64 Cu-Radiopharmaceuticals

Copper (Cu) is a transition metal with atomic number 29, involved in several physiological processes, being cofactor for numerous enzymes, such as the “Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase,” “cytochrome-C-oxidase,” “tyrosinase,” “ceruloplasmin,” and other proteins. Moreover, the Cu is essential for respiration, iron transport and metabolism, cell growth, and hemostasis [1, 2]. It may also play a role in cancer development and progression, acting as neo-angiogenetic promoter [3, 4].