Radiation Dosimetry of the 18 kDa Translocator Protein Ligand [18F]PBR111 in Humans

This study investigated the whole-body biodistribution and radiation dosimetry of the second-generation TSPO radioligand [18F]PBR111 in healthy volunteers. The translocator protein (TSPO, 18 kDa) is a mitochondrial marker overexpressed in activated microglia and astrocytes during neuroinflammatory processes such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological or systemic conditions. [18F]PBR111, a fluorine-18 labeled imidazopyridine derivative, offers high affinity and specificity for TSPO but is sensitive to the rs6971 polymorphism, leading to different binding classes (high- and mixed-affinity binders). Establishing accurate human dosimetry was essential before extending its clinical use.

Six healthy volunteers (3 females, 3 males) free from chronic or acute inflammatory, infectious, or allergic conditions were recruited under local ethics approval (Geneva University Hospitals). All participants underwent genotyping for the rs6971 polymorphism to confirm the absence of low-affinity binders. Each subject received approximately 200 MBq of [18F]PBR111 intravenously, synthesized via an automated AllInOne module using [18F]fluoride produced on an IBA 18.5 MeV cyclotron. Radiochemical preparation included QMA cartridge trapping, elution with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide, azeotropic drying, nucleophilic substitution with the precursor, purification by semi-preparative HPLC, and formulation through dual C18 SepPak cartridges, ethanol/saline elution, and sterilizing filtration. The final product was obtained with high radiochemical purity and molar activity.

Dynamic whole-body PET/CT was performed on a Siemens Biograph™ Vision 600 Edge using continuous bed motion and 10 sequential passes of increasing duration over ~130 minutes. Low-dose CT provided attenuation correction. PET images were reconstructed with OP-OSEM (2 iterations, 21 subsets), incorporating TOF and resolution modeling, and expressed as SUV (body weight normalized). Organ segmentation was achieved using a deep-learning model applied to PET/CT data, covering major target organs (liver, lungs, spleen, kidneys, red bone marrow, GI tract, urinary bladder, heart wall, pancreas, adrenals, thyroid, etc.), with the remainder of the body included for dosimetric completeness.

Organ time-activity curves were derived from decay-corrected PET data, integrated, and analyzed using OLINDA/EXM v2.2 to calculate residence times and absorbed doses. Effective dose estimates followed ICRP-103 methodology. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney tests (sex effects) and Friedman tests with Dunn's multiple comparisons (organ contributions).

Inclusion criteria

• Aged ≥18 (3 male and 3 female participants)
• Fluent in French and able and willing to provide written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Homozygosity for the rs6971 polymorphism on TSPO that results in low-affinity binding. This criterion is added because this polymorphism alters significantly the ability of the radiotracer [18F]PBR111 to bind to TSPO, hence precluding quantification.
• Absence of a stable contraceptive regimen (specifically, intrauterine contraceptive device or contraceptive treatment per os). Only women with stable contraception will be added to eliminate the risk of exposure of pregnant women and their foetus to radioactivity.
• Presence of any significant history or current diagnosis of chronic disease or syndrome (including neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular, oncological, metabolic, rheumatological conditions).
• One or more episode(s) of acute infectious or allergic reaction in the last month before inclusion and during the study period. Again, we cannot exclude that such conditions might produce immune alterations in the brain, thus confounding the results of TSPO quantification with [18F]PBR111.
• Presence of clinically relevant laboratory abnormalities in the haematological and biochemical blood tests, as defined as laboratory values that require clinical workup and/or treatment (e.g. anaemia, hyperglycaemia, electrolyte imbalances)
• A body mass index <20 or >30 (this criterion is necessary because TSPO has been shown to be variable with respect to body mass index (113-115)).
• Exposure to research related radiation in the past five years that, when combined with this study, would place subjects above the allowable limits.
• Conditions precluding entry into the scanners (e.g. claustrophobia).