Production of Sn-117m in the BR2 high-flux reactor

The BR2 reactor is a 100 MWth high-flux ‘materials testing reactor’, which produces a wide range of radioisotopes for various applications in nuclear medicine and industry. Tin-117m (117mSn), a promising radionuclide for therapeutic applications, and its production have been validated in the BR2 reactor. In contrast to therapeutic beta emitters, 117mSn decays via isomeric transition with the emission of monoenergetic conversion electrons which are effective for metastatic bone pain palliation and radiosynovectomy with lesser damage to the bone marrow and the healthy tissues. Furthermore, the emitted gamma photons are ideal for imaging and dosimetry.