SPECT imaging of mice with Tc-radiopharmaceuticals obtained from Mo produced by Mo(n,2n)Mo and fission of U

Hashimoto, Kazuyuki; Nagai, Yasuki; Kawabata, Masako; Sato, Nozomi*; Hatsukawa, Yuichi; Saeki, Hideya; Motoishi, Shoji*; Ota, Masayuki; Konno, Chikara  ; Ochiai, Kentaro; Kawauchi, Yukimasa; Ota, Akio; Shiina, Takayuki; Takeuchi, Nobuhiro; Ashino, Hiroki; Nakahara, Yuto*

The distribution of Tc-radiopharmaceutical in mouse was obtained with SPECT for the first time using Tc, which was separated by thermochromatography from Mo produced via the Mo(n,2n)Mo reaction with accelerator neutrons. The SPECT image was comparable with that obtained from a fission product Mo. Radionuclidic purity and radiochemical purity of the separated Tc and its aluminum concentration met the United States Pharmacopeia regulatory requirements for Tc from the fission product Mo. These results provide important evidence that Tc radiopharmaceutical formulated using the Mo can be a promising substitute for the fission product Mo. A current and forthcoming problem to ensure a reliable and constant supply of Mo in Japan can be partially mitigated.