Radiosynthesis of a ¹⁸F-labeled 2,3-diarylsubstituted indole via McMurry coupling for functional characterization of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in vitro and in vivo

The radiosynthesis of 3-(4-[(18)F]fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-1H-indole [(18)F]-3 as potential PET radiotracer for functional characterization of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in vitro and in vivo is described. [(18)F]-3 was prepared by McMurry cyclization of a (18)F-labeled intermediate with low valent titanium and zinc via a two-step procedure in a remote controlled synthesizer unit including HPLC purification and solid phase extraction. In this way [(18)F]-3 was synthesized in 80 min synthesis time in 10% total decay corrected yield from [(18)F]fluoride in radiochemical purity >98% and a specific activity of 74-91 GBq/μmol (EOS). [(18)F]-3 was evaluated in vitro using pro-inflammatory stimulated THP-1 and COX-2 expressing tumor cell lines (FaDu, A2058, HT-29), where the radiotracer uptake was shown to be consistent with up regulated COX-2 expression. The stability of [(18)F]-3 was determined by incubation in rat whole blood and plasma in vitro and by metabolite analysis of arterial blood samples in vivo, showing with 75% of original compound after 60 min an acceptable high metabolic stability. However, no substantial tumor accumulation of [(18)F]-3 could be observed by dynamic small animal PET studies on HT-29 tumor-bearing mice in vivo. This may be due to the only moderate COX-1/COX-2 selectivity of 3 as demonstrated by both cellular and enzymatic cyclooxygenase inhibition assay in vitro. Nevertheless, the new approach first using McMurry cyclization in (18)F-chemistry gives access to (18)F-labeled diarylsubstituted heterocycles that hold promise as radiolabeled COX-2 inhibitors.     

N-[18F]fluoroethyl-4-piperidyl acetate ([18F]FEtP4A): A PET tracer for imaging brain acetylcholinesterase in vivo

N-[(18)F]Fluoroethyl-4-piperidyl acetate ([(18)F]FEtP4A) was synthesized and evaluated as a PET tracer for imaging brain acetylcholinesterase (AchE) in vivo. [(18)F]FEtP4A was previously prepared by reacting 4-piperidyl acetate (P4A) with 2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl bromide ([(18)F]FEtBr) at 130 degrees C for 30 min in 37% radiochemical yield using an automated synthetic system. In this work, [(18)F]FEtP4A was synthesized by reacting P4A with 2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl iodide ([(18)F]FEtI) or 2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl triflate ([(18)F]FEtOTf in improved radiochemical yields, compared with [(18)F]FEtBr under the corresponding condition. Ex vivo autoradiogram of rat brain and PET summation image of monkey brain after iv injection of [(18)F]FEtP4A displayed a high radioactivity in the striatum, a region with the highest AchE activity in the brain. Moreover, the distribution pattern of (18)F radioactivity was consistent with that of AchE in the brain: striatum>frontal cortex>cerebellum. In the rat and monkey plasma, two radioactive metabolites were detected. However, their presence might not preclude the imaging studies for AchE in the brain, because they were too hydrophilic to pass the blood-brain barrier and to enter the brain. In the rat brain, only [(18)F]fluoroethyl-4-piperidinol ([(18)F]FEtP4OH) was detected at 30 min postinjection. The hydrolytic [(18)F]FEtP4OH displayed a slow washout and a long retention in the monkey brain until the PET experiment (120 min). Although [(18)F]FEtP4A is a potential PET tracer for imaging AchE in vivo, its lower hydrolytic rate and lower specificity for AchE than those of [(11)C]MP4A may limit its usefulness for the quantitative measurement for AchE in the primate brain.     

