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The discovery of novel imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET) relies on medicinal chemistry best practices, including a good understanding of molecular and pharmacological properties required for the acquisition of relevant, high-quality images. This short note reviews the characteristics of a series of clinically successful imaging agents, providing guidance for the optimization of such molecular tools. PET imaging plays an important role in staging disease and in helping clinical dose selection, which is critical for the efficient development of drug candidates.

Aberrant Hsp90 has been implied in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The development of a suitable Hsp90 Positron emission tomography (PET) probe can provide in vivo quantification of the expression levels of Hsp90 as a biomarker for diagnosis and follow-up of cancer and central nervous system (CNS) disease progression. In this respect, [11C]YC-72-AB85 was evaluated as an Hsp90 PET probe in B16.F10 melanoma bearing mice and its brain uptake was determined in rats and nonhuman primate. In vitro binding of [11C]YC-72-AB85 to tissue slices of mouse B16.F10 melanoma, PC3 prostate carcinoma, and rodent brain was evaluated using autoradiography. Biodistribution of [11C]YC-72-AB85 was evaluated in healthy and B16.F10 melanoma mice. In vivo brain uptake was assessed by μPET studies in rats and a rhesus monkey. In vitro binding was deemed Hsp90-specific by blocking studies with heterologous Hsp90 inhibitors onalespib and SNX-0723. Saturable Hsp90 binding was observed in brain, tumor, blood, and blood-rich organs in mice. In combined pretreatment and displacement studies, reversible and Hsp90-specific binding of [11C]YC-72-AB85 was observed in rat brain. Dynamic μPET brain scans in baseline and blocking conditions in a rhesus monkey indicated Hsp90-specific binding. [11C]YC-72-AB85 is a promising PET tracer for in vivo visualization of Hsp90 in tumor and brain. Clear differences of Hsp90 binding to blood and blood-rich organs were observed in tumor vs control mice. Further, we clearly demonstrate, for the first time, binding to a saturable Hsp90 pool in brain of rats and a rhesus monkey.

Autotaxin (ATX) is a secreted enzyme responsible for producing lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The ATX/LPA signaling axis is typically activated in wound healing and tissue repair processes. The ATX/LPA axis is highjacked and upregulated in the progression and persistence of several chronic inflammatory diseases, including cancer. As ATX inhibitors are now progressing to clinical testing, innovative diagnostic tools such as positron emission tomography (PET) are needed to measure ATX expression in vivo accurately. The radiotracer, [18F]PRIMATX, was recently developed and tested for PET imaging of ATX in vivo in a murine melanoma model. The goal of the present work was to further validate [18F]PRIMATX as a PET imaging agent by analyzing its in vivo metabolic stability and suitability for PET imaging of ATX in models of human 8305C thyroid tumor and murine 4T1 breast cancer. [18F]PRIMATX displayed favorable metabolic stability in vivo (65% of intact radiotracer after 60 min p.i.) and provided sufficient tumor uptake profiles in both tumor models. Radiotracer uptake could be blocked by 8-12% in 8305C thyroid tumors in the presence of ATX inhibitor AE-32-NZ70 as determined by PET and ex vivo biodistribution analyses. [18F]PRIMATX also showed high brain uptake, which was reduced by 50% through the administration of ATX inhibitor AE-32-NZ70. [18F]PRIMATX is a suitable radiotracer for PET imaging of ATX in the brain and peripheral tumor tissues.

Motivation can critically influence learning and memory. Multiple neural mechanisms regulate motivational states, among which signalling via specific neuropeptides, such as NPY in vertebrates and NPF and its short variant sNPF in invertebrates, plays an essential role. The honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) is a privileged model for the study of appetitive learning and memory. Bees learn and memorize sensory cues associated with nectar reward while foraging, and their learning is affected by their feeding state. However, the neural underpinnings of their motivational states remain poorly known. Here we focused on the short neuropeptide F (sNPF) and studied if it modulates the acquisition and formation of colour memories. Artificially increasing sNPF levels in partially fed foragers with a reduced motivation to learn colours resulted in significant colour learning and memory above the levels exhibited by starved foragers. Our results thus identify sNPF as a critical component of motivational processes involved in foraging and in the cognitive processes associated with this activity in honey bees.

