Synthesis, Fluorine-18 Radiolabeling, and In Vivo PET Imaging of a Hydrophilic Fluorosulfotetrazine.

The development of 18F-fluorotetrazines, suitable for the radiolabeling of biologics such as proteins and antibodies by IEDDA ligation, represents a major challenge, especially for pre-targeting applications. The hydrophilicity of the tetrazine has clearly become a crucial parameter for the performance of in vivo chemistry. In this study, we present the design, the synthesis, the radiosynthesis, the physicochemical characterization, the in vitro and in vivo stability, as well as the pharmacokinetics and the biodistribution determined by PET imaging in healthy animals of an original hydrophilic 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine. This tetrazine was prepared and radiolabelled with fluorine-18 according to a three-step procedure, starting from propargylic butanesultone as the precursor. The propargylic sultone was converted into the corresponding propargylic fluorosulfonate by a ring-opening reaction with 18/19F-fluoride. Propargylic 18/19F-fluorosulfonate was then subject to a CuACC reaction with an azidotetrazine, followed by oxidation. The overall automated radiosynthesis afforded the 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine in 29-35% DCY, within 90-95 min. The experimental LogP and LogD7.4 values of -1.27 ± 0.02 and -1.70 ± 0.02, respectively, confirmed the hydrophilicity of the 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine. In vitro and in vivo studies displayed a total stability of the 18F-fluorosulfotetrazine without any traces of metabolization, the absence of non-specific retention in all organs, and the appropriate pharmacokinetics for pre-targeting applications.

Evaluation of Specific Binding of [11C]RTI-97 to Kappa Opioid Receptor by Autoradiography and PET Imaging in Rat.

Kappa opioid receptor (KOR) PET imaging remains attractive to understand the role of KOR in health and diseases and to help the development of drugs especially for psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and addiction. The potent and selective KOR antagonist RTI-97 labeled with carbon-11 was previously demonstrated to display specific KOR binding in mouse brain by ex vivo autoradiography studies. Herein, we evaluated [11C]RTI-97 in rat by in vitro autoradiography and by in vivo PET imaging. The radiosynthesis of [11C]RTI-97 was optimized to obtain high molar activities. Despite a low cerebral uptake, the overall results showed a heterogeneous repartition and specific KOR binding of [11C]RTI-97 in brain and a high and specific accumulation of [11C]RTI-97 in pituitary in accordance with KOR expression.

Multimodal evaluation of hypoxia in brain metastases of lung cancer and interest of hypoxia image-guided radiotherapy.

Lung cancer patients frequently develop brain metastases (BM). Despite aggressive treatment including neurosurgery and external-radiotherapy, overall survival remains poor. There is a pressing need to further characterize factors in the microenvironment of BM that may confer resistance to radiotherapy (RT), such as hypoxia. Here, hypoxia was first evaluated in 28 biopsies from patients with non­small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) BM, using CA-IX immunostaining. Hypoxia characterization (pimonidazole, CA-IX and HIF-1α) was also performed in different preclinical NSCLC BM models induced either by intracerebral injection of tumor cells (H2030-Br3M, H1915) into the cortex and striatum, or intracardial injection of tumor cells (H2030-Br3M). Additionally, [18F]-FMISO-PET and oxygen-saturation-mapping-MRI (SatO2-MRI) were carried out in the intracerebral BM models to further characterize tumor hypoxia and evaluate the potential of Hypoxia-image-guided-RT (HIGRT). The effect of RT on proliferation of BM ([18F]-FLT-PET), tumor volume and overall survival was determined. We showed that hypoxia is a major yet heterogeneous feature of BM from lung cancer both preclinically and clinically. HIGRT, based on hypoxia heterogeneity observed between cortical and striatal metastases in the intracerebrally induced models, showed significant potential for tumor control and animal survival. These results collectively highlight hypoxia as a hallmark of BM from lung cancer and the value of HIGRT in better controlling tumor growth.

Simultaneous Mapping of Vasculature, Hypoxia, and Proliferation Using Dynamic Susceptibility Contrast MRI, 18F-FMISO PET, and 18F-FLT PET in Relation to Contrast Enhancement in Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma.

