A practical guide to automating fluorine-18 PET radiochemistry using commercially available cassette-based platforms

Abstract

The automation of positron emission tomography (PET) radiochemistry using cassette-based automated radiosynthesis platforms is an essential component of clinical translation for the vast majority of ¹⁸F-based radiopharmaceuticals. The technology is widely adopted by good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliant radiopharmaceutical production facilities and research institutions developing novel tracers for clinical studies. Despite automation being fundamental to clinical translation, educational resources which introduce this branch of radiochemistry to the uninitiated are limited. Publications featuring automation assume previous experience of using these platforms and therefore, the detail they provide may not be sufficient for a novice user. In this Tutorial Account, we aim to bridge this knowledge gap and provide a resource for efficient automation for radiochemists across all levels of experience.