Aberrant Hsp90 has been implied in cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The development of a suitable Hsp90 Positron emission tomography (PET) probe can provide

Autotaxin (ATX) is a secreted enzyme responsible for producing lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The ATX/LPA signaling axis is typically activated in wound healing and tissue repair processes. The ATX/LPA axis is highjacked and upregulated in the progression and persistence of several chronic inflammatory diseases, including cancer. As ATX inhibitors are now progressing to clinical testing, innovative diagnostic tools such as positron emission tomography (PET) are needed to measure ATX expression in vivo accurately. The radiotracer, [

Non-specific binding (NSB) is a key parameter in optimizing PET imaging tracers. We compared the ability of three available methods to predict NSB: LIMBA, rat fu,brain and CHI(IAM). Even though NSB is often associated with lipophilicity, we observed that logD does not correlate with any of these assays, clearly indicating that lipophilicity, while influencing NSB, is insufficient to predict it. A cross-comparison of the methods showed that all three correlate and are useful predictors of NSB. The three assays however rank the molecules slightly differently, illustrating the challenge of comparing molecules within a narrow chemical space. We also noted that CHI(IAM) values more effectively predict VNS, a measure of in vivo NSB in the human brain. CHI(IAM) measurements might be a closer model of the actual physicochemical interaction between PET tracer candidates and cell membranes, and seems to be the method of choice for the optimization of in vivo NSB.

Autotaxin (ATX) is a secreted enzyme with tissue levels associated with tissue injury, which increase during wound healing and chronic fibrotic diseases. We selected [18 F](R,E)-3-(4-chloro-2-((5-methyl-2H-tetrazol-2-yl)methyl)phenyl)-1-(4-((5-(2-fluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yl)methyl)-2-methylpiperazin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one ([18 F]PRIMATX, [18 F]2), a tracer for positron emission tomography, to image ATX expression in vivo. It successfully differentiates expression levels in lung tissue samples from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, and allows the detection of ATX-expressing tumors in living mice, confirming its potential for development as a clinical imaging agent.

Background Siponimod (BAF312), a selective S1P1/S1P5 agonist, reduces disability progression in secondary progressive MS. Recent observations suggest it could act via S1P1/S1P5-dependent anti-inflammatory and pro-myelination effects on CNS-resident cells. Objective Generate preclinical evidence confirming siponimod's CNS penetration and activity. Methods Siponimod's CNS penetration and distribution was explored in rodents and non-human primates (NHPs) using: Liquid Chromatography coupled to tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), quantitative whole-body autoradiography (QWBA) using 14C-radiolabeled siponimod or non-invasive single-photon emission CT (SPECT) with a validated 123I-radiolabeled siponimod analog. Functional CNS activity was investigated by S1P1 receptor quantification in brain homogenates. Results In mice/rats, siponimod treatments achieved dose-dependent efficacy and dose-proportional increase in drug blood levels, with mean brain/blood drug-exposure ratio (Brain/BloodDER) of 6–7. Efficacy in rat brain tissues was revealed by a dose-dependent reduction in brain S1P1 levels. QWBA distribution analysis in rats indicated that [14C]siponimod related radioactivity could readily penetrate CNS, with particularly high uptakes in white matter of cerebellum, corpus callosum, and medulla oblongata versus lower exposures in other areas such as olfactory bulb. SPECT monitoring in NHPs revealed CNS distribution with a brain/bloodDER of ∼6, as in rodents. Conclusion Findings demonstrate siponimod's CNS penetration and distribution across species, with high translational potential to human.

