A fully automated synthesis of [18F]-FEAU and [18F]-FMAU using a novel dual reactor radiosynthesis module

Radiosynthesis of 6'-Deoxy-6'[18F]Fluorosucrose via Automated Synthesis and Its Utility to Study In Vivo Sucrose Transport in Maize (Zea mays) Leaves

Sugars produced from photosynthesis in leaves are transported through the phloem tissues within veins and delivered to non-photosynthetic organs, such as roots, stems, flowers, and seeds, to support their growth and/or storage of carbohydrates. However, because the phloem is located internally within the veins, it is difficult to access and to study the dynamics of sugar transport. Radioactive tracers have been extensively used to study vascular transport in plants and have provided great insights into transport dynamics. To better study sucrose partitioning in vivo, a novel radioactive analog of sucrose was synthesized through a completely chemical synthesis route by substituting fluorine-18 (half-life 110 min) at the 6' position to generate 6'-deoxy-6'[(18)F]fluorosucrose ((18)FS). This radiotracer was then used to compare sucrose transport between wild-type maize plants and mutant plants lacking the Sucrose transporter1 (Sut1) gene, which has been shown to function in sucrose phloem loading. Our results demonstrate that (18)FS is transported in vivo, with the wild-type plants showing a greater rate of transport down the leaf blade than the sut1 mutant plants. A similar transport pattern was also observed for universally labeled [U-(14)C]sucrose ([U-(14)C]suc). Our findings support the proposed sucrose phloem loading function of the Sut1 gene in maize, and additionally demonstrate that the (18)FS analog is a valuable, new tool that offers imaging advantages over [U-(14)C]suc for studying phloem transport in plants.

Monitoring tumor response with [18F]FMAU in a sarcoma-bearing mouse model after liposomal vinorelbine treatment

OBJECTIVE

Previous studies have shown that the accumulation level of FMAU in tumor is proportional to its proliferation rate. This study demonstrated that 2'-deoxy-2'-[(18)F]fluoro-β-d-arabinofuranosyluracil ([(18)F]FMAU) is a promising PET probe for noninvasively monitoring the therapeutic efficacy of 6% PEGylated liposomal vinorelbine (lipo-VNB) in a subcutaneous murine NG4TL4 sarcoma mouse model.

METHODS

Female syngenic FVB/N mice were inoculated with NG4TL4 cells in the right flank. After tumor size reached 150 ± 50 mm(3) (day 0), lipo-VNB (5mg/kg) was intravenously administered on days 0, 3 and 6. To monitor the therapeutic efficacy of lipo-VNB, [(18)F]FMAU PET was employed to evaluate the proliferation rate of tumor, and it was compared with that observed from [(18)F]FDG/[(18)F]fluoroacetate PET. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in tumor during treatment was determined by semiquantitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTS

A significant inhibition (p<0.001) in tumor growth was observed on day 3 after a single dose treatment. The tumor-to-muscle ratio (T/M) derived from [(18)F]FMAU-PET images of lipo-VNB-treated group declined from 2.33 ± 0.16 to 1.26 ± 0.03 after three doses of treatment, while that of the control remained steady. The retarded proliferation rate of lipo-VNB-treated sarcoma was confirmed by PCNA immunohistochemistry staining. However, both [(18)F]FDG and [(18)F]fluoroacetate microPET imaging did not show significant difference in T/M between the therapeutic and the control groups throughout the entire experimental period.

CONCLUSION

Lipo-VNB can effectively impede the growth of NG4TL4 sarcoma. [(18)F]FMAU PET is an appropriate modality for early monitoring of the tumor response during the treatment course of lipo-VNB.

ELIXYS - a fully automated, three-reactor high-pressure radiosynthesizer for development and routine production of diverse PET tracers

BACKGROUND

Automated radiosynthesizers are vital for routine production of positron-emission tomography tracers to minimize radiation exposure to operators and to ensure reproducible synthesis yields. The recent trend in the synthesizer industry towards the use of disposable kits aims to simplify setup and operation for the user, but often introduces several limitations related to temperature and chemical compatibility, thus requiring reoptimization of protocols developed on non-cassette-based systems. Radiochemists would benefit from a single hybrid system that provides tremendous flexibility for development and optimization of reaction conditions while also providing a pathway to simple, cassette-based production of diverse tracers.

