Methodology for the synthesis and specific activity determination of 16 alpha-[77Br]-bromoestradiol-17 beta and 16 alpha-[77Br]-11 beta-methoxyestradiol-17 beta, two estrogen receptor-binding radiopharmaceuticals

The synthesis of non-steroidal estrogen receptor binding compounds labeled with 80mBr

Estrogen receptor (ER) binding radiopharmaceuticals have potential for use in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers of the female reproductive system. Two triphenylethylene derivatives based on the structure of hydroxytamoxifen 4, a high ER binding metabolite of tamoxifen 5, have been prepared: 1-(4-dimethylaminoethoxy)phenyl]-1-(4-hydroxy)phenyl-2-bromo-2-phenyl ethylene 2 and 1,1-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-bromo-2-phenylethylene 3. Both 2 and 3 bind strongly to the ER. Compound 3 has been labeled in modest yield by direct bromination with 80mBr, which was produced by the 83Kr (d,n alpha) reaction. Radiolabeled 22, a dimethoxy precursor of 3, has been prepared in yields ranging between 40 and 60% by a bromination destannylation reaction.

Radiohalodestannylation: synthesis of 125I-labeled 17 alpha-E-iodovinylestradiol

17 alpha-E-Iodovinylestradiol and its iodine-125-labeled analog were prepared by halodestannylation. The synthesis of the unlabeled compound was achieved from estrone in two steps with an overall yield of 30%. The tributylstannylvinylestradiol intermediate reacted with sodium [125I]iodide (specific activity = 2200 Ci/mmol) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid to give the 17 alpha-E-[125I]iodovinylestradiol in 40-60% yield after isolation by reversed phase column chromatography. The radiochemical purity was greater than 98% and no other u.v. active components could be detected by HPLC. The ease of preparation and isolation of this radioligand suggests that radiohalodestannylation may be the method of choice for this and structurally similar compounds.

Factors affecting the target site uptake selectivity of estrogen radiopharmaceuticals: serum binding and endogenous estrogens

The binding affinity of various substituted estrogens for human sex steroid binding protein (SBP) and rat alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) have been measured by hydroxylapatite adsorption (relative to estradiol = 100%). While 17 alpha-ethynyl and 11 beta-methoxy substituents reduce the affinity of estrogens for these serum binding proteins markedly, a 16 alpha-bromo or a 16 alpha-iodo substituent actually increases their affinity for AFP, though lowering it for SBP. As a consequence, the uterine uptake selectivity of 16 alpha [77Br]-bromoestradiol (relative affinity for AFP = 230%) and 16 alpha [125 I]-iodoestradiol (relative affinity for AFP = 180%) in young rats (day 19-23), when AFP levels are still substantial, is considerably less than in older animals (day 24-27). 11 beta-Methoxy-16 alpha [77Br]-bromoestradiol, which has lower affinity for AFP (5.1%), does not show this age-dependent uptake selectivity. In adult cycling female rats bearing dimethylbenz(a)anthracene(DMBA)-induced mammary tumors, there is a strong dependence of uterine and tumor uptake selectivity on the stage of the estrous cycle: uptake is maximal during diestrus and minimal during estrus. The effective use of estrogen radiopharmaceuticals as receptor-based imaging agents requires careful consideration of not only the binding affinity of the agent for the estrogen receptor, but also its interaction with non-receptor binding proteins. The modulation of receptor concentrations by endogenous ligands during endocrine cycles and physiological differences between animals will also affect markedly certain measures of the extent of receptor-mediated uptake by target sites.