Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of [11C]methyl (2-amino-5-(benzylthio)thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7-yl)-d-leucinate for the fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1)

The reference standard methyl (2-amino-5-(benzylthio)thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7-yl)-d-leucinate (5) and its precursor 2-amino-5-(benzylthio)thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7-yl)-d-leucine (6) were synthesized from 6-amino-2-mercaptopyrimidin-4-ol and BnBr with overall chemical yield 7% in five steps and 4% in six steps, respectively. The target tracer [¹¹C]methyl (2-amino-5-(benzylthio)thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-7-yl)-d-leucinate ([¹¹C]5) was prepared from the acid precursor with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf through O-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE in 40–50% radiochemical yield, based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB). The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the specific activity (SA) at EOB was 370–1110 GBq/μmol with a total synthesis time of ～40-min from EOB. The radioligand depletion experiment of [¹¹C]5 did not display specific binding to CX₃CR1, and the competitive binding assay of ligand 5 found much lower CX₃CR1 binding affinity.     

Evolution of novel tricyclic CRTh2 receptor antagonists from a (E)-2-cyano-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)acrylamide scaffold

(E)-2-(3-(3-((3-Bromophenyl)amino)-2-cyano-3-oxoprop-1-en-1-yl)-1H-indol-1-yl)acetic acid (1) was discovered in a HTS campaign for CRTh2 receptor antagonists. An SAR around this hit could be established and representatives with interesting activity profiles were obtained. Ring closing tactics to convert this hit series into a novel 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole based CRTh2 receptor antagonist series is presented.     

3-(Cyclopropylmethyl)-7-((4-(4-[11C]methoxyphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methyl)-8-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine: Synthesis and preliminary evaluation for PET imaging of metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 2

Selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) inhibitors have been demonstrated to show therapeutic effects by improving alleviating symptoms of schizophrenic patients in clinical studies. Herein we report the synthesis and preliminary evaluation of a ¹¹C-labeled positron emission tomography (PET) tracer originating from a mGluR2 inhibitor, 3-(cyclopropylmethyl)-7-((4-(4-methoxyphenyl)piperidin-1-yl)methyl)-8-(trifluoromethyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridine (CMTP, 1a). [¹¹C]CMTP ([¹¹C]1a) was synthesized by O-[¹¹C]methylation of desmethyl precursor 1b with [¹¹C]methyl iodide in 19.7 ± 8.9% (n = 10) radiochemical yield (based on [¹¹C]CO₂) with >98% radiochemical purity and >74 GBq/μmol molar activity. Autoradiography study showed that [¹¹C]1a possessed moderate in vitro specific binding to mGluR2 in the rat brain, with a heterogeneous distribution of radioactive accumulation in the mGluR2-rich brain tissue sections, such as the cerebral cortex and striatum. PET study indicated that [¹¹C]1a was able to cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the brain, but had very low specific binding in the rat brain. Further optimization for the chemical structure of 1a is necessary to increase binding affinity to mGluR2 and then improve in vivo specific binding in brain.     

The first radiosynthesis of [11C]AZD8931 as a new potential PET agent for imaging of EGFR,HER2 and HER3 signaling

The reference standard AZD8931{2-(4-((4-((3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)amino)-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-yl)oxy)piperidin-1-yl)-N-methylacetamide} (11a) was synthesized from methyl 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzoate or ethyl 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzoate and 2-chloro-N-methylacetamide in 11 steps with 2–5% overall chemical yield. The precursor N-desmethyl-AZD8931{2-(4-((4-((3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)amino)-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-yl)oxy)piperidin-1-yl)acetamide} (11b) was synthesized from methyl 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzoate or ethyl 4,5-dimethoxy-2-nitrobenzoate and 2-bromoacetamide in 11 steps with 2–4% overall chemical yield. The target tracer [¹¹C]AZD8931 {2-(4-((4-((3-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)amino)-7-methoxyquinazolin-6-yl)oxy)piperidin-1-yl)-N-[¹¹C]methylacetamide} ([¹¹C]11a) was prepared from N-desmethyl-AZD8931 (11b) with [¹¹C]CH₃OTf under basic condition (NaH) through N-[¹¹C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with solid-phase extraction (SPE) in 40–50% radiochemical yield based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB) with 370–1110 GBq/μmol specific activity at EOB.     

