Improving the separation of Cu(II) from Zn(II) based on an anion exchanger for the preparation a 62Zn/62Cu generator

Zinc and copper complexes with azacrown ethers and their comparative stability in vitro and in vivo

Copper-based radiopharmaceuticals are of high interest these days owing to the decay properties of copper radioisotopes. In contrast, labeled zinc compounds have been less studied for applications in nuclear medicine. In this study, the stability of labeled zinc and copper complexes with two azacrown ether ligands was investigated and compared. Then, the in vitro and in vivo stability of the studied zinc complexes was demonstrated, with the complexes showing promise for biomedical applications. In contrast, analogous copper complexes quickly dissociated in the presence of serum proteins. Furthermore, a simple method for the production of radiochemically pure 65Zn was proposed, and the opportunity for its use as a surrogate radionuclide for research into potential zinc-containing radiopharmaceuticals was demonstrated.

Development of copper based drugs, radiopharmaceuticals and medical materials

Copper is one of the most interesting elements for various biomedical applications. Copper compounds show vast array of biological actions, including anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, biocidal and other. It also offers a selection of radioisotopes, suitable for nuclear imaging and radiotherapy. Quick progress in nanotechnology opened new possibilities for design of copper based drugs and medical materials. To date, copper has not found many uses in medicine, but number of ongoing research, as well as preclinical and clinical studies, will most likely lead to many novel applications of copper in the near future.