Production of $^{11}C$ labeled Radiopharmaceuticals using $[^{11}C]CO_2$ Produced in the KOTRON-13

한국형 사이클로트론(KOTRON-13)을 이용한 $[^{11}C]CO_2$ 생산과 다양한 $^{11}C$-표지 방사성의약품 생산 적용

Purpose : The KOTRON-13 cyclotron was developed and installed in regional cyclotron centers to produce short-lifetime medical radioisotopes. However, this cyclotron has limited capacity to produce $^{11}C$ so far. In present study, we developed an effective $^{11}C$ target system combining with fluorine-18 target and applied to the production of various $^{11}C$ radiopharmaceuticals. Materials and Methods : To develop the optimal $^{11}C$ target system and effective its cooling system, we designed the $^{11}C$ target system by Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) simulation program and considered the cavity pressure during irradiation at target grid. In this investigation, we modified target materials, cavity shapes and the position of cooling system in $^{11}C$ target and then evaluated $[^{11}C]CO_2$ production at different beam currents, thickness of the target foil, oxygen content of nitrogen gas and target gas loading pressure. Also, we evaluate the production of several $^{11}C$ radiopharmaceuticals such as [$^{11}C$]PIB, [$^{11}C$]DASB, and [$^{11}C$]Clozapine. Results : $[^{11}C]CO_2$ was produced about 74 GBq for 30min irradiation at 60 ${\mu}A$ of beam current as following conditions: thickness of the target foil: 19 nm HAVAR, oxygen content of nitrogen: under 50 ppb, target gas loading pressure: 24 bar. Additionally, the cooling system was stable to produce $[^{11}C]CO_2$ at high beam current. The radiochemical yields of [$^{11}C$]PIB, [$^{11}C$]DASB, and [$^{11}C$]Clozapine showed about 26-38% with over 127 GBq/umol of specific activity. Conclusion : The carbon-11 target system in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron was successfully developed and showed stable production of $[^{11}C]CO_2$. These results showed that our $^{11}C$ target system will be compatible with other commercial system for the routine $^{11}C$ radiopharmaceuticals production in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron.

최근 늘어나는 [$^{18}F$]FDG-PET 검사 증대와 더불어 새로운 방사성의약품으로 [$^{11}C$]아세테이트 검사가 신설되고 다양한 연구용 $^{11}C$-표지 방사성의약품 이용이 증대되고 있다. 본 연구에서는 성공리에 수행한 한국형 사이클로트론의 $^{11}C$-표적시스템을 이용하여, $[^{11}C]CO_2$ 생산 최적화 및 임상에서 사용가능한 $^{11}C$-표지 방사성의약품 생산 적용 연구를 수행하였다.