90Ycontaining

90Ycontaining refers to substances that incorporate the radioactive isotope yttrium-90 (90Y). 90Y is produced in nuclear reactors by neutron irradiation of the stable 89Y and decays to stable 90Zr with a half-life of about 64 hours. It is a beta emitter with a maximum beta energy of approximately 2.28 MeV, and it has little to no significant gamma emission, which affects both shielding needs and post-therapy imaging.

In medicine, 90Y-containing materials are used primarily for therapeutic purposes. A major application is selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT), in which 90Y-labeled microspheres (glass or resin) are delivered via the hepatic artery to target liver tumors. The microspheres lodge in tumor vasculature, delivering high radiation doses while limiting exposure to surrounding healthy tissue. 90Y is also used in certain radiopharmaceuticals, such as monoclonal antibodies labeled with 90Y for targeted therapy in hematologic malignancies (for example, 90Y-labeled ibritumomab tiuxetan). Other forms include carrier-dependent 90Y compounds used in research and specialized diagnostics.

Forms of 90Y-containing products vary. They include sealed microsphere devices designed for internal radiation therapy and radiopharmaceuticals where 90Y is bound to a biological vector. The specific activity, distribution, and permissible administration depend on the product, regulatory approval, and clinical indication.

Safety and regulatory considerations are central. Administration requires licensed facilities, specialized training, radiation dosimetry, shielding, and strict handling, storage, and disposal procedures. Waste management and transport of 90Y materials follow national and international regulations. Imaging after therapy is often performed using bremsstrahlung techniques, since 90Y emits negligible gamma rays.