On site production of [18F]PSMA-1007 using different [18F]fluoride activities: practical, technical and economical impact.

Prostate-specific membrane antigen is overexpressed in prostate cancer and it is considered a good target for positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging of primary cancer and recurrent/metastatic disease, as well as for radioligand therapy. Different PSMA-analogues labeled with [68Ga]gallium have been investigated, showing excellent imaging properties; however, only small amounts can be produced for each radiolabeling. Recently, a [18F]fluoride labeled PSMA-inhibitor, [18F]PSMA-1007, has been introduced, and it has ensured large-scale productions, overcoming this limitation of [68Ga]PSMAs. In this study, PSMA-1007 has been labeled with low (A), medium (B) and high (C) starting activities of [18F]fluoride, in order to verify if radiochemical yield, radiochemical purity and stability of [18F]PSMA-1007 were affected. These parameters have been measured in sixty-five consecutive batches. In addition, the estimation of [18F]PSMA-1007 production costs is provided.

The radiochemical yield for low and medium activities of [18F]fluoride was 52%, while for the high one it decreased to 40%. The radiochemical purity was 99% for all three activities. [18F]PSMA-1007 did not show radiolysis up to 8 h after the end of synthesis, confirming that the radiopharmaceutical is stable and suitable to perform diagnostic studies in humans for a long period of time after the end of radiolabeling. Furthermore, radiochemical stability was demonstrated in fetal bovine serum at 4 °C and 37 °C for 120'.

A starting activity of [18F]fluoride of 90 GBq (B) seems to be the best option enabling a final amount of about of 50 GBq of [18F]PSMA-1007, which is promising as it allows to: (a) perform a large number of scans, and/or (b) supply the radiopharmaceutical to any peripheral diagnostic centers in need.

EJNMMI radiopharmacy and chemistry. 2021 Oct 13*** epublish ***

Costantina Maisto, Anna Morisco, Roberta de Marino, Elisabetta Squame, Valentina Porfidia, Laura D'Ambrosio, Daria Di Martino, Paolo Gaballo, Michela Aurilio, Monica Buonanno, Aureliana Esposito, Marco Raddi, Secondo Lastoria

Nuclear Medicine Division, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy., Nuclear Medicine Division, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy. .