Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of [18F]2-(4-(4-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)phenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazine-3,5(2H,4H)-dione ([18F]FECUMI-101) as an imaging probe for 5-HT1A receptor agonist in nonhuman primates

The 5-HT_1AR partial agonist PET radiotracer, [¹¹C]CUMI-101, has advantages over an antagonist radiotracer as it binds preferentially to the high affinity state of the receptor and thereby provides more functionally meaningful information. The major drawback of C-11 tracers is the lack of cyclotron facility in many health care centers thereby limiting widespread clinical or research use. We identified the fluoroethyl derivative, 2-(4-(4-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)phenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butyl)-4-methyl-1,2,4-triazine-3,5(2H,4H)dione (FECUMI-101) (K_i = 0.1 nM; E_max = 77%; EC₅₀ = 0.65 nM) as a partial agonist 5-HT_1AR ligand of the parent ligand CUMI-101. FECUMI-101 is radiolabeled with F-18 by O-fluoroethylation of the corresponding desmethyl analogue (1) with [¹⁸F]fluoroethyltosylate in DMSO in the presence of 1.6 equiv of K₂CO₃ in 45 ± 5% yield (EOS). PET shows [¹⁸F]FECUMI-101 binds specifically to 5-HT_1AR enriched brain regions of baboon. The specificity of [¹⁸F]FECUMI-101 binding to 5-HT_1AR was confirmed by challenge studies with the known 5-HT_1AR ligand WAY100635. These findings indicate that [¹⁸F]FECUMI-101 can be a viable agonist ligand for the in vivo quantification of high affinity 5-HT_1AR with PET.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 18F labeled fluoro-oligo-ethoxylated 4-benzylpiperazine derivatives for sigma-1 receptor imaging

We report the synthesis and evaluation of a series of fluoro-oligo-ethoxylated 4-benzylpiperazine derivatives as potential σ₁ receptor ligands. In vitro competition binding assays showed that 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylmethyl)-4-(4-(2-fluoroethoxy)benzyl)piperazine (6) exhibits low nanomolar affinity for σ₁ receptors (K_i = 1.85 ± 1.59 nM) and high subtype selectivity (σ₂ receptor: K_i = 291 ± 111 nM; K_iσ₂/K_iσ₁ = 157). [¹⁸F]6 was prepared in 30–50% isolated radiochemical yield, with radiochemical purity of >99% by HPLC analysis after purification, via nucleophilic ¹⁸F^? substitution of the corresponding tosylate precursor. The log D_{pH 7.4} value of [¹⁸F]6 was found to be 2.57 ± 0.10, which is within the range expected to give high brain uptake. Biodistribution studies in mice demonstrated relatively high concentration of radiotracers in organs known to contain σ₁ receptors, including the brain, lungs, kidneys, heart, and spleen. Administration of haloperidol 5 min prior to injection of [¹⁸F]6 significantly reduced the concentration of radiotracers in the above-mentioned organs. The accumulation of radiotracers in the bone was quite low suggesting that [¹⁸F]6 is relatively stable to in vivo defluorination. The ex vivo autoradiography in rat brain showed high accumulation of radiotracers in the brain areas known to possess high expression of σ₁ receptors. These findings suggest that [¹⁸F]6 is a suitable radiotracer for imaging σ₁ receptors with PET in vivo.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 18F-labled 2-phenylindole derivatives as PET imaging probes for β-amyloid plaques

A novel series of fluorinated 2-phenylindole derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as β-amyloid imaging probes for PET. The in vitro inhibition assay demonstrated that their binding affinities for Aβ_1–42 aggregates ranged from 28.4 to 1097.8 nM. One ligand was labeled with ¹⁸F ([¹⁸F]1a) for its high affinity (K_i = 28.4 nM), which was also confirmed by in vitro autoradiography experiments on brain sections of transgenic mouse (C57BL6, APPswe/PSEN1, 11 months old, male). In vivo biodistribution experiments in normal mice showed that this radiotracer displayed high initial uptake (5.82 ± 0.51% ID/g at 2 min) into and moderate washout (2.77 ± 0.31% ID/g at 60 min) from the brain. [¹⁸F]1a could be developed as a promising new PET imaging probe for Aβ plaques although necessary modifications are still needed.     

