Liver PET Reloaded: Automated Synthesis of [(68)Ga]Ga-BP-IDA for Positron Imaging of the Hepatobiliary Function and First Clinical Experience

Hepatobiliary scintigraphy is a well-established nuclear imaging method for evaluating liver function and displaying the biliary system, but the spatial and temporal resolution is limited, and, there is still no established PET equivalent. Adapted from the work of Schuhmacher et al. in 1983, the production of a (68)Gallium-labeled substitute, tetrabromophthalein ([(68)Ga]Ga-BP-IDA), was undertaken according to current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards and proved feasible and reproducible. PET/CT with the radiotracer was performed in two complex patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in preparation for transarterial radioembolization. Due to its high spatial and temporal resolution, localization of areas with impaired liver function and visualization of the biliary system were possible. We could demonstrate that this (68)Gallium-labeled, IDA-based PET tracer is feasible and could advance hepatic and biliary function PET imaging.