We describe here our efforts to develop a PET tracer for imaging GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors, based on a 5H-thiazolo[3,2-α]pyrimidin-5-one scaffold. The metabolic stability and overall properties could be optimized satisfactorily, although binding affinities remained a limiting factor for in vivo imaging. We nevertheless identified 7-(((2-fluoroethyl)(3-fluorophenyl)amino)-methyl)-3-(2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopropyl)-2-methyl-5H-thiazolo-[3,2-α]pyrimidin-5-one ([18F]7b) as a radioligand providing good-quality images in autoradiographic studies, as well as a tritiated derivative, 2-(7-(((2-fluoroethyl)(4-fluorophenyl)amino)methyl)-2-methyl-5-oxo-5H-thiazolo[3,2-α]pyrimidin-3-yl)cyclopropane-1-carbonitrile ([3H2]15b), which was used for the successful development of a radioligand binding assay. These are valuable new tools for the study of GluN2A-containing NMDA receptors, and for the optimization of allosteric modulators binding to the pharmacophore located at the dimer interface of the GluN1-GluN2A ligand-binding domain. © 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. ISSN:1860-7179 ISSN:1860-7187

Imaging T cells using positron emission tomography (PET) would be highly useful for diagnosis and monitoring in immunology and oncology patients. There are, however, no obvious targets that can be used to develop imaging agents for this purpose. We evaluated several potential target proteins with selective expression in T cells, and for which lead molecules were available: protein kinase C isozyme θ (PKC θ), lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (Lck), zeta-chain-associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70), and interleukin-2-inducible T-cell kinase (Itk). Ultimately, we focused on Itk and identified a tool molecule with properties suitable for in vivo imaging of T cells: (5aR)-5,5-difluoro-5a-methyl-N-(1-((S)-3-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl)(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)methyl)-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-1,4,4a,5,5a,6-hexahydrocyclopropa[f]indazole-3-carboxamide (23). Although it does not have the optimal profile for clinical use, this molecule indicates that it might be possible to develop Itk-selective PET ligands for imaging the distribution of T cells in patients.

BAF312 (siponimod) is a sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator in clinical development for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, with faster organ/tissue distribution and elimination kinetics than its precursor FTY720 (fingolimod). Our aim was to develop a tracer to better quantify the penetration of BAF312 in the human brain, with the potential to be labeled for positron emission tomography (PET) or single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Although the PET radioisotopes (11)C and (18)F could have been introduced in BAF312 without modifying its structure, they do not have decay kinetics compatible with the time required for observing the drug's organ distribution in patients. In contrast, the SPECT radioisotope (123) I has a longer half-life and would suit this purpose. Herein we report the identification of an iodinated derivative of BAF312, (E)-1-(4-(1-(((4-cyclohexyl-3-iodobenzyl)oxy)imino)ethyl)-2-ethylbenzyl)azetidine-3-carboxylic acid (18, MS565), as a SPECT tracer candidate with affinity, S1P receptor selectivity, overall physicochemical properties, and blood pharmacokinetics similar to those of the original molecule. A whole-body autoradiography study performed with [(14)C]MS565 subsequently confirmed that its organ distribution is similar to that of BAF312. This validates the selection of MS565 for (123)I radiolabeling and for use in imaging studies to quantify the brain penetration of BAF312.

Bicycloalkyl groups have been previously described as phenyl group bioisosteres. This article describes the synthesis of new building blocks allowing their introduction into complex molecules, and explores their use as a means to modify the physicochemical properties of drug candidates and improve the quality of imaging agents. In particular, the replacement of an aromatic ring with a bicyclo[1.1.1]pentane-1,3-diyl (BCP) group improves aqueous solubility by at least 50-fold, and markedly decreases nonspecific binding (NSB) as measured by CHI(IAM), the chromatographic hydrophobicity index on immobilized artificial membranes. Structural variations with the bicyclo[2.2.2]octane-1,4-diyl group led to more lipophilic molecules and did not show the same benefits regarding NSB or solubility, whereas substitutions with cubane-1,4-diyl showed improvements for both parameters. These results confirm the potential advantages of both BCP and cubane motifs as bioisosteric replacements for optimizing para-phenyl-substituted molecules.

