Production of Ac-225 from Th-229 for targeted alpha therapy

Area of Science:

• Radiochemistry
• Nuclear Medicine
• Chemical Separation Science

Background:

• Actinium-225 (Ac-225) is a critical radionuclide for targeted alpha therapy (TAT).
• Efficient separation of Ac-225 from its parent isotope Thorium-229 (Th-229) is essential for clinical applications.
• Current purification methods require optimization for yield and purity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a robust method for Ac-225 separation and purification from Th-229.
• To achieve clinical-grade, carrier-free Ac-225 with high overall yield.
• To enable the production of Ac-225/Bismuth-213 (Bi-213) radionuclide generators for cancer therapy research.

Main Methods:

• Combined ion exchange and extraction chromatography in nitric acid media.
• Radiometric analysis including alpha and gamma spectrometry for quality control.
• Mass spectrometry for product characterization and purity assessment.

Main Results:

• Achieved separation and purification of Ac-225 from Th-229.
• Prepared carrier-free, clinical-grade Ac-225 with an overall yield exceeding 95%.
• Validated product quality using multiple analytical techniques.

Conclusions:

• The developed method provides a highly efficient route to clinical-grade Ac-225.
• The purified Ac-225 is suitable for loading onto radionuclide generators for Bi-213 production.
• This advancement supports preclinical and clinical studies in targeted alpha therapy for cancer and infectious diseases.