METHODS

We have designed, built, and tested an automated three-reactor radiosynthesizer (ELIXYS) to provide a flexible radiosynthesis platform suitable for both tracer development and routine production. The synthesizer is capable of performing high-pressure and high-temperature reactions by eliminating permanent tubing and valve connections to the reaction vessel. Each of the three movable reactors can seal against different locations on disposable cassettes to carry out different functions such as sealed reactions, evaporations, and reagent addition. A reagent and gas handling robot moves sealed reagent vials from storage locations in the cassette to addition positions and also dynamically provides vacuum and inert gas to ports on the cassette. The software integrates these automated features into chemistry unit operations (e.g., React, Evaporate, Add) to intuitively create synthesis protocols. 2-Deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-5-methyl-β-l-arabinofuranosyluracil (l-[18F]FMAU) and 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (d-[18F]FAC) were synthesized to validate the system.

RESULTS

l-[18F]FMAU and d-[18F]FAC were successfully synthesized in 165 and 170 min, respectively, with decay-corrected radiochemical yields of 46% ± 1% (n = 6) and 31% ± 5% (n = 6), respectively. The yield, repeatability, and synthesis time are comparable to, or better than, other reports. d-[18F]FAC produced by ELIXYS and another manually operated apparatus exhibited similar biodistribution in wild-type mice.

CONCLUSION

The ELIXYS automated radiosynthesizer is capable of performing radiosyntheses requiring demanding conditions: up to three reaction vessels, high temperatures, high pressures, and sensitive reagents. Such flexibility facilitates tracer development and the ability to synthesize multiple tracers on the same system without customization or replumbing. The disposable cassette approach simplifies the transition from development to production.

High-pressure, compact, modular radiosynthesizer for production of positron emitting biomarkers

A robust, modular, semi-automated synthesis unit useful for conducting radiochemical reactions under pressurized conditions (up to ∼200psi [1.4MPa]) for the production of PET biomarkers has been developed. This compact unit (7.6cm×33.0cm×58.4cm) is capable of performing any single step reaction that is generally encountered in radiochemical syntheses, and multiple units can be combined for more complex syntheses. The versatility of a 3-unit system is exemplified by reliably conducting the multi-step syntheses of 2'-deoxy-2'-[(18)F]fluoro-1-β-arabinofuranosyl-uracil and -cytosine derivatives, which involve corrosive and moisture sensitive reagents under pressurized conditions.

Plug-and-play modules for flexible radiosynthesis

We present a plug-and-play radiosynthesis platform and accompanying computer software based on modular subunits that can easily and flexibly be configured to implement a diverse range of radiosynthesis protocols. Modules were developed that perform: (i) reagent storage and delivery, (ii) evaporations and sealed reactions, and (iii) cartridge-based purifications. The reaction module incorporates a simple robotic mechanism that removes tubing from the vessel and replaces it with a stopper prior to sealed reactions, enabling the system to withstand high pressures and thus provide tremendous flexibility in choice of solvents and temperatures. Any number of modules can rapidly be connected together using only a few fluidic connections to implement a particular synthesis, and the resulting system is controlled in a semi-automated fashion by a single software interface. Radiosyntheses of 2-[(18)F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([(18)F]FDG), 1-[(18)F]fluoro-4-nitrobenzene ([(18)F]FNB), and 2'-deoxy-2'-[(18)F]fluoro-1-β-d-arabinofuranosyl cytosine (d-[(18)F]FAC) were performed to validate the system and demonstrate its versatility.

