Bifunctional Gallium-68 Chelators: Past, Present, and Future.

This article reviews the development of bifunctional chelates for synthesising (68)Ga radiopharmaceuticals. It structures the chelates into groups of macrocycles, nonmacrocycles, and chimeric derivatives. The most relevant bifunctional chelates are discussed in chelate structure, parameters of (68)Ga-labeling, and stability of the (68)Ga-chelate complexes. Furthermore those derivatives are included, where (67)Ga was applied instead of (68)Ga. A particular feature discussed is the ability of certain bifunctional chelate structures to function in kit-type preparation of the (68)Ga radiopharmaceuticals. Currently, nonmacrocyclic and chimeric derivates attract particular attention such as THP-derivates and DATA-derivates.