Automated preparation of 188Re-labeled radiopharmaceuticals for endovascular radiation therapy

We have developed an automated system for the preparation of highly concentrated 188Re-perrhenate, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA) and mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3). The three procedural steps include concentration of 188Re-perrhanerate, chelation and purification and sterilization. The steps are operated by a small micro-controller. The eluted 188Re-perrhenate of 15 GBq/18 ml from 37 GBq 188W/188Re-generator was concentrated to 1.2 ml in 10±0.5 min with a recovery yield of 95±1.5%. We obtained the highest radiochemical yield of 95.4±2.8% and 98.5±1.2% for 188Re-DTPA and MAG3 at the oil bath temperatures of 95–97°C and 93–97°C, respectively.