Technetium 99m (T99m) is used in more than 80% of all procedures conducted in the field of nuclear medicine. Using T99 radioisotopes, scientists and researchers can easily label molecules, facilitating the diagnosis of cardiac, bone, renal and brain pathologies, among others.
Molybdenum 99, the parent radionuclide of Technetium 99, can be produced through a number of methods, although approximately 95% is currently produced through the fission of Uranium 235 neutrons in research reactors. Among the alternative methods is the neutron-gamma (n, γ) activation process, which delivers a low specific activity product, which is not suitable for the preparation of alumina-based generators, but facilitates the separation of Technetium 99m by solvent extraction or through the preparation of a gel generator. This method is simple and, most importantly, does not introduce any major waste-disposal issues.
Experts from Chile, Mexico, Peru and the IAEA discussed the current status of (n, γ) Molybdenum 99 production in Latin America during a meeting at the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Nucleares (ININ) in Mexico City, on October 2015. The meeting's participants exhaustively explored a number of questions, including how to further develop regional capacities, how to strengthen local infrastructure, and how to support plans to increase the availability of Technetium 99m and other medical radioisotopes with the assistance of the technical cooperation programme (TCP).
In her opening remarks ahead of the meeting, Ms Lydia Paredes, Director General of ININ, emphasized the positive collaboration framework among the three Member States to improve the utilization of their research reactors and the impact of having alternatives methods to produce Molybdenum 99. "The willingness of knowledge sharing, common objectives and the support of the TCP are our essential strengths," Ms Paredes said.
A new regional project RLA6076, "Enhancing Production Capacities of (n, γ) Molybdenum 99 and Other Selected Medical Radioisotopes in Research Reactors and Processing Facilities," will be launched in January 2016 and will continue for three years with the aim of supporting the production of selected medical radioisotopes in Chile, Mexico and Peru.
