Dosimetry in Radiopharmaceutical Therapy

J Nucl Med. 2022 Oct;63(10):1467-1474. doi: 10.2967/jnumed.121.262305.

Abstract

The application of radiopharmaceutical therapy for the treatment of certain diseases is well established, and the field is expanding. New therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals have been developed in recent years, and more are in the research pipeline. Concurrently, there is growing interest in the use of internal dosimetry as a means of personalizing, and potentially optimizing, such therapy for patients. Internal dosimetry is multifaceted, and the current state of the art is discussed in this continuing education article. Topics include the context of dosimetry, internal dosimetry methods, the advantages and disadvantages of incorporating dosimetry calculations in radiopharmaceutical therapy, a description of the workflow for implementing patient-specific dosimetry, and future prospects in the field.

Keywords: Auger electrons; alpha particles; dosimetry; radiobiology; radionuclide therapy; radiopharmaceutical.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Radiometry* / methods
  • Radiopharmaceuticals* / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals