Development of [66Ga]oxine complex; a possible PET tracer

The aim of this work is development of a possible blood cell labeling agent for ultimate use in PET. Gallium-66 (T1/2 = 9.49 h) is an interesting radionuclide that has a potential for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of biological processes with intermediate to slow target tissue uptake. Oxine has been labeled with this radionuclide in the form of [66Ga]gallium chloride for its possible diagnostic properties. In this study, 66Ga was produced at a 30 MeV cyclotron (IBA-Cyclone 30) via the 66Zn(p,n)66Ga reaction. The production yield was 445.5 MBq/mAh. The [66Ga]oxine complex was obtained at pH = 5 in phosphate buffer medium at 37°C in 10 min. Radio-TLC showed a radiochemical purity of more than 98 š 2%. The chemical stability of the complex was checked in vitro with a specific activity of 1113 GBq/mmol. The serum stability and log P of the complex were calculated. The produced [66Ga]oxine can be used for diagnostic studies, due to its desirable physico-chemical properties both in vitro and in vivo according to internationally accepted limits.