An electrochemical approach for removal of radionuclidic contaminants of Eu from 153Sm for effective use in metastatic bone pain palliation

Thermal neutron activation of 152Sm [152Sm(n, γ)153Sm] using natural or isotopically enriched (by 152Sm) samarium target is the established route for production of 153Sm used for preparation of 153Sm-EDTMP for pain palliation in cancer patients with disseminated bone metastases. However, some long-lived radionuclidic contaminants of Eu, such a s, 154Eu (t½ = 8.6 y) are also produced during the target activation process. This leads to detectable amount of Eu radionuclidic contaminants in patients' skeleton even years after administration with therapeutic doses of 153Sm-EDTMP.
Source: Nuclear Medicine and Biology - Category: Nuclear Medicine Authors: Source Type: research