Abstract
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Although
the growth and proliferation of most tumors is fueled
by glucose, some tumors are more likely to metabolize glutamine. In
particular, tumor cells with the upregulated c-Myc gene are generally
reprogrammed to utilize glutamine. We have developed new 3-fluoropropyl
analogs of glutamine, namely [18F](2S,4R)- and [18F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 3 and 4,
to be used as probes for studying glutamine metabolism in these tumor
cells. Optically pure isomers labeled with 18F and 19F (2S,4S) and (2S,4R)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine were synthesized via
different routes and isolated in high radiochemical purity (≥95%).
Cell uptake studies of both isomers showed that they were taken up
efficiently by 9L tumor cells with a steady increase over a time frame
of 120 min. At 120 min, their uptake was approximately two times higher
than that of l-[3H]glutamine ([3H]Gln).
These in vitro cell uptake studies suggested that the new probes are
potential tumor imaging agents. Yet, the lower chemical yield of the
precursor for 3, as well as the low radiochemical yield
for 3, limits the availability of [18F](2S,4R)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 3. We, therefore, focused on [18F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 4. The in vitro cell uptake studies suggested that the new probe,
[18F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 4, is most sensitive to the LAT transport system, followed
by System N and ASC transporters. A dual-isotope experiment using l-[3H]glutamine and the new probe showed that the
uptake of [3H]Gln into 9L cells was highly associated with
macromolecules (>90%), whereas the [18F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 4, was not (<10%). This suggests a different mechanism of retention.
In vivo PET imaging studies demonstrated tumor-specific uptake in
rats bearing 9L xenographs with an excellent tumor to muscle ratio
(maximum of ∼8 at 40 min). [18F](2S,4S)-4-(3-fluoropropyl)glutamine, 4, may be useful for testing tumors that may metabolize glutamine
related amino acids.
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