The synthesis and in vivo evaluation of [18F]PF-9811: a novel PET ligand for imaging brain fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)

Spatial Chemoproteomics for Mapping the Active Proteome

Functional regulation of cell signaling through dynamic changes in protein activity state as well as spatial organization represent two dynamic, complex, and conserved phenomena in biology. Seemingly separate areas of -omics method development have focused on building tools that can detect and quantify protein activity states, as well as map sub-cellular and intercellular protein organization. Integration of these efforts, through the development of chemical tools and platforms that enable detection and quantification of protein functional states with spatial resolution provide opportunities to better understand heterogeneity in the proteome within cell organelles, multi-cellular tissues, and whole organisms. This review provides an overview of and considerations for major classes of chemical proteomic probes and technologies that enable protein activity mapping from sub-cellular compartments to live animals.

Endocannabinoid System Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease

Background: Alterations in the endocannabinoid system (ES) have been described in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. In the past years, multiple ES biomarkers have been developed, promising to advance our understanding of ES changes in AD. Discussion: ES biomarkers, including positron emission tomography with cannabinoid receptors tracers and biofluid-based endocannabinoids, are associated with AD disease progression and pathological features. Conclusion: Although not specific enough for AD diagnosis, ES biomarkers hold promise for prognosis, drug-target engagement, and a better understanding of the disease. Here, we summarize currently available ES biomarker findings and discuss their potential applications in the AD research field.

Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase: An Integrative Clinical Perspective

Introduction: Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is one of the main terminating enzymes of the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Since being discovered in 1996, the modulation of FAAH has been viewed as a compelling alternative strategy to obtain the beneficial effect of the ECS. With a considerable amount of FAAH-related publication over time, the next step would be to comprehend the proximity of this evidence for clinical application. Objective: This review intends to highlight the rationale of FAAH modulation and provide the latest evidence from clinical studies. Methods: Publication searches were conducted to gather information focused on FAAH-related clinical evidence with an extension to the experimental research to understand the biological plausibility. The subtopics were selected to be multidisciplinary to offer more perspective on the current state of the arts. Discussion: Experimental and clinical studies have demonstrated that FAAH was highly expressed not only in the central nervous system but also in the peripheral tissues. As the key regulator of endocannabinoid signaling, it would appear that FAAH plays a role in the modulation of mood and emotional response, reward system, pain perception, energy metabolism and appetite regulation, inflammation, and other biological processes. Genetic variants may be associated with some conditions such as substance/alcohol use disorders, obesity, and eating disorder. The advancement of functional neuroimaging has enabled the evaluation of the neurochemistry of FAAH in brain tissues and this can be incorporated into clinical trials. Intriguingly, the application of FAAH inhibitors in clinical trials seems to provide less striking results in comparison with the animal models, although some potential still can be seen. Conclusion: Modulation of FAAH has an immense potential to be a new therapeutic candidate for several disorders. Further exploration, however, is still needed to ensure who is the best candidate for the treatment strategy.

Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of the Endocannabinoid System: Opportunities and Challenges in Radiotracer Development

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in a wide range of biological functions and comprises cannabinoid receptors and enzymes responsible for endocannabinoid synthesis and degradation. Over the past 2 decades, significant advances toward developing drugs and positron emission tomography (PET) tracers targeting different components of the ECS have been made. Herein, we summarized the recent development of PET tracers for imaging cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1R) and 2 (CB2R) as well as the key enzymes monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), particularly focusing on PET neuroimaging applications. State-of-the-art PET tracers for the ECS will be reviewed including their chemical design, pharmacological properties, radiolabeling, as well as preclinical and human PET imaging. In addition, this review addresses the current challenges for ECS PET biomarker development and highlights the important role of PET ligands to study disease pathophysiology as well as to facilitate drug discovery.

Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of a novel positron emission tomography (PET) ligand for imaging fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH)

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) exerts its main function in the catabolism of the endogenous chemical messenger anandamide (AEA), thus modulating the endocannabinoid (eCB) pathway. Inhibition of FAAH may serve as an effective strategy to relieve anxiety and possibly other central nervous system (CNS)-related disorders. Positron emission tomography (PET) would facilitate us to better understand the relationship between FAAH in certain disease conditions, and accelerate clinical translation of FAAH inhibitors by providing in vivo quantitative information. So far, most PET tracers show irreversible binding patterns with FAAH, which would result in complicated quantitative processes. Herein, we have identified a new FAAH inhibitor (1-((1-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)methyl)piperidin-4-yl)(oxazol-2-yl)methanone (8) which inhibits the hydrolysis of AEA in the brain with high potency (IC₅₀ value 11 nM at a substrate concentration of 0.5 µM), and without showing time-dependency. The PET tracer [¹¹C]8 (also called [¹¹C]FAAH-1906) was successfully radiolabeled with [¹¹C]MeI in 17 ± 6% decay-corrected radiochemical yield (n = 7) with >74.0 GBq/μmol (2 Ci/μmol) molar activity and >99% radiochemical purity. Ex vivo biodistribution and blocking studies of [¹¹C]8 in normal mice were also conducted, indicating good brain penetration, high brain target selectivity, and modest to excellent target selectivity in peripheral tissues. Thus, [¹¹C]8 is a potentially useful PET ligand with enzyme inhibitory and target binding properties consistent with a reversible mode of action.

Molecular Imaging of Hydrolytic Enzymes Using PET and SPECT

Hydrolytic enzymes are a large class of biological catalysts that play a vital role in a plethora of critical biochemical processes required to maintain human health. However, the expression and/or activity of these important enzymes can change in many different diseases and therefore represent exciting targets for the development of positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) radiotracers. This review focuses on recently reported radiolabeled substrates, reversible inhibitors, and irreversible inhibitors investigated as PET and SPECT tracers for imaging hydrolytic enzymes. By learning from the most successful examples of tracer development for hydrolytic enzymes, it appears that an early focus on careful enzyme kinetics and cell-based studies are key factors for identifying potentially useful new molecular imaging agents.

Intracellular Self-Assembly of Cyclic d-Luciferin Nanoparticles for Persistent Bioluminescence Imaging of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) overexpression induces several disorder symptoms in nerve systems, and therefore long-term tracing of FAAH activity in vivo is of high importance but remains challenging. Current bioluminescence (BL) methods are limited in detecting FAAH activity within 5 h. Herein, by rational design of a latent BL probe (d-Cys-Lys-CBT)2 (1), we developed a "smart" method of intracellular reduction-controlled self-assembly and FAAH-directed disassembly of its cyclic d-luciferin-based nanoparticles (i.e., 1-NPs) for persistent BL imaging of FAAH activity in vitro, in cells, and in vivo. Using aminoluciferin methyl amide (AMA), Lys-amino-d-luciferin (Lys-Luc), and amino-d-luciferin (NH2-Luc) as control BL probes, we validated that the persistent BL of 1 from luciferase-expressing cells or tumors was controlled by the activity of intracellular FAAH. With the property of long-term tracing of FAAH activity in vivo of 1, we envision that our BL precursor 1 could probably be applied for in vivo screening of FAAH inhibitors and the diagnosis of their related diseases (or disorders) in the future.

Synthesis and Preliminary PET Imaging Studies of a FAAH Radiotracer ([¹¹C]MPPO) Based on α-Ketoheterocyclic Scaffold

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is one of the principle enzymes for metabolizing endogenous cannabinoid neurotransmitters such as anandamide, and thus regulates endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling. Selective pharmacological blockade of FAAH has emerged as a potential therapy to discern the endogenous functions of anandamide-mediated eCB pathways in anxiety, pain, and addiction. Quantification of FAAH in the living brain by positron emission tomography (PET) would help our understanding of the endocannabinoid system in these conditions. While most FAAH radiotracers operate by an irreversible ("suicide") binding mechanism, a FAAH tracer with reversibility would facilitate quantitative analysis. We have identified and radiolabeled a reversible FAAH inhibitor, 7-(2-[(11)C]methoxyphenyl)-1-(5-(pyridin-2-yl)oxazol-2-yl)heptan-1-one ([(11)C]MPPO) in 13% radiochemical yield (nondecay corrected) with >99% radiochemical purity and 2 Ci/μmol (74 GBq/μmol) specific activity. The tracer showed moderate brain uptake (0.8 SUV) with heterogeneous brain distribution. However, blocking studies with a potent FAAH inhibitor URB597 demonstrated a low to modest specificity to the target. Measurement of lipophilicity, metabolite, and efflux pathway analysis were also performed to study the pharmacokinetic profile of [(11)C]MPPO. In all, we reported an efficient radiolabeling and preliminary evaluation of the first-in-class FAAH inhibitor [(11)C]MPPO with α-ketoheterocyclic scaffold.

Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of [¹⁸F]FCHC for neuroimaging of fatty acid amide hydrolase

PURPOSE

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), a catabolic enzyme which regulates lipid transmitters in the endocannabinoid system, is an avidly sought therapeutic and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging target for studies involving addiction and neurological disorders. We report the synthesis of a new fluorine-18-labeled FAAH inhibitor, trans-3-(4, 5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)phenyl-4-[(18)F]fluorocyclohexylcarbamate ([(18)F]FCHC), and its evaluation in rat brain.

PROCEDURES

The synthesis of [(18)F]FCHC was conducted via a 3-step, 1-pot reaction, resulting in uncorrected radiochemical yields between 10 and 20% (n = 5) relative to [(18)F]fluoride, with specific activities of >5 Ci/μmol at the end of the synthesis. The radiosynthesis was seamlessly automated using a commercial radiofluorination apparatus. Ex vivo biodistribution and preliminary PET imaging studies were carried out in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

RESULTS

Rat brain biodistribution at 2 min post-injection showed a standard uptake value of 4.6 ± 0.1 in the cortex, which increased to 7.8 ± 0.1 at 40 min. Pretreatment with the selective FAAH inhibitor URB597 reduced uptake of radioactivity in all brain regions by >90%, with 98 % blockade in the FAAH-rich cortex. PET imaging was consistent with biodistribution studies.

CONCLUSIONS

[(18)F]FCHC appears to be a highly sensitive (18)F-labeled radiotracer for imaging FAAH in the central nervous system, and these results warrant further imaging in nonhuman primates.

Enzyme inhibitor discovery by activity-based protein profiling

Eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms possess huge numbers of uncharacterized enzymes. Selective inhibitors offer powerful probes for assigning functions to enzymes in native biological systems. Here, we discuss how the chemical proteomic platform activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) can be implemented to discover selective and in vivo-active inhibitors for enzymes. We further describe how these inhibitors have been used to delineate the biochemical and cellular functions of enzymes, leading to the discovery of metabolic and signaling pathways that make important contributions to human physiology and disease. These studies demonstrate the value of selective chemical probes as drivers of biological inquiry.

2-[18F]Fluoroethyl tosylate – a versatile tool for building18F-based radiotracers for positron emission tomography

The review highlights the role of 2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyltosylate ([¹⁸F]FETs) in PET radiotracer design since it is a preferred labeling reagent according to its high reactivity to phenolic, amine, thiophenolic and carboxylic functions.

Identifying novel radiotracers for PET imaging of the brain: application of LC-MS/MS to tracer identification

Nuclear medicine imaging biomarker applications are limited by the radiotracers available. Radiotracers enable the measurement of target engagement, or occupancy in relation to plasma exposure. These tracers can also be used as pharmacodynamic biomarkers to demonstrate functional consequences of binding a target. More recently, radiotracers have also been used for patient tailoring in Alzheimer's disease seen with amyloid imaging. Radiotracers for the central nervous system (CNS) are challenging to identify, as they require a unique intersection of multiple properties. Recent advances in tangential technologies, along with the use of iterative learning for the purposes of deriving in silico models, have opened up additional opportunities to identify radiotracers. Mass spectral technologies and in silico modeling have made it possible to measure and predict in vivo characteristics of molecules to indicate potential tracer performance. By analyzing these data alongside other measures, it is possible to delineate guidelines to increase the likelihood of selecting compounds that can perform as radiotracers or serve as the best starting point to develop a radiotracer following additional structural modification. The application of mass spectrometry based technologies is an efficient way to evaluate compounds as tracers in vivo, but more importantly enables the testing of potential tracers that have either no label site or complex labeling chemistry which may deter assessment by traditional means; therefore, use of this technology allows for more rapid iterative learning. The ability to differentially distribute toward target rich tissues versus tissue with no/less target present is a unique defining feature of a tracer. By testing nonlabeled compounds in vivo and analyzing tissue levels by LC-MS/MS, rapid assessment of a compound's ability to differentially distribute in a manner consistent with target expression biology guides the focus of chemistry resources for both designing and labeling tracer candidates. LC-MS/MS has only recently been used for de novo tracer identification; however, this connection of mass spectral technology to imaging has initiated engagement from a wider community that brings diverse backgrounds into the tracer discovery arena.