6-[18F]fluoro-A-85380, a novel radioligand for in vivo imaging of central nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

A novel positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer, 6-[18F]fluoro-3-(2(S)-azetidinylmethoxy)pyridine (6-[18F]fluoro-A-85380, 6-[18F]FA) was synthesized by a no-carrier-added fluorination. In vitro 6-[18F]FA bound to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), with very high affinity (Kd 28 pM). In PET studies, 6-[18F]FA specifically labeled central nAChRs in the brain of the Rhesus monkey and demonstrated highest levels of accumulation of radioactivity in brain regions enriched with the alpha4beta2 subtype of nAChR. 6-[18F]FA exhibited a target-to-non-target ratio (estimated as radioactivity in the thalamus to that in the cerebellum) of binding in primate brain similar to that previously determined for a labeled analog of epibatidine, [18F]FPH. In contrast to [18F]FPH, the novel tracer is expected to exhibit substantially less toxicity. Thus, the novel radioligand, 6-[18F]FA, appears to be a suitable candidate for imaging nAChRs in human brain.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of [18F](R)-FEPAQ: a potential PET ligand for VEGFR2

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of [(18)F](R)-N-(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)-7-((1-(2-fluoroethyl)piperidin-3-yl)methoxy)-6-methoxyquinazolin-4-amine ((R)-[(18)F]FEPAQ or [(18)F]1), a potential imaging agent for the VEGFR2, using phosphor image autoradiography are described. Synthesis of 2, the desfluoroethyl precursor for (R)-FEPAQ was achieved from t-butyl 3-(hydroxymethyl)piperidine-1-carboxylate (3) in five steps and in 50% yield. [(18)F]1 was synthesized by reaction of sodium salt of compound 2 with [(18)F]fluoroethyl tosylate in DMSO. The yield of [(18)F]1 was 20% (EOS based on [(18)F]F(-)) with >99% radiochemical purity and specific activity of 1-2 Ci/μmol (n=10). The total synthesis time was 75 min. The radiotracer selectively labeled VEGFR2 in slide-mounted sections of human brain and higher binding was found in surgically removed human glioblastoma sections as demonstrated by in vitro phosphor imager studies. These findings suggest [(18)F]1 may be a promising radiotracer for imaging VEGFR2 in brain using PET.     

18F-labeled sufentanil for PET-imaging of mu-opioid receptors

The synthesis of an (18)F-labeled sufentanil analogue with apparent high mu-opioid receptor selectivity is reported. Intravenous injection of N-[4-(methoxymethyl)-1-[2-(2-thienyl)ethyl]-4-piperidinyl]-N-phenyl-2-(+/-)-[(18)F]fluoropropan-amide in mice resulted in high brain uptake and a regional brain activity distribution corresponding to the mu-opioid receptor expression pattern. The developed ligand is a promising tracer for extended protocols in mu-opioid receptor mapping and quantitation with positron emission tomography.     

Radiosynthesis of [18F]Lu29-024: a potential PET ligand for brain imaging of the serotonergic 5-HT2 receptor

In a previous work, Lu29-024 (2,5-dimethyl-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-1-(1-methyl-4-piperidinyl)-1H-indole), a selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist with nanomolar affinity and high selectivity, was labeled with carbon-11 to evaluate its behavior as a potential PET ligand for the serotonergic 5-HT2A receptor in the central nervous system. Administration of this tracer to rats was followed by a good brain uptake, no brain labeled metabolites but no specific, regio-selective, binding at 20 and 40 min post injection. Despite this, the data noted at 20 and 40 min suggest that this tracer, if associated with a radioactive emitter with a longer half-life than that of carbon-11, could be useful for the quantification of 5HT2A receptors. For these reasons, we chose to label this compound, bearing a fluorine atom, with [18F]fluoride, in order to perform rat studies over a more prolonged time-scale. The precursor for the radiosynthesis of [18F]Lu29-024 was obtained in an overall yield of 20% by a multi-step synthesis including an acetonylation reaction followed by a Fisher indole reaction. The radiotracer was prepared by an aromatic substitution with activated [18F]fluoride followed by a decarbonylation reaction that employed Wilkinson's catalyst. The radiosynthesis of [18F]Lu29-024 required approximatively 110 min with an overall radiochemical yield of 20-35% and specific activities of 37GBq/micromol. Fluorine-labeled Lu29-024 may thus be envisaged as a potentially useful PET tracer that can be applied to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric diseases.     

