Radiopharmaceuticals

Question 1

Other terms for radiopharmaceuticals

Answer 1

RADIOTRACER, RADIODIAGNOSTIC AGENT, OR TRACER

Question 2

IT IS A RADIOACTIVE COMPOUND USED TO DIAGNOSE AND/OR TO TREAT HUMAN DISEASE/S.

Answer 2

RADIOPHARMACEUTICAL

Question 3

RADIOACTIVE COMPONENT WHICH PROVIDES A SIGNAL FOR DETECTION OUTSIDE THE BODY

Answer 3

RADIONUCLIDE

Question 4

CHEMICAL MOIETY WHICH DIRECTS THE
RADIONUCLIDE TO THE TARGET ORGAN OR SYSTEM OF INTEREST

Answer 4

PHARMACEUTICAL

Question 5

What are the characteristics of Radiopharmaceuticals?

Answer 5

EASY AVAILBILITY – IT SHOULD BE EASILY REPRODUCED, INEXPENSIVE, AND READILY AVAILABLE IN ANY NUCLEAR MEDICINE FACILITY.

SHORT EFFECTIVE HALF LIFE – IT SHOULD HAVE RELATIVELY SHORT EFFECTIVE HALF LIFE, WHICH SHOULD NOT BE LONGER THAN THE TIME REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE STUDY IN QUESTION.

PARTICLE EMISSION – DIAGNOSTIC RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS: 𝜸-RAY EMITTING RADIONUCLIDES ARE PREFERRED; THERAPEUTIC
RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS: 𝛼 AND 𝛽- PARTICLE EMISSION SHOULD BE USED BECAUSE OF EFFECTIVE RADIATION DAMAGE TO ABNORMAL CELLS.

HIGH TARGET-TO-NONTARGET ACTIVITY RATIO - IT IS DESIRABLE THAT THE RADIOTRACER CAN BE LOCALIZED PREFERENTIALLY IN THE ORGAN UNDER STUDY SINCE THE ACTIVITY FROM THE NONTARGET AREAS CAN OBSCURE THE STRUCTURAL DETAILS OF THE PICTURE OF THE TARGET ORGAN. THEREFORE, THE TARGET-TO-NONTARGET ACTIVITY RATIO MUST BE HIGH ENOUGH.