Production and purification of 89Zr, a potential PET antibody label

The production of 89Zr via the (p, n) reaction on 89Y using 11 MeV protons was studied. Thick target yields at saturation were measured to be 100 ± 10 mCi/μA while thin target (57 mg/cm2; 11 MeV > Ep > 10 MeV) yields were found to be 43 ± 4 mCi/μA. 89Zr was separated from the Y target by extraction into 0.03 M dibutyl phosphate in dibutyl ether. Back-extraction into 4 M HF followed by anion exchange column chromatographic purification results in high purity no carrier added 89Zr with radiochemical yield of 84% ± 4%. Yttrium contamination is estimated to be less than the picogram level. 89Zr-linked to proteins via DTPA may be useful as a PET antibody label. (author)