Strontium-89

Strontium-89 (89Sr) is a radioactive isotope of strontium produced by nuclear fission, with a half-life of 50.57 days.

[3] Biological properties and applications of strontium-89 were studied for the first time by Belgian scientist Charles Pecher.

[6] Strontium belongs to the same periodic family as calcium (alkaline earth metals), and is metabolised in a similar fashion, preferentially targeting metabolically active regions of the bone.

[10] Consequently, intravenous or intracavity administration of 89Sr may be helpful in the palliation of painful bony metastases, as it allows radiation to be targeted at metastatic lesions, inducing apoptosis of cells, membrane and protein damage.

Subsequently, bone pain resulting from cytokine release at the site of lesions, bone-associated nerve compression and stretching of the periosteum may be reduced.

Metastron, a preparation of strontium-89 chloride made by GE Healthcare and used for purposes such as prostate cancer treatment. [ 7 ]