Influence of metal ions on the 68Ga-labeling of DOTATATE

The influence of metal cations (Fe3+, Fe2+, In3+, Cu2+, Ca2+, Al3+, Co2+, Lu3+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Ti4+, Y3+, Yb3+, Zn2+, and Zr4+) on the radiolabeling yield of [68Ga(DOTATATE)] was evaluated. Our most important observation was that, within our experimental limit, the metal ion/ligand ratio plays a critical role on the influence of most metal ions. More in-depth studies, with Cu2+ and Fe3+, revealed that reaction temperature and concentration changes have little effect, but speciation changes with pH are crucial. Furthermore, we found that [68Ga(DOTATATE)] is stable in the presence of high concentrations of Fe3+, Zn2+ and Pb2+, but transmetalates with Cu2+ at 95 °C.