Fluorine-18 labeled galactosylated chitosan for asialoglycoprotein-receptor-mediated hepatocyte imaging

Galactosylated chitosan (GC) was prepared by reacting lactobionic acid with water-soluble chitosan. GC was labeled with fluorine-18 by conjugation with N-succinimidyl-4-¹⁸F-fluorobenzoate ([¹⁸F]SFB) under a slightly basic condition. After rapid purification with HiTrap desalting column, [¹⁸F]FB-GC was obtained with high radiochemical purity (>97%) determined by radio-HPLC. The total reaction time for [¹⁸F]FB-GC was about 150 min. Typical decay-corrected radiochemical yield was about 4–8%. Ex vivo biodistribution in normal mice showed that [¹⁸F]FB-GC had moderate activity accumulation in liver with very good retention (11.13 ± 1.63, 10.97 ± 1.90 and 10.77 ± 0.95% ID/g at 10, 60, 120 min after injection, respectively). The other tissues except kidney showed relative low radioactivity accumulation. The high liver/background ratio affords promising biological properties to get clear images. The specific binding of this radiotracer to the ASGP receptor was confirmed by blocking experiment in mice. Compared with the non-blocking group the hepatic uptake of [¹⁸F]FB-GC significantly declined in all selected time points. The better liver retention properties of [¹⁸F]FB-GC than that of albumin based imaging agents may improve imaging quality and simplify pharmacokinetic model of liver function in the future application with PET imaging.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 18F-labeled mitiglinide derivatives as positron emission tomography tracers for β-cell imaging

Measuring changes in β-cell mass in vivo during progression of diabetes mellitus is important for understanding the pathogenesis, facilitating early diagnosis, and developing novel therapeutics for this disease. However, a non-invasive method has not been developed. A novel series of mitiglinide derivatives (o-FMIT, m-FMIT and p-FMIT; FMITs) were synthesized and their binding affinity for the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) of pancreatic islets were evaluated by inhibition studies. (+)-(S)-o-FMIT had the highest affinity of our synthesized FMITs (IC₅₀ = 1.8 μM). (+)-(S)-o-[¹⁸F]FMIT was obtained with radiochemical yield of 18% by radiofluorination of racemic precursor 7, hydrolysis, and optical resolution with chiral HPLC; its radiochemical purity was >99%. In biodistribution experiments using normal mice, (+)-(S)-o-[¹⁸F]FMIT showed 1.94 ± 0.42% ID/g of pancreatic uptake at 5 min p.i., and decreases in radioactivity in the liver (located close to the pancreas) was relatively rapid. Ex vivo autoradiography experiments using pancreatic sections confirmed accumulation of (+)-(S)-o-[¹⁸F]FMIT in pancreatic β-cells. These results suggest that (+)-(S)-o-[¹⁸F]FMIT meets the basic requirements for an radiotracer, and could be a candidate positron emission tomography tracer for in vivo imaging of pancreatic β-cells.     

Preparation and biodistribution of [18F]FP2OP as myocardial perfusion imaging agent for positron emission tomography

