One-pot and one-step automated radio-synthesis of [(18)F]AlF-FAPI-74 using a multi purpose synthesizer: a proof-of-concept experiment

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is overexpressed in the stroma of many types of cancer. [(18)F]AlF-FAPI-74 is a positron emission tomography tracer with high selectivity for FAP, which has already shown high accumulation within human tumors in clinical studies. However, [(18)F]AlF-FAPI-74 radiosynthesis has not been optimized using an automated synthesizer. Herein, we report a one-pot and one-step automated radiosynthesis method using a multi purpose synthesizer. RESULTS: Radiosynthesis of [(18)F]AlF-FAPI-74 was performed using a cassette-type multi purpose synthesizer CFN-MPS200. After the recovery rate of trapped [(18)F]fluoride onto the anion-exchange cartridge using a small amount of eluent was investigated manually, a dedicated [(18)F]AlF-FAPI-74 synthesis cassette and synthesis program for one-pot and one-step fluorination was developed. The solutions for the formulation of [(18)F]AlF-FAPI-74 synthesized using this were evaluated to obtain stable radiochemical purity. The recovery rate of [(18)F]fluoride with only 300 µL of eluent ranged 90 ± 9% by introduction from the male side and elution from the female side of the cartridge. In automated synthesis, the eluted [(18)F]fluoride and precursor solution containing aluminum chloride were mixed; then, fluorination was performed in a one-pot and one-step process at room temperature for 5 min, followed by 15 min at 95 °C. As a result, the radioactivity of [(18)F]AlF-FAPI-74 was 11.3 ± 1.1 GBq at the end of synthesis from 32 to 40 GBq of [(18)F]fluoride, and its radiochemical yield was 37 ± 4% (n = 10). The radiochemical purity at the end of the synthesis was ≥ 97% for all formulation solutions. When the diluent was saline, the radiochemical purity markedly decreased after 4 h of synthesis. In contrast, with phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4) or 10 mM phosphate-buffered saline (pH 6.7) containing 100 mg of sodium ascorbate, the radiochemical purity was stable at 97%. Non-radioactive AlF-FAPI-74 and total impurities, including non-radioactive AlF-FAPI-74, were 0.3 ± 0.1 µg/mL and 2.8 ± 0.6 µg/mL. Ethanol concentration and residual DMSO were 5.5 ± 0.2% and 21 ± 6 ppm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We established a one-pot one-step automated synthesis method using a CFN-MPS200 synthesizer that provided high radioactivity and stable radiochemical purity for possible clinical applications.