A Novel Prosthetic Group for Site-Selective Labeling of Peptides for Positron Emission Tomography

Improved and optimized one-pot method for N-succinimidyl-4-[(18)F]fluorobenzoate ([(18)F]SFB) synthesis using microwaves

N-Succinimidyl-4-[(18)F]fluorobenzoate ([(18)F]SFB) is a potential prosthetic agent for novel tracer development in positron emission tomography (PET). Previously, we reported a microwave-assisted one-pot synthesis of [(18)F]SFB with high efficacy. Herein, we reveal an improved and optimized approach based on this former model for producing [(18)F]SFB. With optimized approaches, the entire protocol can be completed within 25min, and [(18)F]SFB is generated in satisfactory quality for direct use without further purification via high-performance liquid chromatography.

Kit-like 18F-labeling of RGD-19F-arytrifluroborate in high yield and at extraordinarily high specific activity with preliminary in vivo tumor imaging

INTRODUCTION

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a rapidly expanding, cutting edge technology for preclinical evaluation, cancer diagnosis and staging, and patient management. A one-step aqueous (18)F-labeling method, which can be applied to peptides to provide functional in vivo images, has been a long-standing challenge in PET imaging. Over the past few years, we have sought a rapid and mild radiolabeling method based on the aqueous radiosynthesis of in vivo stable aryltrifluoroborate (ArBF(3)(-)) conjugates. Recent access to production levels of (18)F-Fluoride led to a fluorescent-(18)F-ArBF(3)(-) at unprecedentedly high specific activities of 15Ci/μmol. However, extending this method to labeling peptides as imaging agents has not been explored.

METHODS

In order to extend these results to a peptide of clinical interest in the context of production-level radiosynthesis, we applied this new technology for labeling RGD, measured its specific activity by standard curve analysis, and carried out a preliminary evaluation of its imaging properties.

RESULTS

RGD was labeled in excellent radiochemical yields at exceptionally high specific activity (~14Ci/μmol) (n = 3). Preliminary tumor-specific images corroborated by ex vivo biodistribution data with blocking controls show statistically significant albeit relatively low tumor uptake along with reasonably high tumor:blood ratios (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Isotope exchange on a clinically useful (18)F-ArBF(3)(-) radiotracer leads to excellent radiochemical yields and exceptionally high specific activities while the anionic nature of the aryltrifluoroborate prosthetic results in very rapid clearance. Since rapid clearance of the radioactive tracer is generally desirable for tracer development, these results suggest new directions for varying linker arm composition to slightly retard clearance rather than enhancing it.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PATIENT CARE

This work is the first to use production levels of (18)F-activity to directly label RGD at specific activities that are an order of magnitude higher than most reports and thereby increases the distribution window for radiotracer production and delivery.

Preparation of 18F-labeled peptides using the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

An optimized procedure for preparing fluorine-18 ((18)F)-labeled peptides by the copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cyloaddition (CuAAC) is presented here. The two-step radiosynthesis begins with the microwave-assisted nucleophilic (18)F-fluorination of a precursor containing a terminal p-toluenesulfonyl, terminal azide and polyethylene glycol backbone. The resulting (18)F-fluorinated azide-containing building block is coupled to an alkyne-decorated peptide by the CuAAC. The reaction is accelerated by the copper(I)-stabilizing ligand bathophenanthroline disulfonate and can be performed in either reducing or nonreducing conditions (e.g., to preserve disulfide bonds). After an HPLC purification, (18)F-labeled peptide can be obtained with a 31 ± 6% radiochemical yield (n = 4, decay-corrected from (18)F-fluoride elution) and a specific activity of 39.0 ± 12.4 Ci μmol(-1) within 77 ± 4 min.

Microwave-assisted one-pot synthesis of N-succinimidyl-4[ ¹⁸F]fluorobenzoate ([¹⁸F]SFB)

