title: Fully-automated radiosynthesis and in vitro uptake investigation of [N-methyl-¹¹C]methylene blue.
abstract: Malignant melanoma is a type of skin cancer which can spread rapidly if not detected early and left untreated. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a powerful imaging technique for detecting cancer but with only a limited number of radiotracers available the development of novel PET probes for detection and prevention of cancer is imperative. In the present study we present the fully-automated radiosynthesis of [N-methyl-(11)C]methylene blue and an in vitro uptake study in metastasic melanoma cell lines. Using the GE TRACERlab FXc Pro module [N-methyl-(11)C]methylene blue was isolated via solid-phase extraction in an average time of 36 min after end of bombardment and formulated with a radiochemical purity greater than 95%. The in vitro uptake study of [N-methyl-(11)C]methylene blue in SK-MEL28 melanin-expressing melanoma cell line demonstrated in site-specific binding of 51% promoting it as a promising melanoma PET imaging agent.
authors.affiliation: University of Aberdeen, School of Medicine & Dentistry, John Mallard Scottish PET Centre, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, U.K. l.schweiger@abdn.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Lutz F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Schweiger
authors.forename: Tim A D
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D060326:Chemistry Techniques, Synthetic; D006801:Humans; D008751:Methylene Blue / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D008751:Methylene Blue
keywords: PET; TRACERlab FXc PRO module; [N-methyl-11C]methylene blue; melanoma