Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of [18F]AlF-NOTA-Glc-Folate as a novel folate-receptor-targeted PET tracer.

A novel 18F-labeled radiotracer ([18F]AlF-NOTA-Glc-Folate) modified with a hydrophilic linker (-Glc-) was developed for PET imaging of folate-receptor-positive tumors. [18F]AlF-NOTA-Glc-Folate was manually synthesized within 30 min with high radiochemical yield and radiochemical purity. Cellular studies exhibited that [18F]AlF-NOTA-Glc-Folate had a high specificity and affinity for the folate-receptor. Biodistribution and micro-PET imaging results showed proper uptake of [18F]AlF-NOTA-Glc-Folate in tumors, as well as low uptake and rapid clearance in most normal organs, except for the kidney. [18F]AlF-NOTA-Glc-Folate seems to be a potential radiotracer for PET imaging of tumors with folate-receptor expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]