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Moon SH, El Fakhri G, Zhang Z, Brownell AL, Wang J. Fully Automated Radiosynthesis of [ 18F]mG4P027 for mGluR4 Imaging. IRADIOLOGY 2023; 1:120-127. [PMID: 37496513 PMCID: PMC10371389 DOI: 10.1002/ird3.25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Fluorine-18 labeled N-(4-chloro-3-(((fluoro-18F)methyl-d2)thio)phenyl)picolinamide, [18F]mG4P027, is a potent positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer for metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4). Our previous in vitro and in vivo evaluations have demonstrated that this tracer is promising for further translational studies. To automate the radiosynthesis of [18F]mG4P027, significant modifications were made to the manual process by carefully examining this process and addressing the root causes of the challenges associated with its automation. We successfully implemented its automated radiosynthesis using the TRACERlab FX2N module and consequently, obtained a high-purity radiolabeled [18F]mG4P027 in high yield, meeting the requirements for future human studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung-Hyun Moon
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 (USA)
| | - Georges El Fakhri
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 (USA)
| | - Zhaoda Zhang
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 (USA)
| | - Anna-Liisa Brownell
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 (USA)
| | - Junfeng Wang
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 (USA)
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Wang J, Moon SH, Cleary MB, Shoup TM, El Fakhri G, Zhang Z, Brownell AL. Detailed radiosynthesis of [ 18 F]mG4P027 as a positron emission tomography radiotracer for mGluR4. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2023; 66:34-40. [PMID: 36593743 PMCID: PMC9985952 DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.4011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
We report here the detailed radiosynthesis of [18 F]mG4P027, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) PET radiotracer, which showed superior properties to the currently reported mGluR4 radiotracers. The radiosynthesis in the automated system has been challenging, therefore we disclose here the major limiting factors for the synthesis via step-by-step examination. And we hope this thorough study will help its automation for human use in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael B. Cleary
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital & Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 (USA)
| | | | | | - Zhaoda Zhang
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital & Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114 (USA)
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Doller D, Bespalov A, Miller R, Pietraszek M, Kalinichev M. A case study of foliglurax, the first clinical mGluR4 PAM for symptomatic treatment of Parkinson's disease: translational gaps or a failing industry innovation model? Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:1323-1338. [PMID: 33074728 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1839047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Approximately 40% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients that take mostly dopamine receptor agonists for motor fluctuations, experience the return of symptoms between regular doses. This is a phenomenon known as 'OFF periods.' Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGluR4) are a promising non-dopaminergic mechanism with potential to address the unmet need of patients suffering from OFF periods. Foliglurax is the first mGluR4 PAM that has advanced into clinical testing in PD patients. AREAS COVERED We summarize the chemistry, pharmacokinetics, and preclinical pharmacology of foliglurax. Translational PET imaging studies, clinical efficacy data, and a competitive landscape analysis of available therapies are presented to the readers. In this Perspective article, foliglurax is used as a case study to illustrate the inherent R&D challenges that companies face when developing drugs. These challenges include the delivery of drugs acting through novel mechanisms, long-term scientific investment, and commercial success and shorter-term positive financial returns. EXPERT OPINION Failure to meet the primary and secondary endpoints in a Phase 2 study led Lundbeck to discontinue the development of foliglurax. Understanding the evidence supporting compound progression into Phase 2 will enable the proper assessment of the therapeutic potential of mGluR4 PAMs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anton Bespalov
- Partnership for Assessment and Accreditation of Scientific Practice , Heidelberg, Germany.,Valdman Institute of Pharmacology, Pavlov Medical University , St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Rob Miller
- Ventral Stream Consulting LLC ., IL, USA
| | - Malgorzata Pietraszek
- Partnership for Assessment and Accreditation of Scientific Practice , Heidelberg, Germany
