开局“十五五” 奋斗正当时｜“天选显像剂”来了！钪-44在鲁实现国内首次量产

Core Viewpoint - The successful mass production of Scandium-44 (Sc-44) in China marks a significant advancement in the field of radiopharmaceuticals, providing a higher resolution and more convenient imaging agent for tumor diagnosis and treatment [1][3]. Group 1: Production Process - The research team at the Jinan Institute of Nuclear Technology has achieved the production of Sc-44 with an activity level in the hundred millicurie range and a nuclear purity greater than 99% [1]. - The production process involves using a cyclotron to bombard natural calcium nitrate targets, resulting in the extraction of Sc-44 from calcium-44 [3]. - The team innovated the target preparation process and developed a purification workflow, conducting over 50 full-process experiments and thousands of data simulations over 700 days [5]. Group 2: Comparison with Existing Isotopes - Currently, the most commonly used radioactive isotope in clinical settings is Fluorine-18 (F-18), which has a half-life of only 110 minutes, necessitating immediate production and delivery [9]. - Gallium-68 (Ga-68), another commonly used isotope, has a half-life of 68 minutes and is limited to on-site preparation or short-distance transport [9]. - In contrast, Sc-44 has a half-life of approximately 4.04 hours, allowing for more flexible production and distribution, making it a superior imaging agent [11]. Group 3: Advantages of Sc-44 - Sc-44 offers higher imaging quality due to its lower positron energy compared to Ga-68, making it a more effective tool for tumor detection [11]. - As a metal element, Sc-44 can easily be labeled with various types of drugs, including peptides, antibodies, and small molecules, enhancing its versatility in pharmaceutical applications [11]. - The production process for Sc-44 is compatible with most accelerators used in hospitals, and the raw material costs are low, positioning China to compete with international standards in Sc-44 drug development [11].