Routine Production of 89Zr Using an Automated Module.

⁸⁹Zr has emerged as a useful radioisotope for targeted molecular imaging via positron emission tomography (PET) in both animal models and humans. This isotope is particularly attractive for cancer research because its half-life (t_1/2 = 3.27 days) is well-suited for in vivo targeting of macromolecules and nanoparticles to cell surface antigens expressed by cancer cells. Furthermore, ⁸⁹Zr emits a low-energy positron (E_β+,mean = 0.40 MeV), which is favorable for high spatial resolution in PET, with an adequate branching ratio for positron emission (BR = 23%). The demand for ⁸⁹Zr for research purposes is increasing; however, ⁸⁹Zr also emits significant gamma radiation (Γ_{15 keV} = 6.6 R⋅cm² /mCi⋅h), which makes producing large amounts of this isotope by hand unrealistic from a radiation safety standpoint. Fortunately, a straightforward method exists for production of ⁸⁹Zr by bombarding a natural Y target in a biomedical cyclotron and then separation of ⁸⁹Zr from the target material by column chromatography. The chemical separation in this method lends itself to remote processing using an automated module placed inside a hot cell. In this work, we have designed, built and commissioned a module that has performed the chemical separation of ⁸⁹Zr safely and routinely, at activities in excess of 50 mCi, with radionuclidic purity > 99.9% and satisfactory effective specific activity (ESA). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]