Clinical application of 62Zn/62Cu positron generator: perfusion and plasma pool images in normal subjects

We have developed a new 62Zn/62Cu positron generator, and applied it for PET imaging of perfusion and plasma volume in 5 normal subjects. The generator makes it possible by a simple procedure to obtain 62Cu eluate and labeling compounds sufficiently every 40-60 minutes. 62Cu labeled pyruvaldehyde bis(N4-methylthiosemicarbazone) copper II (62Cu-PTSM) was employed for cerebral and myocardial perfusion imaging and 62Cu labeled human serum albumin-dithiosemicarbazone (62Cu-HSA-DTS) was used for plasma pool imaging. The images of cerebral blood flow, cerebral plasma volume and myocardial perfusion were excellent. In addition, the analysis of tissue activity and blood activity demonstrated the microspheric character of 62Cu-PTSM. Correction of arterial activity with the standard disappearance curve of 62Cu-PTSM suggested the possibility of quantifying blood flow. The results of this study indicate the capability of the 62Zn/62Cu generator for wide clinical use without an in-house cyclotron.