3-Methanesulfonyloxypropyl tertiary amines were observed to cyclize to form azetidinium methanesulfonate moieties. Heat-induced cyclization of 3-methanesulfonyloxypropyl amines was utilized for preparation of azetidinium methanesulfonates. The azetidinium methanesulfonates were found to incorporate radioactive [F-18]fluoride (decay-corrected yields >60%) efficiently, resulting in an efficient synthesis of 3-[F-18]fluoropropyl tertiary amines. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Radiopharmaceuticals containing an F-18 label are of increasing interest due to their utilization in PET imaging. However, the bottleneck in these applications is the limited methods available for introduction of this radionuclide into biologically interesting molecules. In this work, we have evaluated a new radiofluorination method based on the properties of the complex between 1,8-(dimethylamino)-naphthalene (PS) and [F-18]-HF. The results obtained on various model substrates suggest that, in some limited cases, this new procedure can be regarded as a possible alternative to the traditional nucleophilic route using K-222/K2CO3 in CH3CN. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.

Radiolabeled FCWAY (N-(2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazino])-N-(2-pyridinyl) trans-4-fluorocyclohexanecarboxamide) was prepared for human positron emission tomography (PET) studies by a simple one-step radiosynthesis. The LC-MS analysis of the products indicated that it contained impurities which may interfere with FCWAY uptake of 5-HT1A receptors and that these impurities were derived from an impurity originally present in the precursor preparation. Since preparative HPLC failed to resolve one of the impurities from the precursor, preparative-scale high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) was used for purification of this FCWAY precursor. A suitable two-phase solvent system composed of cyclohexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water at a volume ratio of 1:1:1:1 or 4:5:4:5 was selected based on the partition coefficients of the precursor and impurity as determined by a LC-MS method. Using the second solvent ratio of 4:5:4:5 with the organic phase as a mobile phase, a 2.57 g amount of precursor preparation was successfully purified yielding 2.2 g of the pure precursor by a single run.

Abstract The PET radionuclide 76Br (t1/2=16.2 h) can be easily produced utilizing the nuclear reaction As(3He,2n)76Br. We use high-purity arsenic targets and isolate radioactive bromide by chromic acid oxidation followed by simple distillation of [76Br] hydrogen bromide using a semi-remote apparatus. Use of reagents with little or no carrier bromine yields high specific activity radiobrominated pharmaceuticals prepared from the distilled [76Br] hydrogen bromide.

The precise effects of normal aging on the cholinergic system are unknown, as both in vitro and PET studies have shown conflicting results. In vivo determination of muscarinic receptor distribution and density has been hampered by both poor subtype selectivity and/or blood-brain barrier permeability of known ligands. Previous in vitro and in vivo work with the F-18 labeled muscarinic agonist, 3-(3- (3-[(18)F]Flouropropyl)thio)-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylpyridine ((18)FP-TZTP) suggested the use of (18)FP-TZTP to selectively quantify M2 receptors in humans. In this study, we used (18)FP-TZTP to infer M2 receptor avidity in the brains of 15 healthy younger subjects (mean age = 28.3 +/- 5.5 years) and 20 healthy older subjects (mean age = 62.1 +/- 7.7 years). Corrections for subject motion during the 120-min acquisition and partial voluming (PVC) were performed. A one-tissue compartment model was used to estimate the volumes of distribution (V(T)) of (18)FP-TZTP. Within both groups of subjects, volumes of distribution (K(1)/k(2)) in cortical, subcortical, and cerebellar areas were consistent with M2 receptor topography. Compared to younger subjects older subjects had significantly higher means and standard deviations for the volumes of distribution of (18)FP-TZTP throughout much of the cerebellum, cortex, and subcortex (Global Gray V(T) = 742 +/- 163 in older subjects and 645 +/- 74 in younger subjects, P < 0.03). Across all subjects (18)FP-TZTP, regional, and Global Gray distribution volumes were significantly correlated to age (Global Gray V(T,) r = 0.41, P < 0.01). A lower concentration of acetylcholine in the synapse of some older subjects is one possible explanation for the data.

