Fundamental research on the production of medical radioisotopes (Tb-161, Lu-177) using JRR-3

藤野 隼輔; 千葉 悠介; 橋本 和幸; 河内 幸正*; 佐伯 秀也*; 高島 直貴*; 川端 方子*; 平根 伸彦

Fujino, Shunsuke; Chiba, Yusuke; Hashimoto, Kazuyuki; Kawauchi, Yukimasa*; Saeki, Hideya*; Takashima, Naoki*; Kawabata, Masako*; Hirane, Nobuhiko

Radioisotopes are widely utilized in Japan as diagnostic and therapeutic agents. However, Japan relies on imports for key nuclides such as Molybdenum-99, which are produced in nuclear reactors overseas. This reliance raises concern that international circumstances could disrupt domestic supply and impede drug development. Therefore, JAEA has undertaken radioisotope production trials using the JRR-3 reactor, which resumed operation at the end of February 2021. Among these efforts, particular focuses are made on production trials for Lu-177 and Tb-161.