KAERI builds auto-production system of 2 isotopes for cancer diagnosis

The Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) said Tuesday that it has developed equipment to automatically mass-produce two isotopes -- zirconium-89 (Zr-89) oxalate and chloride – for diagnosing cancer.

The research team, led by Dr. Park Jeong-hoon of the Advanced Radiation Technology Institution of KAERI, succeeded in producing Zr-89 by developing a control system, nuclide separation program, and graphic user interface needed for the manufacturing equipment after optimizing the radiochemical separation process.

Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) said Tuesday that it has developed equipment to automatically mass-produce two zirconium-89 (Zr-89) radioisotopes for cancer diagnosis.

Zr-89, a medical isotope, has a 3.3-day half-life and can remain effective in the body longer than other isotopes lasting only a few hours, allowing a more accurate diagnosis of diseases. As a result, the zirconium isotopes are used for various medical purposes, including cancer diagnosis, immunotherapy, and verification of nanomaterials' behavior in the body, the demand for which is rapidly increasing worldwide.

Both Zr-89 oxalate and chloride produced through the newly developed device have 99.9 percent purity with the highest quality in the world. The institute can make more than 100 millicuries a day and provide a stable supply to 20 large domestic hospitals and research institutes.

Zr-89 is used in imaging cancer tissues distributed in the body.

Depending on the study’s purpose, Zr-89 oxalate is used to synthesize protein and antibody-drug, and Zro89 chloride is used to synthesize small organic molecules and nanomaterial-based medicines.

KAERI said it is pushing to export Zr-89 to China. The institute added that Argentina, Thailand, Macedonia, and the Republic of South Africa had requested the introduction of the Zr-89 production system through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

"Zr-89 is a radionuclide receiving worldwide spotlight as a next-generation medicine," said Professor Min Jung-joon of the Nuclear Medicine Department at Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, who also chairs the Korean Society of Nuclear Medicine. "The recent achievement has laid a basis for leading the world in nuclear medicine, including antibody and immune reaction and real-time pharmacokinetic imaging."

Lee Nam-ho, director of KAERI's Advanced Radiation Technology Institution Chief, also said, "Since the global market potential of Zr-89 is strong, the localization of the Zr-89 manufacturing equipment is likely to make the isotope the domestic radiation industry’s major export item."