Isotope Products Pioneering Advancements in Isotope Production Integrating Precision Radioisotope Manufacturing with Innovative Radiation Research for Transformative Healthcare Solutions Radiopharmaceuticals and other Radioisotopes Produced at iThemba LABS 123ISolution for injectionsThis iodine-based diagnostic agent is specifically designed for non-invasive investigations of thyroid abnormalities, enabling the assessment of thyroid function or dysfunction through imaging. Learn more > 123I-mIBGThis diagnostic agent is vital for the scintigraphic assessment of neuroendocrine tumors, including neuroblastomas and pheochromocytoma. Additionally, it is used for myocardial scintigraphy and imaging of malignant paragangliomas and carcinoid tumors, offering detailed insights into tumor localization and function. Learn more > 123ICapsulesSimilar to the injectable form, these capsules provide a non-invasive means of diagnosing thyroid abnormalities, offering an alternative delivery method for precise thyroid function evaluations. Learn more > 18F-FDGA widely used radiotracer in Positron Emission Tomography (PET), 18F-FDG enables glucose metabolic studies, which are critical for identifying cancerous tissues, as tumors often exhibit heightened glucose metabolism. Learn more > 82SrIrradiated Rb Metal TargetsUsed to produce the 82Sr/82Rb generator, this radiopharmaceutical is essential for myocardial perfusion studies, aiding in the diagnosis of heart diseases by assessing blood flow in the myocardium. Learn more > 68/Ge68GaGeneratorThis generator provides a source of 68Ga, which is labeled to peptides for diagnosing neuroendocrine tumors, allowing for targeted imaging and early detection of these specific cancers. Learn more > 22NaSolution and Positron SourcesEmployed in positron annihilation studies, 22Na is a vital tool for investigating material structures and properties through advanced imaging techniques. Learn more > 123IAPIUtilized for scintigraphy, this radiopharmaceutical plays a crucial role in diagnosing various malignancies, including malignant lymphomas, melanoma, lung carcinomas, mesothelioma, hepatoma, head and neck tumors, and sarcomas. Beyond oncology, it is valuable for detecting inflammations and infections such as sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, AIDS, and other infectious diseases. National Quotes / Orders+27 21 843 1337 rpg@tlabs.ac.za International Quotes / Orders+27 21 843 1338 isotopes@tlabs.ac.za Radioisotope Production Past & Present For over 30 years, iThemba LABS has played a pivotal role in the production of critical radioisotopes, serving both commercial and research purposes globally. Through innovations such as flat-topping in the Separated Sector Cyclotron (SSC), a new vertical target station, and beam-splitting techniques, the facility has maximized its output within the constraints of fixed beam time. These advancements have positioned iThemba LABS as a leading producer of a wide range of isotopes, integral to medical diagnostics, cancer therapy, and research applications. Gallium-67 is primarily used for tumor imaging and to locate sites of inflammation or infection in the body. Doctors use it to track cancer progression or to diagnose infections that might not be visible using other imaging techniques. 67Ga (Gallium-67)78 hours A positron emitter used in PET scans, Gallium-68 is valuable in imaging neuroendocrine tumors, which are cancers that arise from cells that release hormones into the blood. It helps doctors pinpoint the location and size of these tumors.68Ga (Gallium-68)68 minutes Krypton-81m is a short-lived gas used to provide functional pulmonary (lung) imaging. It is especially useful for diagnosing lung diseases early and assessing asthma and other respiratory conditions.81mKr (Krypton-81m)13 seconds Sodium-22 is used in positron-annihilation studies, which involve research on the behavior of matter and antimatter. It’s important for both medical research and materials science.22Na (Sodium-22)2.2 years This isotope is used in prostate cancer therapy, where it is placed in the form of tiny seeds in or near the prostate gland to provide targeted radiation therapy over a period of time.103Pd (Palladium-103) 17 days Cadmium-109 is primarily used in calibration sources for X-ray and gamma-ray detectors, ensuring that these instruments are accurate and reliable.109Cd (Cadmium-109)463 days Magnesium-28 is a tracer used in bone studies, helping to understand how magnesium is processed in the body and how it contributes to bone health.28Mg (Magnesium-28)21 hours This isotope is used in thyroid studies, as well as in imaging of the heart, brain, and kidneys. It’s especially important in diagnosing thyroid diseases, as iodine naturally accumulates in the thyroid gland, making it easy to image this organ.123I (Iodine-123)13 hours Germanium-68 is used to create generators that produce Gallium-68. It’s also used as a calibration source in various medical devices and instruments, ensuring accuracy in diagnostic imaging.68Ge (Germanium-68)271 days Strontium-82 is used to make Rubidium-82 generators, which are important for cardiac imaging. Rubidium-82 PET scans help doctors see how blood flows to the heart muscle.82Sr (Strontium-82)25 days Indium-111 is used in specialist diagnostic studies, such as imaging the brain, detecting infections, and conducting colon transit studies to understand how well material moves through the colon.111In (Indium-111)2.8 days Copper-67 is a beta emitter used in radiation therapy, helping treat cancers by delivering a therapeutic dose of radiation directly to the tumor.67Cu (Copper-67)2.6 days Cobalt-57 is used as a marker to estimate the size of organs and in in-vitro diagnostic kits to help detect various medical conditions.57Co (Cobalt-57)272 days Barium-128 is used as a generator for Cesium-128, a positron-emitting isotope used in heart and blood-flow imaging, aiding in the diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions.128Ba (Barium-128)2.43 days Zirconium-88 is used in generators for producing Yttrium-88, and it plays a role in biodistribution studies, which track how drugs or other substances move through the body.88Zr (Zirconium-88)83.4 days Fluorine-18 is a key component in FDG (fluoro-deoxy glucose), which is used in PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans. These scans are critical for detecting cancers, monitoring how well treatments are working, and even studying brain disorders.18F (Fluorine-18)109.8 minutes This isotope is used to produce Krypton-81m, which is useful in medical imaging of the lungs. By inhaling Krypton-81m gas, doctors can see how well a patient’s lungs are functioning, making it useful for patients with asthma or other lung conditions.81Rb (Rubidium-81) 4.6 hours Rubidium-82 is used in PET imaging to assess myocardial perfusion, which refers to blood flow to the heart muscle. It helps detect blockages in the coronary arteries that could lead to heart attacks.82Rb (Rubidium-82)1.26 minutes Thallium-201 is used for heart imaging, particularly in diagnosing coronary artery disease. It helps identify areas of the heart muscle that aren’t getting enough blood and can also help detect low-grade lymphomas.201Tl (Thallium-201)73 hours Copper-64 is used to study genetic diseases affecting copper metabolism, such as Wilson’s disease and Menke’s disease. It’s also important in PET imaging for tracking tumors and potentially delivering cancer treatment. 64Cu (Copper-64)13 hours Iron-52 is used to generate Manganese-52, which is a positron emitter used for PET diagnostics. Iron-52 itself is used to study red blood cell formation and brain uptake, aiding in research on blood disorders and neurological conditions.52Fe (Iron-52) 8.3 hours Yttrium-88 is used in calibration sources, ensuring the accuracy of radiation detection equipment used in both medical and research settings.88Y (Yttrium-88)106.7 days These half-lives determine how long each isotope remains active, which is important for their use in medical treatments and diagnostics, as well as in research applications.