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van Dam RM, Chatziioannou AF. Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging in the Development and Production of Radiopharmaceuticals. FRONTIERS IN PHYSICS 2021; 9:632056. [PMID: 36213527 PMCID: PMC9544387 DOI: 10.3389/fphy.2021.632056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Over the past several years there has been an explosion of interest in exploiting Cerenkov radiation to enable in vivo and intraoperative optical imaging of subjects injected with trace amounts of radiopharmaceuticals. At the same time, Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) also has been serving as a critical tool in radiochemistry, especially for the development of novel microfluidic devices for producing radiopharmaceuticals. By enabling microfluidic processes to be monitored non-destructively in situ, CLI has made it possible to literally watch the activity distribution as the synthesis occurs, and to quantitatively measure activity propagation and losses at each step of synthesis, paving the way for significant strides forward in performance and robustness of those devices. In some cases, CLI has enabled detection and resolution of unexpected problems not observable via standard optical methods. CLI is also being used in analytical radiochemistry to increase the reliability of radio-thin layer chromatography (radio-TLC) assays. Rapid and high-resolution Cerenkov imaging of radio-TLC plates enables detection of issues in the spotting or separation process, improves chromatographic resolution (and/or allows reduced separation distance and time), and enables increased throughput by allowing multiple samples to be spotted side-by-side on a single TLC plate for parallel separation and readout. In combination with new multi-reaction microfluidic chips, this is creating a new possibility for high-throughput optimization in radiochemistry. In this mini review, we provide an overview of the role that CLI has played to date in the radiochemistry side of radiopharmaceuticals.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Michael van Dam
- UCLA Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- UCLA Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Arion F. Chatziioannou
- UCLA Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- UCLA Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Spinelli AE, D'Agostino E, Broggi S, Claudio F, Boschi F. Small animal irradiator dose distribution verification using radioluminescence imaging. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2020; 13:e201960217. [PMID: 32163229 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201960217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this work was the development of a novel 2D dosimetry approach for small animal external radiotherapy using radioluminescence imaging (RLI) with a commercial complementary metal oxide semiconductor detector. Measurements of RLI were performed on the small animal image-guided platform SmART, RLI data were corrected for perspective distortion using Matlab. Four irradiation fields were tested and the planar 2D dose distributions and dose profiles were compared against dose calculations performed with a Monte Carlo based treatment planning system and gafchromic film. System linearity and RLI image noise against dose were also measured. The maximum difference between beam size measured with RLI and nominal beam size was less than 8% for all the tested beams. The image correction procedure was able to reduce perspective distortion. A novel RLI approach for quality assurance of a small animal irradiator was presented and tested. Results are in agreement with MC dose calculations and gafchromic film measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sara Broggi
- Medical Physics Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy
| | - Fiorino Claudio
- Medical Physics Department, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Italy
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High-throughput radio-TLC analysis. Nucl Med Biol 2019; 82-83:41-48. [PMID: 31891883 DOI: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Radio thin layer chromatography (radio-TLC) is commonly used to analyze purity of radiopharmaceuticals or to determine the reaction conversion when optimizing radiosynthesis processes. In applications where there are few radioactive species, radio-TLC is preferred over radio-high-performance liquid chromatography due to its simplicity and relatively quick analysis time. However, with current radio-TLC methods, it remains cumbersome to analyze a large number of samples during reaction optimization. In a couple of studies, Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) has been used for reading radio-TLC plates spotted with a variety of isotopes. We show that this approach can be extended to develop a high-throughput approach for radio-TLC analysis of many samples. METHODS The high-throughput radio-TLC analysis was carried out by performing parallel development of multiple radioactive samples spotted on a single TLC plate, followed by simultaneous readout of the separated samples using Cerenkov imaging. Using custom-written MATLAB software, images were processed and regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn to enclose the radioactive regions/spots. For each sample, the proportion of integrated signal in each ROI was computed. Various crude samples of [18F]fallypride, [18F]FET and [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 were prepared for demonstration of this new method. RESULTS Benefiting from a parallel developing process and high resolution of CLI-based readout, total analysis time for eight [18F]fallypride samples was 7.5 min (2.5 min for parallel developing, 5 min for parallel readout), which was significantly shorter than the 48 min needed using conventional approaches (24 min for sequential developing, 24 min for sequential readout on a radio-TLC scanner). The greater separation resolution of CLI enabled the discovery of a low-abundance side product from a crude [18F]FET sample that was not discernable using the radio-TLC scanner. Using the CLI-based readout method, we also observed that high labeling efficiency (99%) of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 can be achieved in just 10 min, rather than the typical 30 min timeframe used. CONCLUSIONS Cerenkov imaging in combination with parallel developing of multiple samples on a single TLC plate proved to be a practical method for rapid, high-throughput radio-TLC analysis.
