Radioisotope research, production, and processing at the University of Missouri Research Reactor

The University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) is a 10 MW, light-water-cooled and moderated research reactor which first achieved criticality in 1996 and is currently the highest powered university-owned research reactor in the U.S. For many years a major supplier of reactor-produced isotopes for research and commercial purposes, in the last 15 years MURR has concentrated on development of reactor-produced beta-particle emitters for experimental use in nuclear medicine therapy of cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. MURR has played a major role in the development of bone cancer pain palliation with the agents 153Sm EDTMP and 186Re/188Re HEDP, as well as in the use of 186Re, 177Lu, 166Ho, and 105Rh for radioimmunotherapy and receptor-agent-guided radiotherapy. MURR is also responsible for the development of therapeutic, 90Y-labeled glass microspheres for the treatment of liver tumors, a product (90Y Therasphere trademark) which is currently an approved drug in Canada. MURR has also pioneered the development of 188W/188Re and 99Mo/99mTc gel generators, which make the use of low specific activity 188W and 99Mo practical for such isotope generators