Production of Ac-225 for cancer therapy by photon-induced transmutation of Ra-226.
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.
Melville
G
G
Centre for Experimental Radiation Oncology, St George Cancer Care Centre, Gray Street, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia. gmel@tpg.com.au
Meriarty
H
H
Metcalfe
P
P
Knittel
T
T
Allen
B J
BJ
D000186:Actinium / Q000737:chemistry*; D001918:Brachytherapy; D010315:Particle Accelerators; D017785:Photons; D011868:Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000737:chemistry; D011883:Radium / Q000737:chemistry*
D011868:Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D000186:Actinium; D011883:Radium