Synthesis and evaluation of a novel 68Ga-chelate-conjugated bisphosphonate as a bone-seeking agent for PET imaging.

Introduction: (68)Ga is a positron-emitting nuclide that has significant imaging potential given that, unlike cyclotron-produced (18)F, the isotope can be produced on-site utilizing a (68)Ge/(68)Ga generator. We recently synthesized a novel bone-seeking agent by coupling a bisphosphonate with the (68)Ga chelator 1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (NOTA). This study presents a first report on the potential of this (68)Ga bone-seeking radiopharmaceutical in the detection of bone metastases.