Radioiodinated O(6)-Benzylguanine derivatives containing an azido function

Bioorthogonal Reactions of Triarylphosphines and Related Analogues

Bioorthogonal phosphines were introduced in the context of the Staudinger ligation over 20 years ago. Since that time, phosphine probes have been used in myriad applications to tag azide-functionalized biomolecules. The Staudinger ligation also paved the way for the development of other phosphorus-based chemistries, many of which are widely employed in biological experiments. Several reviews have highlighted early achievements in the design and application of bioorthogonal phosphines. This review summarizes more recent advances in the field. We discuss innovations in classic Staudinger-like transformations that have enabled new biological pursuits. We also highlight relative newcomers to the bioorthogonal stage, including the cyclopropenone-phosphine ligation and the phospha-Michael reaction. The review concludes with chemoselective reactions involving phosphite and phosphonite ligations. For each transformation, we describe the overall mechanism and scope. We also showcase efforts to fine-tune the reagents for specific functions. We further describe recent applications of the chemistries in biological settings. Collectively, these examples underscore the versatility and breadth of bioorthogonal phosphine reagents.

Efficient and Site-Specific 125I-Radioiodination of Bioactive Molecules Using Oxidative Condensation Reaction

In this report, the novel and site-specific radioiodination of biomolecules by using aryl diamine and alkyl aldehyde condensation reaction in the presence of a Cu²⁺ catalyst under ambient conditions was reported. ¹²⁵I-labeled alkyl aldehyde was synthesized using a tin precursor with a high radiochemical yield (72 ± 6%, n = 5) and radiochemical purity (>99%). The utility of the radioiodinated precursor was demonstrated through aryl diamine-installed c[RGDfK(C)] peptide and human serum albumin (HSA). Radioiodinated c[RGDfK(C)] peptide and HSA protein were synthesized with high radiochemical yields and purity. ¹²⁵I-HSA protein showed excellent in vivo stability and negligible thyroid uptake as compared with directly radioiodinated HSA by using the tyrosine group. Excellent reaction kinetics and the in vitro and in vivo stabilities of ¹²⁵I-labeled alkyl aldehyde have suggested the usefulness of the strategy for the radioiodination of bioactive molecules.

Brush border enzyme-cleavable linkers: Evaluation for reducing renal uptake of radiolabeled prostate-specific membrane antigen inhibitors

INTRODUCTION

Radiolabeled, low-molecular-weight prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) inhibitors based on the Glu-ureido pharmacophore show promise for the detection and treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer; however, high renal retention of activity, related in part to overexpression of PSMA in kidneys can be problematic. The goal of the current study was to investigate the use of brush border enzyme-cleavable linkers as a strategy for reducing kidney activity levels from radiolabeled PSMA inhibitors.

METHODS

PSMA-769 (6), a derivative of the prototypical PSMA inhibitor (((S)‑1‑carboxy‑5‑(4‑iodobenzamido)pentyl)carbamoyl)glutamate (12) modified to contain a Gly-Tyr linker, and its protected tin precursor (11) were synthesized starting from the basic pharmacophore molecule Lys-urea-Glu. An analogue of 6 containing d‑tyrosine in lieu of l‑tyrosine (PSMA-769-d-tyrosine) and the corresponding tin precursor (d-11) also were synthesized. Both radioiodinated and ²¹¹At-labeled 6 were synthesized by radiohalogenation of 11 and deprotection in situ. Similarly, radioiodinated d-6 was synthesized from d-11. Paired label biodistribution of [¹²⁵I]12 and [¹³¹I]6 was performed in normal mice and in SCID mice bearing both PC3 PIP (PSMA+) and PC3 flu (PSMA-) subcutaneous prostate carcinoma xenografts. The biodistribution of [¹³¹I]6 and [²¹¹At]6 was also evaluated in this tumor model. Biodistribution of the two radioiodinated diastereomers of 6 was evaluated in normal mice and urine samples were analyzed for the presence of 4‑iodohippuric acid.

