medical isotopes frequently asked questions (citizens for medical isotopes)
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2/14/2015 Medical Isotopes: Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a medical isotope?A medical isotope is a very small quantity of radioactive substance used in safe, costeffective imaging and treatment of disease. New technologies enable medicalisotopes to be delivered directly to the site of diseased cells. This is different fromexternal beam radiation treatment where radiation is directed from outside of thebody.
Who uses medical isotopes?The medical specialty that utilizes medical isotopes for diagnosis and treatment iscalled nuclear medicine. The doctors that perform nuclear medicine procedures forcancer are called radiation oncologists.
What can medical isotopes do in diagnosis?Radioisotopes give off energy that can be detected by special equipment. Whensmall quantities are introduced into the body, the imaging equipment tracks theirlocation and movement. This enables the doctors to learn more about the diseasedtissues than a diagnostic procedure that just takes a picture from the outside. Medicalisotope diagnostic procedures often facilitate an earlier and more complete diseasediagnosis and therefore more rapid and effective treatment.
What can medical isotopes do in cancer treatment?The energy given off by radioisotopes is very effective at zapping diseased cells.When they are delivered straight to the cancer cells, healthy tissues are spared whilecancer cells are eliminated. Medical isotopes are delivered to the cancer cells inseveral different ways.
What different types of medical isotope treatments are there?Brachytherapy is a form of cancer treatment where tiny "seeds" containing medicalisotopes are accurately placed within and near a tumor. Brachytherapy is FDAapproved and used for localized prostate cancer, liver cancer, head and neckcancers, gynecological cancers and others.
Radioimmunotherapy is a type of treatment where doctors inject antibodies that haveisotopes attached like little backpacks. The antibodies (called monoclonal antibodies)then flow through the bloodstream and attach themselves to the cancerous cells. Theenergy from the medical isotopes is thus targeted straight to the cancer. This type oftreatment is showing great promise for blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma,and multiple myeloma. Most Radioimmunotherapy treatments are still in clinical trials.
Medical isotopes can also be directed to cancerous cells by a carrier that has anattraction to a certain part of the body. Chemical phosphonates can be paired withmedical isotopes and sent to the bone, since phosphonate is a natural building blockof bone matrix. FDA approved treatments for pain associated with cancer that hasspread to the bone are based on this delivery system. The medical isotope Iodine
2/14/2015 Medical Isotopes: Frequently Asked Questions
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has been used for thyroid treatment for years because the isotope itself is naturallyattracted to the thyroid.
Where are medical isotopes made?Medical isotopes are made in either accelerators or nuclear reactors. Today, theUnited States imports about 90% of the medical isotopes used in hospitals andclinics. Our supply of medical isotopes is at risk to global conditions and the internalconditions of other countries.
Do we have sufficient supplies of medical isotopes to meet growing demands?No. A few key isotopes with the potential to take cancer therapy to a new level ofeffectiveness are simply not available. The researchers who want to explore theirpotential are unable to do so. In addition, the success of treatments currently inclinical trials and awaiting FDA approval could usher in a serious supply problemonce FDA approval is obtained. The end result could be patients unable to be treatedwith an effective therapy.
Demand for medical isotopes are projected to grow in the range of 8% to 20% peryear for the next 20 years. Current U.S. production resources are not adequate tomeet the increasing needs for use of the isotopes in research, diagnosis, andtreatment.
Is there a potential U.S. source for medical isotopes?Yes. The United States has a number of small active providers of a few isotopessuitable for medical use. Most sources are small commercial accelerators oruniversity research nuclear reactors such as the Missouri University ResearchReactor. Other possibilities are the creation or use of reactors and accelerators whichcan produce the quantities and types to fully support all needs.
Is our country going to utilize this source of medical isotopes?We don't know. Unless there is a demonstrated need, resources will not be built. But,without the resources, many attractive short lived isotopes are not available toresearchers.
Is there anything I can do to support medical isotope research and treatments?Yes. Let your voice be heard. Tell your Congressmen, the Department of Energy,and the Department of Health and Human Services that you support all efforts atfurthering medical isotope research. Write, call, or email to let them know you supportproduction facilities as well as increased funding for research. Secondly, join Citizensfor Medical Isotopes. Your support will help us reach more cancer patients and theirfamilies. It will further our efforts to help researchers develop better ways to fightcancer and other diseases.
What if somebody I know has cancer?Contact our office. We can provide information that may help your friend or familymember make an informed decision about treatment options or clinical trialsopportunities. We don't give medical advice and are not qualified to do so. However,we can direct people and their doctors to resources about medical isotopetreatments.
Are there any other diseases treatable with medical isotopes?
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Yes. Medical isotopes are proving very helpful in treating cardiovascular disease.They effectively prevent reclogging of arteries (restenosis) when used in conjunctionwith angioplasty (balloon therapy). Rheumatoid arthritis is commonly treated inEurope with injections of medical isotopes. At the basic research level, medicalisotopes have been shown to kill HIV/AIDS.
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