In recent years, tungsten-188 (W-188) has gained traction in the nuclear medicine community because of the therapeutic and diagnostic value of its daughter isotope, rhenium-188 (Re-188). For example, Re-188’s beta emissions have demonstrated impressive results when penetrating malignant cancer tumors, especially bone metastases, while its gamma emissions are useful for medical imaging. Re-188 is also being used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
Tungsten-188 (t1/2 = 69 days) is produced at the High Flux Isotope Reactor at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) through the neutron bombardment of the enriched stable isotope, tungsten-186. The W-188 product is then recovered through radiochemical processing at ORNL and is offered as sodium tungstate in NaOH solution through the National Isotope Development Center (NIDC). This W-188 is used by customers as a generator for Re-188 medical applications. The DOE Isotope Program has been providing W-188 to the global market since 1999.
For further inquiries about W-188, please contact the NIDC at contact@isotopes.gov or click here to request a quote.
