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VIENNA, Austria -- In an address to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced American participation in an international collaboration on research and development into and the treatment of life-threatening illnesses. The United States will provide surplus Tungsten-188, that is converted into Rhenium-188 for use in clinical trials on new heart disease, cancer and bone pain therapies.

"The United States seeks to advance collaboration among nations to help increase the availability of radioisotopes for medical purposes. By applying the energy of the atom to the medical sciences, we are able to reduce the cost and intrusiveness of treatments. Today I am pleased to announce that the Department of Energy, working with Belgium and Finland, will supply the IAEA with surplus radioisotopes for the production of isotope generators," said Secretary Richardson.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) produces Tungsten-Rhenium isotope generators at its Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. As part of this collaboration, DOE will supply Tungsten-188 for irradiation in Belgium. The irradiated material will then be processed at ORNL. The processed material will then be shipped to Finland for preparation of isotope generators that will be provided to IAEA's Coordinated Research Program which sponsors nuclear science and technology projects in 14 developing countries. Among the projects benefiting from this effort are:

Labeling antibodies for cancer therapy. This application shows promise for therapeutic treatment of cancer by labeling or attaching Rhenium-188 to an antibody or chemical that actively seeks out the cancerous cells. This enables the attached isotope to deliver a toxic radiation dose to the cancer selectively and at close range. Rhenium-188 is particularly desirable because it emits beta radiation that only penetrates locally, leaving other body organs relatively unaffected. Additionally, since the chemistry for Rhenium is well known, attachment of the isotope to the chemical seeker agent is easily accomplished. Trials are now underway for this application worldwide.

Experimental procedures that will prevent or retard restentosis. Restentosis occurs in a high percentage of patients who undergo balloon angioplasty to correct blocked arteries, causing them to re-block. In preliminary tests, radioactive exposure of these arteries during or immediately following angioplasty can prevent or retard restentosis, increasing these heart patients' chances for long-term survival. One procedure to be investigated will use balloons filled with Rhenium-188 Energy to irradiate the arteries without additional invasive procedures or external radiation. Currently approved by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) for Phase I trials, this novel approach has demonstrated both therapeutic benefit and cost-effectiveness.

Cancer Bone Pain Relief. Although several other isotopes are currently approved by the FDA for this purpose, the physical characteristics of the radiation produced by Rhenium-188 are especially attractive for bone pain palliation or relief. Radiation treatment of cancer bone pain is desirable because it is economical, effective, and causes no side effects such as those experienced by patients who are treated with morphine. In addition, the quality of life for patients treated with such isotopic agents is dramatically improved. The isotopic treatment of cancer bone pain relief using Rhenium-188 is ongoing at several institutions both in the United States and abroad.

In the future, DOE will continue to support this international effort by making small quantities of surplus material available at no cost or, if larger quantities of material are needed over an extended period, providing the material to the IAEA at favorable prices.