Design,synthesis and evaluation of [3H]PF-7191, a highly specific nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor radiotracer for in vivo receptor occupancy (RO) studies

Herein we report the identification of (+)-N-(2-((1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-3-((1R,3r,5S)-6′-fluoro-8-azaspiro[bicyclo[3.2.1]octane-3,1′-isochroman]-8-yl)propyl)-N-[³H]-methylacetamide {[³H]PF-7191 [(+)-11]} as a promising radiotracer for the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor. (+)-11 demonstrated high NOP binding affinity (K_i = 0.1 nM), excellent selectivity over other opioid receptors (>1000×) and good brain permeability in rats (C_b,u/C_p,u = 0.29). Subsequent characterization of [³H](+)-11 showed a high level of specific binding and a brain bio-distribution pattern consistent with known NOP receptor expression. Furthermore, the in vivo brain binding of [³H](+)-11 in rats was inhibited by a selective NOP receptor antagonist in a dose–responsive manner. This overall favorable profile indicated that [³H](+)-11 is a robust radiotracer for pre-clinical in vivo receptor occupancy (RO) measurements and a possible substrate for carbon-11 labeling for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in higher species.     

Radiosynthesis and evaluation of a novel monoacylglycerol lipase radiotracer: 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl-3-(1-benzyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)azetidine-1-[11C]carboxylate

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is a major serine hydrolase that hydrolyses 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) into arachidonic acid (AA) and glycerol in the brain. Because 2-AG and AA are endogenous biologically active ligands in the brain, the inhibition of MAGL is an attractive therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, to visualize MAGL via positron emission tomography (PET), we report a new carbon-11-labeled radiotracer, namely 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-yl-3-(1-benzyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)azetidine-1-[¹¹C]carboxylate ([¹¹C]6). Compound 6 exhibited high in vitro binding affinity (IC₅₀ = 0.41 nM) to MAGL in the brain with a suitable lipophilicity (cLogD = 3.29). [¹¹C]6 was synthesized by reacting 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropanol (7) with [¹¹C]phosgene ([¹¹C]COCl₂), followed by a reaction with 3-(1-benzyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)azetidine hydrochloride (8), which resulted in a 15.0 ± 6.8% radiochemical yield (decay-corrected, n = 7) based on [¹¹C]CO₂ and a 45 min synthesis time from the end of bombardment. A biodistribution study in mice showed high uptake of radioactivity in MAGL-rich organs, including the lungs, heart, and kidneys. More than 90% of the total radioactivity was irreversibly bound in the brain homogenate of rats 5 min and 30 min after the radiotracer injection. PET summation images of rat brains showed high radioactivity in all brain regions. Pretreatment with 6 or MAGL-selective inhibitor JW642 significantly reduced the uptake of radioactivity in the brain. [¹¹C]6 is a promising PET tracer which offers in vivo specific binding and selectivity for MAGL in rodent brains.     

Synthesis and evaluation of N-alkyl-S-[3-(piperidin-1-yl)propyl]isothioureas: High affinity and human/rat species-selective histamine H3 receptor antagonists

S-Alkyl-N-alkylisothiourea compounds containing various cyclic amines were synthesized in the search for novel nonimidazole histamine H₃ receptor (H₃R) antagonists. Among them, four N-alkyl S-[3-(piperidin-1-yl)propyl]isothioureas 18, 19, 22, and 23 were found to exhibit potent and selective H₃R antagonistic activities against in vitro human H₃R, but were inactive against in vitro human H₄R. Furthermore, three alkyl homologs 18–20 showed inactivity for histamine release in in vivo rat brain microdialysis, suggesting differences in antagonist affinities between species. In addition, in silico docking studies of N-[4-(4-chlorophenyl)butyl]-S-[3-piperidin-1-yl)propyl]isothiourea 19 and a shorter homolog 17 with human/rat H₃Rs revealed that structural differences between the antagonist-docking cavities of rat and human H₃Rs were likely caused by the Ala122/Val122 mutation.     

