Production of Ac-225 for cancer therapy by photon-induced transmutation of Ra-226

Appl Radiat Isot. 2007 Sep;65(9):1014-22. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2007.03.018. Epub 2007 Apr 12.

Abstract

The increasing application of Ac-225 for cancer therapy indicates the potential need for its increased production and availability. The production of Ac-225 has been achieved using bremsstrahlung photons from an 18 MV medical linear accelerator (linac) to bombard a Ra-226 target. A linac dose of 2800 Gy produced about 64 microCi of Ra-225, which decays to Ac-225. This result, while consistent with the theoretical calculations, is far too low to be of practical use. A more powerful linac is required that runs at a higher current, longer pulse length and higher frequency for practical production. This process could also lead to the reduction of the nuclear waste product Ra-226.

MeSH terms

  • Actinium / chemistry*
  • Brachytherapy
  • Particle Accelerators
  • Photons*
  • Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / chemistry
  • Radium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Actinium
  • Radium