Biomolecules, including peptides¹⁻⁹, proteins¹⁰⁻¹¹, and antibodies and their engineered fragments¹²⁻¹⁴, are gaining importance as both potential therapeutics and molecular imaging agents. Notably, when labeled with positron-emitting radioisotopes (e.g., Cu-64, Ga-68, or F-18), they can be used as probes for targeted imaging of many physiological and pathological processes.¹⁵⁻¹⁸ Therefore, significant effort has devoted to the synthesis and exploration of ¹⁸F-labeled biomolecules. Although there are elegant examples of the direct ¹⁸F-labeling of peptides,¹⁹⁻²² the harsh reaction conditions (i.e., organic solvent, extreme pH, high temperature) associated with direct radiofluorination are usually incompatible with fragile protein samples. To date, therefore, the incorporation of radiolabeled prosthetic groups into biomolecules remains the method of choice.²³(,)²⁴ N-Succinimidyl-4-[¹⁸F]fluorobenzoate ([¹⁸F]SFB),²⁵⁻³⁷ a Bolton-Hunter type reagent that reacts with the primary amino groups of biomolecules, is a very versatile prosthetic group for the ¹⁸F-labeling of a wide spectrum of biological entities, in terms of its evident in vivo stability and high radiolabeling yield. After labeling with [¹⁸F]SFB, the resulting [F]fluorobenzoylated biomolecules could be explored as potential PET tracers for in vivo imaging studies.¹ Most [¹⁸F]SFB radiosyntheses described in the current literatures require two or even three reactors and multiple purifications by using either solid phase extraction (SPE) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Such lengthy processes hamper its routine production and widespread applications in the radiolabeling of biomolecules. Although several module-assisted [¹⁸F]SFB syntheses have been reported²⁹⁻³²,⁴¹⁻⁴² they are mainly based on complicated and lengthy procedures using costly commercially-available radiochemistry boxes (Table 1). Therefore, further simplification of the radiosynthesis of [¹⁸F]SFB using a low-cost setup would be very beneficial for its adaption to an automated process. Herein, we report a concise preparation of [¹⁸F]SFB, based on a simplified one-pot microwave-assisted synthesis (Figure 1). Our approach does not require purification between steps or any aqueous reagents. In addition, microwave irradiation, which has been used in the syntheses of several PET tracers,³⁸⁻⁴¹ can gives higher RCYs and better selectivity than the corresponding thermal reactions or they provide similar yields in shorter reaction times.³⁸Most importantly, when labeling biomolecules, the time saved could be diverted to subsequent bioconjugation or PET imaging step. ²⁸(,)⁴³The novelty of our improved [¹⁸F]SFB synthesis is two-fold: (1) the anhydrous deprotection strategy requires no purification of intermediate(s) between each step and (2) the microwave-assisted radiochemical transformations enable the rapid, reliable production of [¹⁸F]SFB.

New F-18 prosthetic group via oxime coupling

A novel fluorine-18 prosthetic ligand, 5-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)-2-(2-(2-(2-fluoroethoxy)ethoxy)ethoxy)pyridine [(18)F]2, has been synthesized. The prosthetic ligand is formed in high radiochemical yield (rcy = 71 ± 2%, n = 3) with excellent radiochemical purity (rcp = 99 ± 1%, n = 3) in a short reaction time (10 min). [(18)F]2 is a small, neutral, organic complex, easily synthesized in four steps from a readily available starting material. It can be anchored onto a target molecule containing an aminooxy functional group under acidic conditions by way of an oxime bond. We report herein two examples [(18)F]23 and [(18)F]24, potential imaging agents for β-amyloid plaques, which were labeled with this prosthetic group. This approach could be used for labeling proteins and peptides containing an aminooxy group. Biodistribution in male ICR mice for both oxime labeled complexes [(18)F]23 and [(18)F]24 were compared to that of the known β-amyloid plaque indicator, [(18)F]-AV-45, florbetapir 1. Oximes [(18)F]23 and [(18)F]24 are larger in size and therefore should reduce the blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. The brain uptake for oxime [(18)F]23 appeared to be reduced, but still retained some capability to cross the BBB. Oxime [(18)F]24 showed promising results after 2 min post injection (0.48% dose/gram); however, the uptake increased after 30 min post injection (0.92% dose/gram) suggesting an in vivo decomposition/metabolism of compound [(18)F]24. We have demonstrated a general protocol for the fluoride-18 labeling with a new prosthetic ligand [(18)F]2 that is tolerant toward several functional groups and is formed via chemoselective oxime coupling.

Synthesis, quality control and dosimetry of the radiopharmaceutical 18F-sodium fluoride produced at the Center for Development of Nuclear Technology - CDTN

18F-Sodium fluoride (Na18F) is a radiopharmaceutical used for diagnosis in nuclear medicine by positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Bone scintigraphy is normally performed using 99mTc-MDP. However, 18F PET scans promise high quality imaging with increased resolution and improved sensitivity and specificity. In order to make available a tool for more specific studies of tumors and non-oncological diseases of bone tissue, the UPPR/CDTN team undertook the production and quality control of Na18F injectable solution with the physical-chemical, microbiological and biological characteristics recommended in the U.S. Pharmacopeia. Na18F radiochemical purity was 96.7 ± 1.3 %, with Rf= 0.026 ± 0.006. The product presented a pH of 5.3 ± 0.6, half life of 109.0 ± 0.8 minutes, endotoxin limit < 5.0 EU.mL-1 and no microbial contaminants. The biodistribution of Na18F was similar to that described in the literature, with a clearance of 0.19 mL.min-1 and distribution volume of 18.76 mL. The highest bone concentration (5.0 ± 0.5 %ID.g-1) was observed 20 minutes after injection. Na18F produced at the UPPR presented all the quality assurance requirements of the U.S. Pharmacopeia and can be safely used for clinical bone imaging.

New strategy for the preparation of clickable peptides and labeling with 1-(azidomethyl)-4-[(18)F]-fluorobenzene for PET

The alkyne-azide Cu(I)-catalyzed Huisgen cycloaddition, a click type reaction was used to label a peptide with fluorine-18. A novel solid phase synthesis approach for the preparation of clickable peptides has been developed and has also permitted the straightforward preparation of reference compounds. A complementary azide labeling agent (1-(azidomethyl)-4-[(18)F]-fluorobenzene) has been produced in a four step procedure in 75 min with a 34% radiochemical yield (decay corrected). Conjugation of [(18)F]fluoroazide with a model alkyne-neuropeptide produced the desired (18)F-radiolabeled peptide in less than 15 min with a yield of 90% and excellent radiochemical purity.