Department of Chemistry Special Seminar - Dr. Paul Schaffer
Dr. Paul Schaffer, TRIUMF, will present a special seminar December 12th at 4:00PM in Thorv 110
Title: Radioisotopes for Imaging and Therapy
Abstract:
From its inception, the Life Sciences division at TRIUMF has leveraged the laboratory’s extensive particle accelerator expertise and infrastructure to explore novel technology that will help us understand life at the molecular level. The production of short-lived (half-life <2 hr) positron emitting isotopes (C-11, F-18, N-13, etc.) and corresponding radiopharmaceuticals has long provided a foundation for the division’s interdisciplinary science program. More recent efforts have focused on the collaborative development of novel F-18 chemistry and applications toward the synthesis of radiolabeled amino acids as novel imaging agents for cancer. We have developed novel methods to label unprotected, branched aliphatic amino acid in mild, aqueous conditions and have used this method to synthesize several system L amino acid transporter substrates. In particular, the potential of several L-[18F]fluorohomoleucine ([18F]FHL) derivatives for tumor imaging will be discussed. We have also developed 5-[18F]-fluoroaminosuberic acid ([18F]FASu) which targets the cystine-glutamate antiporter (system xC-), which plays a key role in maintaining cellular redox balance, allowing our team to explore the use of PET to non-invasively monitor tumor response to therapy.
Beyond imaging, a global renaissance in the production and application of various therapeutic, alpha- (Ac-225, Bi-213, At-211), beta- (Lu-177, Y-90) and Auger- (Sb-119) emitting isotopes is underway; many of which are now entering clinical trials for the treatment of late-stage cancers. The second part of this seminar will provide an update on TRIUMF’s efforts related to the large-scale production of 225Ac (t1/2 = 9.9 d) by the irradiation of thorium metal with 480 MeV protons. This presentation will provide an update on our production efforts with a focus on a comparison of different product isolation methods and the synthesis and biodistribution of several targeted radiopharmaceuticals.