TheranosticTrials.org

RLT Science

Types of
Theranostic Radiation

Radiation decay is the process by which unstable radioactive atoms give off energy to become stable. These decay modes power the radiopharmaceuticals used to image and treat cancer.

Types of Radiation Emission used in Theranostics

How each type of radiation works — and how it’s used.

Therapeutic

Alpha

Helium nuclei emitted from the atomic nucleus.

Composition:
Mass & Energy
Utility:
Therapeutic
Energy:
5-30 MeV (HIGH)
Range:
<1mm (SHORT)
DNA Damage:
Double Stranded Breaks
Hits to Kill Cell:
2-10
Examples:
Ac225, Pb212, Th227, At211, Ra223

Beta

High-energy electrons emitted from the nucleus.

Composition:
Mass & Energy
Utility:
Therapeutic
Energy:
0.1-0.5 MeV (MEDIUM)
Range:
1-10mm (MEDIUM)
DNA Damage:
Single Strand Breaks
Hits to Kill Cell:
2000
Examples:
Lu177, Cu67, Tb161, I131

Auger Emerging

Very low-energy electrons released from the atom’s electron shells.

Composition:
Mass & Energy
Utility:
Therapeutic (investigational)
Energy:
<25 keV (VERY LOW)
Range:
2-500 nm (ULTRA-SHORT)
DNA Damage:
Double Stranded Breaks (when close to DNA)
Hits to Kill Cell:
Varies by distance to DNA
Examples:
Tb161*, I125, In111, Ga67, Er165

*Tb161 gives off both beta and Auger electrons. Auger electrons travel less than the width of one cell, so they work best when the drug reaches the cell’s DNA.

Imaging

Gamma

High-energy photons emitted from the nucleus.

Composition:
Photons: Energy ONLY, No Mass
Utility:
SPECT Imaging
Energy:
70-700 keV (HIGH)
Range:
2-3 feet
DNA Damage:
N/A
Hits to Kill Cell:
N/A
Examples:
Tc99m, In111

Positron

Positively charged particles emitted from the nucleus.

Composition:
Mass & Energy
Utility:
PET Imaging
Energy:
~1.0 MeV
Range:
1-3mm
DNA Damage:
N/A
Hits to Kill Cell:
N/A
Examples:
C11, Cu64, F18, Ga68, Zr89

Isotopes

Radioisotopes are the unstable atoms linked to a ligand delivery system and used to image or treat cancer, depending on each isotope's emission properties.

No isotopes match these filters.