Separation of Y-86 in One-Step Method for PET

78757S Yttrium-86 is a positron emitter with a 14.7 hour half-life and has proven to be suitable for the assessment of Y-90-pharmaceutical biodistribution with positron emission tomography (PET). Because Y-86 can be produced in a cyclotron by bombardment of a strontium target with ~14 MeV protons, it potentially is readily available. However, its routine production is not optimal because current purification methods are time consuming with several separation steps. This project will determine the suitability of an acidic inorganic ion exchange material of high strontium affinity and low yttrium affinity as the basis of a cartridge for fast and technically simple separation of high purity Y-86 from the acid dissolved irradiated target material in a single step. Ultimately, a compact separation cartridge will be designed that would have sufficient shielding and would be easy to ship and elute for the short-lived Y-86 positron emitter at a location outside the cyclotron facility. Phase I will involve the preparation and evaluation of a crystalline inorganic ion exchange material based on a metal oxide for separating Sr from Y in acidic conditions. Optimum synthesis conditions and composition of the crystalline material will be determined in order to obtain maximum uptake of strontium and minimum sorption of yttrium in the column. The affinity of the exchanger for strontium and yttrium will be determined in simple batch equilibration and column experiments using radioactive strontium and yttrium tracers. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should allow the Y-86 isotope to be shipped to users in small cartridges that are ready to be eluted. This would increase the availability and attractiveness of Y-86 to hospitals and research centers, which do not have access to expensive dedicated cyclotron facilities. The growth of PET is expected to continue with the number of procedures increasing ~35% in 2004. Thus the market for commercial application of new positron emitting isotopes such as Y-86 is significant.