Performance of a 62Zn/62Cu microgenerator in kit-based synthesis and delivery of [62Cu]Cu–ETS for PET perfusion imaging

highlights
• The microgenerator system is a dependable high-yield source of positron-emitting 62Cu.
• Synthesis of the [62Cu]Cu–ETS radiopharmaceutical is rapid and reliable.
• Kit-based production methods offer the convenience required for clinical PET with 62Cu-agents.

The performance of a commercially produced 62Zn/62Cu microgenerator system, and an associated kit-based radiopharmaceutical synthesis method, was evaluated for clinical site production of [62Cu]Cu–ETS (ethylglyoxal bis(thiosemicarbazonato)copper(II)), an investigational agent for PET perfusion imaging. Using 37 generators, containing 1.84±0.23 GBq 62Zn at 9:00 AM on the day of clinical use, a total of 45 patient doses of [62Cu]Cu–ETS (672±172 MBq) were delivered without difficulty. 62Cu elution yields were high (approximately 90%), accompanied by extremely low 62Zn breakthrough (<0.001%). Radiopharmaceutical preparation, from the start-of-elution to time-of-injection, consumed less than five minutes. The 62Zn/62Cu microgenerator was a dependable source of short-lived positron-emitting 62Cu, and the kit-based synthesis proved to be rapid, robust, and highly reliable for “on-demand” delivery of [62Cu]Cu–ETS for PET perfusion imaging.