Strontium phosphate microparticle for radiological imaging and therapy

A process for the preparation of a radio microparticle, comprising:

• (i) reacting a strontium-containing borate glass microparticle with a phosphate solution such as to convert at least a portion of the strontium-containing borate glass to crystalline strontium phosphate;
• and
• (ii) bonding or adsorbing at least one radioisotope suitable for radio imaging and/or radiotherapy to said strontium phosphate microparticle by bringing the microparticle into contact with a solution containing the radioisotope.

A method of administering a radio microparticle to a patient in need thereof, comprising:

• locally delivering the radio microparticle in a physiologically acceptable carrier to a tissue target or organ of the patient,
• wherein the radio microparticle comprises crystalline strontium phosphate and at least one radioisotope suitable for radio imaging and/or radiotherapy bonded or adsorbed to the surface thereof,
• wherein the microparticle has a surface area of greater than 90 square meters per gram.