Recent Breakthrough in 68Ga-Radiopharmaceuticals Cold Kits for Convenient PET Radiopharmacy.

Abstract

68Ga-PET has emerged as an important diagnostic tool for precise detection and monitoring of oncological situations. Availability, cost, and radiosynthesis procedure are determining steps for success of a radioisotope/radiopharmaceutical in nuclear medicine. Availability of 68Ga from a 68Ge/68Ga generator containing a long-lived parent radioisotope (68Ge: t1/2 = 271 days) and an inexpensive, simplified production of 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals through kit methodology has allowed smooth accommodation of 68Ga-PET in clinics. The uncomplicated formulation of 68Ga-radiopharmaceuticals from a lyophilized, cold kit is an impending breakthrough in clinical PET. The huge success of 68Ga in neuroendocrine tumor and prostate cancer imaging along with the regulatory approval of respective cold kits has opened a pathway for development of kits for other evolving radiotracers. There is a definite scope for increased participation of commercial manufacturers and distributors of cold kits to spread the potential of 68Ga worldwide across all the geographical locations and satellite centers.