Background: Gallium-66 (T_1/2= 9.49 h) is an interesting radionuclide that has potential for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of biological processes in intermediate to slow target tissue uptake. Oxine has been labeled with this radioisotope in the form of [⁶⁶Ga]gallium chloride for its possible diagnostic properties.

Materials and methods: ⁶⁶Ga was produced in the 30 MeV cyclotron (Cyclon-30, IBA) via the ⁶⁶Zn(p,n)⁶⁶Ga reaction.TLC was performed on polymer backed silica gel. A Gamma spectrometer HPGe detector was used for countings.

Results: After the bombardment, the production yield was 11.2 mCi/ m Ah. The [⁶⁶Ga]Oxine complex was obtained at the pH=5 in phosphate buffer medium at 37 ° C in 10 minutes. Radio-TLC showed an overall radiochemical yield of 97% (radiochemical purity > 98%). The chemical stability of the complex was checked in vitro with a specific activity of 896 mCi/ml.

Conclusion: [⁶⁶Ga]oxine can be used in diagnostic studies due to its suitable physico-chemical properties both in vitro and in vivo. Iran . J. Radiat. Res., 2003; 1(3): 157 - 161