110Sn/110In--a new generator system for positron emission tomography

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiochemistry
• Biomedical Imaging

Background:

• Leukocyte labeling is crucial for diagnosing infections and inflammatory conditions.
• Short-lived positron emitters are ideal for repeated imaging studies due to reduced radiation exposure.
• Existing methods for generating indium isotopes may have limitations in terms of availability or half-life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a new generator system for producing the Indium-110 (110In) radionuclide.
• To assess the suitability of the 110Sn/110In generator system for labeling leukocytes.
• To leverage the properties of 110In for enhanced diagnostic imaging.

Main Methods:

• The 110Sn/110In generator system was developed.
• The mother radionuclide, Tin-110 (110Sn), was produced via the natIn(p, xn)110Sn reaction.
• The production reaction parameters, including cross-section and yield, were characterized.

Main Results:

• The 110Sn/110In generator system provides the short-lived positron emitter 110In (t1/2 = 1.15 h).
• The 110Sn parent radionuclide (t1/2 = 4.15 h) is produced with a practical yield of 400 MBq/microAh.
• The 110In isotope's half-life allows for adequate leukocyte distribution and repeated studies within hours.

Conclusions:

• The 110Sn/110In generator system is a viable option for producing 110In for leukocyte labeling.
• The characteristics of 110In make it suitable for repeated diagnostic imaging procedures.
• This generator system offers a promising tool for nuclear medicine applications.