Therapeutic Applications (radiotherapy, radiopharmaceuticals)
Start with the big picture
Radionuclide therapy uses emissions such as beta particles, alpha particles, and Auger electrons to damage targeted tissue. Beta emitters provide short-range cytotoxic radiation, while alpha emitters have very high linear energy transfer and a short tissue range. Half-life selection must account for delivery time and radiation burden. Clinical applications include I-131 uptake by thyroid tissue, peptide receptor radionuclide therapy for receptor-positive neuroendocrine tumors, and Lu-177-PSMA-617 for metastatic prostate cancer. Other approaches include Y-90 microsphere radioembolization for liver tumors, Ra-223 and beta-emitting agents for bone disease, I-131-MIBG for selected chromaffin-tissue tumors, and radionuclide colloids for radiosynovectomy. The full lesson also places these therapies alongside P-32 treatment, brachytherapy, teletherapy, dosimetry, and safety.
What you'll learn
- Distinguish therapeutic radionuclides by emission type and tissue range.
- Explain how half-life informs radionuclide selection.
- Match selected radionuclides with their clinical targets and treatment approaches.
- Describe the targeting principles behind I-131, PRRT, and I-131-MIBG.
- Identify the role of radionuclides in bone palliation and radiosynovectomy.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