Synthesis of a [2-pyridinyl-18F]-labelled fluoro derivative of (-)-cytisine as a candidate radioligand for brain nicotinic alpha4beta2 receptor imaging with PET

In recent years, there has been considerable effort to design and synthesize radiotracers suitable for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging of the alpha4beta2 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtype. A new fluoropyridinyl derivative of (-)-cytisine (1), namely (-)-9-(2-fluoropyridinyl)cytisine (3, K(i) values of 24 and 3462 nM for the alpha4beta2 and alpha7 nAChRs subtypes, respectively) has been synthesized in four chemical steps from (-)-cytisine and labelled with fluorine-18 (T(1/2): 119.8 min) using an efficient two-step radiochemical process [(a). nucleophilic heteroaromatic ortho-radiofluorination using the corresponding N-Boc-protected nitro-derivative, (b). TFA removal of the Boc protective group]. Typically, 20-45 mCi (0.74-1.67 GBq) of (-)-9-(2-[18F]fluoropyridinyl)cytisine ([18F]-3, 2-3 Ci/micromol or 74-111 GBq/micromol) were easily obtained in 70-75 min starting from a 100 mCi (3.7 GBq) aliquot of a cyclotron-produced [18F]fluoride production batch (20-45% non decay-corrected yield based on the starting [18F]fluoride). The in vivo pharmacological profile of (-)-9-(2-[18F]fluoropyridinyl)cytisine ([18F]-3) was evaluated in rats with biodistribution studies and brain radioactivity monitoring using intracerebral radiosensitive beta-microprobes. The observed in vivo distribution of the radiotracer in brain was rather uniform, and did not match with the known regional densities of nAChRs. It was also significantly different from that of the parent compound (-)-[3H]cytisine. Moreover, competition studies with (-)-nicotine (5 mg/kg, 5 min before the radiotracer injection) did not reduce brain uptake of the radiotracer. These experiments clearly indicate that (-)-9-(2-[18F]fluoropyridinyl)cytisine ([18F]-3) does not have the required properties for imaging nAChRs using PET.     

18F]FMDAA1106 and [18F]FEDAA1106: two positron-emitter labeled ligands for peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR)

We synthesized and evaluated N-(5-fluoro-2-phenoxyphenyl)-N-(2-[(18)F]fluoromethyl-5-methoxybenzyl)acetamide ([(18)F]-FMDAA1106) and N-(5-fluoro-2-phenoxyphenyl)-N-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl-5-methoxybenzyl)acetamide ([(18)F]FEDAA1106) as two potent radioligands for peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR). [(18)F]FMDAA1106 and [(18)F]FEDAA1106 were respectively synthesized by fluoroalkylation of the desmethyl precursor DAA1123 with [(18)F]FCH(2)I and [(18)F]FCH(2)CH(2)Br. Ex vivo autoradiograms of [(18)F]FMDAA1106 and [(18)F]FEDAA1106 binding sites in the rat brains revealed that a high radioactivity was present in the olfactory bulb, the highest PBR density region in the brain.     

18F-labeled benzimidazopyridine derivatives for PET imaging of tau pathology in Alzheimer’s disease

Hyperphosphorylated tau proteins are one of the neuropathological hallmarks in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain. The in vivo imaging of tau aggregates with nuclear medical imaging probes is helpful for the further comprehension of and medical intervention in the AD pathology. For tau-selective PET imaging, we newly designed and synthesized ¹⁸F-labeled benzimidazopyridine (BIP) derivatives with fluoroalkylamino groups, [¹⁸F]IBIPF1 and [¹⁸F]IBIPF2, and evaluated their utilities as tau imaging probes. They both bound selectively to tau against amyloid β (Aβ) aggregates in AD brain sections in vitro, and showed good pharmacokinetics in mouse brains in vivo. Notably, [¹⁸F]IBIPF1 exhibited high tau-selectivity (Tau/Aβ ratio = 34.8), high brain uptake (6.22% ID/g at 2 min postinjection), and subsequent washout (2.77% ID/g at 30 min postinjection). In vivo analysis of radiometabolites indicated that [¹⁸F]IBIPF1 was stable against metabolism in the mouse brain. These encouraging preclinical results suggest that further structural optimization based on the BIP scaffold may lead to the development of more useful tau imaging probes.     

