ORNL ramps up production of key radioisotope for cancer-fighting drug

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The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory is now producing actinium-227 (Ac-227) to meet projected demand for a highly effective cancer drug through a 10-year contract between the U.S. DOE Isotope Program and Bayer.

​Radium-223 (Ra-223), the active ingredient in Xofigo (radium Ra-223 dichloride used to treat prostate cancer), is currently derived from global supplies of existing Ac-227. After the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Xofigo in 2013, it was clear an alternative source of Ac-227 was needed. The drug is now approved in 52 countries worldwide​.

The new production process for Ac-227 begins with recovering radium-226 (Ra-226) from legacy medical devices secured by the DOE Isotope Program and diverted from a radioactive waste landfill. After recovery and extensive purification, the Ra-226 feedstock—which is fabricated into small targets—is then irradiated in the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR), a DOE Office of Science User Facility at ORNL.

Read more at: https://www.ornl.gov/news/ornl-ramps-production-key-radioisotope-cancer-fighting-drug

Source: Oak Ridge National Laboratory