Nucleoside-based probes for imaging tumor proliferation using positron emission tomography

Cancer is one of the leading causes of human death, and early detection can be beneficial for its timely therapy and management. For the early detection of cancer, positron emission tomography (PET) is more accurate and sensitive than other imaging modalities, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. [(18) F]-Labeled fluorodeoxyglucose is the most useful PET probe in early detection of cancer; however, its nonspecific accumulation and consequent false-positive findings warrant the identification of other PET probes. Thymidine (TdR) and its analogs have been radiolabeled for PET imaging of cellular proliferation and DNA synthesis. Because of its in vivo instability, radiolabeled TdR has not been successful in PET imaging. However, some of its radiolabeled analogs have been developed for PET imaging of cellular proliferation and DNA synthesis. In this review, the radiochemistry and production of (11) C-TdR and (11) C/(18) F-labeled TdR analogs published to date are presented.

An improved strategy for the synthesis of [¹⁸F]-labeled arabinofuranosyl nucleosides

The expression of the herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (HSV1-tk) gene can be imaged efficaciously using a variety of 2'-[(18)F]fluoro-2'-deoxy-1-b-D-arabinofuranosyl-uracil derivatives [[(18)F]-FXAU, X=I(iodo), E(ethyl), and M(methyl)]. However, the application of these derivatives in clinical and translational studies has been impeded by their complicated and long syntheses (3-5h). To remedy these issues, in the study at hand we have investigated whether microwave or combined catalysts could facilitate the coupling reaction between sugar and nucleobase and, further, have probed the feasibility of establishing a novel approach for [(18)F]-FXAU synthesis. We have demonstrated that the rate of the trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf)-catalyzed coupling reaction between the 2-deoxy-sugar and uracil derivatives at 90 °C can be significantly accelerated by microwave-driven heating or by the addition of Lewis acid catalyst (SnCl(4)). Further, we have observed that the stability of the α- and β-anomers of [(18)F]-FXAU derivatives differs during the hydrolysis step. Using the microwave-driven heating approach, overall decay-corrected radiochemical yields of 19%-27% were achieved for [(18)F]-FXAU in 120min at a specific activity of >22MBq/nmol (595Ci/mmol). Ultimately, we believe that these high yielding syntheses of [(18)F]-FIAU, [(18)F]-FMAU and [(18)F]-FEAU will facilitate routine production for clinical applications.

Imaging long-term fate of intramyocardially implanted mesenchymal stem cells in a porcine myocardial infarction model

The long-term fate of stem cells after intramyocardial delivery is unknown. We used noninvasive, repetitive PET/CT imaging with [(18)F]FEAU to monitor the long-term (up to 5 months) spatial-temporal dynamics of MSCs retrovirally transduced with the sr39HSV1-tk gene (sr39HSV1-tk-MSC) and implanted intramyocardially in pigs with induced acute myocardial infarction. Repetitive [(18)F]FEAU PET/CT revealed a biphasic pattern of sr39HSV1-tk-MSC dynamics; cell proliferation peaked at 33-35 days after injection, in periinfarct regions and the major cardiac lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes. The sr39HSV1-tk-MSC-associated [(18)F]FEAU signals gradually decreased thereafter. Cardiac lymphography studies using PG-Gd-NIRF813 contrast for MRI and near-infrared fluorescence imaging showed rapid clearance of the contrast from the site of intramyocardial injection through the subepicardial lymphatic network into the lymphatic vessels and periaortic lymph nodes. Immunohistochemical analysis of cardiac tissue obtained at 35 and 150 days demonstrated several types of sr39HSV1-tk expressing cells, including fibro-myoblasts, lymphovascular cells, and microvascular and arterial endothelium. In summary, this study demonstrated the feasibility and sensitivity of [(18)F]FEAU PET/CT imaging for long-term, in-vivo monitoring (up to 5 months) of the fate of intramyocardially injected sr39HSV1-tk-MSC cells. Intramyocardially transplanted MSCs appear to integrate into the lymphatic endothelium and may help improve myocardial lymphatic system function after MI.