The apolipoprotein E‐ϵ4 allele confers an increased susceptibility to age‐related memory problems and Alzheimer's disease. Abnormalities in the cholinergic system are also likely contributors to memory deficits associated with aging and AD. To determine the effect of the APOE‐ϵ4 allele on the muscarinic component of the cholinergic system of aging subjects, 10 healthy subjects with APOE‐ϵ4 alleles (APOE‐ϵ4+) and 10 without (APOE‐ϵ4‐), ranging in age from 52 to 75 years, were tomographically scanned with the F‐18‐labeled muscarinic‐2 (M2) selective agonist, 3‐(3‐(3‐[18F]Flouropropyl)thio)‐1,2,5‐thiadiazol‐4‐yl)‐1,2,5,6‐tetrahydro‐1‐methylpyridine ([18F]FP‐TZTP). The distribution volumes (VT) of [18F]FP‐TZTP were determined by compartmental modeling of partial volume and free fraction corrected PET scans. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) measurements with H215O were also performed. Global Gray VT (840 ± 155 ml plasma/ml tissue) was greater in APOE‐ϵ4+ subjects than APOE‐ϵ4‐ subjects (660 ± 113 ml plasma/ml tissue, P = 0.01), and previously studied younger subjects. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to rCBF, but within the APOE‐ϵ4+ group there was a trend for subjects with the higher Global Gray VTs to have lower Global Gray CBFs (r = −0.65, P < 0.06). A lower concentration of acetylcholine in the synapse of APOE‐ϵ4+ older individuals is a likely explanation for the greater [18F]FP‐TZTP distribution volumes. Synapse 49:150–156, 2003. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

UNLABELLED:Multidrug resistance (MDR) associated with increased expression and function of the P-glycoprotein (Pgp) efflux pump often causes chemotherapeutic failure in cancer. To provide insight into both the dynamics of the pump and the effects of MDR, we radiolabeled paclitaxel, a substrate for the Pgp pump, with (18)F to study MDR in vivo with PET. We obtained biodistribution and radiation dose estimates for (18)F-paclitaxel (FPAC) in monkeys and studied the effects of a Pgp blocker (XR9576, tariquidar) on FPAC kinetics.METHODS:Paired baseline and Pgp modulation (2 mg/kg XR9576) 4-h whole-body dynamic PET scans were obtained in 3 rhesus monkeys after injection of FPAC. Measured residence times were extrapolated to humans and radiation dose estimates were obtained using MIRDOSE3.1. The postmodulator area under the time-activity curves (AUCs) and Logan plot slopes, a measure of tracer distribution volume (equilibrium tissue-to-plasma ratio) that is inversely proportional to tracer efflux, were compared with baseline values to determine changes in FPAC distribution.RESULTS:Cumulative activities of the organs sampled accounted for 80% of the injected dose. The critical organ is gallbladder wall (0.19 mGy/MBq [0.69 rad/mCi]), followed by liver (0.14 mGy/MBq [0.52 rad/mCi]); the effective dose is 0.022 mSv/MBq (0.083 rem/mCi). XR9576 preinfusion changed the Logan plot slope for liver by +104% (P = 0.02), lung by +87% (P = 0.11), and kidney by -14% (P = 0.08). Changes in the mean AUC (normalized to the plasma AUC) were +54% (P = 0.08), +97% (P = 0.04), and -12% (P = 0.02), respectively, for liver, lung, and kidney. No significant difference was found in the metabolite-corrected plasma AUC (normalized to the injected dose) between the baseline and XR9576 modulator studies (P = 0.69).CONCLUSION:Under Radioactive Drug Research Committee guidelines, 266 MBq (7.2 mCi) FPAC can be administered to humans up to 3 times a year. The increase in FPAC accumulation in liver and lung after XR9576 is consistent with Pgp inhibition and demonstrates the potential of FPAC to evaluate MDR.

