IAEA coordinated research programme: nuclear data for the production of therapeutic radionuclides

The need for radioisotopes in cancer therapy is very well established. With a view to providing standardised data for the production of relevant radioisotopes an IAEA Coordinated Research Project on ``Nuclear Data for the Production of Therapeutic Radionuclides'' was started in 2003, and is now close to completion. Experimental data compilations, theoretical calculations and evaluations were carried out for each of the reactions. The recommendations for both established and emerging radionuclides are discussed. Examples of the analyses carried out to produce the recommended data for some radionuclides are also presented. The improved quality of the nuclear data will make reactor and accelerator production of therapeutic radionuclides much more efficient and effective, and should also enhance their quality through improved purity