Synthesis, radiofluorination and pharmacological evaluation of a fluoromethyl spirocyclic PET tracer for central σ1 receptors and comparison with fluoroalkyl homologs

The spirocyclic σ(1) receptor ligand 1 (1'-benzyl-3-(fluoromethyl)-3H-spiro[[2]benzofuran-1,4'-piperidine]) was prepared in four steps starting from methoxy derivative 5. Due to its high σ(1) affinity (K(i)=0.74nM) and selectivity against several other relevant targets, 1 was investigated as (18)F-labeled PET tracer and its biological properties were compared with those of homologous fluoroalkyl derivatives 2-4. The fluoromethyl derivative 1 was faster metabolized in vitro than homologs 2-4. In contrast to the radiosynthesis of [(18)F]2-4, the nucleophilic substitution of the tosylate 15 using the K[(18)F]F-K(222)-carbonate complex required heating to 150°C in DMSO to achieve high labeling efficiencies. Whereas radiometabolites of [(18)F]2-4 were not detected in vivo in the brain of mice, two radiometabolites of [(18)F]1 were found. Analysis of ex vivo autoradiography images provided rather low target-to-nontarget ratio for [(18)F]1 compared with [(18)F]2-4. [(18)F]1 showed a fast uptake in the brain, which decreased continuously over time. The brain-to-plasma ratio of the radiotracer [(18)F]1 was only exceeded by the fluoroethyl tracer [(18)F]2.     

Synthesis, 18F-labeling, and in vitro and in vivo studies of bombesin peptides modified with silicon-based building blocks

The gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPr) is overexpressed on various human tumors. The goal of our study was the synthesis of new 18F-labeled bombesin analogues for the PET imaging of GRPr expression in prostate tumor using a silicon-based one-step n. c. a. radiolabeling method. The silicon-containing building blocks were efficiently coupled to the N-terminus of the peptides via solid-phase synthesis. Radiolabeling of the obtained peptide precursors proceeded smoothly under acidic conditions (34-85% conversion). Using the di-tert-butyl silyl building block as labeling moiety, products containing a hydrolytically stable 18F-label were obtained. In in vitro receptor binding experiments 2-(4-(di-tert-butylfluorosilyl)phenyl)acetyl-Arg-Ava-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-NMeGly-His-Sta-Leu-NH 2 ( 4b, IC50 = 22.9 nM) displayed a 12-fold higher binding affinity than 2-(4-(di-tert-butylfluorosilyl)phenyl)acetyl-Arg-Ava-Gln-Trp-Ala-Val-Gly-His(3Me)-Sta-Leu-NH2 ( 3b, IC50 = 276.6 nM), and 4b was therefore chosen for further evaluation. In vitro and ex vivo metabolite studies of [18F]4b showed no significant degradation. In biodistribution experiments, tumor uptake of [18F]4b was low and unspecific, whereas the GRPr-rich pancreas revealed a high and specific accumulation of the radiotracer. This study demonstrates the applicability of our silicon-based one-step n. c. a. radiolabeling method for the synthesis of new 18F-labeled bombesin derivatives. This innovative approach represents a general, straightforward access to radiolabeled peptides as PET imaging probes.     

4-Borono-2-[18F]fluoro-d,l-phenylalanine as a target compound for boron neutron capture therapy: Tumor imaging potential with positron emission tomography

We studied the tumor uptake and metabolism of 4-borono-2-[¹⁸F]fluoro-d,l-phenylalanine ([¹⁸F]FBPA), an ¹⁸F-labeled target compound for boron neutron capture therapy. In mice bearing FM3A mammary carcinoma, the accumulation of [¹⁸F]FBPA in the FM3A for the first 2 h, and its decrease in all other tissues, resulted in high FM3A-to-tissue uptake ratios. In the FM3A, the tracer was stable for metabolic alteration, which was in contrast to the gradual increase of protein-bound radioactivity in plasma. Imaging of FM3A was demonstrated by whole body autoradiography. [¹⁸F]FBPA has potential for use as a PET tracer for tumor imaging with high contrast, even in the pancreas.     

