Characterization of 188W / 188Re generator and quality control of its eluate

Abstract

Rhenium-188 is known as a suitable candidate for the development of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals. Recently, an alumina-based 188W / 188Re generator has been produced in the country. Owing to that, the main features of a generator will play an important role in the possibility or impossibility of using it in the process of radiopharmaceutical development. In the present study, the generator's main characteristics, including the selection of the appropriate washing solution, the washing curve, and efficiency, were determined. Also, the radionuclide purity, chemical purity, and radiochemical purity of the generator washing product were evaluated. The washing curve of the generator showed that the highest concentration of rhenium-188 activity is present in fractions 2, 3, and 4, which can be used for particular labeling purposes. The yield of the generator and the percentage of tungsten-188 remaining in the solution washed from the generator are 69% and 1.76 × 10-4%, respectively, which is within the acceptable range of European Pharmacopoeia. The result of chemical purity indicates the presence of aluminum ions of less than five ppm in the washing product of the generator. Also, the radiochemical purity of the washing product of the generator was higher than 99% using the ITLC method. In general, the obtained results from the quality control of the 188W / 188Re generator produced in the country are satisfactory. It is hoped that these generators will play a useful role in producing therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals in the country.

Keywords

• 88w /188re generator
• elution yield
• elution profile
• quality control