Copper-64 Radiopharmaceuticals for Oncologic Imaging

The positron emitting radionuclide 64Cu has a radioactive half-life of 12.7 hours. The decay characteristics of 64Cu allow for PET images that are comparable in quality to those obtained using 18F. Given the longer radioactive half-life of 64Cu compared with 18F 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.