Synthesis and evaluation of a 18F-curcumin derivate for β-amyloid plaque imaging

IntroductionCurcumin is a neuroprotective compound that inhibits the formation of amyloid oligomers and fibrils and binds to β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aimed to synthesize an ¹⁸F-labeled curcumin derivate ([¹⁸F]4) and to characterize its positron emission tomography (PET) tracer-binding properties to β-amyloid plaques in a transgenic APP23 mouse model of AD.MethodsWe utilized facile one-pot synthesis of [¹⁸F]4 using nucleophilic ¹⁸F-fluorination and click chemistry. Binding of [¹⁸F]4 to β-amyloid plaques in the transgenic APP23 mouse brain cryosections was studied in vitro using heterologous competitive binding against PIB. [¹⁸F]4 uptake was studied ex vivo in rodents and in vivo using PET/computed tomography of transgenic APP23 and wild-type control mice.ResultsThe radiochemical yield of [¹⁸F]4 was 21 ± 11%, the specific activity exceeded 1 TBq/μmol, and the radiochemical purity exceeded 99.3% at the end of synthesis. In vitro studies of [¹⁸F]4 with the transgenic APP23 mouse revealed high β-amyloid plaque binding. In vivo and ex vivo studies demonstrated that [¹⁸F]4 has fast clearance from the blood, moderate metabolism but low blood–brain barrier (BBB) penetration.Conclusions[¹⁸F]4 was synthesized in high yield and excellent quality. In vitro studies, metabolite profile, and fast clearance from the blood indicated a promising tracer for Aβ imaging. However, [¹⁸F]4 has low in vivo BBB penetration and thus further studies are needed to reveal the reason for this and to possibly overcome this issue.     

Synthesis and evaluation of pyridylbenzofuran, pyridylbenzothiazole and pyridylbenzoxazole derivatives as ¹⁸F-PET imaging agents for β-amyloid plaques

The synthesis and SAR of new β-amyloid binding agents are reported. Evaluation of important properties for achieving good signal-to-background ratio is described. Compounds 27, 33, and 36 displayed desirable lipophilic and pharmacokinetic properties. Compound 27 was further evaluated with autoradiographic studies in vitro on human brain tissue and in vivo in Tg2576 mice. Compound 27 showed an increased signal-to-background ratio compared to flutemetamol 4, indicating its suitability as PET ligand for β-amyloid deposits in AD patients. The preparation of the corresponding (18)F-labeled PET radioligand of compound 27 is presented.     

Synthesis and application of [18F]FDG-maleimidehexyloxime ([18F]FDG-MHO): a [18F]FDG-based prosthetic group for the chemoselective 18F-labeling of peptides and proteins

2-[(18)F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([(18)F]FDG) as the most important PET radiotracer is available in almost every PET center. However, there are only very few examples using [(18)F]FDG as a building block for the synthesis of (18)F-labeled compounds. The present study describes the use of [(18)F]FDG as a building block for the synthesis of (18)F-labeled peptides and proteins. [(18)F]FDG was converted into [(18)F]FDG-maleimidehexyloxime ([(18)F]FDG-MHO), a novel [(18)F]FDG-based prosthetic group for the mild and thiol group-specific (18)F labeling of peptides and proteins. The reaction was performed at 100 degrees C for 15 min in a sealed vial containing [(18)F]FDG and N-(6-aminoxy-hexyl)maleimide in 80% ethanol. [(18)F]FDG-MHO was obtained in 45-69% radiochemical yield (based upon [(18)F]FDG) after HPLC purification in a total synthesis time of 45 min. Chemoselecetive conjugation of [(18)F]FDG-MHO to thiol groups was investigated by the reaction with the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) and the single cysteine containing protein annexin A5 (anxA5). Radiolabeled annexin A5 ([(18)F]FDG-MHO-anxA5) was obtained in 43-58% radiochemical yield (based upon [(18)F]FDG-MHO, n = 6), and [(18)F]FDG-MHO-anxA5 was used for a pilot small animal PET study to assess in vivo biodistribution and kinetics in a HT-29 murine xenograft model.     

