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Medical · TheranosticNovel
Sc
21
44

Scandium-44

A novel positron emitter (β⁺) and Gallium-68 alternative whose 4-hour half-life extends imaging windows and enables centralized distribution of PET tracers.

4.0 hoursPositron Emission (β⁺)
21 e⁻4 shells

Atomic Structure

21
Protons
23
Neutrons
K2 e⁻
L8 e⁻
M9 e⁻
N2 e⁻

Applications

  • Neuroendocrine tumor PET
  • Prostate cancer imaging
  • Ga-68 alternative tracer
  • Theranostic pairing with Sc-47

Production

Reaction
⁴⁴Ca(p,n)⁴⁴Sc
Target
Enriched ⁴⁴Ca
Source
16 MeV Cyclotron
16 MeV CyclotronYes
30 MeV CyclotronYes
70 MeV CyclotronYes
Nuclear ReactorNo

Threshold ~5 MeV, optimal 9–14 MeV.