Sergey Bylikin, Gary Horner and, Brian Murphy Solutions for Chapter: Medicinal Chemistry, Exercise 8: Questions

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and proton beam therapy (PBT) are advanced nuclear medicine techniques. Explain how BNCT can be used to target cancer cells?

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and proton beam therapy (PBT) are advanced nuclear medicine techniques. Explain why PBT is more effective in treating cancers than traditional methods of external radiotherapy?

Nitrogen-$13$ (${\mathrm{t}}_{1/2}=10 \min$) is a radioactive tracer used in positron emission tomography (PET). Deduce the nuclear equation for the decay of nitrogen-$13$. 

Nitrogen-$13$ (${\mathrm{t}}_{1/2}=10 \min$) is a radioactive tracer used in positron emission tomography (PET). To deliver nitrogen-$13$ to a specific organ the tracer must be chemically incorporated into a biologically active compound. The synthesis of a particular compound with a ${}^{13}\mathrm{N}$ tracer takes $40 \min$, followed by $5 \min$ for the preparation of the injection solution.  Calculate the percentage of ${}^{13}\mathrm{N}$ that will decay before the compound can be administered to a patient.

Nitrogen-$13$ (${\mathrm{t}}_{1/2}=10 \min$) is a radioactive tracer used in positron emission tomography (PET). Other than the cost of radionuclides and equipment, suggest one factor that limits the availability of PET in remote medical centres.

The radionuclide cobalt-$60$ (${\mathrm{t}}_{1/2}=5.3$ years) is used in external radiotherapy. It emits a beta particle and a gamma ray, producing a stable isotope of another element. Deduce the nuclear equation for the decay of cobalt-$60$.

The radionuclide cobalt-$60$ (${\mathrm{t}}_{1/2}=5.3$ years) is used in external radiotherapy. It emits a beta particle and a gamma ray, producing a stable isotope of another element. Calculate how many times the activity of a ${}^{60}\mathrm{Co}$ source will decrease in $10$ years?

The radionuclide cobalt-$60$ (${\mathrm{t}}_{1/2}=5.3$ years) is used in external radiotherapy. It emits a beta particle and a gamma ray, producing a stable isotope of another element. Decommissioned ${}^{60}\mathrm{Co}$ sources must be stored in protected areas until most of the radionuclide has decayed into non-radioactive materials. Calculate the time needed for the decay of $99.99\%$ of cobalt-$60$.