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Discussion on the Domestic Production of Molybdenum-99 (99Mo) Using Japan Materials Testing Reactor (JMTR) is StartedNov. 17, 2008The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (President Toshio Okazaki, herein after referred to as �JAEA�) has established "Sectional Committee for Domestic Production of 99Mo" under the JMTR Steering Committee. The sectional committee starts to discuss the domestic production on molybdenum-99 (99Mo), a parent nuclide of technetium-99m (99mTc), which is widely used for the image diagnosis such as a cancer in many domestic hospitals, under the cooperation with educational-industrial complex. The 99mTc is most commonly used as a radiopharmaceutical in the field of nuclear medicine, and its total volume depends on an import from foreign countries at present. The 99mTc (half-life: about 6hours), generated by 99Mo decay (half-life: about 66 hours), is an indispensable radioisotope in the image diagnosis such as cancer. All 99Mo are transported by airplane every week from foreign countries. However, it is doubtful whether the stable supply to the medical spot will be continued or not because of high aging of overseas five research reactors. The JAEA had discussed the radiopharmaceutical manufacturers for production of 99Mo with neutron activation technique which has an advantage in the treatment after irradiation. Now, the JAEA has established "Sectional Committee for Domestic Production of 99Mo" composed of experts from medical academia, pharmaceutical industry, and other related organizations. Discussions in the sectional committee will be issues relating to the nationalization as well as technological verification of 99Mo production using the JMTR. Moreover, to meet the proposals from the Science Council of Japan in July, "The RIs production using the JMTR is the most important in our country, and should respond appropriately in the refurbishment", discussions in the sectional committee will be focused on the construction of a domestic 99Mo supply-demand system independent of import from overseas to contribute the safety and security of the people. |
