The International Atomic Energy Agency has launched a Coordinated Research Project focused on advanced theranostics using the terbium radioisotope series.
The project, listed under CRP code F22083, is titled Advanced Theranostics (Tb-series). It opened in April 2026 and is currently collecting or evaluating proposals, according to the IAEA.
The work is intended to strengthen production, harmonization, and access to terbium radioisotopes for radiopharmaceutical development.
IAEA highlighted terbium-152 and terbium-155 for imaging applications, and terbium-161 and terbium-149 for targeted radionuclide therapy.
The agency said terbium isotopes have favorable decay properties and theranostic potential, but clinical and translational use remains at an early stage.
The CRP will provide a platform for knowledge exchange and technology transfer among IAEA member states.
Project goals include standardized and validated production protocols, improved technical expertise, better availability of terbium radioisotopes for research, and wider dissemination of best practices.
A 2024 review in Theranostics described terbium-149, terbium-152, terbium-155, and terbium-161 as clinically relevant radionuclides for nuclear medicine because they share chemical properties but have different decay characteristics for imaging and therapy.
IAEA said the CRP is expected to run from 2026 to 2030.
Sources
- Advanced Theranostics (Tb-series). Government document
- Coordinated Research Projects. Government document
- Terbium radionuclides for theranostic applications in nuclear medicine. Peer-reviewed study
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