title: Production of (177)Lu for Targeted Radionuclide Therapy: Available Options.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This review provides a comprehensive summary of the production of (177)Lu to meet expected future research and clinical demands. Availability of options represents the cornerstone for sustainable growth for the routine production of adequate activity levels of (177)Lu having the required quality for preparation of a variety of (177)Lu-labeled radiopharmaceuticals. The tremendous prospects associated with production of (177)Lu for use in targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) dictate that a holistic consideration should evaluate all governing factors that determine its success.
  
  
  METHODS
  While both "direct" and "indirect" reactor production routes offer the possibility for sustainable (177)Lu availability, there are several issues and challenges that must be considered to realize the full potential of these production strategies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This article presents a mini review on the latest developments, current status, key challenges and possibilities for the near future.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A broad understanding and discussion of the issues associated with (177)Lu production and processing approaches would not only ensure sustained growth and future expansion for the availability and use of (177)Lu-labeled radiopharmaceuticals, but also help future developments.
authors.affiliation: Isotope Production and Applications Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay, Mumbai 400 085 India.
authors.forename: Ashutosh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dash
authors.affiliation: Molecular Group of Companies, Kochi, 780001 Kerala India.
authors.forename: Maroor Raghavan Ambikalmajan
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pillai
authors.affiliation: Medical Isotopes Program, Isotope Development Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), P.O. Box 2008, MS 6229, Bldg, 4501, 1 Bethel Valley Road,, Oak Ridge, TN 37831-6229 USA.
authors.forename: Furn F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Knapp
keywords: Carrier-added (CA) 177Lu; Extraction chromatography (EXC); Neutron irradiation; No carrier-added (NCA) 177Lu; Radiochemical separation; Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT)