The Questionnaire Survey of Japanese Practice and Environment for Targeted Radionuclide Therapy in 2021

Abstract

Recently, the targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) was urgently required to adapt the practice and environment because of the implementation of novel therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals such as alpha- and beta- radionuclides therapy. The present study aimed to clarify the questionnaire survey with the current situation (safety controls for workers and patients) at Japanese TRT facilities. The massive questionnaire survey, 2 months from October to November 2021, was conducted among nationwide 251 facilities that have performed TRT in the past two years. The alpha- and beta- therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals were categorized and answered by one representative of the facility under anonymity. We analyzed the actual situation of each facility related to occupational exposure, radiation protection, contamination inspection, patient release criteria, and dosimetry for TRT. The survey response rate was 69.1% (174 facilities). About 75% of these facilities reported that they either follow the guidelines or take their own measures to reduce occupational exposure. The confirmed means of patient release criteria were 68.0% with the administered radioactivity and 87.2% with the ambient dose rate. The cold run was not performed for the first time at 15.0% and 10.0% of the facilities for β- and α-emitting radionuclides, respectively. The facilities without attachment syringe shields were 39.2% for alpha-radionuclides therapy and 20.3% for beta-radionuclides therapy. We clarified the Japanese problem for TRT practice and environment by the questionnaire survey. Our findings indicated that the Japanese guidelines and manuals for TRT were not partly followed in the nationwide facilities.