Automated Multi-run Carbon-11 Radiosynthesis System

Project Summary This application requests funding to support the purchase of a new PET radiochemistry synthesis system for the production of investigational carbon-11 radiotracers. The system will be installed at the Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science’s Radiochemistry Core (RCC) facility; a core that allows access to research

radiotracers for use on three human PET/CT imaging systems, two pre-clinical PET imaging systems and a variety of other end uses. The core also offers expertise in allowing investigators to develop novel radiotracers for routine production. Currently, the RCC operates a GE TRACERlab FXc Pro as the sole automated system

capable of manufacture of carbon-11 radiotracers, which are extensively utilized by Vanderbilt researchers. Specifically, [11C]PIB, a radiotracer targeting beta-amyloid, is currently produced at maximum capacity with this single-system and additional capacity for manufacture of carbon-11 radiotracers is in high demand. Additional

carbon-11 capacity would allow for higher throughput for pre-clinical and clinical research at Vanderbilt and support further projects that would not only benefit Vanderbilt researchers, but also maximize the use of the PET scanners at VUIIS. Furthermore, breakage or extended down-time of the FXc Pro would cause major disruptions

to the core’s ability to support all ongoing and future NIH-funded studies that use carbon-11 radiotracers. Thus, the proposed carbon-11 production system was chosen to augment the current carbon-11 capacity. The selected system, composed of a FX2 MeI, FX2 M, and FASTlab 2, would substantially advance our radiotracer production

capabilities to support ongoing and future NIH-funded research. The addition of the FASTlab 2 portion of the combined system allows for dual-productions of [11C]PIB in a single setup, which would enable multiple dual- tracer studies (amyloid/tau) to be conducted in a single day. This upgraded capability would provide more reliable

production of some of the most requested radiotracers and allow for smooth integration of newly developed radiotracers to support ongoing and future NIH-funded research, ranging from studying the molecular basis of cancer, cardiovascular, and neurological diseases to developing novel therapeutic approaches.