Synthesis of ⁶⁸Ga-labeled gold nanoparticles for tumor targeted positron emission tomography imaging

Herein we present the synthesis of $^{68}Ga$-labeled gold nanoparticles for in vivo PET imaging. A novel chelator DTPA-Cys was easily prepared from diethylenetriaminepentaacetic dianhydride in high yield. The ${\alpha}_v{\beta}_3$ integrin receptor targeted gold nanoparticle probe was synthesized by using DTPA-Cys, polyethylene glycol and cRGD peptide. $^{68}Ga$ labeling of cRGD conjugated gold nanoparticle was carried out at $40^{\circ}C$ for 30 min. Observed radiochemical yield was more than 75% as determined by radio-TLC and the probe was purified by centrifugation. In vitro stability test showed that 90% of $^{68}Ga$-labeled gold nanoparticle probe was stable in FBS for 1 h. Those results demonstrated that $^{68}Ga$-labeled gold nanoparticle could be used as a potentially useful probe for specific tumor imaging.