Conventional MRI plays a key role in the management of patients with high-grade glioma, but multiparametric MRI and PET tracers could provide further information to better characterize tumor metabolism and heterogeneity by identifying regions having a high risk of recurrence. In this study, we focused on proliferation, hypervascularization, and hypoxia, all factors considered indicative of poor prognosis. They were assessed by measuring uptake of 18F-3'-deoxy-3'-18F-fluorothymidine (18F-FLT), relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) maps, and uptake of 18F-fluoromisonidazole (18F-FMISO), respectively. For each modality, the volumes and high-uptake subvolumes (hot spots) were semiautomatically segmented and compared with the contrast enhancement (CE) volume on T1-weighted gadolinium-enhanced (T1w-Gd) images, commonly used in the management of patients with glioblastoma. Methods: Dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MRI (31 patients), 18F-FLT PET (20 patients), or 18F-FMISO PET (20 patients), for a total of 31 patients, was performed on preoperative glioblastoma patients. Volumes and hot spots were segmented on SUV maps for 18F-FLT PET (using the fuzzy locally adaptive bayesian algorithm) and 18F-FMISO PET (using a mean contralateral image + 3.3 SDs) and on rCBV maps (using a mean contralateral image + 1.96 SDs) for dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MRI and overlaid on T1w-Gd images. For each modality, the percentages of the peripheral volumes and the peripheral hot spots outside the CE volume were calculated. Results: All tumors showed highly proliferated, hypervascularized, and hypoxic regions. The images also showed pronounced heterogeneity of both tracers regarding their uptake and rCBV maps, within each individual patient. Overlaid volumes on T1w-Gd images showed that some proliferative, hypervascularized, and hypoxic regions extended beyond the CE volume but with marked differences between patients. The ranges of peripheral volume outside the CE volume were 1.6%-155.5%, 1.5%-89.5%, and 3.1%-78.0% for 18F-FLT, rCBV, and 18F-FMISO, respectively. All patients had hyperproliferative hot spots outside the CE volume, whereas hypervascularized and hypoxic hot spots were detected mainly within the enhancing region. Conclusion: Spatial analysis of multiparametric maps with segmented volumes and hot spots provides valuable information to optimize the management and treatment of patients with glioblastoma.

Hypoxia Imaging and Adaptive Radiotherapy: A State-of-the-Art Approach in the Management of Glioma.

Severe hypoxia [oxygen partial pressure (pO2) below 5-10 mmHg] is more frequent in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) compared to lower-grade gliomas. Seminal studies in the 1950s demonstrated that hypoxia was associated with increased resistance to low-linear energy transfer (LET) ionizing radiation. In experimental conditions, the total radiation dose has to be multiplied by a factor of 3 to achieve the same cell lethality in anoxic situations. The presence of hypoxia in human tumors is assumed to contribute to treatment failures after radiotherapy (RT) in cancer patients. Therefore, a logical way to overcome hypoxia-induced radioresistance would be to deliver substantially higher doses of RT in hypoxic volumes delineated on pre-treatment imaging as biological target volumes (BTVs). Such an approach faces various fundamental, technical, and clinical challenges. The present review addresses several technical points related to the delineation of hypoxic zones, which include: spatial accuracy, quantitative vs. relative threshold, variations of hypoxia levels during RT, and availability of hypoxia tracers. The feasibility of hypoxia imaging as an assessment tool for early tumor response to RT and for predicting long-term outcomes is discussed. Hypoxia imaging for RT dose painting is likewise examined. As for the radiation oncologist's point of view, hypoxia maps should be converted into dose-distribution objectives for RT planning. Taking into account the physics and the radiobiology of various irradiation beams, preliminary in silico studies are required to investigate the feasibility of dose escalation in terms of normal tissue tolerance before clinical trials are undertaken.

The first radiosynthesis of 2-amino-5-[18F]fluoropyridines via a "minimalist" radiofluorination/palladium-catalyzed amination sequence from anisyl(2-bromopyridinyl)iodonium triflate.

The synthesis of 2-amino-5-[18F]fluoropyridines was achieved in 8-85% yields by palladium-catalyzed reaction of 2-bromo-5-[18F]fluoropyridine with piperidine, dimethylamine, butylamine, methylpiperazine, benzylamine, aniline and 3-aminopyridine. 2-Bromo-5-[18F]fluoropyridine was obtained by radiofluorination of anisyl(2-bromopyridinyl-5)iodonium triflate (88% yield). The radiofluorination step was performed under "minimalist" conditions to guarantee a successful subsequent amination reaction.

GluN2B Subunit Labeling with Fluorescent Probes and High-Resolution Live Imaging.

Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy (LSCM) imaging using an appropriate fluorescent probe enables the visualization of a molecular target with high resolution, and represents a method of choice for studying expression, subcellular location, and trafficking of receptors in living cells. The chemical, physical, and pharmacological properties of the probe remain essential. Here, we describe (1) the preparation of a specific probe for NMDAR GluN2B receptor by conjugation of fluorescein to an ifenprodil-based ligand, (2) an in vitro functional assay by calcium imaging for GluN2B binding and inhibition evaluation of the probe, and (3) the labeling and confocal imaging of GluN2B in DS-red labeled living cortical neurons.

N-[18F]-FluoropropylJDTic for κ-opioid receptor PET imaging: Radiosynthesis, pre-clinical evaluation, and metabolic investigation in comparison with parent JDTic.

INTRODUCTION: To image kappa opioid receptor (KOR) for preclinical studies, N-fluoropropylJDTic 9 derived from the best-established KOR antagonist JDTic, was labeled with fluorine-18. METHODS: Radiosynthesis of [18F]9 was achieved according to an automated two-step procedure from [18F]-fluoride. Peripheral and cerebral distributions were determined by ex vivo experiments and by PET imaging in mouse. Radiometabolism studies were performed both in vivo in mice and in vitro in mouse and human liver microsomes. Identification of the major metabolic fragmentations was carried out by UPLC-MS analysis of enzymatic cleavage of non-radioactive ligand 9. Microsomal metabolic degradation of parent JDTic was also achieved for comparison. RESULTS: The radiotracer [18F]9 was produced after 140±5min total synthesis time (2.2±0.4% not decay corrected radiochemical yield) with a specific activity of 41-89GBq/µmol (1.1-2.4Ci/µmol). Peripheral and regional brain distributions of [18F]9 were consistent with known KOR locations but no significant specific binding in brain was shown. [18F]9 presented a typical hepatobiliary and renal elimination, and was rapidly metabolized. The in vivo and in vitro radiometabolic profiles of [18F]9 were similar. Piperidine 12 was identified as the major metabolic fragment of the non-radioactive ligand 9. JDTic 7 was found to be much more stable than 9. CONCLUSION: Although the newly proposed radioligand [18F]9 was concluded to be not suitable for KOR PET imaging due to the formation of brain penetrating radiometabolites, our findings highlight the metabolic stability of JDTic and may help in the design of novel JDTic derivatives for in vivo applications.

[18F]-Fluoride capture and release: azeotropic drying free nucleophilic aromatic radiofluorination assisted by a phosphonium borane.

[18F]-Fluoride ready for aromatic nucleophilic substitution was prepared according to a simple process including trapping of aqueous [18F]-fluoride on a cartridge pre-loaded with the phosphonium borane [(Ph2MeP)C6H4(BMes2)]+, then releasing by elution of TBACN in dry acetonitrile. Subsequent radiofluorination was successfully applied to a model reaction and to the radiosynthesis of [18F]-setoperone.

Pd(0)-Catalyzed Direct C-H Functionalization of 2-H-4-Benzylidene Imidazolones: Friendly and Large-Scale Access to GFP and Kaede Protein Fluorophores.

The first one-pot synthesis of N-substituted 2-H-4-benzylidene imidazolones and their subsequent palladium-catalyzed and copper-assisted direct C2-H arylation and alkenylation with aryl- and alkenylhalides are described. This innovative synthesis is step-economical, azide-free, high yielding, highly flexible in the introduction of a variety of electronically different groups, and can be operated on large-scale. Moreover, the method allows direct access to C2-arylated or alkenylated imidazolone-based green fluorescent protein (GFP) and Kaede protein fluorophores, including ortho-hydroxylated models.

Novel fluoroalkyl derivatives of selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist JDTic: Design, synthesis, pharmacology and molecular modeling studies.

Novel N- and O-fluoroalkyl derivatives of the highly potent KOR antagonist JDTic were designed and synthesized. Their opioid receptor properties were compared in both in vitro binding assays and modeling approach. All compounds displayed nanomolar affinities for KOR. The fluoropropyl derivatives were more active than their fluoroethyl analogues. N-Fluoroalkylation was preferable to O-alkylation to keep a selective KOR binding. Compared to JDTic, the N-fluoropropyl derivative 2 bound to KOR with an only 4-fold lower affinity and a higher selectivity relative to MOR and DOR [Ki(κ) = 1.6 nM; Ki(µ)/Ki(κ) = 12; Ki(δ)/Ki(κ) = 159 for 2versus Ki(κ) = 0.42 nM; Ki(µ)/Ki(κ) = 9; Ki(δ)/Ki(κ) = 85 for JDTic]. Modeling studies based on the crystal structure of the JDTic/KOR complex revealed that fluorine atom in ligand 2 was involved in specific KOR binding. Ligand 2 was concluded to merit further development for KOR exploration.