Myocardial extractions of pyridaben, a mitochondrial complex I (MC-I) inhibitor, is well correlated with blood flow. Based on the synthesis and characterization of pyridaben analogue 2-tert-butyl-5-[2-(2-[¹⁸F]fluroethoxy)ethoxy]benzyloxy]-4-chloro-2H-pyridazin-3-one ([¹⁸F]FP2OP), this study assessed its potential to be developed as myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) agent.Methods: The tosylate labeling precursor 2-(2-(4-(tert-butyl-5-chloro-6-oxo-1,6-dihydro-pyridazin-4-yloxymethyl)benzyloxy)ethoxy)ethyl ester (OTs-P2OP) and the nonradioactive 2-tert-butyl-5-[2-(2-[¹⁹F]fluroethoxy)ethoxy]benzyloxy]-4-chloro-2H-pyridazin-3-one ([¹⁹F]FP2OP) were synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and MS analysis. By substituting tosyl of precursor OTs-P2OP with ¹⁸F, the radiolabeled complex [¹⁸F]FP2OP was prepared and further evaluated for its in vitro physicochemical properties, in vivo biodistribution, the metabolic stability in mice, ex vivo autoradiography and cardiac PET/CT imaging.Results: Starting with [¹⁸F]F^? Kryptofix 2.2.2./K₂CO₃ solution, the total reaction time for [¹⁸F]FP2OP was about 100 min, with final high-performance liquid chromatography purification included. Typical decay-corrected radiochemical yield stayed at 41 ± 5.3%, the radiochemical purity, 98% or more. Biodistribution in mice showed that the heart uptake of [¹⁸F]FP2OP was 41.90 ± 4.52%ID/g at 2 min post-injection time, when the ratio of heart/liver, heart/lung and heart/blood reached 6.83, 9.49 and 35.74, respectively. Lipophilic molecule was further produced by metabolized [¹⁸F]FP2OP in blood and urine at 30 min. Ex vivo autoradiography demonstrates that [¹⁸F]FP2OP may have high affinity with MC-I and that can be blocked by [¹⁹F]FP2OP or rotenone (a known MC-I inhibitor). Cardiac PET images were obtained in a Chinese mini-swine at 5, 15, 30 and 60 min post-injection time with high quality.Conclusion: [¹⁸F]FP2OP was synthesized with high radiochemical yield. The promising biological properties of [¹⁸F]FP2OP suggest high potential as MPI agent for positron emission tomography in the future.     

Development of a new epidermal growth factor receptor positron emission tomography imaging agent based on the 3-cyanoquinoline core: Synthesis and biological evaluation

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/c-ErbB1/HER1) is overexpressed in many cancers including breast, ovarian, endometrial, and non-small cell lung cancer. An EGFR specific imaging agent could facilitate clinical evaluation of primary tumors and/or metastases. To achieve this goal we designed and synthesized a small array of fluorine containing compounds based on a 3-cyanoquinoline core. A lead compound, 16, incorporating 2′-fluoroethyl-1,2,3-triazole was selected for evaluation as a radioligand based on its high affinity for EGFR kinase (IC₅₀ = 1.81 ± 0.18 nM), good cellular potency (IC₅₀ = 21.97 ± 9.06 nM), low lipophilicity and good metabolic stability. ‘Click’ labeling afforded [¹⁸F]16 in 37.0 ± 3.6% decay corrected radiochemical yield based on azide [¹⁸F]14 and 7% end of synthesis (EOS) yield from aqueous fluoride. Compound [¹⁸F]16 was obtained with >99% radiochemical purity in a total synthesis time of 3 h. The compound showed good stability in vivo and a fourfold higher uptake in high EGFR expressing A431 tumor xenografts compared to low EGFR expressing HCT116 tumor xenografts. Furthermore, the radiotracer could be visualized in A431 tumor bearing mice by small animal PET imaging. Compound [¹⁸F]16 therefore constitutes a promising radiotracer for further evaluation for imaging of EGFR status.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a 18F-labeled spirocyclic piperidine derivative as promising σ1 receptor imaging agent

Several spirocyclic piperidine derivatives were designed and synthesized as σ₁ receptor ligands. In vitro competition binding assays showed that the fluoroalkoxy analogues with small substituents possessed high affinity towards σ₁ receptors and subtype selectivity. Particularly for ligand 1′-((6-(2-fluoroethoxy)pyridin-3-yl)methyl)-3H-spiro[2-benzofuran-1,4′-piperidine] (2), high σ₁ receptor affinity (K_i = 2.30 nM) and high σ₁/σ₂ subtype selectivity (142-fold) as well as high σ₁/VAChT selectivity (234-fold) were observed. [¹⁸F]2 was synthesized using an efficient one-pot, two-step reaction method in a home-made automated synthesis module, with an overall isolated radiochemical yield of 8–10%, a radiochemical purity of higher than 99%, and specific activity of 56–78 GBq/μmol. Biodistribution studies of [¹⁸F]2 in ICR mice indicated high initial brain uptake and a relatively fast washout. Administration of haloperidol, compound 1 and different concentrations of SA4503 (3, 5, or 10 μmol/kg) 5 min prior to injection of [¹⁸F]2 significantly decreased the accumulation of radiotracer in organs known to contain σ₁ receptors. Ex vivo autoradiography in Sprague–Dawley rats demonstrated high accumulation of radiotracer in brain areas with high expression of σ₁ receptors. These encouraging results prove that [¹⁸F]2 is a suitable candidate for σ₁ receptor imaging with PET in humans.     

A novel 18F-labeled pyridyl benzofuran derivative for imaging of β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s brains

A potential probe for PET targeting β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain, FPYBF-1 (5-(5-(2-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)benzofuran-2-yl)-N,N-dimethylpyridin-2-amine), was synthesized and evaluated. In experiments in vitro, FPYBF-1 displayed high affinity for Aβ(1–42) aggregates (K_i = 0.9 nM), and substantial labeling of β-amyloid plaques in sections of postmortem AD brains but not control brains. In experiments in vivo, [¹⁸F]FPYBF-1 displayed good initial uptake (5.16%ID/g at 2 min postinjection) and rapid washout from the brain (2.44%ID/g at 60 min postinjection) in normal mice, and excellent binding to β-amyloid plaques in a murine model of AD. Furthermore, the specific labeling of plaques labeling was observed in autoradiographs of autopsied AD brain sections. [¹⁸F]FPYBF-1 may be a useful probe for imaging β-amyloid plaques in living brain tissue.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 1-[2-(4-[11C]methoxyphenyl)phenyl]piperazine for imaging of the serotonin 5-HT7 receptor in the rat brain

1-[2-(4-Methoxyphenyl)phenyl]piperazine (4) is a potent serotonin 5-HT₇ receptor antagonist (K_i = 2.6 nM) with a low binding affinity for the 5-HT_1A receptor (K_i = 476 nM). As a potential positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for the 5-HT₇ receptor, [¹¹C]4 was synthesized at high radiochemical yield and specific activity, by O-[¹¹C]methylation of 2′-(piperazin-1-yl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ol (6) with [¹¹C]methyl iodide. Autoradiography revealed that [¹¹C]4 showed in vitro specific binding with 5-HT₇ in the rat brain regions, such as the thalamus which is a region with high 5-HT₇ expression. Metabolite analysis indicated that intact [¹¹C]4 in the brain exceeded 90% of the radioactive components at 15 min after the radiotracer injection, although two radiolabeled metabolites were found in the rat plasma. The PET study of rats showed moderated uptake of [¹¹C]4 in the brain (1.2 SUV), but no significant regional difference in radioactivity in the brain. Pretreatment with 5-HT₇-selective antagonist SB269970 (3) did not decrease the uptake of [¹¹C]4 in the rat brain. Further studies are warranted that focus on the development of PET ligand candidates with higher binding affinity for 5-HT₇ and higher in vivo stability in brain than 4.     

Synthesis of 18F-labelled 2-(4′-fluorophenyl)-1,3-benzothiazole and evaluation as amyloid imaging agent in comparison with [11C]PIB

2-(4′-[¹⁸F]fluorophenyl)-1,3-benzothiazole was synthesized as a fluorine-18 labelled derivative of the Pittsburg Compound-B (PIB), which has known affinity for amyloid β and promising characteristics as tracer for in vivo visualisation of amyloid deposits in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Both the nitro-precursor 2-(4′-nitrophenyl)-1,3-benzothiazole and the non-radioactive reference compound were synthesized using a 1-step synthesis pathway. Labelling was achieved by direct aromatic nucleophilic substitution of the nitro-precursor using [¹⁸F]fluoride by heating for 20 min at 150 °C and with a radiochemical yield of 38%. The reference compound showed high affinity for amyloid in an in vitro competition binding study using human AD brain homogenates (K_i = 9.0 nM) and fluorescence imaging of incubated transgenic APP mouse brain slices confirmed binding to amyloid plaques. A biodistribution study in normal mice showed a high brain uptake at 2 min pi (3.20% ID/g) followed by a fast washout (60 min pi: 0.21% ID/g). A dynamic μPET study was performed in a transgenic APP and normal WT mouse, but, similar to [¹¹C]PIB, no difference was seen in tracer retention between both kind of mice. The new ¹⁸F-labelled 2-phenylbenzothiazole showed excellent preclinical characteristics comparable with those of the ¹¹C-labelled PIB.     

A new single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging agent for serotonin transporters: [125I]Flip-IDAM, (2-((2-((dimethylamino)methyl)-4-iodophenyl)thio)phenyl)methanol

New ligands for in vivo brain imaging of serotonin transporter (SERT) with single photon emission tomography (SPECT) were prepared and evaluated. An efficient synthesis and radiolabeling of a biphenylthiol, FLIP-IDAM, 4, was accomplished. The affinity of FLIP-IDAM was evaluated by an in vitro inhibitory binding assay using [¹²⁵I]-IDAM as radioligand in rat brain tissue homogenates (K_i = 0.03 nM). New [¹²⁵I]Flip-IDAM exhibited excellent binding affinity to SERT binding sites with a high hypothalamus to cerebellum ratio of 4 at 30 min post iv injection. The faster in vivo kinetics for brain uptake and a rapid washout from non-specific regions provide excellent signal to noise ratio. This new agent, when labeled with ¹²³I, may be a useful imaging agent for mapping SERT binding sites in the human brain.     

Synthesis,radiolabeling and preliminary in vivo evaluation of [18F]FE-PE2I,a new probe for the dopamine transporter

A new dopamine transporter (DAT) ligand, (E)-N-(3-iodoprop-2-enyl)-2β-carbofluoroethoxy-3β-(4′-methyl-phenyl) nortropane (FE-PE2I, 6), derived from PE2I (1), was prepared and found to be a potent inhibitor of rodent DAT in vitro. Compound 6 was radiolabelled with fluorine-18 (t_1/2 = 109.8 min) for PET studies in monkeys. In vivo PET measurements showed a regional distribution in brain that corresponds to the known distribution of DAT. This binding was specific, reversible and the kinetics of [¹⁸F]6 binding in brain were faster than for its lead compound, [¹¹C]1. The possible presence of a hydroxymethyl-radiometabolite formed by oxidation in the 3β-benzylic position of [¹⁸F]6 warrants further detailed evaluation of the metabolism of [¹⁸F]6. [¹⁸F]6 is a potential radioligand for imaging DATs in the human brain with PET.     

Synthesis and preclinical characterization of 1-(6′-deoxy-6′-[18F]fluoro-β-d-allofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (β-6′-[18F]FAZAL) as a positron emission tomography radiotracer to assess tumor hypoxia

Positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18 (¹⁸F)-labeled 2-nitroimidazole radiotracers has proven useful for assessment of tumor oxygenation. However, the passive diffusion-driven cellular uptake of currently available radiotracers results in slow kinetics and low tumor-to-background ratios. With the aim to develop a compound that is actively transported into cells, 1-(6′-deoxy-6′-[¹⁸F]fluoro-β-d-allofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (β-[¹⁸F]1), a putative nucleoside transporter substrate, was synthetized by nucleophilic [¹⁸F]fluoride substitution of an acetyl protected labeling precursor with a tosylate leaving group (β-6) in a final radiochemical yield of 12 ± 8% (n = 10, based on [¹⁸F]fluoride starting activity) in a total synthesis time of 60 min with a specific activity at end of synthesis of 218 ± 58 GBq/μmol (n = 10). Both radiolabeling precursor β-6 and unlabeled reference compound β-1 were prepared in multistep syntheses starting from 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose. In vitro experiments demonstrated an interaction of β-1 with SLC29A1 and SLC28A1/2/3 nucleoside transporter as well as hypoxia specific retention of β-[¹⁸F]1 in tumor cell lines. In biodistribution studies in healthy mice β-[¹⁸F]1 showed homogenous tissue distribution and excellent metabolic stability, which was unaffected by tissue oxygenation. PET studies in tumor bearing mice showed tumor-to-muscle ratios of 2.13 ± 0.22 (n = 4) at 2 h after administration of β-[¹⁸F]1. In ex vivo autoradiography experiments β-[¹⁸F]1 distribution closely matched staining with the hypoxia marker pimonidazole. In conclusion, β-[¹⁸F]1 shows potential as PET hypoxia radiotracer which merits further investigation.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-amino-dihydrotetrabenzine derivatives as probes for imaging vesicular monoamine transporter-2

