Development of a production technology for the isotope copper-64, which is used to create diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals for applications such as prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors, will begin in the first half of 2026. The isotope will be developed by specialists from the Nuclear Medicine Center in Ulan-Ude.
Currently in Russia, radiopharmaceuticals based on fluorine-18 and gallium-68 isotopes are used to treat a number of cancers. However, their use is limited by several factors. For example, they require a cyclotron production facility, which is not available in all regions, or production technologies using gallium generators.
Furthermore, the short half-lives of these isotopes make it difficult to deliver the drugs in a timely manner to clinics located far from the production site. The half-life of the copper-64 isotope, however, is much longer. This will potentially allow it to be transported to all Russian regions.
The longer half-life will also give physicians greater flexibility in using radiopharmaceuticals. They will be able to perform both early and delayed diagnostics – either several hours after administration or the following day.
Additionally, using copper-64 for diagnostics will make it possible to increase the volume of subsequent targeted radionuclide therapy for prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.
