Development of novel positron emitters for medical applications: nuclear and radiochemical aspects

Qaim, S.M.

doi:10.1524/ract.2011.1870

Journal Article

PreJuSER-16923

Development of novel positron emitters for medical applications: nuclear and radiochemical aspects

Qaim, S. M.FZJ*

2011
Oldenbourg MÃ¼nchen

Radiochimica acta 99, 611 - 625 (2011) [10.1524/ract.2011.1870]

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Please use a persistent id in citations: http://hdl.handle.net/2128/18325 doi:10.1524/ract.2011.1870

Abstract: In molecular imaging, the importance of novel longer lived positron emitters, also termed as non-standard or innovative PET radionuclides, has been constantly increasing, especially because they allow studies on slow metabolic processes and in some cases furnish the possibility of quantification of radiation dose in internal radiotherapy. Considerable efforts have been invested worldwide and about 25 positron emitters have been developed. Those efforts relate to interdisciplinary studies dealing with basic nuclear data, high current charged particle irradiation, efficient radiochemical separation and quality control of the desired radionuclide, and recovery of the enriched target material for reuse. In this review all those aspects are briefly discussed, with particular reference to three radionuclides, namely Cu-64, I-124 and Y-86, which are presently in great demand. For each radionuclide several nuclear routes were investigated but the (p, n) reaction on an enriched target isotope was found to be the best for use at a small-sized cyclotron. Some other positron emitting radionuclides, such as Co-55, Br-76, Zr-89, (82)mRb, (94)mTc, I-120, etc., were also produced via the low-energy (p, n), (p, a) or (d, n) reaction. On the other hand, the production of radionuclides Fe-52, Se-73, Sr-83, etc. using intermediate energy (p, xn) or (d, xn) reactions needs special consideration, the nuclear data and chemical processing methods being of key importance. In a few special cases, a high intensity He-3- or a-particle beam could be an added advantage. The production of some potentially interesting positron emitters via generator systems, for example Ti-44/Sc-44, Se-72/As-72 and Nd-140/Pr-140 is considered. The significance of new generation high power accelerators is briefly discussed.

Keyword(s): J ; Novel positron emitter (auto) ; Nuclear data (auto) ; Low and intermediate energy reactions (auto) ; Targetry (auto) ; Radiochemical separation (auto) ; Production yield (auto) ; Quality control (auto) ; Radionuclide generator (auto) ; New generation high power accelerator (auto)