A method for labeling monoclonal antimyosin antibodies with 66Ga is described. The radionuclide is a positron emitter (t1/2: 9.4h) produced by means of the 63Cu (4He, n) 66Ga reaction. Purification of the 66Ga from the copper target is described in detail. Monoclonal antimyosin antibodies are labeled with 66Ga at a high yield (99%) by transcomplexation from an acetate buffer with the diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-labeled antibody and preliminary evaluated in two dogs for imaging of myocardial necrosis by positron emission tomography.

A method for producing carrier free 66Ga (T1/2:9.4 h; beta +) by 4He bombardment of natural copper targets is presented. 66Ga is formed by means of the 63Cu (4He, n) 66Ga reaction. Production yields are given in the 17.5 to 8 MeV 4He energy range. Chemical purification of 66Ga from the copper target is described. The only radionuclidic impurity found in the final product was 67Ga. Albumin colloids from commercially available kits designed for use with 99mTc could easily be labeled with 66Ga and employed for studies of the lymphatic system by positron emission tomography.