RESULTS

Compounds [¹³¹I]6 and [²¹¹At]6 were synthesized from 11 in overall radiochemical yields of 32.5 ± 0.1% (n = 4) and 22% (n = 1), respectively; radiochemical purity was >95%. In normal mice, renal uptake of [¹³¹I]6 was 1.4-, 2.8- and 161-fold lower than that seen for co-injected [¹²⁵I]12 at 1 h, 4 h and 21 h, respectively. In tumor-bearing mice, kidney uptake of [¹³¹I]6 was similar to that for [¹²⁵I]12 (P > 0.05) at 1 h and 4 h but was 6- to 7-fold lower at 21 h; however, [¹³¹I]6 uptake in PC3 PIP tumors was also lower than that seen for [¹²⁵I]12 at 21 h (12.6 ± 3.4%ID/g vs. 36.8 ± 12.4%ID/g). Uptake of [²¹¹At]PSMA-769 in PC3 PIP tumors was slightly higher than that seen for [¹³¹I]PSMA-769 at 4 h (9.6 ± 1.6%ID/g versus 7.8 ± 1.6%ID/g; P = 0.002); its uptake in a number of normal tissues also was higher. In normal mice, kidney uptake of [¹²⁵I]PSMA-769 at 4 h was about 73% of that seen for [¹³¹I]PSMA-769-d-tyrosine. Activity in the urine of mice receiving [¹²⁵I]PSMA-769 contained mainly 4‑[¹²⁵I]iodohippuric acid while unmetabolized intact molecule was present in the case of [¹²⁵I]PSMA-769-d-tyrosine.

CONCLUSION

Use of this brush border enzyme-cleavable linker reduced kidney uptake and resulted in improved tumor:kidney uptake ratios. Although further structural improvements are needed, this linker approach might be useful as a component in strategies for reducing renal uptake of radiolabeled PSMA inhibitors.

Synthesis and evaluation of radiolabeled AGI-5198 analogues as candidate radiotracers for imaging mutant IDH1 expression in tumors

Mutations in the metabolic enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) are commonly found in gliomas. AGI-5198, a potent and selective inhibitor of the mutant IDH1 enzyme, was radiolabeled with radioiodine and fluorine-18. These radiotracers were evaluated as potential probes for imaging mutant IDH1 expression in tumors with positron emission tomography (PET). Radioiodination of AGI-5198 was achieved using a tin precursor in 79 ± 6% yield (n = 9), and ¹⁸F-labeling was accomplished by the Ugi reaction in a decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 2.6 ± 1.6% (n = 5). The inhibitory potency of the analogous nonradioactive compounds against mutant IDH1 (IDH1-R132H) was determined in enzymatic assays. Cell uptake studies using radiolabeled AGI-5198 analogues revealed somewhat higher uptake in IDH1-mutated cells than that in wild-type IDH1 cells. The radiolabeled compounds displayed favorable tissue distribution characteristics in vivo, and good initial uptake in IDH1-mutated tumor xenografts; however, tumor uptake decreased with time. Radioiodinated AGI-5198 exhibited higher tumor-to-background ratios compared with ¹⁸F-labeled AGI-5198; unfortunately, similar results were observed in wild-type IDH1 tumor xenografts as well, indicating lack of selectivity for mutant IDH1 for this tracer. These results suggest that AGI-5198 analogues are not a promising platform for radiotracer development. Nonetheless, insights gained from this study may help in design and optimization of novel chemical scaffolds for developing radiotracers for imaging the mutant IDH1 enzyme.

Synthesis and biological effects of new hybrid compounds composed of benzylguanidines and the alkylating group of busulfan on neuroblastoma cells

(131)Iodine-labelled (meta-iodobenzyl)guanidine ([(131)I]-mIBG) and busulfan [butane-1,4-diylbis(methanesulfonate)] are well-established pharmaceuticals in neuroblastoma therapy. We report the design, synthesis, and testing of hybrid molecules-mBBG and pBBG-which combine key structural features of (meta-iodobenzyl)guanidine and busulfan: they contain a benzylguanidine moiety for accumulating in neuroblastoma cells via the noradrenaline transporter and, in the meta- or para-position, respectively, one of the two identical alkylating motives of busulfan for killing cells. Uptake and toxicity of hybrids mBBG and pBBG in human neuroblastoma cells compared favorably to their ancestors [(131)I]-mIBG and busulfan.