Preparation of Holmium-166 Labelled Macroaggregates for radionuclide synovectomy

Martin Kropáček; František Melichar; Kateřina Henková; Marie Konopková

Vol 6, No 1 (2003)

Submitted: 2012-01-23

Published online: 2003-01-03

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Preparation of Holmium-166 Labelled Macroaggregates for radionuclide synovectomy

Martin Kropáček, František Melichar, Kateřina Henková, Marie Konopková

Nucl. Med. Rev 2003;6(1):1-4.

Vol 6, No 1 (2003)

Submitted: 2012-01-23

Published online: 2003-01-03

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Radionuclide synovectomy (radiation synovectomy) is an alternative method that cures patients with rheumatoid arthritis diseases without surgery. During treatment, the suspension of the ¹⁶⁶Ho-macroaggregates radioactive particles (¹⁶⁶Ho-MA) is administrated via intra-articular injection into the target joint to destroy the inflamed synovium.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: The isotope of ¹⁶⁶Ho (E_β max = 1.84 MeV, T_½ = 26.8 hr) was prepared by the ¹⁶⁵Ho(n, γ)¹⁶⁶Ho reaction in the LWR-15 nuclear reactor (8–10 MW) using approximate neutron flux 10¹⁴ cm-2s-1.
RESULTS: The particles of Ho-Macroaggregates with suitable dimension 1–20 μm and the mean diameter of 8.5 μm were prepared. High in-vitro stability was obtained after incubation of neutron-irradiated Ho-Macroaggregates in saline solution (0.9% NaCl). The in-vivo stability on rats was verified as well.
CONCLUSIONS: High in-vivo and in-vitro stability as well as supporting gamma radiation of Ho-166 make the Macroaggregates a prospective agent for radionuclide synovectomy. The method of preparation is relatively easy and allows for the production of particles of a suitable dimension with a sufficient amount of radioactivity of Ho-166 for the treatment of the rheumatoid arthritis.