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Kim JH, Marton J, Ametamey SM, Cumming P. A Review of Molecular Imaging of Glutamate Receptors. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25204749. [PMID: 33081223 PMCID: PMC7587586 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular imaging with positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is a well-established and important in vivo technique to evaluate fundamental biological processes and unravel the role of neurotransmitter receptors in various neuropsychiatric disorders. Specific ligands are available for PET/SPECT studies of dopamine, serotonin, and opiate receptors, but corresponding development of radiotracers for receptors of glutamate, the main excitatory neurotransmitter in mammalian brain, has lagged behind. This state of affairs has persisted despite the central importance of glutamate neurotransmission in brain physiology and in disorders such as stroke, epilepsy, schizophrenia, and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent years have seen extensive efforts to develop useful ligands for molecular imaging of subtypes of the ionotropic (N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), kainate, and AMPA/quisqualate receptors) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (types I, II, and III mGluRs). We now review the state of development of radioligands for glutamate receptor imaging, placing main emphasis on the suitability of available ligands for reliable in vivo applications. We give a brief account of the radiosynthetic approach for selected molecules. In general, with the exception of ligands for the GluN2B subunit of NMDA receptors, there has been little success in developing radiotracers for imaging ionotropic glutamate receptors; failure of ligands for the PCP/MK801 binding site in vivo doubtless relates their dependence on the open, unblocked state of the ion channel. Many AMPA and kainite receptor ligands with good binding properties in vitro have failed to give measurable specific binding in the living brain. This may reflect the challenge of developing brain-penetrating ligands for amino acid receptors, compounded by conformational differences in vivo. The situation is better with respect to mGluR imaging, particularly for the mGluR5 subtype. Several successful PET ligands serve for investigations of mGluRs in conditions such as schizophrenia, depression, substance abuse and aging. Considering the centrality and diversity of glutamatergic signaling in brain function, we have relatively few selective and sensitive tools for molecular imaging of ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. Further radiopharmaceutical research targeting specific subtypes and subunits of the glutamate receptors may yet open up new investigational vistas with broad applications in basic and clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Hoon Kim
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Gachon University, Incheon 21565, Korea
- Gachon Advanced Institute for Health Science and Technology, Graduate School, Incheon 21565, Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Gil Medical Center, Gachon University College of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon 21565, Korea
- Correspondence: (J.-H.K.); (P.C.); Tel.: +41-31-664-0498 (P.C.); Fax: +41-31-632-7663 (P.C.)
| | - János Marton
- ABX Advanced Biochemical Compounds, Biomedizinische Forschungsreagenzien GmbH, Heinrich-Glaeser-Strasse 10-14, D-1454 Radeberg, Germany;
| | - Simon Mensah Ametamey
- Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Sciences ETH-PSI-USZ, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences ETH, Vladimir-Prelog-Weg 4, CH-8093 Zürich, Switzerland;
| | - Paul Cumming
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Bern, Inselspital, Freiburgstrasse 18, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane QLD 4059, Australia
- Correspondence: (J.-H.K.); (P.C.); Tel.: +41-31-664-0498 (P.C.); Fax: +41-31-632-7663 (P.C.)
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Characterization of [ 11C]PXT012253 as a PET Radioligand for mGlu 4 Allosteric Modulators in Nonhuman Primates. Mol Imaging Biol 2020; 21:500-508. [PMID: 30066121 DOI: 10.1007/s11307-018-1257-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Modulation of presynaptic metabotropic glutamate receptor 4 (mGlu4) by an allosteric ligand has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target in Parkinson's disease and levodopa-induced dyskinesia. A positron emission tomography (PET) ligand for an allosteric site of mGlu4 may provide evidence that a clinical drug candidate reaches and binds the target. A carbon-11-labeled PET radioligand binding an allosteric site of mGlu4, [11C]PXT012253, has been recently developed. Here, we describe the detailed characterization of this novel radiolabeled mGlu4 ligand in nonhuman primates. PROCEDURES [11C]PXT012253 binding in the brain of cynomolgus monkeys, under the baseline and blocking conditions with the structurally different mGlu4 allosteric ligand PXT002331, currently in clinical trials for Parkinson's disease, was quantified with compartment and graphical modeling approaches using a radiometabolite-corrected plasma input function. Whole-body biodistribution of [11C]PXT012253 was then assessed using PET/x-ray computed tomography to estimate the human effective doses of [11C]PXT012253 for further clinical studies. RESULTS [11C]PXT012253 displayed binding in mGlu4-expressing regions in the brain of cynomolgus monkeys. Brain regional time-activity curves of [11C]PXT012253 were well described in the two-tissue compartment model (2TC). Total distribution volume was stably estimated using Logan plot and multilinear analysis (MA1) although 2TC showed unstable values in some cases. Competition with PXT002331 showed high specific binding in the total distribution volume. Whole-body PET showed high accumulation of [11C]PXT012253 in the liver, kidney, heart, and brain in the initial phase. The radioligand was excreted through both the gastrointestinal and the urinary tracts. Effective dose of [11C]PXT012253 was estimated to be 0.0042 mSv/MBq. CONCLUSIONS [11C]PXT012253 was shown to be a promising PET radioligand for mGlu4 allosteric modulators in the monkey brain. MA1 would be the choice of quantitative method. Further development of [11C]PXT012253 in human subjects is warranted.
