Which radioisotope is commonly used for labeling antibodies in nuclear medicine?

The commonly used radioisotope for labeling antibodies in nuclear medicine is Iodine-131. This radioisotope is favored due to its properties that allow for effective binding to antibodies, providing a means of imaging and therapeutic applications.

Iodine-131 emits both beta and gamma radiation, making it suitable for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. The gamma radiation emitted during its decay enables clinicians to visualize the distribution of the labeled antibodies in the body using gamma cameras, while the beta particles can provide a therapeutic effect by selectively killing cancer cells or targeted tissues labeled with the antibodies.

In the context of nuclear medicine, the ability to bind iodine isotopes to antibodies enhances the specificity of imaging and treatment by targeting specific antigens present on the surface of cells, particularly in oncology applications. This makes Iodine-131 a crucial isotope in the arsenal of nuclear medicine practitioners for targeted radioimmunotherapy and diagnostic imaging.

Other isotopes, like Technetium-99m, Cobalt-57, and Gallium-67, may have their own roles in imaging or treatment but are not primarily recognized for antibody labeling in the same manner as Iodine-131.