Creation of Technetium 99m Trial Production Using Proton Beam from C18 Cyclotron
Project Status: 3 Approved without Funding
Duration in months: 30 months
Objective
Technetium-99m (T1/2= 6h; 140 keV) is known to be the most useful radioisotope in diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals. More than 80% of all diagnostic procedures done worldwide in nuclear medicine center are with 99mTc.
Production of high specific activity 99Mo (fission molybdenum) is solely dependent on the five very old (40-50 years) research reactors worldwide which requires unscheduled shut down for maintenance. In the fission produced 99Mo, the target material is highly enriched uranium (HEU) 235U which is a weapons grade substance requiring extensive safeguards.
As a part of the international nuclear non-proliferation movement led by the United States, there is concern about availability of highly enriched 235U in the near future. Currently, there are also proposals for production of 99Mo through 100Mo(n, 2n)99Mo or 99mTc directly through 100Mo(p, 2n)99mTc , in a cyclotron to meet the worldwide shortage of 99mTc [1].
According to the Scientific Centre of Radiation Medicine and Burns Armenian Ministry of Health, the need in Armenia of the isotope Tc-99m is 5,000 doses per year. However, currently this isotope is received from abroad with a frequency of 1 generator 99Mo / 99mTc every 1-1.5 months. This is enough only for 40-50 patients, i.e. about 500 patients a year. Thus there is an urgent need for a non-stop supply of the isotope Tc-99m.
Last decade many scientific centers are working hard to find alternative technologies of Mo/Tc production, in particular using charged particles accelerators [1-7]. In general the focus is on the direct production of 99mTc from proton bombardment of enriched molybdenum and although other accelerator based technologies are feasible. Usable quantities of 99mTc can be produced by the 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc reaction which has a peak in the cross-section at 15-16 MeV, well within the reach of many commercial medical cyclotrons.
Within the framework of ISTC A-1444 project titled “Development of medicine intended isotopes production methods on the basis of electron accelerator facility of Yerevan Physics Institute” (manager – Dr. Albert AVETISYAN, foreign collaborator – Dr. Thomas RUTH, TRIUMF, CANADA) in the Alikhanyan National Laboratory of Armenia (Yerevan Physics Institute - YerPhI), very promising and positive results have been achieved. The production of two types of isotopes namely 99mTc and 123I has been investigated to develop the methods of production on the base of the YerPhI linear electron accelerator facility. The technology aspects of this activity have been developed under the CNCP (Close Nuclear Cities Partnership) project which allows purchasing of specific equipment and covers the licensing costs. A dedicated building has been prepared to host the isotopes production department, renovation, and furnishing is completed. The beam intensity of linear electron accelerator has been increased for a factor more than 2 achieving 10 mkA as a result of a new high emission cathode purchase, and the modification, adjustments, and tuning of the existing electron gun.
The experiments performed in 2012 prove the successful production of pure 99mTc.
The aim of this project is create and develop the technology of 99mTc direct production under C18 proton beam using 100Mo target material. On the base of scientific and engineering experience accumulated at A.Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute YerPhI) during past years and on the base of layout and devices were purchased and sometimes were mounted by ourselves and are present for the moment - it is possible to develop technology of 99mTc direct production under proton beam of C18 cyclotron will be commissioned till end of 2014. Implementation of suggested method of 99mTc direct production could provide non-stop enough activity covering whole demand of Armenian clinics for 99mTc. That technology could be shared to the community of organizations are involved in this activity under IAEA support.
Participating Institutions
LEADING
A.I. Alikhanyan National Science Laboratory (Yerevan Physics Institute) (YerPhi)
COLLABORATOR
Washington University
COLLABORATOR
University of Maryland at College Park/Department of Physics
COLLABORATOR
Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg / Physikalisches Institut
