Production of glass microspheres comprising 90Y and 177Lu for treating of hepatic tumors with SPECT imaging capabilities

Our objective was to determine if glass microspheres impregnated with two radionuclides,90Y as source of therapeutic beta emissions and 177Lu as source of diagnostic gamma emissions can be useful for SPECT imaging during or after application of the 90Y microspheres for treating of hepatic tumors. The glass-based microspheres labeled with 89Y and lutetium (YAS (Lu)) or 89Y and ytterbium (YAS (Yb)) were prepared by the sol–gel process where sol droplets directly were formed to gel microspheres. Results of the neutron activation indicate that such a combination of glass, microspheres allow bio-distribution studies by SPECT imaging with high resolution.

► A radioactive microsphere composed of glass was impregnated with two radionuclide 90Y and 177Lu. 177Lu is as a dopant for diagnostic gamma emissions.
► The glass-based microspheres labeled with 89Y and lutetium (YAS (Lu)) or 89Y and ytterbium (YAS (Yb)) were prepared by the sol–gel process where gel microspheres directly were formed from sol droplets.
► After neutron activation, such a combination of glass, allows SPECT imaging so bio-distribution is possible with better resolution.