OBTAINING, SYNTHESIS, QUALITY CONTROL AND APPLICATION OF THE RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL GA-68 PSMA

Abstract

This study presents the technological processes involved in the production of the Ga-68 (Gallium-68) radioisotope using a generator-based technology, as well as the synthesis and quality control of Ga-68 PSMA (prostate-specific membrane antigen). The Ga-68 radioisotope is widely used in nuclear medicine as a diagnostic radioactive material, particularly for the evaluation of prostate cancer. Overall, in PET/CT (Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography) imaging, it is considered the second most commonly used radioisotope after F-18.

Gallium-68 is a β⁺-emitting radioisotope with an annihilation photon energy of 511 keV and a half-life of 67.7 minutes. Ga-68 can be used to synthesize a variety of radiopharmaceuticals employed in PET/CT imaging, including Ga-68 PSMA, Ga-68 DOTATATE, and others. Ga-68 has a relatively short half-life compared to other radioisotopes used in nuclear medicine, which is advantageous from a radiation safety perspective; however, it complicates production and clinical application processes. In this context, the production of Ga-68 using a generator-based technology is considered the optimal solution, as the generator can be eluted at virtually any time to obtain the isotope with the desired activity.

At the “Erebouni Medical Center” of Republic of Armenia, Ga-68 PSMA was synthesized for the first time, and comprehensive quality control of the radiopharmaceutical was performed. The obtained radioactive material was used to conduct PET/CT imaging in three patients.