Synthesis and in vitro characterisation of ifenprodil-based fluorescein conjugates as GluN1/GluN2B N-Methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists.

GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors are involved in many important physiological functions and play a pivotal role in mediating pain as well as in several neurodegenerative disorders. We aimed to develop fluorescent probes to target the GluN2B subunit selectively in order to allow better understanding of the relationships between receptor localisation and physiological importance. Ifenprodil, known as the GluNR2B antagonist of reference, was chosen as the template for the elaboration of probes. We had previously reported a fluorescein conjugate that was shown (by confocal microscopy imaging of DS-red-labelled cortical neurons) to bind specifically to GluN2B. To elaborate this probe, we explored the influence of both the nature and the attachment point of the spacer between the fluorophore and the parent compound, ifenprodil. We performed chemical modifications of ifenprodil at the benzylic position and on the phenol ring by introducing secondary amine or amide functions and evaluated alkyl chains from two to 20 bonds either including or not including secondary amide functions as spacers. The previously developed probe was found to display the greatest activity in the inhibition of NMDA-induced Ca(2+) influx by calcium imaging experiments on HEK293 cells transfected with the cDNA encoding for GluN1-1A and GluN2B. Further investigations revealed that this probe had a neuroprotective effect equivalent to that of ifenprodil in a standard test for neurotoxicity. Despite effects of lesser amplitude with these probes relative to ifenprodil, we demonstrated that they displaced [(3) H]ifenprodil in mouse brain slices in a similar manner.

Diastereoselective syntheses of (3R*,4R*)- and (3R*,4S*)-4-aryl-3-methyl-4-piperidinemethanol and fluoro analogues.

Two concise and high-yielding diastereoselective syntheses of 4-aryl-3-methyl-4-piperidinemethanols were realized from 1,3-dimethyl-4-piperidinone. The key reactions to control the C3-C4 relative stereochemistry were the alkoxymethylation of a metalloenamine generated from 4-aryl-3-methyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine that afforded the (3R*,4S*)-form and the nucleophilic substitution of a fluoroarene with deprotonated 3-methyl-4-piperidinenitrile giving the (3R*,4R*)-isomer. The corresponding fluoromethyl analogues were subsequently obtained through the fluorination of the piperidinemethanols using DAST.

A Resin-linker-vector approach to radiopharmaceuticals containing 18F: application in the synthesis of O-(2-[18F]-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine.

A Resin-linker-vector (RLV) strategy is described for the radiosynthesis of tracer molecules containing the radionuclide (18)F, which releases the labelled vector into solution upon nucleophilic substitution of a polystyrene-bound arylsulfonate linker with [(18)F]-fluoride ion. Three model linker-vector molecules 7a-c containing different alkyl spacer groups were assembled in solution from (4-chlorosulfonylphenyl)alkanoate esters, exploiting a lipase-catalysed chemoselective carboxylic ester hydrolysis in the presence of the sulfonate ester as a key step. The linker-vector systems were attached to aminomethyl polystyrene resin through amide bond formation to give RLVs 8a-c with acetate, butyrate and hexanoate spacers, which were characterised by using magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. On fluoridolysis, the RLVs 8a,b containing the longer spacers were shown to be more effective in the release of the fluorinated model vector (4-fluorobutyl)phenylcarbamic acid tert-butyl ester (9) in NMR kinetic studies and gave superior radiochemical yields (RCY≈60%) of the (18) F-labelled vector. The approach was applied to the synthesis of the radiopharmaceutical O-(2-[(18)F]-fluoroethyl)-L-tyrosine ([(18) F]-FET), delivering protected [(18) F]-FET in >90% RCY. Acid deprotection gave [(18)F]-FET in an overall RCY of 41% from the RLV.

Confocal microscopy imaging of NR2B-containing NMDA receptors based on fluorescent ifenprodil-like conjugates.

We describe the synthesis and pharmacological characterization of a first generation of ifenprodil conjugates 4-7 as fluorescent probes for the confocal microscopy imaging of the NR2B-containing NMDA receptor. The fluorescein conjugate 6 displayed a moderate affinity for NMDAR but a high selectivity for the NR2B subunit and its NTD. Fluorescence imaging of DS-red labeled cortical neurons showed an exact colocalization of the probe 6 with small protrusions along the dendrites related to a specific binding on NR2B-containing NMDARs.

Sultone opening with [18F]fluoride: an efficient 18F-labelling strategy for PET imaging.

