A Facile Strategy for Preparation of Yttrium-90 Therapeutic Sources for Radionuclide Therapy

Mold brachytherapy using high-energy β^--emitting radioisotopes is a promising treatment modality for skin cancers and keloids. Simple methodologies for consistent and stable incorporation of radionuclides into the matrix are desired for preparation of therapeutic sources. The authors report a facile strategy for the stable incorporation of Yttrium-90 (⁹⁰Y) into amidoxime-functionalized polyacrylonitrile-polyvinylidene fluoride (PAN-PVDF) membranes. The strategy consisted of surface modification of PAN-PVDF membranes by reaction with hydroxylamine, characterization of the functionalized membranes, and optimization of experimental variables for maximum loading of ⁹⁰Y onto the membranes. Quality control tests essential for confirming the suitability of the ⁹⁰Y therapeutic sources for human application, such as uniformity of activity distribution, absence of leaching of activity, and estimation of surface contamination, were performed. Theoretical calculations to estimate the dose imparted by the ⁹⁰Y therapeutic sources at varying depths of tissue were also carried out to predict the possible therapeutic outcome of treatment. A facile method for large-scale preparation of ⁹⁰Y-based mold brachytherapy sources could be established. The source fabrication methodology standardized in this work could be tailored for fabrication of custom-made ⁹⁰Y sources for individualized treatment of superficial tumors, Bowen's disease, and keloids.