Production of Lutetium-177: Process Aspects

Abstract

Papers dealing with the 177Lu production technology are analyzed with the aim of evaluating the readiness of the existing processes to setting up regular large-scale production, which is the necessary condition for the progress of the market of 177Lu-based radiopharmaceuticals. This is now on the initial step of its development. The 177Lu production processes are based on irradiation of isotopically enriched 176Lu or 176Yb with reactor neutrons, followed by radiochemical processing of the irradiated targets. Specific production features are analyzed with emphasis on process aspects of the reactor and radiochemical stages. The evaluation shows that the presently reached level of the 177Lu production technology allows only the current demand of nuclear medicine for this radionuclide, corresponding to the initial step of its clinical use, to be met. Further growth of the market of 177Lu radiopharmaceuticals requires the upgrading of existing or construction of new facilities, which is possible only with significant improvement of both reactor and radiochemical processes.