The 64Zn-based production route to 64Cu β ± emitter using accelerator-driven 14 MeV fusion neutrons

The development of personalized medicine is important to avoid unnecessary and expensive treatments. The theranostic approach is an established tool for specific molecular targeting, both for diagnostics and therapy. Radionuclides used for theranostic radiopharmaceuticals are typically produced in nuclear fission reactors or bio-medical cyclotrons. Here, an alternative route for producing an emerging theranostic radionuclide, namely 64Cu, is investigated by using 14 MeV fusion neutrons produced by the Frascati Neutron Generator (FNG) at the ENEA Frascati Research Centre. Samples of zinc (natural and 64Zn-enriched) were irradiated and characterized, in turn being measured at high-level metrological conditions, at the Radioactivity Laboratory of ENEA-INMRI located in Casaccia Research Centre. The results achieved in the experiments are presented and compared to those obtained by Monte Carlo simulations and previously published experimental data.