Medical Isotope Testing

Five organizations gathered to announce the signing of collaboration and partnership agreements for testing production of a breakthrough medical isotope at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) in 2006. The Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) is a unique facility that offers expanded isotope production capabilities in the U.S. and tests fuels and materials for future reactor design efforts such as Generation IV reactor development.

"The ATR is one of the world’s most versatile and best-designed test reactors, which has a long successful history of operation that continues today with attention to safety, maintenance and important upgrades," said INL Laboratory Director John Grossenbacher. "Producing medical isotopes is a key mission for ATR and it is a major contribution by one of Idaho’s most valuable assets."

The development program would enhance IsoRay Medical company’s production capabilities of its proprietary brachytherapy seeds containing the medical isotope, cesium-131. The company received Food & Drug Administration approval to market its cesium-131 seed for the treatment of prostate cancer and other malignant tumors in 2003. IsoRay Medical is the world’s only manufacturer and distributor of brachytherapy seeds containing the cesium-131 isotope. IsoRay’s test will be conducted in the ATR during 2006. The overall program will involve design, analysis and fabrication of a capsule that will contain barium carbonate, which will be irradiated during the test and then shipped to IsoRay for final analysis.

The cesium-131 isotope is currently being used in brachytherapy treatment for prostate cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the U.S. Protocols are currently scheduled to begin during the first quarter of 2006 for both the lung and the pancreas. Other forms of delivery devices for the isotope are also being considered, which may create a higher demand for the isotope.

INL Advanced Test Reactor used in testing medical isotopes

ATR has conducted valuable medical research and produced important industrial isotopes. These efforts have provided isotopes like Cobalt-60 for treatment of inoperable vascular deformities and brain tumors, and Iridium-192 for radiography research, along with other materials.