What is the shelf-life of Indium-111 (In-111)?

Indium-111 (In-111) has a shelf-life of 2.8 days, which is about 68 hours. This relatively short half-life makes it suitable for various diagnostic imaging procedures in nuclear medicine, particularly in labeling monoclonal antibodies for tumor localization or for use in certain radiopharmaceuticals.

The importance of understanding the half-life lies in effective planning and utilization of radionuclides in clinical settings. A half-life of 2.8 days indicates that In-111 can provide adequate time for preparation and administration for imaging procedures, while its decay allows for the minimization of radiation exposure to patients.

In contrast, shorter half-lives such as 68 minutes or 13.3 hours do not allow a significant time frame for processing and administering the radiopharmaceutical once it is prepared. Similarly, a half-life of 73 hours exceeds the practical limits for certain applications, as it might lead to increased radiation exposure and waste in the clinical environment. Thus, 2.8 days strikes a balance between usability and safety in nuclear medicine.