Review on Production of 89Zr in a Medical Cyclotron for PET Radiopharmaceuticals

Abstract

This article is intended to provide an overview of the production and application of 89 Zr for the professional development of nuclear medicine technologists. It outlines the cyclotron targeting, separation and labeling options, and techniques for the preparation of the radionuclide 89 78.4 h [3.3 d]) used in PET. Unlike the commonly used 18 F-FDG, with a 109.7-min half-life, the longer half-life of 89 Zr makes it possible to use highresolution PET/CT to localize and image tumors with monoclonal antibody radiopharmaceuticals and thus potentially expand the use of PET. Methods: This paper briefly reviews the cyclotron technique of 89 Zr production and outlines the range and preparation techniques available for making 89 Y targets as a starting material. It then discusses how cyclotron-produced 89 Zr can be separated, purified, and labeled to monoclonal antibodies for PET/CT of specific tumors. Results: We argue that knowledge and understanding of this long-lived PET radionuclide should be part of the professional development of nuclear medicine technologists because it will lead to better patient outcomes and potentially increase the pool of collaborators in this field of research.

Activation cross sections of deuteron induced reactions on niobium in the 30–50 MeV energy range

“…The radionuclide 89 Zr (T 1/2 = 78.4 h, β + : 22.4 %) is used in PET. Its relatively long half-life allows to use high-resolution PET/CT to localize and image tumors with monoclonal antibody radiopharmaceuticals and thus potentially expand the use of PET [31]. There are two interesting pathways that have been used for the production of 89 Zr: the 89 Y(p,n) 89 Zr and 89 Y(d,2n) 89 Zr reactions.…”

Routine Production of 89Zr Using an Automated Module

“…The (p,n) reaction uses 89 Y target material, which is 100% naturally abundant and thus relatively inexpensive. For the above reasons, the nat Y(p,n) 89 Zr reaction is the most common reaction route for 89 Zr production [18]. However, contaminants can also be produced in a nat Y foil via the following common low-energy positron reactions: (p,n) 89m Zr, (p,2n) 88 Zr, (p,pn) 88 Y, as shown in the Electronic Supplementary Information (ESI).…”

New Developments in Imaging for Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Early-Stage Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…Alternatively, gallium-68 [ 68 Ga] is a good candidate due to its half-life of only 68 min and its production with a [ 68 Ga]-generator, which provides an opportunity to prepare PET-radiopharmaceuticals on site when needed [ 100 , 105 ]. Moreover, its chemical properties allow labelling to various diagnostic molecules [ 106 ].…”