Production of Intermediate-Lived Radionuclides for Biomedical Applications Using Small Cyclotrons

24 Production of Intermediate-Lived Radionuclides for Biomedical Applications Using Small Cyclotrons--Newton Scientific, Inc., 245 Bent Street, Cambridge, MA 02141-2001; (617) 354-9469 Dr. Barbara J. Hughey, Principal Investigator Dr. Ruth E. Shefer, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-97ER82442 Amount: $74,999 A recent Institute of Medicine report recommended that the Department of Energy establish a National Biomedical Tracer Facility (NBTF) to provide a dedicated, reliable source for research radionuclides. It has since become apparent that an NBTF will not be built within the next decade. Consequently, other sources must be developed to fulfill the growing needs of researchers interested in the application of medium half-life research radionuclides. The overall objective of this project is to develop cyclotron target systems for the high-yield production of several potentially useful radionuclides using existing small biomedical cyclotrons installed in hospitals and research centers nationwide. The radionuclides that will be studied in Phase I - gallium-66, bromine-76, bromine-77, yttrium-86, technetium-94, and iodine-124 - have important applications in radiopharmaceutical development, quantitative imaging, and radiotherapy. All can be produced in solid targets using 11-18 million electron volt proton beams from small biomedical cyclotrons. The goal of the Phase I program is to determine the feasibility of on-site production of these radionuclides in large quantities and with high radioisotopic purity and specific activity. Techniques for radionuclide separation and purification and recovery of the isotopically enriched target materials will also be investigated. In Phase II, targets and automated processing systems will be developed for those radionuclides that show promise for routine, high-yield production. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: If successful this research will provide techniques to make available a series of important radionuclides to biomedical researchers throughout the United States. The development of high-yield targets and processing systems will allow these isotopes to be produced at major medical centers having on-site cyclotron facilities. Additionally, the relatively long half-lives of these isotopes make them suitable for distribution through regional centers that would serve as a "virtual NBTF." _