Abstract
241115
Introduction: The emergence of theranostics suggested a new direction of development in the field of nuclear medicine to provide specific and personalized treatment for patients. Theranostics is a new field of medical technology which requires further research for clinical application. In Korea, radiopharmaceuticals using medical radioisotopes, combined with nuclear medicine technology, are effective in the diagnosis and treatment of intractable diseases (cancer, brain diseases, etc.), and the production and research bases are rapidly growing. In this presentation, we'll briefly discuss the present and future production of theranostic radioisotopes in South Korea.
Methods: Domestic production of radioisotopes for medical use comes from HANARO (Highly Advanced Neutron Application Reactor), a multi-purpose reactor with 30MW. It is a great source of medical RI in Korea by producing 99mTc, 131I, 153Sm, 166Ho, and 90Y. Many medical isotopes have been available by the distribution of Cyclotrons through National policy implementation. Since the construction of a non-powered research reactor with 15 MW (thermal neutron flux: 3x1014 n/cm2 · s) of planned isotope production, research facilities, and neutron research facilities, which will be completed within a few years, is under construction in Busan's Gijang-gun. It will play an important role in the domestic production and distribution of isotopes as well as creating a research environment.
Results: To develop effective therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, the selection of the appropriate radioisotope is essential as well as suitable pharmacological aspects that can be integrated into the target region of the body to release desired therapeutic dose. Currently, 131I, 64Cu, 67Cu, 186Re, 177Lu, 90Y, etc. are used, and the development for the production of carrier-free RI; 177Lu, 147Pm, 47Sc, 67Cu, and generator technology for 188W/188Re and 90Sr/90Y are in process. In addition to radiopharmaceuticals widely used in domestic and overseas clinical fields, theranosis technology is being applied to various diseases using 131I, 223Ra, 90Y, 177Lu, etc (Table 1).
Table 1. Established theranostic agents in current clinical use
Conclusions: The key to achieving the success of theranostics technology is developing nuclear medicine technology and radiopharmaceuticals through enhancing the production of isotopes and developing new isotopes to supply the medical market by collaborating with large research facilities that are capable of producing isotopes. Furthermore, government-level supply and demand systems for radiopharmaceuticals and support for researcher's development of production technology are essential. Clinical application technology that enables diagnosis and treatment at the same time is a breakthrough technology that can increase the cancer cure rate and reduce patient inconvenience without a time difference between diagnosis and treatment, leading the future knowledge-based industry as a core business of high value-added advanced medical industry that can be a future strategic field for improving the public health. However, to achieve such development, preparing a new governmental supply and demand system for radioisotopes and radiopharmaceuticals and supporting researcher's development of production technology is necessary.
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