Fast [18F]FDG synthesis by alkaline hydrolysis on a low polarity solid phase support

The synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose ([F-18]FDG) has been simplified by the use of a (t)C18 Sep Pak cartridge to effect purification and hydrolysis of the tetraacetylated [F-18]fluoro-glucose compound ([F-18]TAG). After radiolabelling, this derivative was trapped on a solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge and the residual reaction solvent (CH3CN), reagents (K222, K2CO3,...) and by-products removed by washing the support with water. After this cleaning step, the acetyl groups were cleaved on the same C-t(18) column using 2N sodium hydroxide. This fast reaction proceeded near quantitatively (>98%) at room temperature in less than 2 min. The [F-18]FDG was then recovered with a small amount of water, neutralized with a slight excess of 2N hydrochloric acid, buffered for pH with a citrate solution and finally purified on a neutral alumina oxide and a second C-t(18) column. After filtration, the radiochemical yield of this [F-18]FDG isotonic solution after more than 100 production runs was found to be very reliable and reproducible (70 +/- 6% decay corrected). The synthesis time was about 22min. Quality controls showed that the radiochemical purity was higher than 98% and in any case no [F-18]FDM was detected. Only traces of 2-chloro-2-deoxy-glucose (C1DG) were found in the final sample (64 +/- 9 mug/ batch of 16 ml). [F-18]FDG specific activity averaged between I and 20 Ci/mumol (EOS). No evaporation and use of ion retardation resin (AG11A8) are required. Moreover, this new approach is suitable for complete remote operation using available single use medical components. Copyright (C) 2002 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.