A method for the preparation and quality control of 68Ga radiopharmaceuticals

Gallium-68 (T 1/2 68 min) is a convenient label for radiopharmaceuticals designed for use with positron detection devices; the radionuclide is a generator produce obtained from its parent 68Ge (T 1/2 287 days). The labeling procedure itself is simple since gallium forms complexes without the use of reducing agents. However, 68Ga is present in the generator eluant as the gallium-EDTA chelate and must be separated from EDTA prior to its use as a label. A rapid and efficient method for achieving this separation and for preparing 68Ga-labeled compounds for human use has been developed. Paper chromatography is employed to determine the amount of each major gallium species present in preparations of two gallium complexes; 68Ga-adenosine triphosphate and 68Ga-citrate.