Canada faces a serious risk arising from of a shortage of technetium-99m (Tc-99m). This is the basis of a life-saving diagnostic isotope. The medical isotope is used in cardiac tests and cancer scans and forms part of nuclear medicine. Nuclear medicine uses radiation to provide diagnostic information about the functioning of a person’s specific organs, or to treat them.
Technetium-99m is a metastable nuclear isomer of technetium-99. It is the world’s most commonly used medical radioisotope. It is often used as a radioactive tracer and can be detected in the body by medical equipment (gamma cameras).
The reason for the shortage is because, back in 2007, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ordered the National Research Universal reactor to be shut down so that an upgrade of the safety systems to meet modern standards could be carried out. The upgrade took longer than expected.
To offset this problem, a research consortium led by Dr. Paul Schaffer has developed a process that enables the routine production of sufficient quantities Tc-99m needed to the daily demand for a population the size of British Columbia. This is equivalent to 500 patient scans.
The research was carried out at TRIUMF. TRIUMF is Canada’s national laboratory for particle and nuclear physics, and it operates from a base at the University of British Columbia. The project was backed by the Canadian government. Dr. Bagger, TRIUMF Director, spoke about how the new isotope was produced.
The research group have pioneered a decentralized, non-reactor based production method for Tc-99m. The solution also enables Canada to stop the reactor-based production of Mo-99. This is the parent isotope currently required for generation of Tc-99m.
The production method for Tc-99m uses conventional cyclotrons that are currently in use by hospitals and health centres across Canada.
Dr. Bagger went onto explain how the project was funded and put together: “Investments from the Canadian government, including Natural Resources Canada’s Isotope Technology Acceleration Program, have positioned Canada to develop solutions to the medical isotope crisis. Because of its technical expertise and its existing cyclotron infrastructure, Canada will meet its future Tc-99m needs.”
The steps necessary for putting the technology into use required clinical trials and these are due to take place within the next few months.
Dr. Bagger was pleased that the TRIUMF group’s success was congratulated by the Minister of Natural Resources, Greg Rickford.
