cancer chemotherapy

Purpose: In order to facilitate the use of the PET-based 'Strauss test' for 5-FU sensitivity, a rapid and facile synthesis of (2- 11 C)5-fluorouracil ((2- 11 C)5-FU), based on ( 11 C)phosgene (( 11 C)COCl2), is reported. Methods: The key intermediate (E)-β- benzoylamino-α-fluoroacrylamide (1) and ( 11 C)phosgene was submitted to cyclo- condensation to give (2- 11 C)5-fluorouracil. Results: (2- 11 C)5-Fluorouracil was synthesized in 17 min with high (~25%) radiochemical yield. Conclusion: The present study provides a rapid, simple, and efficient synthesis of (2- 11 C)5-FU, that would serve as a useful prognostic PET tracer for 5-FU chemotherapy.