188Re-HDD/Lipiodol is a generic therapeutic in form of a mixture of ethyl esters of iodinated fatty acids of poppy seed oil (Lipiodol™) and a complex of radioactive rhenium that is soluble in this oil. The AHDD-Lipiodol is the diacetylated form of HDD, with the acetyl group stabilizing the sulfhydryl groups in the kit formulation. The molecule is under development for the treatment of hepatocarcinoma with Portal Vein Thrombosis, non-resectable and untransplantable, but the drug is already available in India under the name REK-1.

188Re-HDD/Lipiodol’s development is based on the data obtained with 131I-Lipiodol which has shown an OS advantage of about 3 years compared to a reference group. In countries where 131I-Lipiodol was difficult to obtain and considered as overly expensive (Asia), the development of a generic product by academic groups was considered as an interesting alternative, eventually supported by the IAEA.

Target/Mechanism: Fatty acid containing tissues

Leading Emitter: beta electrons (β)