188

Re (Eβ

max

= 2.11MeV; E

= 155keV; T

1/2

= 16.9h) is an attractive therapeutic radionuclide which is produced from decay of the reactor-produced

188

W parent (T

1/2

= 69h) and thus conveniently obtained on demand by elution from the

188

W/

188

Re generator system. It is very useful for remote region far from reactor. This paper reviews the physical and chemical properties

nuclear characters as well as the biological behavier in vivo and vitro of the

188

Re; preparation of the

188

W/

188

Re generator and labelling chemistry of

188

Re. The recent progress of the

188

Re and its labelled compounds applied in the clinical studies of cancer therapy

synovectomy and intravascular radiation therapy were also exampled. It is concluded that the application of

188

W/

188

Re generator in the clinic therapy should be expanded as the

99

Mo/

99m

Tc generator in the clinic diagnosis.