90Sr content in 90Y-labeled SIR-spheres and Zevalin

Health Phys. 2014 Nov;107(5 Suppl 3):S177-80. doi: 10.1097/HP.0000000000000171.

Abstract

Three different 90Y internally administered radionuclide therapies are currently used in both standard-of-care and clinical trial procedures atMD Anderson Cancer Center. TheraSphere and SIR-Spheres therapies utilize 90Y-labeled microspheres, while Zevalin is an 90Y-labeled radioimmunotherapeutic agent. Several publications have indicated radionuclidic impurities resulting from 90Y production methods. The 90Y in SIR-Spheres and Zevalin are produced from a 90Sr/90Y generator, which leaves measurable quantities of 90Sr in the final product. TheraSphere 90Y is produced in a nuclear reactor which results in a large number of impurities, most notably 88Y and 91Y. Product information sheets reference these impurities with specific limits given. These limits represent a tiny fraction of the total product activity, and in the case of TheraSphere and SIR-Spheres gamma-emitting impurities, this has been verified in the literature. An analysis of 90Sr impurities in SIR-Spheres and Zevalin is presented in this paper. Impurity quantities were found to be within the vendors’ documented limits.

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / chemistry*
  • Gamma Rays / therapeutic use
  • Germanium / chemistry
  • Microspheres
  • Nuclear Reactors
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radioimmunotherapy / instrumentation
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / therapeutic use
  • Radiotherapy / methods*
  • Strontium Radioisotopes / chemistry*
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes / chemistry*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Strontium Radioisotopes
  • Yttrium Radioisotopes
  • Germanium
  • ibritumomab tiuxetan