First Domestic Production of 'High-Purity Isotopes' That Kill Cancer Cells

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute, Lutetium-177 and Holmium-166 Test Production
Simultaneous Diagnosis and Treatment, Effective for Tumor Therapy

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute announced on the 21st that it has succeeded in producing the country's first high-purity medical radioisotopes.

The radioisotopes successfully produced by the institute are the theranostic radioisotopes Lutetium-177 and Holmium-166, which enable simultaneous cancer diagnosis and treatment. Lutetium-177 is used to treat the rare disease neuroendocrine cancer, while Holmium-166 is utilized for liver cancer treatment. Until now, the institute has produced Lutetium-177 and Holmium-166 using the carrier production method with the HANARO research reactor. However, the purity was not high.

The institute developed a technology to selectively extract only the necessary radioisotopes. This technology allows securing high-purity isotopes without a carrier (carrier-free).

The institute explained, "Lutetium-177 has a half-life of 6.7 days and an average energy of 150 keV (kilo-electron volts), while Holmium-166 has a half-life of 26.6 hours and an average energy of 666 keV," adding, "Because the emitted energy and half-life differ, the optimal isotope can be selected and used depending on the tumor's condition and type."

In particular, the institute achieved this result by continuing independent research and development while the HANARO research reactor was shut down, receiving neutron irradiation overseas. The institute produced the two isotopes in four rounds and supplied them for research purposes to seven institutions, including Seoul National University Hospital, the Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, and Kyungpook National University Hospital.

The institute expects practical application within three years. It anticipated that once equipment for mass production is installed at isotope production facilities such as the HANARO research reactor or the Gijang research reactor, it will be able to meet domestic demand as well as enter overseas markets.

Professor Jungsoo Yoo of Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, who received Lutetium-177 this time, said, "Through experiments, we confirmed the tumor growth inhibitory effect of antibodies labeled with Lutetium-177," adding, "I hope continuous research will lead to the successful development of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals."

Professor Geonwook Kang of Seoul National University Hospital's Department of Nuclear Medicine said, "This is very good news for patients with rare cancers such as neuroendocrine cancer," and added, "I hope the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute continues to strive for the development of radioisotopes for radiopharmaceutical development."

Director Wonseok Park stated, "We will do our best to ensure that the institute's world-class radioisotope production technology directly contributes to the health improvement of the people."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.