Evaluation of 72Se/72As generator and production of 72Se for supplying 72As as a potential PET imaging radionuclide

Abstract

Positron-emitting ⁷²As is the PET imaging counterpart for beta-emitting ⁷⁷As. Its parent, no carrier added (n.c.a.) ⁷²Se, was produced for a ⁷²Se/⁷²As generator by irradiating an enriched ⁷°Ge metal-graphite target via the ⁷⁰Ge(α, 2 n)⁷²Se reaction. Target dissolution used a fast, environmentally friendly method with 93% radioactivity recovery. Chromatographic parameters of the ⁷²Se/⁷²As generator were evaluated, the eluted n.c.a. ⁷²As was characterized with a phantom imaging study, and the previously reported trithiol and aryl-dithiol ligand systems were radiolabeled with the separated n.c.a. ⁷²As in high yield.

Keywords: (70)Ge target; (72)As; (72)Se; (72)Se/(72)As generator; Alpha irradiation; Radiolabeling.