Mechanistic Positron Emission Tomography Studies of 6-[18F]Fluorodopamine in Living Baboon Heart: Selective Imaging and Control of Radiotracer Metabolism Using the Deuterium Isotope Effect

Abstract: Mechanistic positron emission tomography (PET) studies using the deuterium isotope effect and specific pharmacological intervention were undertaken to examine the behavior of 6-[¹⁸F]fluorodopamine (6-[¹⁸F]FDA; 1 ) and (?)-6-[¹⁸F]fluoronorepinephrine {(?)-6-[¹⁸F]FNE; 2 } in the baboon heart. Two regiospecifically deuterated derivatives of 6-[¹⁸F]FDA [α,α-D₂(3 ) and β,β-D₂ (4 )] were used to assess the contributions of monoamine oxidase (MAO) and dopamine β-hydroxylase, respectively, to the clearance kinetics of 6-[¹⁸F]FDA. Compound 3 showed a reduced rate of clearance, consistent with MAO-catalyzed cleavage of the α C-D bond, whereas compound 4 showed no change, indicating that cleavage of the β C-D bond is not a rate-limiting step. Pretreatment with pargyline, an MAO inhibitor, also decreased the rate of clearance. Desipramine and tomoxetine [norepinephrine (NE) uptake inhibitors], but not GBR-12909 (a dopamine uptake inhibitor), blocked the uptake of both (?)-6-[¹⁸F]FNE and 6-[¹⁸F]FDA, with (?)-6-[¹⁸F]FNE showing a higher degree of blockade. Chiral HPLC demonstrated that 6-[¹⁸F]FDA is stereoselectively converted to (?)-6-[¹⁸F]FNE in vivo in the rat heart. These studies demonstrate that (a) the more rapid clearance of 6-[¹⁸F]FDA relative to (?)-6-[¹⁸F]FNE can be largely accounted for by metabolism by MAO; (b) selective deuterium substitution can be used to protect a radiotracer from metabolism in vivo and to favor a particular pathway; (c) 6-[¹⁸F]FDA and (?)-6-[¹⁸F]FNE share the NE transporter; (d) 6-[¹⁸F]FDA is stereoselectively converted to (?)-6-[¹⁸F]FNE in vivo; and (e) the profile of radioactivity in the heart for 6-[¹⁸F]FDA is complex, probably including labeled metabolites as well as neuronal and nonneuronal uptake.     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel F-18 labeled 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives: potential PET imaging agents for tumor detection

Three novel (18)F-labeled 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives, N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-6-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethoxy)-7-methoxyquinazolin-4-amine([(18)F]1), N-(3-ethynylphenyl)-6-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethoxy)-7-methoxyquinazolin-4-amine([(18)F]2), and N-(3-bromophenyl)-6-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethoxy)-7-methoxyquinazolin-4-amine([(18)F]3) were synthesized and radiolabeled by two-step reaction with overall radiochemical yield of 21-24% (without decay corrected). Then we carried out their biodistribution experiments in S180 tumor-bearing mice. Results showed that they had certain concentration accumulation in tumor and fast clearance from muscle and blood. It was encouraging that [(18)F]3 was competitive among three (18)F-labeled 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives in some aspects such as tumor/muscle uptake ratio reaching 7.70 at 60 min post-injection, tumor/blood uptake ratio reaching 6.61 at 120 min post-injection. So we compared radioactivity characteristics of [(18)F]3 with those of [(18)F]-FDG and L-[(18)F]-FET in the same animal model. The absolute radioactivity uptake of [(18)F]3 in tumor reached 3.31 at 60 min p.i., which was slightly higher than [(18)F]-FDG (2.16) and L-[(18)F]-FET (2.75) at the same time phase. For [(18)F]3, tumor/muscle uptake ratio peaked 7.70 at 60 min, which was obviously superior to those of [(18)F]-FDG and L-[(18)F]-FET at all time points. The tumor/brain uptake ratios of [(18)F]3 were 10.36, 17.42, 41.11 at 30 min, 60 min and 120 min post-injection, respectively, and are much higher than those of L-[(18)F] FET (2.54, 2.92 and 2.95) and [(18)F]-FDG (0.61, 1.02 and 1.33) at the same time points. All these results indicate that [(18)F]3 is promising to become a potential PET tumor imaging agent.     

