Called the Qinshan Nuclear Power Base plant, it has already produced its first batch of Lutetium Lu medical isotopes. The plant opened for business on December 26 and uses online irradiation to produce isotopes like Lutetium At the heart of the facility is a kind of heavy-water reactor known for its high neutron flux. This reactor , it is reported, can be continuously refueled without being shut down and operate stably for long periods.
It offers high efficiency, large output, high specific activity, continuous production, and a stable supply of isotopes for mass production. The inauguration of this new reactor comes after months of development and upgrade of the facility. It can now produce a variety of short-lived medical isotopes, including Strontium Sr and Yttrium Y , on a large scale.
Medical isotopes , especially Lutetium, play a vital role in diagnosing and treating various types of cancer. Lu, for instance, can be paired with targeted drugs to locate and eradicate cancer cells effectively. Lu is particularly important in peptide receptor radionuclide therapy PRRT. Since it releases low-energy beta particles that can penetrate tissue up to 2mm in depth, it can irradiate cancer cells without excessively damaging non-cancerous surrounding tissue.
This allows doctors to monitor the isotope's location within a patient's body, aiding in "mapping" the cancer. Lu can also be stuck to medicinal molecules that are designed to attack cancer cells, such as monoclonal antibodies, peptides, or small molecules.
These targeting agents bind to receptors or antigens overexpressed on specific cancer cells. Its precision makes it a cornerstone of therapies for conditions like prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. It offers the added benefit of minimal side effects compared to conventional treatments, providing new hope for patients by enhancing survival rates and quality of life. In addition to Lu , other isotopes like molybdenum 99Mo and its daughter product, Technetiumm 99mTc , are indispensable in diagnostic medical imaging.
