6 Radiometals for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging

The recent, more widespread clinical availability of standalone PET and PET/CT clinical scanners in conjunction with the commercialization of 16 MeV cyclotron systems that enable p,n and d,n nuclear transformations to produce a variety of positron emissive isotopes continues to revolutionize nuclear medicine. Paired with advances in solid targetry and rekindled interest in radionuclide therapy, metallic PET radioisotopes are experiencing a resurgence in the field of radiotracer development. Radiometals provide a broad range of radioactive half-lives and are readily compatible with temperature- and solvent-sensitive biologics - a stark contrast with low-yielding 18F or 11C radiochemistry. Herein, we provide the reader with a timely review on recent developments in radiometal isotope synthesis, ideal separation and subsequent chelation strategies, followed by illustrative examples of applications for preclinical and clinical imaging.