Russian scientists have produced the first batch of the medical terbium-161 isotope. It can be used for the effective treatment of malignant tumors.
The isotope production technology was mastered by scientists from the Institute of Reactor Materials (part of Rosatom's scientific division) in the city of Zarechny, Sverdlovsk Region. Now, based on the radionuclide, the state corporation will launch the production of a wide range of new generation radiopharmaceuticals.
A test batch of products was sent to the A. M. Granov Russian Scientific Center of Radiology and Surgical Technologies in St. Petersburg, specializing in the development of radiopharmaceuticals and radiology.
Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the dose delivered by the terbium-161 isotope is on average 1.5 times higher than that of a similar drug. This will reduce the amount of radiopharmaceutical administered compared to lutetium-based drugs and reduce the radiation burden on the patient, reducing the irradiation of healthy tissues and organs.
Meanwhile, scientists have already begun to look for other applications for the isotope. In the future, it may be possible to create a number of radiopharmaceuticals for the treatment of various types of tumors based on it.
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