Cation exchange separation of 61Cu2+ from natCo targets and preparation of 61Cu-DOTA-HSA as a blood pool agent

An improved method for isolation of Cu-61(2+) from a Co-nat target using cation exchange was developed. Cu-61(2+) was eluted from a cation exchange resin column by 0.2 M HCl with 90% acetone, while Co2+ remained on the column. The whole separation process was completed within 50 min at more than 72% yield. The Co2+ impurity level in Cu-61(2+) solution was reduced to less than 0.1 ppm. Highly pure Cu-61(2+) solution was then applied to prepare Cu-61-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA)-human serum albumin (HSA) which showed good blood pool imaging properties. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.