Gallium-68 in Medical Imaging

Curr Radiopharm. 2016;9(3):187-207. doi: 10.2174/1874471009666161028150654.

Abstract

Over the past several years, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging agents labeled with ;68Gallium (68Ga) have undergone a significant increase in clinical utilization. 68Ga is conveniently produced from a germanium-68/gallium-68 (68Ge/68Ga) generator. Because of the compact size and ease of use of the generator, 68Ga labeled compounds may be more cost-effective than PET radioisotopes that are cyclotron-produced. The convenient half-life of 68Ga (T1/2=68 min) provides sufficient radioactivity for various PET imaging applications, while delivering acceptable radiation doses to patients. This chapter summarizes the emerging clinical utilization of 68Ga-based radiotracers in medical imaging.

Keywords: 68Gallium; PSMA.; generator; neuroendocrine tumors; positron emission tomography; somatostatin receptor scintigraphy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Gallium Radioisotopes / chemistry*
  • Gallium Radioisotopes / pharmacology*
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / chemical synthesis
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / chemistry*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Gallium Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals