Review of the reactor produced therapeutic radionuclides

Research reactors are playing a key role in the production of radioisotopes for various applications in nuclear medicine (diagnostic, therapy, bone pain palliation). The present review focuses on the production of "neutron-rich" therapeutic radionuclides which have various applications in the palliative treatment of painful bone metastases, tumor therapy, treatment of synovial joints arthritis, inhibition of coronary artery restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PCTA). The beta emitters (Lu-177, Re-188, Y-90, Sm-153, Sr-89, Ho-166, I-131, …) are of current interest and routinely produced in research reactors such as the low-energy electron emitters (I-125, Sn-117m, …), but alpha emitters (Ac-225/Bi-213, Ac-227/Ra-223, …) are expected to become important in the future for targeted therapy.