Ligand efficiency indices are widely used to guide chemical optimization in drug discovery, due to their predictive value in the early steps of optimization. At later stages, however, as more complex properties become critical for success, indices relying on calculated, rather than experimental, parameters become less informative. This problem is particularly acute when developing positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents, for which nonspecific binding (NSB) to membranes and non-target proteins is a frequent cause of failure. NSB cannot be predicted using in silico parameters. To address this gap, we explored the use of the experimentally determined chromatographic hydrophobicity index on immobilized artificial membranes, CHI(IAM), to guide the optimization of NSB. The ligand specific efficiency (LSE) index was defined as the ratio between affinity (pIC50 or pKd ) and the logarithmic value of CHI(IAM). It allows for quantification of binding affinity to the target of interest, relative to NSB. Its use was illustrated by the optimization of PET tracer candidates for the prostacyclin receptor.

High non-specific binding (NSB) is one of the most common reasons for candidate failure in potential positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer development. It is of interest to develop high throughput in vitro methods for predicting non-specific binding prior to radiolabeling, which would help guide radiotracer candidate selection and assist decision making in new radiotracer discovery. We evaluated several electrokinetic chromatographic (EKC) systems to help identify PET ligands with low non-specific binding characteristics by mimicking the ligand–brain tissue interaction. The measured retention factors of tracers in clinical use or terminated candidates within AOT vesicle EKC systems were compared with literature in vitro or in vivo NSB data. We conclude that there is a statistical correlation between the chromatographic retention parameters of tested drugs and their NSB. The AOT vesicle EKC method can provide NSB in vitro trend analysis for a large number of drug candidates early in the novel radiotracer discovery process with minimal resources.

FTY720 (fingolimod, Gilenya®) is a sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor modulator that shows significant therapeutic efficacy after oral administration to patients of multiple sclerosis. Because FTY720 does not contain any atom whose PET or SPECT radioisotope would have a half-life compatible with its pharmacokinetic properties, it cannot be used directly for imaging. Instead, we propose BZM055 as a surrogate tracer to study its pharmacokinetics and organ distribution in patients and, given that FTY720 accumulates in myelin sheaths, for myelin imaging. BZM055 (2 a, 2-iodo-FTY720) can be easily radiolabeled with ¹²³I (for SPECT) or ¹²⁴I (for PET). Not only does it closely mimic the pharmacokinetics and organ distribution of FTY720, but also its affinity, selectivity for S1P receptors, phosphorylation kinetics, and overall physicochemical properties. [¹²³I]BZM055 is currently under development for clinical imaging.

We sought to develop (11)C-labeled ligands for sensitive imaging of brain peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) in vivo. Two aryloxyanilides with high affinity for PBR were identified and synthesized, namely, N-acetyl- N-(2-methoxycarbonylbenzyl)-2-phenoxyaniline ( 3, PBR01) and N-(2-methoxybenzyl)- N-(4-phenoxypyridin-3-yl)acetamide ( 10, PBR28). 3 was hydrolyzed to 4, which was esterified with [ (11)C]iodomethane to provide [ (11)C] 3. The O-desmethyl analogue of 10 was converted into [ (11)C] 10 with [ (11)C]iodomethane. [ (11)C] 3 and [ (11)C] 10 were each injected into monkey to assess their brain kinetics with positron emission tomography (PET). After administration of either radioligand there was moderately high brain uptake of radioactivity. Receptor blocking and displacement experiments showed that a high proportion of this radioactivity was bound specifically to PBR. In monkey and rat, 3 and 10 were rapidly metabolized by ester hydrolysis and N-debenzylation, respectively, each to a single polar radiometabolite. [ (11)C] 3 and [ (11)C] 10 are effective for imaging PBR in monkey brain. [ (11)C] 10 especially warrants further evaluation in human subjects.