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Wang J, Qu X, Shoup TM, Yuan G, Afshar S, Pan C, Zhu A, Choi JK, Kang HJ, Poutiainen P, ElFakhri G, Zhang Z, Brownell AL. Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorine-18-Labeled N-(4-Chloro-3-((fluoromethyl- d2)thio)phenyl)picolinamide for Imaging of mGluR4 in Brain. J Med Chem 2020; 63:3381-3389. [PMID: 32081008 PMCID: PMC7261135 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
We have synthesized and characterized [18F]-N-(4-chloro-3-((fluoromethyl-d2)thio)phenyl)-picolinamide ([18F]15) as a potential ligand for the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of mGluR4 in the brain. Radioligand [18F]15 displays central nervous system drug-like properties, including mGluR4 affinity, potent mGluR4 PAM activity, and selectivity against other mGluRs, as well as sufficient metabolic stability. Radiosynthesis was carried out in two steps. The radiochemical yield of [18F]15 was 11.6 ± 2.9% (n = 7, decay corrected) with a purity of 99% and a molar activity of 84.1 ± 11.8 GBq/μmol. Ex vivo biodistribution studies showed reversible binding of [18F]15 in all investigated tissues including the brain, liver, heart, lungs, and kidneys. PET imaging studies in male Sprague Dawley rats showed that [18F]15 accumulates in the brain regions known to express mGluR4. Pretreatment with the unlabeled mGluR4 PAM compounds 13 (methylthio analogue) and 15 showed significant dose-dependent blocking effects. These results suggest that [18F]15 is a promising radioligand for PET imaging mGluR4 in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Wang
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Xiying Qu
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Timothy M. Shoup
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Gengyang Yuan
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Sepideh Afshar
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Chuzhi Pan
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, 510630, China
| | - Aijun Zhu
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Ji-Kyung Choi
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 Thirteenth Street, Suite 2301 Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - Hye Jin Kang
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514, United States
| | | | - Georges ElFakhri
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Zhaoda Zhang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 Thirteenth Street, Suite 2301 Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - Anna-Liisa Brownell
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
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Niwa T, Hosoya T. Molecular Renovation Strategy for Expeditious Synthesis of Molecular Probes. BULLETIN OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY OF JAPAN 2020. [DOI: 10.1246/bcsj.20190310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Niwa
- Laboratory for Chemical Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
- Chemical Biology Team, Division of Bio-Function Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies (CLST), 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
| | - Takamitsu Hosoya
- Laboratory for Chemical Biology, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research (BDR), 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
- Chemical Biology Team, Division of Bio-Function Dynamics Imaging, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies (CLST), 6-7-3 Minatojima-minamimachi, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo 650-0047, Japan
- Laboratory of Chemical Bioscience, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU), 2-3-10 Kanda-Surugadai, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
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Wang J, Shoup TM, Brownell AL, Zhang Z. Improved Synthesis of the Thiophenol Precursor N-(4-Chloro-3-mercaptophenyl)picolinamide for Making the mGluR4 PET Ligand. Tetrahedron 2019; 75:3917-3922. [PMID: 32831413 PMCID: PMC7442123 DOI: 10.1016/j.tet.2019.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recently [11C]mG4P012 (previously [11C]KALB012 and presently named as [11C]PXT012253 by Prexton Therapeutics) had been used as a biomarker during the preclinical development of a potential therapeutic drug, PXT0002331 (an mGluR4 PAM), for PD and L-dopa-induced dyskinesia. [11C]mG4P012 was shown to be a promising PET radioligand for mGluR4 in the monkey brain and for further development in human subjects. However, the previously reported multi-step synthesis of the thiophenol precursor suffered from low yields and difficult workup procedures. To support the translational research of [11C]mG4P012 and the other potential applications, we have developed a new route for synthesis of the thiophenol precursor and optimized the reaction conditions. The synthesis of N-(4-chloro-3-mercaptophenyl)picolinamide from 1-chloro-4-nitrobenzene has been greatly improved from 8% to 52% total yield with easy handling and in gram scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junfeng Wang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 Thirteenth Street, Suite 2301 Charlestown, MA 02129
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Timothy M. Shoup
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Anna-Liisa Brownell
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 660, Boston, MA 02114
| | - Zhaoda Zhang
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 149 Thirteenth Street, Suite 2301 Charlestown, MA 02129
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Imaging the glutamate receptor subtypes-Much achieved, and still much to do. DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY. TECHNOLOGIES 2017; 25:27-36. [PMID: 29233264 DOI: 10.1016/j.ddtec.2017.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Functional imaging of glutamate receptors using PET imaging modality can be used to study numerous CNS disorders and also to select appropriate doses of clinically relevant glutamate-receptor-targeting candidate drugs. Great strides have been made in developing PET imaging probes for the non-invasive detection of glutamate receptors in the brain. This review highlights recent progress made towards the development of glutamatergic PET imaging agents. Focus is placed on PET imaging probes that have been labelled with either carbon-11 or fluorine-18.
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