PET imaging of fatty acid amide hydrolase with [(18)F]DOPP in nonhuman primates

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) regulates endocannabinoid signaling. [(11)C]CURB, an irreversibly binding FAAH inhibitor, has been developed for clinical research imaging with PET. However, no fluorine-18 labeled radiotracer for FAAH has yet advanced to human studies. [(18)F]DOPP ([(18)F]3-(4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)phenyl (5-fluoropentyl)carbamate) has been identified as a promising (18)F-labeled analogue based on rodent studies. The goal of this work is to evaluate [(18)F]DOPP in nonhuman primates to support its clinical translation. High specific activity [(18)F]DOPP (5-6 Ci·μmol(-1)) was administered intravenously (iv) to three baboons (2M/1F, 3-4 years old). The distribution and pharmacokinetics were quantified following a 2 h dynamic imaging session using a simultaneous PET/MR scanner. Pretreatment with the FAAH-selective inhibitor, URB597, was carried out at 200 or 300 μg/kg iv, 10 min prior to [(18)F]DOPP administration. Rapid arterial blood sampling for the first 3 min was followed by interval sampling with metabolite analysis to provide a parent radiotracer plasma input function that indicated ∼95% baseline metabolism at 60 min and a reduced rate of metabolism after pretreatment with URB597. Regional distribution data were analyzed with 1-, 2-, and 3-tissue compartment models (TCMs), with and without irreversible trapping since [(18)F]DOPP covalently links to the active site of FAAH. Consistent with previous findings for [(11)C]CURB, the 2TCM with irreversible binding was found to provide the best fit for modeling the data in all regions. The composite parameter λk3 was therefore used to evaluate whole brain (WB) and regional binding of [(18)F]DOPP. Pretreatment studies showed inhibition of λk3 across all brain regions (WB baseline: 0.112 mL/cm(3)/min; 300 μg/kg URB597: 0.058 mL/cm(3)/min), suggesting that [(18)F]DOPP binding is specific for FAAH, consistent with previous rodent data.

Radiosynthesis and ex vivo evaluation of [(11)C-carbonyl]carbamate- and urea-based monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors

INTRODUCTION

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) and fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) are the two primary enzymes that regulate the tone of endocannabinoid signaling. Although new PET radiotracers have been discovered for imaging FAAH in vivo, no such radiotracer exists for imaging MAGL. Here we report the radiosynthesis of five candidate MAGL radiotracers and their ex vivo evaluations in mice and rats.

METHODS

Candidate carbamate and urea MAGL inhibitors were radiolabeled at the carbonyl position by [(11)C]CO2 fixation. Radiotracers were administered (tail-vein injection) to rodents and brain uptake of radioactivity measured at early and late time points ex vivo. Specificity of uptake was explored by pretreatment with unlabeled inhibitors (2 mg/kg, ip) 30 min prior to radiotracer administration.

RESULTS

All five candidate MAGL radiotracers were prepared in high specific activity (>65 GBq/μmol) and radiochemical purity (>98%). Moderate brain uptake (0.2-0.8 SUV) was observed for each candidate while pretreatment did not reduce uptake for four of the five tested. For two candidates ([(11)C]12 and [(11)C]14), high retention of radioactivity was observed in the blood (ca. 10 and 4 SUV at 40 min) which was blocked by pretreatment with unlabeled inhibitors. The most promising candidate, [(11)C]18, demonstrated moderate brain uptake (ca. 0.8 SUV) which showed circa 50% blockade by pretreatment with unlabeled 18.

CONCLUSION

One putative and four reported potent and selective MAGL inhibitors have been radiolabeled via [(11)C]CO2 fixation as radiotracers for this enzyme. Despite the promising in vitro pharmacological profile, none of the five candidate radiotracers exhibited in vivo behavior suitable for PET neuroimaging.

Alternative approaches for PET radiotracer development in Alzheimer's disease: imaging beyond plaque

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias show increasing clinical prevalence, yet our understanding of the etiology and pathobiology of disease-related neurodegeneration remains limited. In this regard, noninvasive imaging with radiotracers for positron emission tomography (PET) presents a unique tool for quantifying spatial and temporal changes in characteristic biological markers of brain disease and for assessing potential drug efficacy. PET radiotracers targeting different protein markers are being developed to address questions pertaining to the molecular and/or genetic heterogeneity of AD and related dementias. For example, radiotracers including [(11) C]-PiB and [(18) F]-AV-45 (Florbetapir) are being used to measure the density of Aβ-plaques in AD patients and to interrogate the biological mechanisms of disease initiation and progression. Our focus is on the development of novel PET imaging agents, targeting proteins beyond Aβ-plaques, which can be used to investigate the broader mechanism of AD pathogenesis. Here, we present the chemical basis of various radiotracers which show promise in preclinical or clinical studies for use in evaluating the phenotypic or biochemical characteristics of AD. Radiotracers for PET imaging neuroinflammation, metal ion association with Aβ-plaques, tau protein, cholinergic and cannabinoid receptors, and enzymes including glycogen-synthase kinase-3β and monoamine oxidase B amongst others, and their connection to AD are highlighted.

