Radiolanthanides - optimum choice for diagnosis and therapy

Full text: The ANSTO replacement reactor is expected to have a higher flux 3 x 1014 n.cm-2.s-1 compared with 1 x 1014 n.cm-2.s-1 in HIFAR. This will provide greater capacity for radionuclide production as well as capability of producing radionuclides of higher specific activity. Of particular interest in the development of radiopharmaceuticals is the potential increase in the choice of radionuclides for diagnosis and treatment of disease. The present paper investigates the production of the full array of some 350 possible radiolanthanides and two copper radionuclides for therapy using beta emission. Criteria for final selection was based on availability of facilities, production yields, specific activities, beta ranges and imaging qualities, half life (for therapy and transport consideration), and potential for generator production. Compatibility of radiolabelling chemistry, physical characteristics and with carrier agents pharmacokinetics were also considered