Columbia News

While the field of nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceuticals is experiencing a renaissance, the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) has long been a leader in developing lifesaving imaging and cancer treatments. Now, the most powerful university research reactor in the United States is well positioned to continue supporting this healthcare revival through significant investments and planned multimillion dollar expansions.

“With these critical investments, we are on our way to becoming the epicenter of nuclear medicine right here in Columbia, Missouri,” University of Missouri President Mun Choi said. “This life-changing work will have far reaching impacts, not just for Missourians, but also for people around the globe.”

Radiopharmaceuticals — medical drugs containing radioactive isotopes like iodine-131 — have been around for decades, and recent advancements in technology have given rise to new cutting-edge, precision cancer treatments known as targeted radiotherapies. New targeted radiotherapies include Lutathera®, which uses lutetium-177 (Lu-177), a radioactive isotope produced at MURR to target and destroy specific cancer cells.

One advantage of targeted radiotherapy is the ability to deliver drugs directly to the site of cancer in the body and target those cancer cells without having the broader side effects of traditional cancer treatments. For example, chemotherapy can cause inadvertent damage to otherwise healthy parts of the body because the medicine will often harm healthy tissues, creating a cascade of unwanted side effects for the patient.

MURR’s innovative design and operating cycle help the facility produce an average of 10,000 medical doses a week. J. David Robertson, executive director of MURR, said an uninterrupted supply of these short-lived radioactive isotopes is vital for patients to receive their necessary treatments on time.

“These drugs cannot be stockpiled due to their short half-lives, or their quickly diminishing effectiveness as their active ingredients undergo radioactive decay,” Robertson said. “This means that if we do not produce them this week, then cancer patients will not receive their treatments next week.”

Once the radioactive materials made at MURR are ready to ship to customers, the facility uses specially designed canisters to safely transport them to their final destinations around the world. Delivery involves a combination of commercial shippers, courier services and commercial airline flights. Historically, MURR has worked with more than 140 customers in more than a dozen countries around the world. In 2021, MURR shipped nearly 2,500 packages of radioactive materials.

Original source can be found here.