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What are Radiopharmaceuticals?

Brenda Scott
Brenda Scott

Radiopharmaceuticals are drugs that carry a limited degree of radioactivity, and are usually used in nuclear medicine as an alternative to standard radiation for the treatment of certain cancers as well as a diagnostic tool to allow better internal imaging of certain organs and arteries. They are usually able to focus on just one particular part of the body, which can make treatment a lot more effective — not to mention a lot more targeted — than regular radiation, which tends to focus on the entire body. Drugs in this class are generally very specialized, and require a lot of related equipment and expertise to use. Most of the time people only take them under the close guidance of a physician or care provider, and usually have to be monitored throughout the time the drug is in the body. There are some risks and safety concerns but, when used properly, these sorts of pharmaceuticals generally get good results for patients in most situations.

How They Work

PET scans detect the internal movement of radioactive drugs that have been introduced to a body.
PET scans detect the internal movement of radioactive drugs that have been introduced to a body.

This class of drugs is usually somewhat complex from a manufacturing standpoint since it requires not only a live radioactive element but also a targeted delivery mechanism. In most cases they are built around a radioactive isotope that can be injected safely into the body, which is then paired with a carrier molecule to deliver that isotope in response to certain nerve or other signals in the body.

Radioactive forms of iodine are used as radiopharmaceuticals.
Radioactive forms of iodine are used as radiopharmaceuticals.

Once radiopharmaceuticals enter the body and travel to an organ, they begin to interact with the processes of that organ. The radioactivity is picked up by cameras or computers and used to map the process. For example, an ultrasound can show an image of an organ and reveal if a tumor or other abnormality is present. Nuclear medicine can show how the process of glucose metabolism is functioning in the organ.

Manufacturing Basics

Radiopharmaceuticals have shown to be effective in treating thyroid cancer.
Radiopharmaceuticals have shown to be effective in treating thyroid cancer.

One popular nuclear ingredient is an isotope called technetium (Tc), the lightest radioactive element known, which is used in a variety of nuclear tests. Thallium-201 is used for cardiac stress tests. Other common nuclear components used include indium-111, gallium-67, iodine-123, iodine-131 and venom-133. These sorts of medications usually have to be made in specialized labs, but the radioactive portions that actually appear in individual doses are relatively small. Some degree of care and special handling is usually needed during transportation or shipping, but in most cases they aren’t considered a hazard.

As a Diagnostic Tool

Radiopharmaceuticals can be used with ultrasound technology to create images.
Radiopharmaceuticals can be used with ultrasound technology to create images.

The majority of nuclear medicine involves diagnostic testing. When radiopharmaceuticals are injected into the body, they emit radiation that can be traced with special cameras or computers. The amount of radiation a patient is subjected to is about the same as a normal X-ray, but the information gathered is significantly different. Non-nuclear diagnostic methods, such as X-rays and ultrasounds, show the size and shape of a bone, organ or tumor. Nuclear medicine allows a medical professional to see how an organ is functioning.

The PET scan uses cameras and computers to construct three-dimensional images of the area of the body being examined.
The PET scan uses cameras and computers to construct three-dimensional images of the area of the body being examined.

The drugs can target almost every organ of the body, and are common in brain scans, bone scans, cardiac stress tests and thyroid studies. Prior to the test, the radiopharmaceutical is administered to the patient orally, intravenously, or by inhalation. The radioactive material is short-lived, and either converts to a non-radioactive substance, or passes quickly through the body.

In Cancer Treatments

These sorts of drugs are also often used for certain cancer treatments, particularly when the disease is detected in its very early stages. In part this is because the radiation in these drugs does not harm cells growing at a normal rate, but it can destroy fast growing cells. When they are injected into tumors or growths they can kill the harmful cells without disturbing the surroundings, for instance, and a compound known as radioactive iodine (I-131) has traditionally been very effective in the treatment of thyroid cancer since it can destroy thyroid growths without damaging anything else in the body. This is a stark contrast to standard radiation treatment, which typically impacts all healthy cells.