A novel series of analogs of 2-amino-dihydrotetrabenazine derivatives, 4–6, targeting the vesicular monoamine transporter have been prepared. In vitro binding was carried out in tissue homogenates prepared from rat striatal tissue homogenates with both [¹²⁵I]-iodovinyl-TBZ and [³H]DTBZ. There was a good correlation (r² = 0.925) between the affinities of the different compounds for [¹²⁵I]-iodovinyl-TBZ and [³H]-DTBZ binding. Compound 5 exhibited a better affinity for the vesicular monoamine transporter (K_i = 8.68 ± 1.26 nM and 7.01 ± 0.07 nM, respectively), which may be a good lead compound for further structural modification to develop useful probes for VMAT2.     

N-(3,4-Dimethylisoxazol-5-yl)piperazine-4-[4-(2-fluoro-4-[11C]methylphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]-1-carboxamide: A promising positron emission tomography ligand for fatty acid amide hydrolase

To visualize fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) in brain in vivo, we developed a novel positron emission tomography (PET) ligand N-(3,4-dimethylisoxazol-5-yl)piperazine-4-[4-(2-fluoro-4-[¹¹C]methylphenyl)thiazol-2-yl]-1-carboxamide ([¹¹C]DFMC, [¹¹C]1). DFMC (1) was shown to have high binding affinity (IC₅₀: 6.1 nM) for FAAH. [¹¹C]1 was synthesized by C–¹¹C coupling reaction of arylboronic ester 2 with [¹¹C]methyl iodide in the presence of Pd catalyst. At the end of synthesis, [¹¹C]1 was obtained with a radiochemical yield of 20 ± 10% (based on [¹¹C]CO₂, decay-corrected, n = 5) and specific activity of 48–166 GBq/μmol. After the injection of [¹¹C]1 in mice, high uptake of radioactivity (>2% ID/g) was distributed in the lung, liver, kidney, and brain, organs with high FAAH expression. PET images of rat brains for [¹¹C]1 revealed high uptakes in the cerebellar nucleus (SUV = 2.4) and frontal cortex (SUV = 2.0), two known brain regions with high FAAH expression. Pretreatment with the FAAH-selective inhibitor URB597 reduced the brain uptake. Higher than 90% of the total radioactivity in the rat brain was irreversible at 30 min after the radioligand injection. The present results indicate that [¹¹C]1 is a promising PET ligand for imaging of FAAH in living brain.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel 99mTc cyclopentadienyl tricarbonyl complex ([(Cp-R)99mTc(CO)3]) for sigma-2 receptor tumor imaging

