Recent Advances in Cancer Imaging with 64 CuCl 2 PET/CT.

Copper is required for cancer cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis. Radioactive copper-64 chloride ( 64 CuCl 2 ) is a useful radiotracer for cancer imaging with position emission tomography (PET) based on increased cellular uptake of copper mediated by human copper transporter 1 (hCtr1) expressed on cancer cell membrane. Significant progress has been made in research of using 64 CuCl 2 as a radiotracer for cancer imaging with PET. Radiation dosimetry study in humans demonstrated radiation safety of 64 CuCl 2 . Recently, 64 CuCl 2 was successfully used for PET imaging of prostate cancer, bladder cancer, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and non-small cell lung carcinoma in humans. Based on the findings from the preclinical research studies, 64 CuCl 2 PET/CT also holds potential for diagnostic imaging of human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), malignant melanoma, and detection of intracranial metastasis of copper-avid tumors based on low physiological background of radioactive copper uptake in the brain. Copper-64 radionuclide emits both β + and β - particles, suggesting therapeutic potential of 64 CuCl 2 for radionuclide cancer therapy of copper-avid tumors. Recent progress in production of therapeutic copper-67 radionuclide invites clinical research in use of theranostic pair of 64 CuCl 2 and 67 CuCl 2 for cancer imaging and radionuclide therapy.