Production 64 Cu for targeted radiotherapy of cancer

Radioisotopes used for labeling of radiopharmaceuticals for cancer therapy , decay by emission of particles such as β-and α Copper-64 is an intermediate half-lived (t1/2=12.7 h) radioisotope and a useful radiotracer for positron emission tomography as well as a promising radiotherapy agent for the treatment of cancer. We produced Cu-64 by utilizing the 64Ni (p,n) 64Cu nuclear reaction in Cyclotron (cyclone 30, IBA) at the Nuclear Research Center for Agriculture and Medicine. Nickel was electroplated successfully with a thickness of 100μm on a gold foil. Natural nickel plated on the gold foil was bombarded with 23 MeV protons current of 50μA. we have shown that Cu-64 can be separated from Ni-64 and other byproducts rapidly and effectively by using ion exchange chromatography. The present research on the development of a cost-effective method for the production of Cu-64 will show the possibility of radioisotope production for both PET imaging and radiotherapy in medical centers