A heavy-ion production channel of 149Tb via 63Cu bombardment of 89Y.

The radionuclide 149Tb (t1/2 = 4.1 h) is a potential theranostic isotope which can simultaneously be used for targeted-alpha-particle therapy and positron-emission tomography. Feasibility experiments were performed to test a near-symmetric heavy-ion reaction of 63Cu bombardment on monoisotopic 89Y. The indirect reaction was studied to avoid isomer production. Offline gamma spectroscopy was used to quantify thick-target physical yields and experimental results show modest agreement to the fusion-evaporation code PACE4. A near-symmetric fission yield was also observed.

Alpha-PET with terbium-149: evidence and perspectives for radiotheragnostics.

149Tb represents a powerful alternative to currently used α-emitters: the relatively short half-life (T1/2 = 4.1 h), low α-energy (3.97 MeV, Iα = 16.7 %), absence of α-emitting daughters and stable coordination via DOTA are favorable features for potential clinical application. In this letter, we wish to highlight the unique characteristics of 149Tb for PET imaging, based on its positron emission (Eß+mean = 730 keV, Iß+ = 7.1 %) in addition to it's a therapeutic value. To this end, a preclinical study with a tumor-bearing mouse is presented. The perspective of alpha-PET makes 149Tb highly appealing for radiotheragnostic applications in future clinical trials.