China has achieved a significant breakthrough by successfully producing Yttrium-90 (Y-90) using a commercial nuclear reactor, the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced on Sunday. This advancement paves the way for mass production of Y-90, a radioisotope crucial for cutting-edge cancer treatments.
The Y-90 glass microspheres were produced through irradiation at the Qinshan Nuclear Power Base in east China’s Zhejiang Province. Having passed all relevant tests, China now possesses the technology to produce Y-90 in commercial reactors.
Y-90 is a beta-emitting radioisotope widely used in medical treatments, particularly for liver tumors. By using a vascular intervention technique, doctors can deliver microspheres carrying Y-90 directly to the hepatic artery, allowing for precise targeting of liver tumors.
Researchers at Qinshan Nuclear Power Base plan to disassemble and analyze the Y-90 before moving forward to the application phase. This milestone fills a gap in the Chinese mainland’s ability to produce Y-90 using commercial reactors.
Li Shisheng, deputy chief engineer at Qinshan Nuclear Power Base, highlighted the benefits of using the commercial heavy-water reactor for Y-90 production. “With a higher neutron flux and continuous, stable operation, our reactor offers significant advantages in efficiency, scalability, and reliable supply,” Li told China Media Group. “This makes it an ideal choice for producing Y-90.”
The successful production of Y-90 not only marks a leap forward in China’s nuclear technology but also promises to enhance the availability of advanced cancer treatments. This development could have a profound impact on patients suffering from liver tumors, both within China and potentially around the world.