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Boschi F, De Sanctis F, Ugel S, Spinelli AE. T-cell tracking using Cerenkov and radioluminescence imaging. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2018; 11:e201800093. [PMID: 29770603 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201800093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy is a promising strategy based on the ability of the immune system to kill selected cells. In the development of an effective T-cell therapy, the noninvasive cell tracking methods play a crucial role. Here, we investigate the potentialities of T-cell marked with radionuclides in order to detect their localization with imaging techniques in small animal rodents. A protocol to label T-cells with 32 P-ATP was tested and evaluated. The homing of 32 P-ATP labeled T lymphocytes was investigated by Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) and radioluminescence imaging (RLI). The first approach relies on the acquisition of Cerenkov photons produced by the beta particles emitted by the 32 P internalized by lymphocytes; the second one on the detection of photons coming from the conversion of radioactive energy in light done by scintillator crystals layered on the animals. The results show that T-cell biodistribution can be optically observed by both CLI and RLI in small animal rodents in in vivo and ex vivo acquisitions. T-cell localization in the tumor mass was definitively confirmed by flow cytometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Boschi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Francesco De Sanctis
- Department of Medicine, Immunology Section, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Ugel
- Department of Medicine, Immunology Section, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Verona, Italy
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Ha YS, Lee W, Jung JM, Soni N, Pandya DN, An GI, Sarkar S, Lee WK, Yoo J. Visualization and Quantification of Radiochemical Purity by Cerenkov Luminescence Imaging. Anal Chem 2018; 90:8927-8935. [PMID: 29991252 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b01098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Determination of radiochemical purity is essential for characterization of all radioactive compounds, including clinical radiopharmaceuticals. Radio-thin layer chromatography (radio-TLC) has been used as the gold standard for measurement of radiochemical purity; however, this method has several limitations in terms of sensitivity, spatial resolution, two-dimensional scanning, and quantification accuracy. Here, we report a new analytical technique for determination of radiochemical purity based on Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI), whereby entire TLC plates are visualized by detection of Cerenkov radiation. Sixteen routinely used TLC plates were tested in combination with three different radioisotopes (131I, 124I, and 32P). All TLC plates doped with a fluorescent indicator showed excellent detection sensitivity with scanning times of less than 1 min. The new CLI method was superior to the traditional radio-TLC scanning method in terms of sensitivity, scanning time, spatial resolution, and two-dimensional scanning. The CLI method also showed better quantification features across a wider range of radioactivity values compared with radio-TLC and classical zonal analysis, especially for β--emitters such as 131I and 32P.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeong Su Ha
- Department of Molecular Medicine, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine , Kyungpook National University , Daegu , North Gyeongsang 41944 , Korea
| | - Woonghee Lee
- Department of Molecular Medicine, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine , Kyungpook National University , Daegu , North Gyeongsang 41944 , Korea
| | - Jung-Min Jung
- Department of Molecular Medicine, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine , Kyungpook National University , Daegu , North Gyeongsang 41944 , Korea
| | - Nisarg Soni
- Department of Molecular Medicine, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine , Kyungpook National University , Daegu , North Gyeongsang 41944 , Korea
| | - Darpan N Pandya
- Department of Molecular Medicine, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine , Kyungpook National University , Daegu , North Gyeongsang 41944 , Korea
| | - Gwang Il An
- Molecular Imaging Research Center , Korea Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences , Seoul 01812 , Korea
| | - Swarbhanu Sarkar
- Department of Molecular Medicine, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine , Kyungpook National University , Daegu , North Gyeongsang 41944 , Korea
| | - Won Kee Lee
- Medical Research Collabration Center in Kyungpook National University Hospital and School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University , Daegu , North Gyeongsang 41944 , Korea
| | - Jeongsoo Yoo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine , Kyungpook National University , Daegu , North Gyeongsang 41944 , Korea
