Title:Radioarsenic from a Portable 72Se/72As Generator: A Current Perspective
Volume: 5
Issue: 3
Author(s): B. Ballard, F. M. Nortier, E. R. Birnbaum, K. D. John, D. R. Phillips and M. E. Fassbender
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Arsenic-72, radionuclide generator, accelerator isotope production, radioarsenic labeling, half-life, spatial resolution, radiopharmaceuticals, PET imaging
Abstract: Positron emission tomography (PET) of slower biological processes calls for the use of longer lived positron
emitting radioisotopes. Beyond radionuclide production considerations, practicality and rapidity of subsequent labeling
chemistry further limits the selection of radioisotopes with potentially favorable nuclear properties. One additional limitation
is the availability of PET radiotracers at the point-of-care with appropriate on-site production methodologies or robust
radionuclide generator systems. The positron emitter 72As (half-life 26 h) is generated via decay of 72Se (half-life 8.5 d);
this pair comprises and excellent generator system for clinical availability of a longer lived PET isotope. Many 72Se/As
generator systems have been introduced utilizing the rich interplay of Se(IV)/Se(VI) and As(III) /As(V) chemical behavior.
This paper describes available generator concepts, and briefly outlines some current arsenic labeling methodologies
for the introduction of radioarsenic into biomolecules.
