Radiosynthesis and evaluation of 61Cu-9,10-phenanthrenequinone thiosemicarbazone in fibrosarcoma-bearing animals for PET imaging

61 Cu-9,10-Phenanthrenequinone thiosemicarbazone ( 61 Cu-PQTS), a radiolabeled anticancer compound was prepared for malignant tissue imaging studies. Copper-61 was produced via the nat Zn( p , x ) 61 Cu nuclear reaction in a 30 MeV cyclotron (150 μA irradiation for 76 min, radionuclidic purity >95%). 61 Cu-PQTS was prepared from in-house synthesized PQTS. Quality control was performed using ITLC. The biodistribution of the tracer was compared to the biodistribution of cationic copper-61 in healthy controls. 61 Cu-PQTS was then administered to fibrosarcoma-bearing mice for biodistribution and co-incidence imaging studies. 61 Cu-PQTS demonstrated significant tumor uptake of 2.1% ID/g and the tumor was clearly visualized in a fibrosarcoma model.