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Boschi F, De Sanctis F, Spinelli AE. Optical emission of 223 Radium: in vitro and in vivo preclinical applications. JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS 2018; 11:e201700209. [PMID: 29055100 DOI: 10.1002/jbio.201700209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
223 Radium (223 Ra) is widely used in nuclear medicine to treat patients with osseous metastatic prostate cancer. In clinical practice 223 Ra cannot be imaged directly; however, gamma photons produced by its short-lived daughter nuclides can be captured by conventional gamma cameras. In this work, we show that 223 Ra and its short-lived daughter nuclides can be detected with optical imaging techniques. The light emission of 223 Ra was investigated in vitro using different setups in order to clarify the mechanism of light production. The results demonstrate that the luminescence of the 223 Ra chloride solution, usually employed in clinical treatments, is compatible with Cerenkov luminescence having an emission spectrum that is almost indistinguishable from CR one. This study proves that luminescence imaging can be successfully employed to detect 223 Ra in vivo in mice by imaging whole body 223 Ra biodistribution and more precisely its uptake in bones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Boschi
- Department of Computer Science, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Ackerman NL, Boschi F, Spinelli AE. Monte Carlo simulations support non-Cerenkov radioluminescence production in tissue. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2017; 22:1-11. [PMID: 28819962 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.22.8.086002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
There is experimental evidence for the production of non-Cerenkov radioluminescence in a variety of materials, including tissue. We constructed a Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation of the radiation from P32 and Tc99m interacting in chicken breast and used experimental imaging data to model a scintillation-like emission. The same radioluminescence spectrum is visible from both isotopes and cannot otherwise be explained through fluorescence or filter miscalibration. We conclude that chicken breast has a near-infrared scintillation-like response with a light yield three orders of magnitude smaller than BGO.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Ackerman
- Agnes Scott College, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Decatur, Georgia, United States
| | - Federico Boschi
- University of Verona, Department of Computer Science, Verona, Italy
| | - Antonello E Spinelli
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Centre for Experimental Imaging, Department of Medical Physics, M, Italy
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Spinelli AE, Schiariti MP, Grana CM, Ferrari M, Cremonesi M, Boschi F. Cerenkov and radioluminescence imaging of brain tumor specimens during neurosurgery. JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL OPTICS 2016; 21:50502. [PMID: 27156713 DOI: 10.1117/1.jbo.21.5.050502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
We presented the first example of Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) and radioluminescence imaging (RLI) of human tumor specimens. A patient with a brain meningioma localized in the left parietal region was injected with 166 MBq of 90Y-DOTATOC the day before neurosurgery. The specimens of the tumor removed during surgery were imaged using both CLI and RLI using an optical imager prototype developed in our laboratory. The system is based on a cooled electron multiplied charge coupled device coupled with an f ∕0.95 17-mm C-mount lens. We showed for the first time the possibility of obtaining CLI and RLI images of fresh human brain tumor specimens removed during neurosurgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonello Enrico Spinelli
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Experimental Imaging Centre, Via Olgettina N. 60, Milan 20182 Italy
| | - Marco P Schiariti
- Neurological Institute C. Besta, Neurosurgery unit 2, Via Celoria 11, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Chiara M Grana
- European Institute of Oncology, Nuclear Medicine Department, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan 20141, Italy
| | - Mahila Ferrari
- European Institute of Oncology, Medical Physics Unit, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan 20141, Italy
| | - Marta Cremonesi
- European Institute of Oncology, Medical Physics Unit, Via Ripamonti 435, Milan 20141, Italy
| | - Federico Boschi
- University of Verona, Department of Computer Science, Strada Le Grazie 15, Verona 37134, Italy
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Bremsstrahlung radiation detection for small animal imaging using a CCD detector. Phys Med 2016; 32:706-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmp.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
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