Preparation, nano purification, quality control and labeling optimization of [64Cu]-5,10,15,20-tetrakis (penta fluoro phenyl) porphyrin complex as a possible imaging agent

Abstract

Cu-64 was produced via the 68Zn (p,αn)64Cu nuclear reaction (≈200 mCi, >95 % chemical yield at 180 μA for 1.1 h irradiation, (radionuclidic purity >96 %, copper-67 as impurity) followed by purification with amino functionalized nano magnetic oxide, Fe3O4 aiming to remove trace amount of heavy metal ions from aqueous media due to achieve ultra pure [64Cu] CuCl2 for labeling step. [64Cu] labeled 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(penta fluoro phenyl) porphyrin ([64Cu]-TFPP) was prepared using freshly prepared [64Cu] CuCl2 (Cu-64; T1/2 = 12.7 h) and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(penta fluoro phenyl)porphyrin (H2TFPP) for 60 min at 100 °C under reflux condition (radiochemical purity: >97 % ITLC, >98 % HPLC, specific activity: 14–16 GBq/mmol). Stability of the complex was checked in final formulation and human serum for 24 h. The partition coefficient was calculated for the compound (log P = 0.73). The biodistribution of the labeled compound in vital organs of wild-type rats was studied using scarification studies and PET imaging up in 2 and 4 h after injection. A detailed comparative pharmacokinetic study performed for 64Cu cation and [64Cu]-TFPP. The complex is mostly washed out from the circulation through kidneys and liver and can be an interesting tumor imaging/targeting agent due to high specific uptake and rapid excretion through the urinary tract.