Synthesis and evaluation of N-(5-fluoro-2-phenoxyphenyl)-N-(2-[(18)F]fluoromethoxy-d(2)-5-methoxybenzyl)acetamide: a deuterium-substituted radioligand for peripheral benzodiazepine receptor

N-(5-Fluoro-2-phenoxyphenyl)-N-(2-[(18)F]fluoromethoxy-d(2)-5-methoxybenzyl)acetamide ([(18)F]2) is a potent ligand (IC(50): 1.71 nM) for peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR). However, in vivo evaluation on rodents and primates showed that this ligand was unstable and rapidly metabolized to [(18)F]F(-) by defluorination of the [(18)F]fluoromethyl moiety. In this study, we designed a deuterium-substituted analogue, N-(5-fluoro-2-phenoxyphenyl)-N-(2-[(18)F]fluoromethoxy-d(2)-5-methoxybenzyl)acetamide ([(18)F]5) as a radioligand for PBR to reduce the in vivo metabolic rate of the non-deuterated [(18)F]2. The design principle was based on the hypothesis that the deuterium substitution may reduce the rate of defluorination initiated by cleavage of the C-H bond without altering the binding affinity for PBR. The non-radioactive 5 was prepared by reacting diiodomethane-d(2) (CD(2)I(2), 6) with a phenol precursor 7, followed by treatment with tetrabutylammonium fluoride. The ligand [(18)F]5 was synthesized by the alkylation of 7 with [(18)F]fluoromethyl iodide-d(2) ([(18)F]FCD(2)I, [(18)F]9). Compound 5 displayed a similar in vitro affinity to PBR (IC(50): 1.90 nM) with 2. In vivo evaluation demonstrated that [(18)F]5 was metabolized by defluorination to [(18)F]F(-) as a main radioactive component, but its metabolic rate was slower than that of [(18)F]2 in the brain of mice. The deuterium substitution decreased the radioactivity level of [(18)F]5 in the bone of mouse, augmented by the percentage of specific binding to PBR in the rat brain determined by ex vivo autoradiography. However, the PET image of [(18)F]5 for monkey brain showed high radioactivity in the brain and skull, suggesting a possible species difference between rodents and primates.     

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.     

18F Labeled benzimidazole derivatives as potential radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET) tumor imaging

This article reported the synthesis and bioevaluation of two [¹⁸F] labeled benzimidazole derivatives, 4-(5-(2-[¹⁸F] fluoro-4-nitrobenzamido)-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) butanoic acid ([¹⁸F] FNBMBBA, [¹⁸F]a1) and 3-(2-fluoroethyl)-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid ([¹⁸F] FEMPBBA, [¹⁸F]b1) for PET tumor imaging. The preparation [¹⁸F] FEMPBBA was completed in 1 h with overall radiochemical yield of 50–60% (without decay corrected). Biodistribution assay in S180 tumor bearing mice of both compounds were carried out, and the results are both meaningful. [¹⁸F] FEMPBBA which can be taken as a revision of [¹⁸F] FNBMBBA got an excellent result, and has significant advantages in some aspects compared with L-[¹⁸F] FET and [¹⁸F]-FDG in the same animal model, especially in tumor/brain uptake ratio. The tumor/brain uptake ratio of [¹⁸F] FEMPBBA gets to 4.81, 7.15, and 9.8 at 30 min, 60 min and 120 min, and is much higher than that of L-[¹⁸F] FET (2.54, 2.92 and 2.95) and [¹⁸F]-FDG (0.61, 1.02, 1.33) at the same time point. The tumor/muscle and tumor/blood uptake ratio of [¹⁸F] FEMPBBA is also higher than that of L-[¹⁸F] FET at 30 min and 60 min. This result indicates compound [¹⁸F] FEMPBBA is a promising radiotracer for PET tumor imaging.