Technetium

This unique handbook provides a comprehensive survey of the present status of Technetium chemistry and its radiopharmaceutical applications. All Technetium aspects such as · natural and artificial occurence in the environment, · isotopes and isomers, · analytical chemistry and electrochemistry, · thermodynamic data, stability and reactivity, · intermetallic and binary compounds, and predominantly · complex chemistry, and · radiopharmacy are presented in an clear and precise manner. This outstanding presentation allows both experts and non-experts a quick access to the subject. Therefore this handbook is an indispensable reference for researchers at universities and research centers, in the nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical industries as well as consultants in government and environmental agencies.

This book is the product of a congressionally mandated study to examine the feasibility of eliminating the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU2) in reactor fuel, reactor targets, and medical isotope production facilities. The book focuses primarily on the use of HEU for the production of the medical isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), whose decay product, technetium-99m3 (Tc-99m), is used in the majority of medical diagnostic imaging procedures in the United States, and secondarily on the use of HEU for research and test reactor fuel. The supply of Mo-99 in the U.S. is likely to be unreliable until newer production sources come online. The reliability of the current supply system is an important medical isotope concern; this book concludes that achieving a cost difference of less than 10 percent in facilities that will need to convert from HEU- to LEU-based Mo-99 production is much less important than is reliability of supply.

Since the discovery of technetium (in 1937, by Perrier and Segre), technetium-99 and technetium-99m have become most familiar in the specialised literature, the behaviour of the former being of concern regarding its health impact, the latter having been used intensively in medical tests for many years. The knowledge of the characteristics and behaviour of this element in nature is currently increasing exponentially. It has become clear, however, that there is still a serious shortage of information needed to assess properly its burden and impact on man and his environment. Technetium may indeed be released from nuclear installations or as a waste product from medical applications. It is generally considered to be highly mobile as the anion TcOi, but it is also suspected to be readily reduced in soils and metabolised in living beings into lower oxidation states. The seminar was planned to analyse thoroughly the experimental results obtained up to now and to make recommendations of specific issues requiring further research. This book presents the papers of the different sessions in the order of presentation, and the conclusions drawn by three discussion groups which dealt separately with: problems of sources and distribution of man-made technetium and its radiological consequences; the chemical behaviour of technetium in different ecosystems; biochemical reactions and binding with macromolecules in various life systems. vi Preface The editors, together with the Programme Committee of the Seminar, wish to express their gratitude to the chairmen of the different sessions for their summary of the group discussions.

Radioactive drug development is a multi-disciplinary task. Therefore, dedicated scientists and experts from different fields of specialisation have contributed to this book. The text reviews forty years of advances in radiopharmaceutical development based on Technetium. The first section reviews basic principles and analytic methods, and information on chemical makeup of radiopharmaceuticals. Part 2 reviews 99mTc-radiopharmaceuticals used in nuclear medicine, thoroughly outlining their chemistry, formulation, pharmacokinetics and clinical applications.

Since the discovery of technetium (in 1937, by Perrier and Segre), technetium-99 and technetium-99m have become most familiar in the specialised literature, the behaviour of the former being of concern regarding its health impact, the latter having been used intensively in medical tests for many years. The knowledge of the characteristics and behaviour of this element in nature is currently increasing exponentially. It has become clear, however, that there is still a serious shortage of information needed to assess properly its burden and impact on man and his environment. Technetium may indeed be released from nuclear installations or as a waste product from medical applications. It is generally considered to be highly mobile as the anion TcOi, but it is also suspected to be readily reduced in soils and metabolised in living beings into lower oxidation states. The seminar was planned to analyse thoroughly the experimental results obtained up to now and to make recommendations of specific issues requiring further research. This book presents the papers of the different sessions in the order of presentation, and the conclusions drawn by three discussion groups which dealt separately with: problems of sources and distribution of man-made technetium and its radiological consequences; the chemical behaviour of technetium in different ecosystems; biochemical reactions and binding with macromolecules in various life systems. vi Preface The editors, together with the Programme Committee of the Seminar, wish to express their gratitude to the chairmen of the different sessions for their summary of the group discussions.

The decay product of the medical isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), technetium-99m (Tc-99m), and associated medical isotopes iodine-131 (I-131) and xenon-133 (Xe-133) are used worldwide for medical diagnostic imaging or therapy. The United States consumes about half of the world's supply of Mo-99, but there has been no domestic (i.e., U.S.-based) production of this isotope since the late 1980s. The United States imports Mo-99 for domestic use from Australia, Canada, Europe, and South Africa. Mo-99 and Tc-99m cannot be stockpiled for use because of their short half-lives. Consequently, they must be routinely produced and delivered to medical imaging centers. Almost all Mo-99 for medical use is produced by irradiating highly enriched uranium (HEU) targets in research reactors, several of which are over 50 years old and are approaching the end of their operating lives. Unanticipated and extended shutdowns of some of these old reactors have resulted in severe Mo-99 supply shortages in the United States and other countries. Some of these shortages have disrupted the delivery of medical care. Molybdenum-99 for Medical Imaging examines the production and utilization of Mo-99 and associated medical isotopes, and provides recommendations for medical use.

Participants of the July 17-18, 2017, symposium titled Opportunities and Approaches for Supplying Molybdenum-99 and Associated Medical Isotopes to Global Markets examined current trends in molybdenum-99 production, prospects for new global supplies, and technical, economic, regulatory, and other considerations for supplying molybdenum-99 to global markets. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the symposium.

1635 references to journal articles and reports. Also includes foreign literature. Arranged in numerical sequence. Entries include bibliographical information and keywords. Author index, Permuted index of significant words (in the titles).