We report the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of a novel ^99mTc 4-(4-cyclohexylpiperazine-1-yl)-butan-1-one-1-cyclopentadienyltricarbonyl technetium ([^99mTc]5) as a potential SPECT tracer for imaging of σ₂ receptors in tumors. [^99mTc]5 was prepared in 25 ± 5% isolated radiochemical yield with radiochemical purity of >99% via double-ligand transfer (DLT) reaction from the ferrocene precursor 2b (4-(4-cyclohexylpiperazine-1-yl)-1-ferrocenylbutan-1-one). The corresponding Re-complex 4 and the ferrocenyl complex 2b showed relatively high affinity towards σ₂ receptors in in vitro competition binding assay (K_i values of 4 and 2b were 64.4 ± 18.5 nM and 43.6 ± 21.3 nM, respectively) and moderate to high selectivity versus σ₁ receptors (K_iσ₁/K_iσ₂ ratios were 12.5 and 95.5, respectively). The log D value of [^99mTc]5 was determined to be 2.52 ± 0.33. Biodistribution studies in mice revealed comparably high initial brain uptake of [^99mTc]5 and slow washout. Administration of haloperidol 5 min prior to injection of [^99mTc]5 significantly reduced the radiotracer uptake in brain, heart, lung, and spleen by 40–50% at 2 h p.i.. Moreover, [^99mTc]5 showed high uptake in C6 glioma cell lines (8.6%) after incubation for 1 h. Blocking with haloperidol to compete with [^99mTc]5 significantly reduced the cell uptake. Preliminary blocking study in C6-brain-tumor bearing rats showed that [^99mTc]5 binds to σ receptors in the brain-tumor specifically. These results are encouraging for further exploration of ^99mTc-labeled probes for σ₂ receptor tumor imaging in vivo.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of 18F labeled tyrosine derivatives as potential positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents

Three new ¹⁸F labeled fluoroalkyl tyrosine derivatives, O-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)-α-methyltyrosine (FEMT, [¹⁸F]2), O-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)-2-l-azatyrosine (FEAT, [¹⁸F]3), O-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosineamide (FETA, [¹⁸F]4) have been synthesized and radiofluorinated with 5–34% decay-corrected yield. In vitro studies were carried out in U-138 MG human glioblastoma. Cellular uptake of new tracers was compared to clinically utilized imaging agent O-(2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl)-l-tyrosine (FET, [¹⁸F]1). The uptake of tracers followed the order of FET ([¹⁸F]1) > FEAT([¹⁸F]3) > FEMT ([¹⁸F]2) ≈ FETA ([¹⁸F]4).     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of positron emission tomography radiotracers targeting serotonin 4 receptors in brain: [18F]MNI-698 and [18F]MNI-699

Two new benzodioxane derivatives were synthesized as candidates to image the serotonin 4 receptors by positron emission tomography (PET) and radiolabeled with fluorine-18 via a two-step procedure. Competition binding assays demonstrated that MNI-698 and MNI-699 had sub-nanomolar binding affinities against rat striatal 5-HT₄ receptors (K_i of 0.20 and 0.07 nM, respectively). PET imaging in rhesus monkey showed that the regional brain distribution of [¹⁸F]MNI-698 and [¹⁸F]MNI-699 were consistent with the known densities of 5-HT₄ in brain. [¹⁸F]MNI-698 and [¹⁸F]MNI-699 are among the first fluorine-18 radiotracers developed for imaging the 5-HT₄ receptors in vivo and are currently under preclinical investigation in primates for future human use.     

An LP1 analogue,selective MOR agonist with a peculiar pharmacological profile,used to scrutiny the ligand binding domain

The hypothesis that central analgesia with reduced side effects is obtainable by occupying an ‘allosteric’ site in the MOR ligand binding domain requires the development of new ligands with peculiar pharmacological profile to be used as tools. New benzomorphan derivatives, analogues of LP1, a multitarget MOR agonist/DOR antagonist, were designed to examine in depth MOR ligand binding domain. Compound 5, bearing a diphenylic N-substituent on the benzomorphan nucleus, showed an affinity (K_i^μ = 0.5 ± 0.2 nM) comparable to that of LP1 and a better selectivity versus DOR and KOR. It elicits antinociceptive effects in ex vivo (GPI) and in vivo. This new compound engages receptor amino acidic residues not reached by LP1 and by other established MOR ligands. Molecular modeling studies, conducted on 5 and on several reference compounds, allowed us to propose possible residues in the MOR ligand binding domain essential for their interactions with ‘orthosteric’ and ‘allosteric’ binding sites.