Cyclotron production of Sc-44 from natural calcium

Objectives: he production of Sc-44 from calcium with natural isotopic composition using a cyclotron can be relatively simple and inexpensive. We carried out a number of irradiations in 16 MeV PETtrace cyclotrons using calcium carbonate and metallic calcium pellets as targets. Both forms of the target materials allow to obtain 300-400 MBq 44Sc from 120 mg solid target material in 1 hr irradiation with 30 uA proton beam. After pellet dissolution in hydrochloric acid the Sc-44 has been separated from the bulk of calcium be precipitation of Sc(OH)3 and the scandium solution purified by cation exchange or using solid phase extraction on DGA resin. The yield of scandium-44 separation ranged from 70 to 90% and didn't depend whether calcium target was in the metallic or carbonate form. The time needed to separate the scandium-44 did not exceed 1 hour. The obtained Sc-44 has been used for efficient labelling of selected biomolecules such as EDTMP, DOTATATE and DOTA-Substance P. Procedures for targets preparation and chemistry of their processing will be presented in detail. The developed methodology can be GMP upgraded for potential clinical use of 44Sc. Acknowledgements: This project was supported with the funds awarded by the National Centre for Research and Development in Poland within the Applied Science Program, grant no PBS3/A9/28/2015 and CERAD project, financed under Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020, Priority IV, Measure 4.2.