11CO2 fixation: a renaissance in PET radiochemistry

Carbon-11 labelled carbon dioxide is the cyclotron-generated feedstock reagent for most positron emission tomography (PET) tracers using this radionuclide. Most carbon-11 labels, however, are installed using derivative reagents generated from [(11)C]CO2. In recent years, [(11)C]CO2 has seen a revival in applications for the direct incorporation of carbon-11 into functional groups such as ureas, carbamates, oxazolidinones, carboxylic acids, esters, and amides. This review summarizes classical [(11)C]CO2 fixation strategies using organometallic reagents and then focuses on newly developed methods that employ strong organic bases to reversibly capture [(11)C]CO2 into solution, thereby enabling highly functionalized labelled compounds to be prepared. Labelled compounds and radiopharmaceuticals that have been translated to the clinic are highlighted.

Discovery of MK-3168: A PET Tracer for Imaging Brain Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase

We report herein the discovery of a fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) positron emission tomography (PET) tracer. Starting from a pyrazole lead, medicinal chemistry efforts directed toward reducing lipophilicity led to the synthesis of a series of imidazole analogues. Compound 6 was chosen for further profiling due to its appropriate physical chemical properties and excellent FAAH inhibition potency across species. [(11)C]-6 (MK-3168) exhibited good brain uptake and FAAH-specific signal in rhesus monkeys and is a suitable PET tracer for imaging FAAH in the brain.

Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of [11C-carbonyl]PF-04457845 for neuroimaging of fatty acid amide hydrolase

INTRODUCTION

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) has a significant role in regulating endocannabinoid signaling in the central nervous system. As such, FAAH inhibitors are being actively sought for pain, addiction, and other indications. This has led to the recent pursuit of positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers targeting FAAH. We report herein the preparation and preclinical evaluation of [(11)C-carbonyl]PF-04457845, an isotopologue of the potent irreversible FAAH inhibitor.

METHODS

PF-04457845 was radiolabeled at the carbonyl position via automated [(11)C]CO(2)-fixation. Ex vivo brain biodistribution of [(11)C-carbonyl]PF-04457845 was carried out in conscious rats. Specificity was determined by pre-administration of PF-04457845 or URB597 prior to [(11)C-carbonyl]PF-04457845. In a separate experiment, rats injected with the title radiotracer had whole brains excised, homogenized and extracted to examine irreversible binding to brain parenchyma.

RESULTS

The title compound was prepared in 5 ± 1% (n = 4) isolated radiochemical yield based on starting [(11)C]CO(2) (decay uncorrected) within 25 min from end-of-bombardment in >98% radiochemical purity and a specific activity of 73.5 ± 8.2 GBq/μmol at end-of-synthesis. Uptake of [(11)C-carbonyl]PF-04457845 into the rat brain was high (range of 1.2-4.4 SUV), heterogeneous, and in accordance with reported FAAH distribution. Saturable binding was demonstrated by a dose-dependent reduction in brain radioactivity uptake following pre-treatment with PF-04457845. Pre-treatment with the prototypical FAAH inhibitor, URB597, reduced the brain radiotracer uptake in all regions by 71-81%, demonstrating specificity for FAAH. The binding of [(11)C-carbonyl]PF-04457845 to FAAH at 40 min post injection was irreversible as 98% of the radioactivity in the brain could not be extracted.

CONCLUSIONS

[(11)C-carbonyl]PF-04457845 was rapidly synthesized via an automated radiosynthesis. Ex vivo biodistribution studies in conscious rodents demonstrate that [11C PF-04457845 is a promising candidate radiotracer for imaging FAAH in the brain with PET. These results coupled with the known pharmacology and toxicology of PF-04457845 should facilitate clinical translation of this radiotracer.

Development and characterization of a promising fluorine-18 labelled radiopharmaceutical for in vivo imaging of fatty acid amide hydrolase

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzyme responsible for terminating signaling by the endocannabinoid anandamide, plays an important role in the endocannabinoid system, and FAAH inhibitors are attractive drugs for pain, addiction, and neurological disorders. The synthesis, radiosynthesis, and evaluation, in vitro and ex vivo in rat, of an (18)F-radiotracer designed to image FAAH using positron emission tomography (PET) is described. Fluorine-18 labelled 3-(4,5-dihydrooxazol-2-yl)phenyl (5-fluoropentyl)carbamate, [(18)F]5, was synthesized at high specific activity in a one-pot three step reaction using a commercial module with a radiochemical yield of 17-22% (from [(18)F]fluoride). In vitro assay using rat brain homogenates showed that 5 inhibited FAAH in a time-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 0.82nM after a preincubation of 60min. Ex vivo biodistribution studies and ex vivo autoradiography in rat brain demonstrated that [(18)F]5 had high brain penetration with standard uptake values of up to 4.6 and had a regional distribution which correlated with reported regional FAAH enzyme activity. Specificity of binding to FAAH with [(18)F]5 was high (>90%) as demonstrated by pharmacological challenges with potent and selective FAAH inhibitors and was irreversible as demonstrated by radioactivity measurements on homogenized brain tissue extracts. We infer from these results that [(18)F]5 is a highly promising candidate radiotracer with which to image FAAH in human subjects using PET and clinical studies are proceeding.

PET radiopharmaceuticals for probing enzymes in the brain

Biologically important processes in normal brain function and brain disease involve the action of various protein-based receptors, ion channels, transporters and enzymes. The ability to interrogate the location, abundance and activity of these entities in vivo using non-invasive molecular imaging can provide unprecedented information about the spatio-temporal dynamics of brain function. Indeed, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging is transforming our understanding of the central nervous system and brain disease. Great emphasis has historically been placed on developing radioligands for the non-invasive detection of neuroreceptors. In contrast, relatively few enzymes have been amenable to examination by PET imaging procedures based upon trapping or accumulation of enzymatic products, because only a subset of enzymes have sufficient catalytic rate to produce measureable accumulation within the practical time-limit of PET recordings. However, high affinity inhibitors are now serving as tracers for enzymes, particularly for measuring the abundance of enzymes mediating intracellular signal transduction in the brain, which offer a rich diversity of potential targets for drug discovery. The purpose of this review is to summarize well-known radiotracers for brain enzymes, and draw attention to recent developments in PET radiotracers for imaging signal transduction pathways in the brain. The review is organized by target class and focuses on structural chemistry of the best-established radiotracers identified in each class.

Model-based drug development: a rational approach to efficiently accelerate drug development

The pharmaceutical industry continues to face significant challenges. Very few compounds that enter development reach the marketplace, and the investment required for each success can surpass $1.8 billion. Despite attempts to improve efficiency and increase productivity, total investment continues to rise whereas the output of new medicines declines. With costs increasing exponentially through each development phase, it is failure in phase II and phase III that is most wasteful. In today's development paradigm, late-stage failure is principally a result of insufficient efficacy. This is manifested as either a failure to differentiate sufficiently from placebo (shown for both novel and precedented mechanisms) or a failure to demonstrate sufficient differentiation from existing compounds. Set in this context, this article will discuss the role model-based drug development (MBDD) approaches can and do play in accelerating and optimizing compound development strategies through a series of illustrative examples.

Radiosynthesis and evaluation of [¹¹C-carbonyl]-labeled carbamates as fatty acid amide hydrolase radiotracers for positron emission tomography

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) plays a key role in regulating the tone of the endocannabinoid system. Radiotracers are required to image and quantify FAAH activity in vivo. We have synthesized a series of potent FAAH inhibitors encompassing two classes of N-alkyl-O-arylcarbamates and radiolabeled eight of them with carbon-11. The [¹¹C-carbonyl]-radiotracers were evaluated in vitro and ex vivo in rats as potential FAAH imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET). Both sets of [¹¹C]O-arylcarbamates showed good to excellent brain penetration and an appropriate regional distribution. Pretreatments with a FAAH inhibitor demonstrated that 80–95% of brain uptake of radioactivity constituted binding of the radiotracers to FAAH. Brain extraction measurements showed that binding to FAAH was irreversible and kinetically different for the two classes of carbamates. These promising results are discussed in terms of the requirements of a suitable radiotracer for the in vivo imaging of FAAH using PET.