A Review of Approaches to ¹⁸F Radiolabelling Affinity Peptide & Proteins

Affinity peptide and protein- (APP) based radiotracers are an increasingly popular class of radiotracer in positron emission tomography (PET), which was once dominated by the use of small molecule radiotracers. Radiolabelled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are important examples of APPs yet a preference for smaller APPs, which exhibit fast pharmacokinetics and permit rapid PET aided diagnosis, has become apparent. 18F exhibits favourable physical characteristics for APP radiolabelling and has been described as an ideal PET radionuclide. Notwithstanding, 18F radiolabelling of APP is challenging and this is echoed in the literature where a number of diverse approaches have been adopted. This review seeks to assess and compare the approaches taken to 18F APP radiolabelling with the intention of highlighting trends within this expanding field. Generic themes have emerged in the literature, namely the use of mild radiolabelling conditions, a preference of site-specific methodologies with an impetus for short, automated procedures which produce high-yielding [18F]APPs.