Nucleus (Jul 2016)
Phosphorous-32 and Yttrium-90 as options in the treatment of metastatic bone pain
Abstract
In this paper the prevalence of metastatic bone pain is estimated in our country in no less than 3 750 patients. Moreover, the role of -phosphate, which effectiveness is comparable to other radiopharmaceuticals, and the possible return to its previous general use, as it is cheaper, is examined. The fact that is considered more radiotoxic doesn’t invalidate it as a treatment option, which is also evidenced by the Cuban experience. The Center of Isotopes (Centis) has established a production line of up to 37 GBq (1 Ci) per week of high quality . The fact of its being obtained through a radionuclide generator by electrochemical separation from makes the import of radioactive raw material practically not required for indefinite time. This implies that the radionuclide could be available in a sustainable way. By having the greater β- emission energy, it might be more radiotoxic than . Nevertheless, some evidences show that in the form of orthophosphate is more radiotoxic than 90Y citrate. In Europe, a radiopharmaceutical consisting of a lyophilized kit of EDTMP and Chloride solution was able to relief pain in 191 patients. Centis has registered the chloride solution for labeling. Then the task is to introduce in the market a radiopharmaceutical with this radioactive precursor and the imported lyophilized kit in order to increase the treatment to an important number of patients that, as a result, could be benefitted.
