Production and tumour uptake of [64Cu]Pyruvaldehyde-bis (N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) for PET and/or therapeutic purposes.

Background: Copper-64 (T(1/2)=12.7 degrees h) is an important radionuclide used both in PET imaging and therapy. [(64)Cu]-pyruvaldehyde- bis(N(4)-methylthiosemicarbazone) ([64Cu]-PTSM) has already been used in the detection of cerebral and myocardial blood flow.

An overview of copper radionuclides and production of 61Cu by proton irradiation of (nat)Zn at a medical cyclotron.

In this article, production methods and applications of copper radionuclides are overviewed with special attention toward (61)Cu, due to its interesting nuclear properties. Selection of production parameters for (61)Cu including: appropriate nuclear reaction, proton beam energy, target thickness and targetry method are discussed for NRCAM 30MeV medical cyclotron. (64)Zn(p,alpha)(61)Cu was selected as the best reaction and (61)Cu was produced by 22MeV proton bombardment of a 80 microm thick natural zinc target.