Automated Synthesis of [18F]Fluoromethylcholine for Positron-Emission Tomography Imaging

Abstract

Automated technology for synthesizing [¹⁸F]fluoromethylcholine, a radiopharmaceutical for diagnostic positron-emission-tomography tumor imaging, was developed. A TRACERlab FX_FN synthesis module (GE Healthcare) used the combined technology of on-line alkylation and solid-phase extraction. The synthesis module was modified to allow operation at various He flow rates in critical process steps. The radiochemical yield of [¹⁸F]fluoromethylcholine was >10%, which was sufficient to produce several clinical doses. The quality control parameters of the produced [¹⁸F]fluoromethylcholine met the requirements of the RF Pharmacopoeia.