A muscarinic receptor radioligand, 3-(3-(3-fluoropropyl)thio) -1,2,5,thiadiazol-4-yl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylpyridine (fP-TZTP) radiolabeled with the positron emitting radionuclide 18F ([18F]FP-TZTP) displayed regional brain distribution consistent with M2 receptor densities in rat brain. The purpose of the present study is to further elucidate the subtype selectivity of [18F]FP-TZTP using genetically engineered mice which lacked functional M1, M2, M3, or M4 muscarinic receptors. Using ex vivo autoradiography, the regional brain localization of [18F]FP-TZTP in M2 knockout (M2 KO) was significantly decreased (51.3 to 61.4%; P<0.01) when compared to the wild-type (WT) mice in amygdala, brain stem, caudate putamen, cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus, hypothalamus, superior colliculus, and thalamus. In similar studies with M1KO, M3KO and M4KO compared to their WT mice, [18F]FP-TZTP uptakes in the same brain regions were not significantly decreased at P<0.01. However, in amygdala and hippocampus small decreases of 19.5% and 22.7%, respectively, were observed for M1KO vs WT mice at P<0.05. Given the fact that large decreases in [18F]FP-TZTP brain uptakes were seen only in M2 KO vs. WT mice, we conclude that [18F]FP-TZTP preferentially labels M2 receptors in vivo.

Recycling of [(18)O]water for [(18)F]fluoride production can be accomplished with reliable results. We have developed sensitive, robust, and rapid analyses of impurities in [(18)O]water. Anions were quantitated by capillary electrophoresis and organic residuals were quantitated by gas chromatography using methods with excellent reproducibility and linearity. Kryptofix 222 (K-222) was quantitated by a sensitive LC-MS-MS technique. Isotopic composition was determined by GC-MS with satisfactory accuracy and precision. These methods were employed to evaluate recovered [(18)O]water purified by a novel electrolysis method. 2-[(18)F]FDG yields using purified [(18)O]water with very low levels of impurities are indistinguishable from newly purchased [(18)O]water. High (> 300 ppm) carbonate concentration reduces the fluoride trapping efficiency of QMA. The analyses of anions, organics, and isotopic enrichment were applied routinely for quality control of [(18)O]water to predict a satisfactory outcome of 2-[(18)F]FDG production.

[18F]FP-TZTP (3-(3-(3-[18F]fluoropropylthio)-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylpyridine) is a muscarinic ligand that displays in vivo selectivity for the M2 subtype. We have developed a one-step radiosynthesis of [18F]FP-TZTP that can be conducted with an automated synthesis unit. A number of hardware and software modifications to a Nuclear Interface C-11 Methylation System provided the equipment for the automated radiosynthesis. The manual synthesis produced [18F]FP-TZTP in a radiochemical yield of 23.4% ± 4.3% (EOS, n = 69) with a specific activity of 4377 ± 2011 mCi/μmol (EOB, n = 100). The automated synthesis unit provided the product in a radiochemical yield of 18.8% ± 2.4% (EOS, n = 25) with a specific activity of 4112 ± 2572 mCi/μmol (EOB, n = 25).

Liquid-liquid and solid phase extraction methods were developed for the accurate and rapid quantitation of radioactive components in human plasma following injection of two PET ligands. A solid phase extraction (SPE) method was developed for the determination of the 5HT(1A) receptor ligand [N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazino]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) trans-4-[(18)F]fluorocyclohexanecarboxamide (FCWAY), and its acidic metabolite, 4-[(18)F]fluorocyclohexane carboxylic acid (FC). In both cases, the extraction method was much faster and easier to use, yet provided results comparable to HPLC and TLC methods. In addition, an easy to perform two-step liquid-liquid extraction was developed for quantitation of 3-(3-((3-[(18)F]fluoropropyl)thio)-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylpyridine ([(18)F]FP-TZTP), a selective M2 muscarinic agonist.

