Isotope Now Routinely Available, Test Batch Recipients Requested!
PETA Imaging
Isotope Now Routinely Available, Test Batch Recipients Requested!
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Isotope Program is pleased to announce the routine availability of the isotope copper-67 (Cu-67: t1/2 = 2.58 days). A member of the group of isotopes known as theranostic (those with decay properties useful for both therapy and diagnostic imaging), Cu-67 (Eβ-end-point = 561.7 keV; Eγ = 184.6 keV) can be used as a single theranostic isotope, or combined with the PET imaging isotope Cu-64 as a matched therapeutic/diagnostic pair. The matched pair provides several advantages. Most notably, the pair allows for using the same bifunctional chelating agent and radiochemistry during the labeling process. This simplifies calculating the biological clearance kinetics.
Brookhaven National Laboratory currently has the capability of producing Cu-67 in an on-demand schedule using proton bombardment of a Zn-68 target. Additional production capabilities will come online at the end of October, 2016, at Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne’s Cu-67 production will employ a phototransmutation (γ,n) reaction, and will commence with weekly production for basic science and pre-clinical research. Operating a production schedule out of two National Laboratories, technical staff will be able to provide national distribution of highly pure Cu-67 on a regular basis and addresses a recommendation in the NSAC-I 2015 Long-Range Plan.
Orders for Cu-67 may be placed using the NIDC’s online catalog (https://www.isotopes.gov/catalog/). If you are interested in further information or in receiving test batch material from the phototransmutation route only, please contact Karen Sikes, Associate Director for Production Planning and Market Research, NIDC.