Highly efficient syntheses of [methyl-11C]thymidine and its analogue 4'-[methyl-11C]thiothymidine as nucleoside PET probes for cancer cell proliferation by Pd(0)-mediated rapid C-[11C]methylation

Pd(0)-mediated rapid couplings of CH(3)I (and then [(11)C]CH(3)I) with excess 5-tributylstannyl-2'-deoxyuridine and -4'-thio-2'-deoxyuridine were investigated for the syntheses of [methyl-(11)C]thymidine and its stable analogue, 4'-[methyl-(11)C]thiothymidine as PET probes for cancer diagnosis. The previously reported conditions were attempted using Pd(2)(dba)(3)/P(o-CH(3)C(6)H(4))(3) (1 : 4 in molar ratio) at 130 °C for 5 min in DMF, giving desired products only in 32 and 30% yields. Therefore, we adapted the current reaction conditions developed in our laboratory for heteroaromatic compounds. The reaction using CH(3)I/stannane/Pd(2)(dba)(3)/P(o-CH(3)C(6)H(4))(3)/CuCl/K(2)CO(3) (1 : 25 : 1 : 32 : 2 : 5) at 80 °C gave thymidine in 85% yield. Whereas, CH(3)I/stannane/Pd(2)(dba)(3)/P(o-CH(3)C(6)H(4))(3)/CuBr/CsF (1 : 25 : 1 : 32 : 2 : 5) including another CuBr/CsF system promoted the reaction at a milder temperature (60 °C), giving thymidine in 100% yield. Chemo-response of thiothymidine-precursor was different from thymidine system. Thus, the above optimized conditions including CuBr/CsF system gave 4'-thiothymidine only in 40% yield. The reaction using 5-fold amount of CuBr/CsF at 80 °C gave much higher yield (83%), but unexpectedly, the reaction was accompanied by a considerable amount of undesired destannylated product. Such destannylation was greatly suppressed by changing to a CuCl/K(2)CO(3) system using CH(3)I/stannane/Pd(2)(dba)(3)/P(o-CH(3)C(6)H(4))(3)/CuCl/K(2)CO(3) (1 : 25 : 1 : 32 : 2 : 5) at 80 °C, giving the 4'-thiothymidine in 98% yield. The each optimized conditions were successfully applied to the syntheses of the corresponding PET probes in 87 and 93% HPLC analytical yields. [(11)C]Compounds were isolated by preparative HPLC after the reaction conducted under slightly improved conditions, exhibiting sufficient radioactivity of 3.7-3.8 GBq and specific radioactivity of 89-200 GBq µmol(-1) with radiochemical purity of ≥99.5% for animal and human PET studies.

The improved syntheses of 5-substituted 2'-[18F]fluoro-2'-deoxy-arabinofuranosyluracil derivatives ([18F]FAU, [18F]FEAU, [18F]FFAU, [18F]FCAU, [18F]FBAU and [18F]FIAU) using a multistep one-pot strategy

INTRODUCTION

We and others have previously reported a four-step radiosynthesis of a series of 2'-deoxy-2'-[(18)F]fluoro-5-substituted-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil derivatives including [(18)F]FAU, [(18)F]FEAU, [(18)F]FFAU, [(18)F]FCAU, [(18)F]FBAU and [(18)F]FIAU as thymidine derivatives for tumor proliferation and/or reporter gene expression imaging with positron emission tomography (PET). Although the radiosynthesis has been proven to be reproducible and efficient, this complicated multistep reaction is difficult to incorporate into an automated cGMP-compliant radiosynthesis module for routine production. Recently, we have developed a simple and efficient one-pot method for routine production of [(18)F]FMAU. In this study, we studied the feasibility of radiosynthesizing [(18)F]FAU, [(18)F]FEAU, [(18)F]FFAU, [(18)F]FCAU, [(18)F]FBAU and [(18)F]FIAU using this newly developed method.

METHODS

Similar to the radiosynthesis of [(18)F]FMAU, 5-substituted 2'-[(18)F]fluoro-2'-deoxy-arabinofuranosyluracil derivatives ([(18)F]FAU, [(18)F]FEAU, [(18)F]FFAU, [(18)F]FCAU, [(18)F]FBAU and [(18)F]FIAU) were synthesized in one-pot radiosynthesis module in the presence of Friedel-Crafts catalyst TMSOTf and HMDS.