[F-18][3-(3-(3-Fluoropropyl)thio)-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl]-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylpyridine ( [F-18]FP-TZTP) is an M2 selective muscarinic agonist that may allow noninvasive studies of Alzheimer's disease with PET. 3-(3-(Propylthio)-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1,2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylpylidine (P-TZTP), a nonfluorinated analog of FPT-ZTP, and unlabeled FP-TZTP inhibited [F-18] FP-TZTP binding in vivo. Because muscarinic action of the loading dose of P-TZTP administered might have had pharmacological effects, the apparent inhibition might have resulted from reduced delivery rather than competition with receptor-binding. Therefore, we examined the effects of P-TZTP or FP-TZTP administration on cerebral blood flow (CBF) measured by the [C-14]iodoantipyrine method and laser-Doppler flowmetry in rats. Statistically significant synchronous decreases in both CBF and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) were observed within the first minute following administration. The decreases in both CBF and MABP were prevented by pretreatment With atropine methyl bromide (M-At), a peripheral muscarinic antagonist, and coadministration of M-At with either FP-TZTP or P-TZTP resulted in the same degree of inhibition of cerebral [F-18]FP-TZTP-uptake 30 min after administration as observed without M-At. Also, with programmed infusions designed to produce constant arterial concentrations of [F-18]FP-TZTP-and FP-TZTP, which avoid changes in CBF, significant inhibition of [F-18]FP-TZTP-binding by FP-TZTP was observed. These results indicate that inhibition of [F-18]FP-TZTP-binding in the brain by P-TZTP or FP-TZTP in vivo occurs independently of their effects on CBF. The methods employed here may also be of interest to evaluate physiological effects of blocking agents utilized to validate other radiopharmaceuticals. Published 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.(dagger).

Paclitaxel (Taxol®) is a clinically important chemotherapeutic agent. We describe the synthesis of fluoro-, bromo-, and iodopaclitaxel and their [18F]fluoro-, [76Br]bromo-, and [124I]iodo- analogues. [18F]Fluoropaclitaxel shows high uptake and rapid clearance from tissues in rats. Preadministration of paclitaxel in normal rats significantly increases (p < 0.005) retention of [18F]fluoropaclitaxel and [76Br]bromopaclitaxel in blood (33.0%), heart (32.0%), lung (37.6%) kidney (142.4%); and blood (33.4%), lung (42.3%), kidney (62.4%), respectively. [18F]Fluoropaclitaxel uptake in the brain of mdr1a/1b(-/-) mice is increased 1400% (p < 1.3e-07) relative to wild-type controls. Preadministration of paclitaxel or XR9576, a modulator, had little effect on the biodistribution in these mdr1a/1b(-/-) mice. As a result, [18F]fluoropaclitaxel will be a useful radiopharmaceutical for the study of multidrug resistant tumors.

The racemate 1, ((+/-)-(5-Chloro-2-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-dihydro-3-fluoro-6-(trifluoromethyl)- 2H-indol-2-one), is a potent, specific and novel opener of cloned large-conductance, calcium-activated (maxi-K) potassium channels. One of its enantiomers, BMS-204352 (MaxiPost), is undergoing clinical evaluation for efficacy in patients with suspected acute stroke. In the current study, we have prepared [(18)F]-labeled 1 using a silver assisted nucleophilic substitution to examine its distribution and disposition in the rat, with particular emphasis on the brain. Biodistribution studies in rats confirm that brain uptake is rapid and occurs at high levels, and indicate that a major fraction of the compound in the brain does not accumulate by a specific, saturable mechanism.

An accurate, rapid method for the determination of unmetabolized 3-(3-[(3-[18F]fluoropropyl)thio]-1,2,5-thiadiazol-4-yl)-1.2,5,6-tetrahydro-1-methylpyridine (FP-TZTP), a selective M2 muscarinic agonist, is necessary in order to obtain quantitative information from positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Using LC-MS-MS to analyze products from cultured human and rat hepatocytes, we identified metabolites resulting from oxidation of the nitrogen in the tetrahydropyridine ring, sulfur-oxidation, demethylation of the tertiary amine, and oxidation of the tetrahydropyridine ring. From the knowledge of the structure of the metabolites, we have developed a two-step extraction sequence that allows rapid determination of the parent fraction in plasma without time-consuming chromatographic analysis.

Two 5-HT1A antagonists, t-FCWAY and c-FCWAY, were developed as imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET). In order to evaluate these compounds, hepatocytes from both human and rat were utilized to produce metabolites and LC–MS–MS was used to identify metabolites. These in vitro metabolism studies indicate that hydrolysis of the amide linkage is the major metabolism pathway for humans, whereas aromatic ring-oxidation is the major metabolism pathway for rat. The rat hepatocyte results correlate well with in vivo rat metabolism studies. Based on the structures of the metabolites, we have developed an extraction procedure to determine the concentration of the parent compound in plasma.