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Updated: Apr 14, 2026

Automation of a Positron-emission Tomography PET Radiotracer Synthesis Protocol for Clinical Production
Published on: October 26, 2018
Initial Evaluation of [(18)F]DCFPyL for Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA)-Targeted PET Imaging of Prostate
Zsolt Szabo1, Esther Mena, Steven P Rowe
1The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Cancer Research Bldg. 2, Room 492, 1550 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD, 21231, USA.
Purpose:
Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a recognized target for imaging prostate cancer. Here we present initial safety, biodistribution, and radiation dosimetry results with [(18)F]DCFPyL, a second-generation fluorine-18-labeled small-molecule PSMA inhibitor, in patients with prostate cancer.
Procedures:
Biodistribution was evaluated using sequential positron-emission tomography (PET) scans in nine patients with prostate cancer. Time-activity curves from the most avid tumor foci were determined. The radiation dose to selected organs was estimated using OLINDA/EXM.
Results:
No major radiotracer-specific adverse events were observed. Physiologic accumulation was observed in known sites of PSMA expression. Accumulation in putative sites of prostate cancer was observed (SUVmax up to >100, and tumor-to-blood ratios up to >50). The effective radiation dose from [(18)F]DCFPyL was 0.0139 mGy/MBq or 5 mGy (0.5 rem) from an injected dose of 370 MBq (10 mCi).
Conclusions:
[(18)F]DCFPyL is safe with biodistribution as expected, and its accumulation is high in presumed primary and metastatic foci. The radiation dose from [(18)F]DCFPyL is similar to that from other PET radiotracers.
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