China achieves Yttrium-90 production using commercial reactor

China has successfully produced the medical radioisotope Yttrium-90 (Y-90) using a commercial nuclear reactor, marking a major breakthrough in domestic medical isotope production. The Y-90 glass microspheres, created at the Qinshan Nuclear Power Base in Zhejiang Province, passed key tests, enabling future mass production.

Y-90 is used primarily to treat liver tumors through targeted vascular intervention. This success fills a gap in China’s ability to produce Y-90 using commercial reactors. Researchers will now analyze the Y-90 before advancing to clinical applications.

The heavy-water reactor at Qinshan, with its high neutron flux and stable operation, is seen as particularly suited for efficient and scalable Y-90 production, offering a reliable long-term supply.

Credit : CGTN