RESULTS

This one-pot radiosynthesis method could be used to produce [(18)F]FAU, [(18)F]FEAU, [(18)F]FFAU, [(18)F]FCAU, [(18)F]FBAU and [(18)F]FIAU. The overall radiochemical yields of these tracers varied from 4.1%±0.8% to 10.1%±1.9% (decay-corrected, n=4). The overall reaction time was reduced from 210 min to 150 min from the end of bombardment, and the radiochemical purity was >99%.

CONCLUSIONS

The improved radiosyntheses of [(18)F]FAU, [(18)F]FEAU, [(18)F]FFAU, [(18)F]FCAU, [(18)F]FBAU and [(18)F]FIAU have been achieved with reasonable yields and high purity using a multistep one-pot method. The synthetic time has been reduced, and the reaction procedures have been significantly simplified. The success of this approach may make PET tracers [(18)F]FAU, [(18)F]FEAU, [(18)F]FFAU, [(18)F]FCAU, [(18)F]FBAU and [(18)F]FIAU more accessible for preclinical and clinical research.

Automated synthesis of 2'-deoxy-2'-[18F]fluoro-5-methyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil ([18F]-FMAU) using a one reactor radiosynthesis module

2'-Deoxy-2'-[(18)F]fluoro-5-methyl-1-β-D-arabinofuranosyluracil ([(18)F]-FMAU) is an established PET probe used to monitor cellular proliferation. For clinical applications, a fully automated cGMP-compliant radiosynthesis would be preferred. However, the current synthesis of [(18)F]-FMAU requires a multistep procedure, making the development of an automated protocol difficult and complicated. Recently, we have developed a significantly simplified one-pot reaction condition for the synthesis of [(18)F]-FMAU in the presence of Friedel-Crafts catalysts. Here, we report a fully automated synthesis of [(18)F]-FMAU based on a one reactor radiosynthesis module using our newly developed synthetic method. The product was purified on a semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography integrated with the synthesis module using 6% EtOH in 10 mM phosphate buffer or 8% MeCN/water. [(18)F]-FMAU was obtained in 12±3% radiochemical yield (decay corrected overall yield based on [(18)F]-F(-), n=4) with 383±33 mCi/μmol specific activity at the time of injection. The α/β anomer ratio was 4:6. The overall reaction time was about 150 min from the end of bombardment and the radiochemical purity was >99%. This automated synthesis should also be suitable for the production of other 5-substituted thymidine analogues.

Radiopharmaceutical chemistry for positron emission tomography

Molecular imaging is an emerging technology that allows the visualization of interactions between molecular probes and biological targets. Molecules that either direct or are subject to homeostatic controls in biological systems could be labeled with the appropriate radioisotopes for the quantitative measurement of selected molecular interactions during normal tissue homeostasis and again after perturbations of the normal state. In particular, positron emission tomography (PET) offers picomolar sensitivity and is a fully translational technique that requires specific probes radiolabeled with a usually short-lived positron-emitting radionuclide. PET has provided the capability of measuring biological processes at the molecular and metabolic levels in vivo by the detection of the gamma rays formed as a result of the annihilation of the positrons emitted. Despite the great wealth of information that such probes can provide, the potential of PET strongly depends on the availability of suitable PET radiotracers. However, the development of new imaging probes for PET is far from trivial and radiochemistry is a major limiting factor for the field of PET. In this review, we provided an overview of the most common chemical approaches for the synthesis of PET-labeled molecules and highlighted the most recent developments and trends. The discussed PET radionuclides include ¹¹C (t₁(/)₂=20.4min), ¹³N (t₁(/)₂=9.9min), ¹⁵O (t₁(/)₂=2min), ⁶⁸Ga (t₁(/)₂=68min), ¹⁸F (t₁(/)₂=109.8min), ⁶⁴Cu (t₁(/)₂=12.7h), and ¹²⁴I (t₁(/)₂=4.12d).