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are upregulated on activated microglia and are, thereby, biomarkers of cellular inflammation in brain. We recently developed two PET ligands with an aryloxyanilide structure to image PBRs and now evaluate the kinetics of these radiotracers in monkey to determine whether they are suitable to explore in human. Baseline and receptor-blocking scans were performed with [(11)C]PBR01 and [(18)F]PBR06 in conjunction with serial measurements of the arterial plasma concentration of parent radiotracer separated from radiometabolite. We used brain and plasma data with compartmental modeling to calculate regional brain distribution volume, which is equal to the ratio at equilibrium of the concentration of radioligand in brain to that of plasma. The distribution volume of [(11)C]PBR01 was inaccurately estimated in the baseline scans, possibly because of the short half-life of (11)C or the presence of radiometabolite in brain. In contrast, the distribution volume of [(18)F]PBR06 was stably determined within 200 min of scanning, and nondisplaceable uptake was only approximately 10% of total brain uptake. [(18)F]PBR06 is promising for use in human because brain activity could be quantified with standard compartmental models and showed higher ratios ( approximately 10:1) of specific to nonspecific uptake. A critical factor for human use will be whether the tracer has adequately fast wash out from brain relative to the half-life of the radionuclide to obtain stable values of distribution volume.

Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are upregulated on activated microglia. We recently developed a promising positron emission tomography (PET) ligand, [ 11 C]PBR28, with high affinity and excellent ratio of specific to nonspecific binding. We assessed the ability of [ 11 C]PBR28 PET to localize PBRs in a rat permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of neuroinflammation. [ 11 C]PBR28 was intravenously administered to rats at 4 and 7 days after permanent MCAO. In all experiments, arterial blood was sampled for compartmental modeling of regional distribution volumes, and rat brains were sampled after imaging for in vitro [ 3 H]PK 11195 autoradiography and histological evaluation. [ 11 C]PBR28 PET and [ 3 H]PK 11195 autoradiography showed similar areas of increased PBRs, especially in the peri-ischemic core. Results from these in vivo and in vitro methods were strongly correlated. In this first study to demonstrate neuroinflammation in vivo with small animal PET, [ 11 C]PBR28 had adequate sensitivity to localize and quantify the associated increase in PBRs.

This study evaluated (18)F-labeled IMPY [6-iodo-2-(4'-N,N-dimethylamino)phenylimidazo[1,2-a]pyridine] derivatives as agents for imaging beta-amyloid plaque with positron emission tomography (PET). The precursor for radiolabeling and reference compounds was synthesized in up to five steps from commercially accessible starting materials. One of the two N-methyl groups of IMPY was substituted with either a 3-fluoropropyl (FPM-IMPY) or a 2-fluoroethyl (FEM-IMPY) group. FPM-IMPY and FEM-IMPY were found to have moderate affinity for Abeta-aggregates with K(i) = 27 +/- 8 and 40 +/- 5 nM, respectively. A "one-pot" method for (18)F-2-fluoroethylation and (18)F-3-fluoropropylation of the precursor was developed. The overall decay-corrected radiochemical yields were 26-51%. In PET experiments with normal mouse, high uptake of activity was obtained in the brain after iv injection of each probe: 6.4% ID/g for [(18)F]FEM-IMPY at 1.2 min, and 5.7% ID/g for [(18)F]FPM-IMPY at 0.8 min. These values were similar to those of [(123)I/(125)I]IMPY (7.2% ID/g at 2 min). Polar and nonpolar radioactive metabolites were observed in both plasma and brain homogenates after injection of [(18)F]FEM or [(18)F]FPM-IMPY. In contrast to the single-exponential washout of [(123)I/(125)I]IMPY, the washouts of brain activity for the two fluorinated analogues were biphasic, with an initial rapid phase over 20 min and a subsequent much slower phase. Residual brain activity at 2 h, which may represent polar metabolites trapped in the brain, was 4.5% ID/g for [(18)F]FEM-IMPY and 2.1% ID/g for [(18)F]FPM-IMPY. Substantial skull uptake of [(18)F]fluoride was also clearly observed. With a view to slow the metabolism of [(18)F]FEM-IMPY, an analogue was prepared with deuteriums substituted for the four ethyl hydrogens. However, D(4)-[(18)F]FEM-IMPY showed the same brain uptake and clearance as the protio analogue. Metabolism of the [(18)F]FEM-IMPY was appreciably slower in rhesus monkey than in mouse. Autoradiography of postmortem brain sections of human Alzheimer's disease patients with [(18)F]FEM-IMPY showed high displaceable uptake in gray matter and low nonspecific binding in the white matter. This study demonstrates that the IMPY derivatives have favorable in vivo brain pharmacokinetics and a moderate affinity for imaging beta-amyloid plaques; however, further improvements are needed to reduce radioactive metabolites, increase binding affinity, and reduce lipophilicity.

The flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) of the tricyclic sulfides 2 and 4 led, upon elimination of cyclopentadiene by retro-Diels-Alder reaction, to a mixture of isomeric allylthio- or propargylthiocyclopentadienes (12, 13 and 16, 17, respectively). Compounds 13 and 17 underwent in turn a thio-Claisen rearrangement giving the reactive 5-allyl- and 5-allenylcyclopentenethiones 11 and 15. The possible retro-ene reaction eliminating propene or allene from the allylthio or propargylthio moiety has not been observed. Under FVT, the tricyclic thiol 3 led similarly to a mixture of cyclopentadienethiols 19 and 20, the latter tautomerizing to cyclopentenethione 21 upon warming up in solution. Precursors 7 and 8, corresponding to 2 and 4 in the cyclo-C6 series, behaved quite differently. No thio-Claisen rearrangement occurred, and the allylthio- and propargylthiocyclohex-adienes 22 and 24 evoluted towards stable compounds resulting from competitive retro-ene reactions and β-eliminations. Upon FVT, the cyclobuta...

The flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) of cycloalkenyl allyl (or propargyl) sulfides 8, 9, 12, and 13 led, as the main thermal pathway, to the conjugated cycloalkenethiones 1, 3, and 5, resulting from a retro-ene reaction. These reactive thioketones, thus obtained in ca. 70% yield, have been characterized in the gas phase by mass spectrometry, and at low temperature by IR, UV/Vis and NMR spectroscopy. The polymerization of 1, 3, and 5 upon warming is generally more rapid than the other attempted reactions and only the [2 + 3] dipolar cycloaddition with diazomethane led in low yield, besides polymeric materials, to isomeric 1,3-dithiolanes 20 from cyclopentenethione 1. The obtention of the nonconjugated cycloalkenethiones 2 and 4, expected in the FVT of sulfides 10 and 11, has been confirmed only by UV/Vis spectroscopy at –196 °C, due to their rapid enethiolization. In the case of the large-ring sulfide 14, the (E) geometry of the double bond favoured the competitive retro-ene reaction yielding cyclododecene and propynethial; on the other hand, the FVT of the tricyclic gem-dithiol 15, a possible precursor of cyclobutenethione (7), led to vinyl thioketene (18), obtained by thermal ring opening of 7.

Orexin receptor antagonists represent attractive targets for the development of drugs for the treatment of insomnia. Both efficacy and safety are crucial in clinical settings and thorough investigations of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics can predict contributing factors such as duration of action and undesirable effects. To this end, we studied the interactions between various ‘dual’ orexin receptor antagonists and the orexin receptors, OX1R and OX2R, over time using saturation and competition radioligand binding with [3H]-BBAC ((S)-N-([1,1'-biphenyl]-2-yl)-1-(2-((1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)thio)acetyl)pyrrolidine-2-carboxamide). In addition, the kinetics of these compounds were investigated in cells expressing human, mouse and rat OX1R and OX2R using FLIPR® assays for calcium accumulation. We demonstrate that almorexant reaches equilibrium very slowly at OX2R, whereas SB-649868, suvorexant and filorexant may take hours to reach steady state at both orexin receptors. By contrast, compounds such as BBAC or the selective OX2R antagonist IPSU ((2-((1H-Indol-3-yl)methyl)-9-(4-methoxypyrimidin-2-yl)-2,9-diazaspiro[5.5]undecan-1-one) bind rapidly and reach equilibrium very quickly in both binding and / or functional assays. Overall, the “dual” antagonists tested here tend to be rather unselective under non-equilibrium conditions and reach equilibrium very slowly. Once equilibrium is reached, each ligand demonstrates a selectivity profile that is however, distinct from the non-equilibrium condition. The slow kinetics of the dual antagonists tested suggest that in vitro receptor occupancy may be longer lasting than would be predicted. This raises questions as to whether pharmacokinetic studies measuring plasma or brain levels of these antagonists are accurate reflections of receptor occupancy in vivo.

