CiNZ

Lutetium: a brief overview of the most important rare earth metal in the medical space

Lutetium is the most important rare earth metal of the last 20 years, used in advanced materials and medical tools for therapy and diagnosis. In this brief review, we discuss the discovery, extraction methods and chemical behaviour, and explore a range of applications, particularly relating to lutetium-177, a radioisotope of lutetium, and how it paved the way for targeted radionuclide therapy.

Irwin Cassells

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rare earth metals

Lutetium: a brief overview of the most important rare earth metal in the medical space

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