Production of cationic Au and nonionic Au for radionuclide therapy applications via the Au(n,γ)Au reaction.

Au (β = 0.96 MeV (98.6 %), γ = 0.412 MeV (95.5 %) and T = 2.7 days) is a radionuclide with very appealing characteristics. Au has been widely used to treat the uterus, bladder, cervix, prostate, melanoma, breast, skin and other cancers. In the present study, cationic Au and nonionic Au are prepared following thermal neutron irradiation of commercially available natural gold compounds in Tehran Research Reactor via the Au(n,γ)Au reaction. The prospects in the production of pure Au and Au for radionuclide therapy are discussed and effect of reduction on the activity of radioactive gold is evaluated. Au particles were synthesized via NaBH reduction of aqueous solutions of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate trihydrate. Then two quartz tubes were charged with cationic Au and nonionic Au. After irradiation by thermal neutrons, the samples were analyzed for a period of 1 month by liquid scintillation counter and high purity germanium detector. As a result, Au reduction process had no significant effect on the activity of the Au sample. In conclusions, natural gold thermal neutron activation cross section is reasonably high for medical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]