Eighteen kilodalton translocator protein (TSPO) is an important target for drug discovery and for clinical molecular imaging of brain and peripheral inflammatory processes. PK 11195 [1a; 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-N-methyl-(1-methylpropyl)-3-isoquinoline carboxamide] is the major prototypical high-affinity ligand for TSPO. Elucidation of the solution structure of 1a is of interest for understanding small-molecule ligand interactions with the lipophilic binding site of TSPO. Dynamic (1)H/(13)C NMR spectroscopy of 1a revealed four quite stable but interconverting rotamers, due to amide bond and 2-chlorophenyl group rotation. These rotamers have been neglected in previous descriptions of the structure of 1a and of the binding of 1a to TSPO. Here, we used quantum chemistry at the level of B3LYP/6-311+G(2d,p) to calculate (13)C and (1)H chemical shifts for the rotamers of 1a and for the very weak TSPO ligand, N-desmethyl-PK 11195 (1b). These data, plus experimental NMR data, were then used to characterize the structures of rotamers of 1a and 1b in organic solution. Energy barriers for both the amide bond and 2'-chlorophenyl group rotation of 1a were determined from dynamic (1)H NMR to be similar (ca.17 to 18 kcal/mol), and they compared well with those calculated at the level of B3LYP/6-31G*. Furthermore, the computed barrier for Z to E rotation is considerably lower in 1a(18.7 kcal/mol) than in 1b (25.4 kcal/mol). NMR (NOE) unequivocally demonstrated that the E rotamer of 1a is the more stable in solution by about 0.4 kcal/mol. These detailed structural findings will aid future TSPO ligand design and support the notion that TSPO prefers to bind ligands as amide E-rotamers.

The reactive unsubstituted cyclohex-2-enethione (1) and cyclopent-2-enethione (2) have been synthesized in two steps (yields ca 70%) from the corresponding cycloalkenyl bromides. The key step is a retro-ene reaction under FVT conditions. The purple-blue thioketones 1 and 2, polymerizing rapidly above −80°C in the condensed phase, have been characterized by UV-visible and IR spectroscopy at −196°C, as well as, in the gas phase, by direct FVT/HRMS coupling. The reaction of 2 with diazomethane in THF led to 1,3-dithiolane 9.

Elevated levels of peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBR) are associated with activated microglia in their response to inflammation. Hence, PBR imaging in vivo is valuable for investigating brain inflammatory conditions. Sensitive, easily prepared, and readily available radioligands for imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) are desirable for this purpose. We describe a new 18F-labeled PBR radioligand, namely [18F]N-fluoroacetyl-N-(2,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-phenoxyaniline ([18F]9). [18F]9 was produced easily through a single and highly efficient step, the reaction of [18F]fluoride ion with the corresponding bromo precursor, 8. Ligand 9 exhibited high affinity for PBR in vitro. PET showed that [18F]9 was avidly taken into monkey brain and gave a high ratio of PBR-specific to nonspecific binding. [18F]9 was devoid of defluorination in rat and monkey and gave predominantly polar radiometabolite(s). In rat, a low level radiometabolite of intermediate lipophilicity was identified as [18F]2-fluoro-N-(2-phenoxyphenyl)acetamide ([18F]11). [18F]9 is a promising radioligand for future imaging of PBR in living human brain.

Carboxylic esters were successfully labeled with one of two short-lived positron-emitters, carbon-11 or fluorine-18, within a hydrodynamically-driven micro-reactor. The non-radioactive methyl ester 4a was obtained at room temperature; its yield increased with higher substrate concentration and with reduced infusion rate. Radioactive methyl ester 4b was obtained from the reaction of 1 (10 mM) with 2b in 56% decay-corrected radiochemical yield (RCY) at an infusion rate of 10 µL min−1, and when the infusion rate was reduced to 1 µL min−1, the RCY increased to 88%. The synthesis of the non-radioactive fluoroethyl ester 5a from 1 and 3a required heating of the micro-reactor on a heating block at 80 °C (14–17% RCY), whilst the corresponding radioactive 5b from 1 and 3b was obtained in 10% RCY. The radioactive ‘peripheral’ benzodiazepine receptor ligand 7b was obtained from the reaction of acid 6 with labeling agent 2b in 45% RCY at an infusion rate of 10 µL min−1. When the infusion rate was reduced to 1 µL min−1, the RCY increased to 65%. The results exemplify a new methodology for producing radiotracers for imaging with positron emission tomography that has many potential advantages, including a requirement for small quantities of substrates, enhanced reaction, rapid reaction optimisation and easy product purification.

