ANALYSIS OF THE PRODUCTION OF RARE-EARTH ISOTOPES AT THE WWR-K RESEARCH REACTOR: PROMISING THERAPEUTIC RADIONUCLIDES

Rare Earth Elements (REE) are a group of seventeen chemical elements in the periodic table, including lanthanides and scandium and yttrium. These elements have unique physical and chemical properties that make them valuable in various industries, including electronics, magnets, and catalysts. However, radioactive isotopes of rare earth elements also possess effective nuclear physical properties that make them promising for the development of new radiopharmaceuticals for therapeutic purposes. These radioactive isotopes have unstable atoms with excess nuclear energy, and they undergo radioactive decay, which can be utilized for medical applications.

The nuclear physical properties of radioactive isotopes of rare earth elements make them suitable for therapeutic purposes in medicine. For example, technetium-99m, a radioactive isotope of technetium, is widely used in diagnostic nuclear medicine due to its outstanding physical-chemical characteristics. Other radioactive isotopes of rare earth elements, such as holmium-166, have been established for a broad spectrum of medical applications. These isotopes can be used in targeted radiation therapy to treat various diseases, including cancer. The unique properties of these radioactive isotopes allow for precise targeting and delivery of radiation to specific tissues or cells, minimizing damage to healthy tissues.

The potential of radioactive isotopes of rare earth elements for therapeutic purposes extends beyond the current applications. Ongoing research and innovations in the field of radiopharmaceuticals continue to explore the use of underutilized lanthanoid radionuclides for theranostic purposes. For example, astatine, a rare and highly radioactive element, exhibits multiple isotopes that can be potentially utilized in targeted therapy. The development of new radiopharmaceuticals using radioactive isotopes of rare earth elements holds promise for advancing medical treatments and improving patient outcomes. With further research and advancements, these isotopes may play a crucial role in the future of therapeutic medicine.

This research work makes it possible to evaluate the possibility of obtaining REE such radioisotopes as: ⁹⁰Y, ¹⁴¹Ce, ¹⁴⁷Nd, ¹⁵³Sm, ¹⁶⁵Dy, ¹⁶⁶Ho, ¹⁶⁹Tm, ¹⁷⁵Yb, ¹⁷⁷Yb, ¹⁷⁷Lu by reaction (n, γ) at the WWR-K reactor.

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