Potential tumor- or organ-imaging agents. 28. Radioiodinated esters of cholesterol and pregnenolone

Synthesis, biological evaluation, and baboon PET imaging of the potential adrenal imaging agent cholesteryl-p-[18F]fluorobenzoate

Cholesteryl-p-[18F]fluorobenzoate ([18F]CFB) was investigated as a potential adrenal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agent for the diagnostic imaging of adrenal disorders. We describe the synthesis, biodistribution, adrenal autoradiography, and baboon PET imaging of [18F]CFB. The synthesis of [18F]CFB was facilitated by the use of a specially designed microwave cavity that was instrumental in effecting 70-83% incorporation of fluorine-18 in 60 s via [18F]fluoro-for-nitro exchange. Tissue distribution studies in mature female Sprague-Dawley rats showed good accumulation of [18F]CFB in the steroid-secreting tissues, adrenals and ovaries, at 1 h postinjection. The effectiveness of [18F]CFB to accumulate in diseased adrenals was shown through biodistribution studies in hypolipidemic rats, which showed a greater than threefold increase in adrenal uptake at 1 h and increased adrenal/liver and adrenal/kidney ratios. Analysis of the metabolites at 1 h in the blood, adrenals, spleen, and ovaries of hypolipidemic and control rats showed the intact tracer representing greater than 86%, 93%, 92%, and 82% of the accumulated activity, respectively. [18F]CFB was confirmed to selectively accumulate in the adrenal cortex versus the adrenal medulla by autoradiography. Normal baboon PET imaging with [18F]CFB effectively showed adrenal localization as early as 15 min after injection of the tracer, with enhanced adrenal contrast seen at 60-70 min. These results suggest that [18F]CFB may be useful as an adrenal PET imaging agent for assessing adrenal disorders.

Potential tumor or organ imaging agents--31. Radioiodinated sterol benzoates and carbamates

A series of radioiodinated benzoate and carbamate esters of cholesterol and pregnenolone wherein the acyl moiety served as the carrier for radioiodine was synthesized and evaluated as potential imaging agents for the adrenal cortex. 2,6-Dimethyl-3-iodobenzoyl and N-(4-iodophenyl) carbamoyl groups were chosen as the acyl functionality in an attempt to provide esters resistant to in vivo hydrolysis. Tissue disposition studies in rats revealed that their biodistribution was determined by the attached sterol carrier-the cholesterol esters demonstrated significant uptake at 24 h in the adrenal whereas the corresponding pregnenolone derivatives showed only slight affinity for steroid-secreting tissues at this time.