Nuclear model prediction for production of medical 22Na, 51Cr, 60Co, 61Cu, 64Cu, 65Zn, 67, 68Ga, 88Y and 99Mo radionuclides: Comparison of experimental and theoretical data

Production of 68Ge, 68Ga, 67Ga, 65Zn, and 64Cu important radionuclides for medical applications: theoretical model predictions for α-particles with 66Zn at ≈10–40 MeV

Theoretical predictions were made using TALYS-1.95(G) and EMPIRE 3.2 reaction-model codes for 69Ge, 67Ge, and medically used 68Ge, 67Ga, 68Ga, 65Zn, 64Cu radionuclides produced in the interaction of α-projectile with 66Zn-target at 10–40 MeV α-energies. Pearson’s statistical coefficients showed moderate to strong positive correlations between the theoretically predicted and experimentally measured production cross sections for radionuclides with practical medical applications. Furthermore, the present results indicated that a medium-sized cyclotron and a single α + 66Zn system (projectile + target system) might be an option for optimized production of 68Ge, 68Ga, 67Ga, 65Zn, and 64Cu radionuclides.

Production of a broad palette of positron emitting radioisotopes using a low-energy cyclotron: Towards a new success story in cancer imaging?

Over the last several years, positron emission tomography (PET) has matured as an indispensable component of cancer diagnostics. Owing to the large variability observed among the cancer patients and the need to personalize individual patient's diagnosis and treatment, the need for new positron emitting radioisotopes has continued to grow. This mini review opens with a brief introduction to the criteria for radioisotope selection for PET imaging. Subsequently, positron emitting radioisotopes are categorized as: established, emerging and futuristic, based on the stages of their advancement. The production methodologies and the radiochemical separation procedures for obtaining the important radioisotopes in a form suitable for preparation of radiopharmaceuticals for PET imaging are briefly discussed.