Optimization of Natural Rhenium Irradiation Time to Produce Compositional Radiopharmaceutical

Abstract

<strong><em>Introduction:</em></strong> Previously, ¹⁸⁶Re and ¹⁸⁸Re radioisotopes have been produced through appropriate activities, and each of them has been used for therapeutic applications. The ¹⁸⁶Re and ¹⁸⁸Re have unique properties, which make them proper for the treatment of tumors in different sizes. The long-range ¹⁸⁸Re, is suitable for the annihilation of large tumors. In contrast, the short-range ¹⁸⁶Re is desirable for the destruction of small tumors. The aim of this study was to find the suitable time for rhenium irradiation in order to simultaneously produce radionuclides with both appropriate and identical activities. <strong><em>Material and Methods:</em></strong> To reach ¹⁸⁶Re and ¹⁸⁸Re with appropriate activities to produce compositional radiopharmaceutical, we have investigated natural rhenium irradiation at different times to produce ¹⁸⁶Re and ¹⁸⁸Re simultaneously with appropriate and identical activities to reach compositional radiopharmaceutical. In this regard, the simultaneous production of ¹⁸⁶Re and ¹⁸⁸Re with appropriate activities were investigated analytically through natural rhenium irradiation in a reactor. The irradiation was assessed at different time intervals in order to reach appropriate activities for compositional radiopharmaceuticals. <strong><em>Results:</em></strong> On the basis of the findings, ¹⁸⁶Re and ¹⁸⁸Re could be produced simultaneously with suitable and almost equal activities with irradiating natural rhenium for 4 days and considering 1 day for cooling. Moreover, the obtained results of this study revealed that the generated impurities were negligible. <strong><em>Conclusion: </em></strong>The optimization of natural rhenium irradiation time can help the simultaneous production of ¹⁸⁶Re and ¹⁸⁸Re with appropriate activities for compositional radiopharmaceuticals.