title: Lyophilized Kit for the Preparation of the PET Perfusion Agent [(68)Ga]-MAA.
abstract: Rapid developments in the field of medical imaging have opened new avenues for the use of positron emitting labeled microparticles. The radioisotope used in our research was (68)Ga, which is easy to obtain from a generator and has good nuclear properties for PET imaging. Methods. Commercially available macroaggregated albumin (MAA) microparticles were suspended in sterile saline, centrifuged to remove the free albumin and stannous chloride, relyophilized, and stored for later labeling with (68)Ga. Labeling was performed at different temperatures and times. (68)Ga purification settings were also tested and optimized. Labeling yield and purity of relyophilized MAA microparticles were compared with those that were not relyophilized. Results. MAA particles kept their original size distribution after relyophilization. Labeling yield was 98% at 75°C when a (68)Ga purification system was used, compared to 80% with unpurified (68)Ga. Radiochemical purity was over 97% up to 4 hours after the labeling. The relyophilized MAA and labeling method eliminate the need for centrifugation purification of the final product and simplify the labeling process. Animal experiments demonstrated the high in vivo stability of the obtained PET agent with more than 95% of the activity remaining in the lungs after 4 hours.
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Department, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, EC 2614, Miami, FL 33174, USA ; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 1240 SW 108 Avenue, University Park, Miami, FL 33174, USA.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amor-Coarasa
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Department, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, EC 2614, Miami, FL 33174, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Milera
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Department, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, EC 2614, Miami, FL 33174, USA ; Mount Sinai Medical Center, 4300 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA.
authors.forename: Denny
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1584-5474
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Carvajal
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Department, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, EC 2614, Miami, FL 33174, USA ; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 1240 SW 108 Avenue, University Park, Miami, FL 33174, USA.
authors.forename: Seza
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gulec
authors.affiliation: Biomedical Engineering Department, Florida International University, 10555 West Flagler Street, EC 2614, Miami, FL 33174, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: McGoron