From the FDA Drug Label
Radium Ra 223 dichloride, an alpha particle-emitting pharmaceutical, is a radiotherapeutic drug. The six-stage-decay of radium-223 to stable lead-207 occurs via short-lived daughters, and is accompanied predominantly by alpha emissions. The fraction of energy emitted from radium-223 and its daughters as alpha-particles is 95.3% (energy range of 5 - 7. 5 MeV).
The radioactive IV isotope for radiation is Radium-223. It is an alpha particle-emitting pharmaceutical used as a radiotherapeutic drug. The drug emits alpha-particles, beta-particles, and gamma-radiation, with alpha-particles being the predominant form of emission, accounting for 95.3% of the energy emitted 1.
From the Research
Radioactive IV isotopes commonly used for radiation therapy include Technetium-99m, Iodine-131, Yttrium-90, Radium-223, and Lutetium-177, with Technetium-99m being a widely used radionuclide for diagnostic purposes, as discussed in 2. These isotopes are selected based on their specific properties and the type of cancer being treated.
- For diagnostic purposes, Technetium-99m is typically used due to its short half-life and ability to bind to various compounds, allowing for targeted imaging of different tissues and organs, as noted in 2.
- For therapeutic purposes, Iodine-131 is typically administered at doses of 30-200 mCi for thyroid cancer, with the exact dose determined by the extent of disease.
- For liver tumors, Yttrium-90 microspheres are delivered at doses of 80-150 Gy.
- Radium-223 (Xofigo) is given at 55 kBq/kg every 4 weeks for 6 treatments for metastatic prostate cancer, as discussed in 3.
- Lutetium-177 is used for neuroendocrine tumors at approximately 200 mCi per treatment, typically given every 8-12 weeks for 4 cycles. These radiopharmaceuticals work by delivering targeted radiation directly to cancer cells, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. The isotope's half-life, radiation type (alpha, beta, or gamma), and tissue affinity determine its effectiveness for specific cancers, as noted in 3. Patients receiving these treatments require radiation safety precautions, adequate hydration, and monitoring for side effects such as nausea, fatigue, and bone marrow suppression, as discussed in 4 and 5.