Copper-64 Radiopharmaceuticals for Oncologic Imaging

The positron emitting radionuclide Cu-64 has a radioactive half-life of 12.7 hours. The decay characteristics of Cu-64 allow for PET images that are comparable in quality to those obtained using F-18. Given the longer radioactive half-life of Cu-64 compared with F-18 and the versatility of copper chemistry, copper is an attractive alternative to the shorter-lived nuclides for PET imaging of peptides, antibodies, and small molecules that may require longer circulation times. This article discusses a number of copper radiopharmaceuticals, such as Cu-ATSM, that have been translated to the clinic and new developments in copper-based radiopharmaceuticals.