1]. In the future the cyclotron-based methods can replace reactor-based technology in producing this medical radioisotope and the nuclear reaction 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc appears to be the most worthwhile approach. New ways of producing of 99mTc require efficient separation methods. Several strategies for separation of 99mTc from 99Mo have been already developed. The advantages, disadvantages and technical challenges toward application potential of investigated methods to separate 99mTc from irradiated 100Mo target are discussed. These methods include column chromatography, solvent extraction, chemical precipitation and thermochromatography.
Collapse
|
19
|
|
20
|
Boschi A, Martini P, Pasquali M, Uccelli L. Recent achievements in Tc-99m radiopharmaceutical direct production by medical cyclotrons. Drug Dev Ind Pharm 2017; 43:1402-1412. [PMID: 28443689 DOI: 10.1080/03639045.2017.1323911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
99mTc is the most commonly used radionuclide in the field of diagnostic imaging, a noninvasive method intended to diagnose a disease, assess the disease state and monitor the effects of treatments. Annually, the use of 99mTc, covers about 85% of nuclear medicine applications. This isotope releases gamma rays at about the same wavelength as conventional X-ray diagnostic equipment, and owing to its short half-life (t½ = 6 h) is ideal for diagnostic nuclear imaging. A patient can be injected with a small amount of 99mTc and within 24 h almost 94% of the injected radionuclide would have decayed and left the body, limiting the patient's radiation exposure. 99mTc is usually supplied to hospitals through a 99Mo/99mTc radionuclide generator system where it is produced from the β decay of the parent nuclide 99Mo (t½ = 66 h), which is produced in nuclear reactors via neutron fission. Recently, the interruption of the global supply chain of reactor-produced 99Mo, has forced the scientific community to investigate alternative production routes for 99mTc. One solution was to consider cyclotron-based methods as potential replacement of reactor-based technology and the nuclear reaction 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc emerged as the most worthwhile approach. This review reports some achievements about 99mTc produced by medical cyclotrons. In particular, the available technologies for target design, the most efficient extraction and separation procedure developed for the purification of 99mTc from the irradiated targets, the preparation of high purity 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals and the first clinical studies carried out with cyclotron produced 99mTc are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Boschi
- a Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine , University of Ferrara , Italy
| | - Petra Martini
- b Department of Physics and Heart Science , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy.,c Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN) , Legnaro , Italy
| | - Micol Pasquali
- b Department of Physics and Heart Science , University of Ferrara , Ferrara , Italy.,c Legnaro National Laboratories, Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics (LNL-INFN) , Legnaro , Italy
| | - Licia Uccelli
- a Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine , University of Ferrara , Italy
| |
Collapse
|