Sultones were subject to ring opening by nucleophilic attack with [(18)F]fluoride to afford easily purified (18)F-labelled hydrophilic sulfonated products in high yields. A two-step sequence including radiofluorination and coupling to lysine was then developed from a bis-sultone precursor as a model approach for the labelling of biopolymers.

Copper-catalyzed amination of (bromophenyl)ethanolamine for a concise synthesis of aniline-containing analogues of NMDA NR2B antagonist ifenprodil.

An operationally simple and concise synthesis of anilinoethanolamines, as NMDA NR2B receptor antagonist ifenprodil analogues, was developed via a copper-catalyzed amination of the corresponding bromoarene. Coupling was achieved with linear primary alkylamines, alpha,omega-diamines, hexanolamine and benzophenone imine, as well as with aqueous ammonia, in good yields using CuI and N,N-diethylsalicylamide, 2,4-pentadione or 2-acetylcyclohexanone as catalytic systems. Amination with ethylene diamine was efficient even in the absence of an additive ligand, whereas no reaction occurred with ethanolamine whatever the conditions used. The anilinoethanolamines were evaluated as NR2B receptor antagonists in a functional inhibition assay. Aminoethylanilines displayed inhibition effects close to that of ifenprodil.

Chemical delivery system of metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) to the central nervous system.

The aim of the present investigation was to apply a chemical delivery system (CDS) to MIBG (4) with the purpose of delivering this drug to the CNS. Compound 4 has been linked to a 1,4-dihydroquinoline moiety in order to achieve its CNS penetration, and here we report the synthesis to link 4 to the chemical delivery system and the radiosynthesis with carbon-11 of the "CDS-4 entity". After iv injection into rats of the [(11)C]CDS-4, the follow-up study of the radioactivity distribution in blood samples and brain homogenates and the analysis by HPLC and LC-MS/MS have confirmed the release of 4 into the CNS.

[11C]-MeJDTic: a novel radioligand for kappa-opioid receptor positron emission tomography imaging.

INTRODUCTION: Radiopharmaceuticals that can bind selectively the kappa-opioid receptor may present opportunities for staging clinical brain disorders and evaluating the efficiency of new therapies related to stroke, neurodegenerative diseases or opiate addiction. The N-methylated derivative of JDTic (named MeJDTic), which has been recently described as a potent and selective antagonist of kappa-opioid receptor in vitro, was labeled with carbon-11 and evaluated for in vivo imaging the kappa-opioid receptor in mice. METHODS: [(11)C]-MeJDTic was prepared by methylation of JDTic with [(11)C]-methyl triflate. The binding of [(11)C]-MeJDTic to kappa-opioid receptor was investigated ex vivo by biodistribution and competition studies using nonfasted male CD1 mice. RESULTS: [(11)C]-MeJDTic exhibited a high and rapid distribution in peripheral organs. The uptake was maximal in lung where the kappa receptor is largely expressed. [(11)C]-MeJDTic rapidly crossed the blood-brain barrier and accumulated in the brain regions of interest (hypothalamus). The parent ligand remained the major radioactive compound in brain during the experiment. Chase studies with U50,488 (a kappa referring agonist), morphine (a mu agonist) and naltrindole (a delta antagonist) demonstrated that this uptake was the result of specific binding to the kappa-opioid receptor. CONCLUSION: These findings suggested that [(11)C]-MeJDTic appeared to be a promising selective "lead" radioligand for kappa-opioid receptor PET imaging.

Functionalization through lithiation of (S)-N-(1-phenylpropyl)-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide. Application to the labeling with carbon-11 of NK-3 receptor antagonist SB 222200.

Lithiation of (S)-N-(1-phenylpropyl)-2-phenylquinoline-4-carboxamide with the complex n-BuLi/TMEDA (1/1 molar ratio) in THF at -60 degrees C for 5 h occurred selectively at the position 3 of the quinoline ring. This selectivity was shown by the absence of racemization of the stereogenic center and the formation of the corresponding functionalized quinolines in 59-74% yield by subsequent reaction with an electrophile at -60 degrees C for 1 h. The 3-trimethylstannyl derivative was subjected to a Stille reaction using methyl, phenyl, or thienyliodide to afford the alkyl or aryl quinolines in moderate to good yields. This methodology was successfully applied to the radiosynthesis of [11C]SB 222200 using methyl iodide labeled with carbon-11 (beta+ emitter, t1/2=20.4 min) for the in vivo study of NK-3 receptor by positron emission tomography (48-58% radiochemical yields from [11C]CH3I, decay corrected, 45 min total synthesis time).