Discovery of (1R,6S)-5-[4-(1-cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one (R,S-4a): Histamine H3 receptor inverse agonist demonstrating potent cognitive enhancing and wake promoting activity

A series of fused cyclopropyl-4,5-dihydropyridazin-3-one (3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one) phenoxypiperidine analogs was designed and synthesized, leading to the identification of (1R,6S)-5-[4-(1-cyclobutyl-piperidin-4-yloxy)-phenyl]-3,4-diaza-bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-4-en-2-one (R,S-4a) as a second-generation pyridazin-3-one H₃R antagonist. Compound R,S-4a was a potent H₃R functional antagonist in vivo in the rat dipsogenia model, demonstrated potent wake activity in the rat EEG/EMG model, and enhanced short-term memory in the rat social recognition memory model at doses as low as 0.03–0.3 mg/kg po.     

Synthesis of (Z)-2-((1H-indazol-3-yl)methylene)-6-[11C]methoxy-7-(piperazin-1-ylmethyl)benzofuran-3(2H)-one as a new potential PET probe for imaging of the enzyme PIM1

(Z)-2-((1H-Indazol-3-yl)methylene)-6-methoxy-7-(piperazin-1-ylmethyl)benzofuran-3(2H)-one is a potent and selective proviral integration site in moloney murine leukemia virus kinase 1 (PIM1) inhibitor with an IC₅₀ value of 3 nM. (Z)-2-((1H-Indazol-3-yl)methylene)-6-[¹¹C]methoxy-7-(piperazin-1-ylmethyl)benzofuran-3(2H)-one, a new potential PET probe for imaging of the enzyme PIM1, was first designed and synthesized in 20–30% decay corrected radiochemical yield and 370–740 GBq/μmol specific activity at end of bombardment (EOB). The synthetic strategy was to prepare a carbon-11-labeled Boc-protected intermediate followed by a quick acidic de-protection.     

Identification ofS-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-3-mercaptopyruvic acid with a metabolic intermediate betweenS-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-l-cysteine andS-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-3-mercaptolactic acid

Summary S-[2-Carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-3-mercaptopyruvic acid (I) was chemically synthesized in 15% yield by incubating a reaction mixture oftrans-urocanic acid and 3-fold excess of 3-mercaptopyruvic acid at 45°C for 6 days. The synthesized compound was characterized by fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry and high-voltage paper electrophoresis. CompoundI was identified with a product of an enzymatic reaction ofS-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-l-cysteine (II) with rat liver homogenate in a phosphate buffer, pH 7.4. CompoundI was degraded toS-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-3-mercaptolactic acid (III), a compound previously found in human urine [Kinuta et al. (1994) Biochem J 297: 475–478], by incubation with rat liver homogenate. From these results, we suggest that compoundI is a metabolic intermediate for the formation of compoundIII from compoundII. The present pathway follows a formation of compoundII fromS-[2-carboxy-1-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl] gluthathione [Kinuta et al. (1993) Biochim Biophys Acta 1157: 192–198], a proposed metabolite ofl-histidine.     

Development of selective inhibitors for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: (R)-3-(3-(Methyl(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile as a JAK1-selective inhibitor

A series of 3(R)-aminopyrrolidine derivatives were designed and synthesized for JAK1-selective inhibitors through the modification of tofacitinib’s core structure, (3R,4R)-3-amino-4-methylpiperidine. From the new core structures, we selected (R)-N-methyl-N-(pyrrolidin-3-yl)-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-amine as a scaffold for further SAR studies. From biochemical enzyme assays and liver microsomal stability tests, (R)-3-(3-(methyl(7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl)amino)pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3-oxopropanenitrile (6) was chosen for further in vivo test through oral administration. Compound 6 showed improved selectivity for JAK1 compared to that of tofacitinib (IC₅₀ 11, 2.4?×?10², 2.8?×?10³, and 1.1?×?10²?nM for JAK1, JAK2, JAK3, and TYK2, respectively). In CIA and AIA model tests, compound 6 exhibited similar efficacy to tofacitinib citrate.     

