Cyclotron production of 43Sc for PET imaging

摘要

BackgroundRecently, significant interest in ⁴⁴Sc as a tracer for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has been observed. Unfortunately, the co-emission by ⁴⁴Sc of high-energy γ rays (Eγ = 1157, 1499 keV) causes a dangerous increase of the radiation dose to the patients and clinical staff. However, it is possible to produce another radionuclide of scandium—⁴³Sc—having properties similar to ⁴⁴Sc but is characterized by much lower energy of the concurrent gamma emissions. This work presents the production route of ⁴³Sc by α irradiation of natural calcium, its separation and purification processes, and the labeling of [DOTA,Tyr3] octreotate (DOTATATE) bioconjugate.