The reactive conjugated cycloalkenethiones (3, 4, 5) have been synthesized from the corresponding cycloalkenylsulfanyl compounds under flash vacuum thermolysis (FVT) conditions. The nonconjugated cycloalkenethiones (8, 9) were prepared in the same way, the tautomerisation into cycloalkadienethiols (10, 11) occurred at 77 K. As for the cyclobutenethione 13, only the ring opening products were observed at 77 K.

1829 Objectives: Peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (PBRs) are upregulated on activated microglia. The PBR ligand [11C]PK11195 has been used to detect in vivo neuroinflammatory changes but has a high percentage of nonspecific binding. We recently developed three PET ligands based on aryloxyanilides to image PBRs. Our aim was to determine kinetics and metabolism of new PET ligands in monkey and rat brain. Methods: Following studies were performed, 2 baseline (2.5-3 h) and 2 blocking studies (1.5 h) for [11C]PBR01, 5 baseline (2-3 h) and 1 blocking studies (2 h) for [11C]PBR28, and 3 baseline (2-5 h) and 1 blocking studies (2 h) for [18F]PBR06 in rhesus monkeys. Unlabeled PBR01 (1 mg/kg), PBR28 (3 mg/kg) and an aryloxyanilide DAA1106 (3 mg/kg) were used as blocking agents. Arterial input function was obtained in all experiments, and total distribution volumes (VT9s) were calculated using one- (1C) and two-compartment (2C) models. The composition of radioactivity was analyzed in rat brain by HPLC 30 min after injecting radioligands. Results: All PBR ligands showed high brain uptake of 300-400 SUV% and greater specific/nondisplaceable ratio than [11C]PK11195 (Values of VT9s are shown in table). [11C]PBR01: 1C converged but the fitting was poor in all studies. In one of 2 baseline studies, 2C did not converge. [11C]PBR28: Both 1C and 2C converged, and the 2C did not provide significantly better fitting than 1C in all baseline studies. The kinetics was described well by 1C with COV values of VT9≦10%. However, in one of two animals, 120-150 min of scanning was required to obtain apparently stable values of VT9. [18F]PBR06: Both 1C and 2C converged with 5 h data, and 2C provided significantly better fitting than 1C. After 200 min, VT9 by 2C became independent of scan length. In the pre-blocking study, 2C did not converge with poor K4 identifiability. Profiles of plasma radiochromatograms were similar in monkey and rat. Rat brain activity detected as [11C]PBR01, [11C]PBR28 and [18F]PBR06 at 30 min was 83%, 94% and 90%, respectively. Conclusions: Among the three tested PET ligands, [18F]PBR06 and [11C]PBR28 are promising for future use in human. The ratio of specific to nonspecific uptake was unusually high for both tracers (50:1). Based on the current studies, a critical factor for human use will be whether the tracer has adequately fast wash out from brain (relative to the half life of the radionuclide) to obtain stable values of VT9.

The reactive unsubstituted cyclohex-2-enethione (1) and cyclopent-2-enethione (2) have been synthesized in two steps (yields ca 70%) from the corresponding cycloalkenyl bromides. The key step is a retro-ene reaction under FVT conditions. The purple-blue thioketones 1 and 2, polymerizing rapidly above −80°C in the condensed phase, have been characterized by UV-visible and IR spectroscopy at −196°C, as well as, in the gas phase, by direct FVT/HRMS coupling. The reaction of 2 with diazomethane in THF led to 1,3-dithiolane 9.