Design and discovery of new (3S,5R)-5-[4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-5-oxopiperazin-1-yl]piperidine-3-carboxamides as potent renin inhibitors

Utilizing X-ray crystal structure analysis, (3S,5R)-5-[4-(2-chlorophenyl)-2,2-dimethyl-5-oxopiperazin-1-yl]piperidine-3-carboxamides were designed and identified as renin inhibitors. The most potent compound 15 demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles in rat.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of [18F]BMS-754807: A potential PET ligand for IGF-1R

Radiosynthesis and in vitro evaluation of [¹⁸F](S)-1-(4-((5-cyclopropyl-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)amino)pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazin-2-yl)-N-(6-fluoropyridin-3-yl)-2-methylpyrrolidine-2-carboxamide ([¹⁸F]BMS-754807 or [¹⁸F]1) a specific IGF-1R inhibitor was performed. [¹⁸F]1 demonstrated specific binding in vitro to human cancer tissues. Synthesis of reference standard 1 and corresponding bromo derivative (1a), the precursor for radiolabeling were achieved from 2,4-dichloropyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine (4) in three steps with 50% overall yield. The radioproduct was obtained in 8% yield by reacting 1a with [¹⁸F]TBAF in DMSO at 170 °C at high radiochemical purity and specific activity (1–2 Ci/μmol, N = 10). The proof of concept of IGF-IR imaging with [¹⁸F]1 was demonstrated by in vitro autoradiography studies using pathologically identified surgically removed grade IV glioblastoma, breast cancer and pancreatic tumor tissues. These studies indicate that [¹⁸F]1 can be a potential PET tracer for monitoring IGF-1R.     

Facile synthesis of SSR180575 and discovery of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-[18F]fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide,a potent pyridazinoindole ligand for PET imaging of TSPO in cancer

A novel synthesis of the translocator protein (TSPO) ligand 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide (SSR180575, 3) was achieved in four steps from commercially available starting materials. Focused structure–activity relationship development about the pyridazinoindole ring at the N3 position led to the discovery of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide (14), a novel ligand of comparable affinity. Radiolabeling with fluorine-18 (¹⁸F) yielded 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3(6-[¹⁸F]fluoropyridin-2-yl)-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide ([¹⁸F]-14) in high radiochemical yield and specific activity. In vivo studies of [¹⁸F]-14 revealed this agent as a promising probe for molecular imaging of glioma.     

Design,synthesis and biological evaluations of novel 7-[3-(1-aminocycloalkyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl]-6-desfluoro-8-methoxyquinolones with potent antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant Gram-positive bacteria

A series of novel 6-desfluoro [des-F(6)] and 6-fluoro-1-[(1R,2S)-2-fluorocyclopropan-1-yl]-8-methoxyquinolones bearing 3-(1-aminocycloalkyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl substituents at the C-7 position (1–6) was synthesized to obtain potent drugs for nosocomial infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens. The des-F(6) compounds 4–6 exhibited at least four times more potent activity against representative Gram-positive bacteria than ciprofloxacin or moxifloxacin. Among the derivatives, 7-[(3R)-3-(1-aminocyclopropan-1-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl] derivative 4, which showed favorable profiles in preliminary toxicological and non-clinical pharmacokinetic studies, exhibited potent antibacterial activity against clinically isolated Gram-positive pathogens that had become resistant to one or more antibiotics.     

Neuroprotective Activity of (+)-(S)-2-[(1S,5R)-(3,7-Dioxo-2,4,6,8-Tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-yl)]-4-methylthiobutanoic acid

A study of the neurotropic, neuroprotective, and antioxidant action of the enantiomers and racemate of 2-[(3,7-dioxo-2,4,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-yl)]-4-methylthiobutanoic acid synthesized in a stereoselective reaction of (R)-, (S)-, or (R,S)-N-carbamoylmethionine with 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidine-2-one showed that only (+)-(S)-2-[(1S,5R)-(3,7-dioxo-2,4,6,8-tetraazabicyclo[3.3.0]oct-2-yl)]-4-methylthiobutanoic acid had neuroprotective properties. X-ray structure analysis showed that the predominating racemate of glycolurils is crystallized from aqueous solutions as a conglomerate. Antioxidant activity was not detected.     

