Modelling of the &lt;sup&gt;177m&lt;/sup&gt;Lu/&lt;sup&gt;177&lt;/sup&gt;Lu radionuclide generator

Bhardwaj, R.; Wolterbeek, H.T.; Denkova, A.G.; Serra Crespo, P.

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2020.109261

Modelling of the ^177mLu/¹⁷⁷Lu radionuclide generator

Title

Modelling of the ^177mLu/¹⁷⁷Lu radionuclide generator

Author

Bhardwaj, R. (TU Delft RST/Applied Radiation & Isotopes; TU Delft ChemE/Catalysis Engineering)
Wolterbeek, H.T. (TU Delft RST/Applied Radiation & Isotopes)
Denkova, A.G. (TU Delft RST/Applied Radiation & Isotopes)
Serra Crespo, P. (TU Delft RST/Applied Radiation & Isotopes)

Date

2020

Abstract

In order to determine the potential of ^177mLu/¹⁷⁷Lu radionuclide generator in ¹⁷⁷Lu production it is important to establish the technical needs that can lead to a clinically acceptable ¹⁷⁷Lu product quality. In this work, a model that includes all the processes and the parameters affecting the performance of the ^177mLu/¹⁷⁷Lu radionuclide generator has been developed. The model has been based on the use of a ligand to complex ^177mLu ions, followed by the separation of the freed ¹⁷⁷Lu ions. The dissociation kinetics of the Lu-ligand complex has been found to be the most crucial aspect governing the specific activity and ^177mLu content of the produced ¹⁷⁷Lu. The dissociation rate constants lower than 1*10^-11 s^-1 would be required to lead to onsite ¹⁷⁷Lu production with specific activity close to theoretical maximum of 4.1 TBq ¹⁷⁷Lu/mg Lu and with ^177mLu content of less than 0.01%. Lastly, the calculations suggest that more than one patient dose per week can be supplied for a period of up to 7 months on starting with the ^177mLu produced using 3 g Lu₂O₃ target with 60% ¹⁷⁶Lu enrichment. The requirements of the starting ^177mLu activity production needs to be adapted depending on the required patient doses, and the technical specifications of the involved ^177mLu-¹⁷⁷Lu separation process.