Cyclotron production of technetium radionuclides using a natural metallic molybdenum thick target and consequent preparation of [Tc]-BRIDA as a radio-labelled kit sample

Technetium is an element that is artificially produced and all its isotopes are radioactive. Several investigations have been performed on the subject of the production of Tc radioisotopes using cyclotrons. Among these radioisotopes, 99mTc with a half-life of 6.02 h and gamma-ray spectrum with an energy peak at 140.5 keV has a vast application in nuclear medicine. More than 85% of administered radiopharmaceuticals are produced from 99mTc [5]. So far, 99mTc used in nuclear medicine has been produced using nuclear reactors with an indirect method (99Mo-99mTc generator) in which 99Mo is a fission product. 99mTc could also be produced directly using proton bombardment via the 100Mo(p,2n)99mTc nuclear reaction [8]. One of the main advantages of the direct production of 99mTc using cyclotrons, is its low environmental hazards and less waste management difficulties relative to fission-product method, but, on the other hand, due to the relatively short half-life of 99mTc (6.02 h), the direct production method could only be used for local applications. Cyclotron production of technetium radionuclides using a natural metallic molybdenum thick target and consequent preparation of [Tc]-BRIDA as a radio-labelled kit sample Hossain Targholizadeh, Gholamreza Raisali, Amir R. Jalilian, Nima Rostampour, Mohammadreza Ensaf, Mohsen K. Dehghan