Fully automated synthesis and coupling of [18F]FBEM to glutathione using the iPHASE FlexLab module

Abstract

Site-specific radiolabelling of peptides or antibodies using [ 18F]FBEM is often preferred over non-site-specific radiolabelling with [18F]SFB because it does not affect the affinity of the antibody to its target. Unfortunately, the synthesis of [18F]FBEM and its conjugation to thiol containing macromolecules requires some manual intervention, which leads to radiation exposure of the radiochemist. In this publication, we report on the complete automation of [18F]FBEM production and its subsequent conjugation to glutathione using a slightly modified iPHASE FlexLab module. [18F]FBEM was produced in 1.185 ± 0.168 GBq (15-20%; n = 10; 0.75 ± 0.106 GBq non-decay corrected) with a specific activit..