Saxsons Group

Per-isotope SOP · GABI Nova

Six isotopes, six chromatograms, one release decision per batch.

The radio-HPLC chromatogram looks different per isotope. Per-isotope: which probe is fitted, which column / mobile-phase combination is used, where the labelled-product peak sits, where free radionuclide sits, what the failure-mode flags look like.

F-18 — [18F]FDG

Probe + energy

High-energy scintillator; 511 keV annihilation line

Column + mobile phase

Reversed-phase C18; isocratic 5–10 % acetonitrile / aqueous

Expected chromatogram

[18F]FDG retention ~5–7 min; free [18F]⁻ near void; partially hydrolysed [18F]FDM if column degraded

Release threshold

%RCP ≥ 95 % per Eur.Ph. 1325 / USP <823>

Failure-mode flags: Multiple late-eluting peaks indicate column or solvent degradation; free [18F]⁻ above the void threshold indicates labelling-yield drop or hydrolysis during transport

F-18 — [18F]NaF

Probe + energy

High-energy scintillator; 511 keV

Column + mobile phase

Anion-exchange column; phosphate / acetate buffer eluent

Expected chromatogram

[18F]NaF as sharp retained peak; no organic impurities expected from inorganic chemistry

Release threshold

%RCP ≥ 95 % per Eur.Ph. 2100

Failure-mode flags: Drift of the retention time indicates buffer pH drift; peak tailing indicates column degradation — schedule column swap

Ga-68 — DOTATATE / DOTATOC / PSMA-11

Probe + energy

High-energy scintillator; 511 keV annihilation; complementary 1077 keV pair line

Column + mobile phase

Reversed-phase C18 / C8; TFA / acetonitrile gradient

Expected chromatogram

Labelled peptide eluting at the cold-peptide UV retention time; free Ga-68 / Ga-68-colloid near the void

Release threshold

%RCP ≥ 95 % per Eur.Ph. monograph / site SOP

Failure-mode flags: Ga-68 free at void > 5 % indicates labelling under-reaction (low pH, low temperature, short reaction time); colloid above threshold indicates pH overshoot — adjust labelling SOP

Lu-177 — DOTATATE / PSMA-617 / FAPI

Probe + energy

Medium-energy scintillator; 113 / 208 keV doublet

Column + mobile phase

Reversed-phase C18; TFA / acetonitrile gradient

Expected chromatogram

Labelled peptide eluting at the cold-peptide UV retention time; free Lu-177 / Lu-177-EDTMP near the void; degradation peaks beyond the labelled product peak

Release threshold

%RCP ≥ 95 % (NETTER / VISION protocols target ≥ 99 %)

Failure-mode flags: Free Lu-177 above void threshold indicates incomplete chelation — check DOTA-peptide stoichiometry and reaction temperature / time; late-eluting degradation peaks indicate radiolysis — review ascorbate / gentisate stabiliser concentration

Tc-99m — kit products

Probe + energy

Low-energy scintillator; 140 keV

Column + mobile phase

Per kit-monograph reversed-phase or ion-exchange

Expected chromatogram

Tc-99m-kit labelled peak; free Tc-99m-pertechnetate near the void; reduced-hydrolysed Tc-99m as colloid at the column-front

Release threshold

%RCP ≥ 95 % per Eur.Ph. kit monograph

Failure-mode flags: Reduced-hydrolysed Tc-99m above threshold indicates stannous-reductant excess — review kit-reconstitution SOP and shelf-life

Cu-64 — investigational

Probe + energy

High-energy scintillator; 511 keV annihilation + 1346 keV gamma

Column + mobile phase

Per IIP method development

Expected chromatogram

Labelled compound at the cold-reference retention time; free Cu-64 chelate near the void; oxidised by-products beyond the labelled peak

Release threshold

Per investigator-protocol acceptance criteria

Failure-mode flags: Investigator-initiated work uses radio-HPLC for method-development AND release. Maintain protocol-locked method version per study.

Per-isotope thresholds carried in the QC software method library; the operator does not enter the threshold on the release screen. Site IQ / OQ / PQ verifies the latest Eur.Ph. / USP <823> values and locks the method version.