Abstract:
The actinium-225 (225Ac) radioisotope exhibits highly attractive nuclear properties for
application in radionuclide therapy. However, the 225Ac radionuclide presents multiple daughter
nuclides in its decay chain, which can escape the targeted site, circulate in plasma, and cause toxicity
in areas such as kidneys and renal tissues. Several ameliorative strategies have been devised to
circumvent this issue, including nano-delivery. Alpha-emitting radionuclides and nanotechnology
applications in nuclear medicine have culminated in major advancements that offer promising
therapeutic possibilities for treating several cancers. Accordingly, the importance of nanomaterials in
retaining the 225Ac daughters from recoiling into unintended organs has been established. This review
expounds on the advancements of targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) as an alternative anticancer
treatment. It discusses the recent developments in the preclinical and clinical investigations on 225Ac
as a prospective anticancer agent. Moreover, the rationale for using nanomaterials in improving
the therapeutic efficacy of -particles in targeted alpha therapy (TAT) with an emphasis on 225Ac is
discussed. Quality control measures in the preparation of 225Ac-conjugates are also highlighted.
