Rhenium-188 radiometal chelation complex (188Re complex)

Rhenium-188 (188Re) is a high-energy beta-emitting radioisotope with a physical half-life of 16.9 hours, widely utilized in targeted radionuclide therapy. It is typically administered as a radiometal chelation complex, where the rhenium ion is stabilized by a ligand or conjugated to a targeting vector such as a monoclonal antibody, peptide, or small molecule. The complex functions by delivering localized ionizing radiation to specific biological sites, such as bone metastases or solid tumors, where the beta particles (maximum energy 2.12 MeV) induce lethal double-strand DNA breaks and oxidative stress. Beyond its therapeutic properties, 188Re also emits a 155 keV gamma photon, which enables real-time scintigraphic imaging and precise dosimetry, supporting a theranostic clinical workflow. Common applications include the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, palliative care for bone pain, and the management of non-melanoma skin cancers.

Other names

188Re-labeled complexRhenium-188 chelate188Re-radiopharmaceuticalRhenium-188 coordination complex188Re-labeled compound

The complex delivers high-energy beta particles (maximum energy 2.12 MeV) to targeted tissues, where the radiation induces double-strand DNA breaks and oxidative stress, leading to cell death and tumor reduction.