In some cases the drugs can also be used to relieve the pain associated with chronic conditions like cancer, often by responding to internal nerve signals. A drug called Quadramet® is given intravenously to relieve pain caused by bone cancer, for instance.

Required Equipment

One of the biggest benefits of radioactive drugs is how they show diagnosticians and health care providers exactly what is going on inside a patient’s body in a very targeted, limited way. Two of the most commonly used pieces of nuclear imaging equipment in this endeavor are the positron emission tomography (PET) scans and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) scans. The PET scan uses cameras and computers to construct three-dimensional images of the area being examined, while the SPECT scan creates cross-sectional images of an area. The PET scan typically emits gamma rays, while the SPET emits photons which convert to gamma rays. In either case, patients are usually hooked up to a machine and closely monitored throughout the course of their treatment.

Risks and Concerns

Drugs in this class tend to have more severe side effects and adverse reactions than do most regular pharmaceuticals, but a lot of this goes hand in hand with the nature of what the medication is trying to do. Skin sensitivity, low red blood cell counts, and general fatigue are some of the most common reactions, though more serious things like allergies have been reported, particularly when delivered intravenously. Swelling at the injection site and nausea are common, too. In most cases pregnant women are discouraged from undergoing this sort of treatment to avoid risks to their unborn children.

Discussion Comments

anon336581

This is a very interesting topic since we are now moving to the 21st century and many kinds of diseases are also evolving and this a welcome news to treatments of more dangerous kinds of diseases. My concern is how are these substances manufactured and what government agency is regulating these drugs, or are they considered as drugs?

anon293565

This field is not in the beginning phase. It's been around since Madame Curie discovered isotopes. There are many reactors world wide making them, and they are used often. I've been in the field for 60 years.

SteamLouis

@turkay1-- I read about this. Radiopharmaceuticals are made in radioactive reactors. They cannot be dealt with any other setting anyway.

I think for the most part, there are not many concerns with their production in these facilities as long as the producer follows the safety regulations and checks the quality of the radioactive product after.

This field can still be considered in the beginning stages, so there may be additional regulations applied to it as more and more facilities start producing them. I don't think that there are many reactors that deal with radiopharmaceuticals right now.

candyquilt

This is a really interesting article. I think the one barrier to using these medicines would be to pregnant or nursing women. I know the dose of radioactive material is small, but it could still affect the development of the baby negatively or pass on to the infant through the mom's milk.

My other concern is about where radiopharmaceuticals are made? Is it in labs or nuclear facilities?

fify

I know that the big disadvantage of chemotherapy as a cancer treatment is that it does a lot of harm to normal cells as well. I'm so happy to hear that there is now an alternative radiation treatment that doesn't do that.

I'm assuming though, that radiopharmaceuticals are more expensive than chemotherapy and radiotherapy, correct?

Do you think that will be a problem with insurance companies covering radiopharmaceuticals?

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    • PET scans detect the internal movement of radioactive drugs that have been introduced to a body.
      By: bunyos
      PET scans detect the internal movement of radioactive drugs that have been introduced to a body.
    • Radioactive forms of iodine are used as radiopharmaceuticals.
      By: ksena32
      Radioactive forms of iodine are used as radiopharmaceuticals.
    • Radiopharmaceuticals have shown to be effective in treating thyroid cancer.
      By: rob3000
      Radiopharmaceuticals have shown to be effective in treating thyroid cancer.
    • Radiopharmaceuticals can be used with ultrasound technology to create images.
      By: poco_bw
      Radiopharmaceuticals can be used with ultrasound technology to create images.
    • The PET scan uses cameras and computers to construct three-dimensional images of the area of the body being examined.
      By: grieze
      The PET scan uses cameras and computers to construct three-dimensional images of the area of the body being examined.