Synthesis and evaluation of 4-(2-fluoro-4-[11C]methoxyphenyl)-5-((2-methylpyridin-4-yl)methoxy)picolinamide for PET imaging of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 in the rat brain

Metabotropic glutamate receptor 2 (mGluR2) has been suggested as a therapeutic target for treating schizophrenia-like symptoms arising from increased glutamate transmission in the human forebrain. However, no reliable positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer allowing for in vivo visualization of mGluR2 in the human brain is currently available. In this study, we synthesized 4-(2-fluoro-4-[¹¹C]methoxyphenyl)-5-((2-methylpyridin-4-yl)methoxy)picolinamide ([¹¹C]1) and evaluated its potential as a PET tracer for imaging mGluR2 in the rodent brain. Compound 1, a negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of mGluR2, showed high in vitro binding affinity (IC₅₀: 26?nM) for mGluR2 overexpressed in human cells. [¹¹C]1 was synthesized by O-[¹¹C]methylation of the phenol precursor 2 with [¹¹C]methyl iodide. After the reaction, HPLC purification and formulation, [¹¹C]1 of 7.4?±?2.8?GBq (n?=?8) was obtained from [¹¹C]carbon dioxide of 22.5?±?4.8?GBq (n?=?8) with >99% radiochemical purity and 70?±?32?GBq/μmol (n?=?8) molar activity at the end of synthesis. In vitro autoradiography for rat brains showed that [¹¹C]1 binding was heterogeneously distributed in the cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, and cerebellum. This pattern is consistent with the regional distribution pattern of mGluR2 in the rodent brain. The radioactivity was significantly reduced by self- or MNI-137 (a mGluR2 NAM) blocking. Small-animal PET studies indicated a low in vivo specific binding of [¹¹C]1 in the rat brain. The brain uptake was increased in a P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistant protein double knockout mouse, when compared to a wild-type mouse. While [¹¹C]1 presented limited potential as an in vivo PET tracer for mGluR2, we suggested that it can be used as a lead compound for developing new radiotracers with improved in vivo brain properties.     

Novel and potent inhibitors of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1. Part II: Identification of 4-ethylamino-3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-N-[5-(3-trifluoromethylbenzyl)thiazol-2-yl]benzamide and its biological evaluation

The continuing investigation of SAR studies of 3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-N-(5-benzylthiazol-2-yl)-benzamides as stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD-1) inhibitors is reported. Our prior hit-to-lead effort resulted in the identification of 1a as a potent and orally efficacious SCD-1 inhibitor. Further optimization of the structural motif resulted in the identification of 4-ethylamino-3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-N-[5-(3-trifluoromethylbenzyl)thiazol-2-yl]benzamide (37c) with sub nano molar IC₅₀ in both murine and human SCD-1 inhibitory assays. This compound demonstrated a dose-dependent decrease in the plasma desaturation index in C57BL/6J mice on a non-fat diet after 7 days of oral administration.     

Discovery of ((1S,3R)-1-isopropyl-3-((3S,4S)-3-methoxy-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylamino)cyclopentyl)(4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridazin-3-yl)piperazin-1-yl)methanone, PF-4254196, a CCR2 antagonist with an improved cardiovascular profile

We describe the systematic optimization, focused on the improvement of CV-TI, of a series of CCR2 antagonists. This work resulted in the identification of 10 (((1S,3R)-1-isopropyl-3-((3S,4S)-3-methoxy-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ylamino)cyclopentyl)(4-(5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridazin-3-yl)piperazin-1-yl)methanone) which possessed a low projected human dose 35-45 mg BID and a CV-TI = 3800-fold.     

Facile route for the synthesis of the iminosugar nucleoside (3R,4R)-1-(pyren-1-yl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol

N-(Pyren-1-yl)-(3R,4S)-4-[(1S,2R)-1,2,3-trihydroxypropyl]pyrrolidin-3-ol (4) was obtained in 36% yield from 3-deoxy-3-C-formyl-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-d-allofuranose (3) by combined hydrolysis and aminoalkylation reactions with 1-aminopyrene in a one-pot reaction. Cleavage reactions of the exocyclic triol chain in 4 with NaIO₄ and NaBH₄ resulted in iminosugars 7 and 8, which are analogues of the furanose forms of 2-deoxy-d-allose and of 2-deoxy-d-ribose, the latter analogue N-(pyren-1-yl)-(3R,4R)-4-(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolidin-3-ol (8) being formed in 83% yield.