A. Luxen

Comparative in vivo metabolism of 6-[18F]fluoro-l-DOPA and [3H]l-DOPA in rats

In vivo double-label experiments in rats were designed to correlate the peripheral and cerebral metabolism of 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA [( 18F]FDOPA) with that of [3H]L-DOPA. Authentic samples of the major [18F]FDOPA metabolites were synthesized to identify the 18F-labeled metabolites. After carbidopa pretreatment and intravenous administration of the compound, the products of peripheral metabolism in plasma were analyzed at times from 3 to 60 min. In the periphery, amine conjugates were detected but they accounted for less than 15% of the total radioactivity; the major metabolites were 3-O-methyl-6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA and 3-O-methyl-[3H]L-DOPA. The rate and extent of 3-O-methylation of [18F]FDOPA exceeded that of [3H]L-DOPA. Both 3-O-methylated products entered the striatum and cerebellum where they contributed significant but uniform activity. Analysis of cerebral metabolism in these structures indicated a linear accumulation of total radioactivity: a striatum/cerebellum ratio of 2 was observed by 60 min. 6-[18F]Fluorodopamine (35%) and [3H]dopamine (55%) were the major metabolites formed in the striatum: however, the methylated [18F]FDOPA and [3H]DOPA products of predominantly peripheral origin represented 55% (18F) and 35% (3H) of the total radioactivity respectively. Other [3H]dopamine metabolites and their 18F-labeled analogs represented less than 10-15% at all times analyzed. The cerebellum radioactivity was composed only of [18F]FDOPA, [3H]DOPA and their 3-O-methylated products. These data will serve as the basis for the development of kinetic models of [18F]FDOPA metabolism that can be applied to the evaluation of central dopamine biochemistry with positron emission tomography in humans.

Remote, semiautomated production of 6-[18F]fluoro-l-dopa for human studies with PET

Abstract Regioselective radiofluorodemercuration of the 6-mercurio derivative 5 with [ 18 F]acetylhypofluorite afforded, after acidic hydrolysis, 6-[ 18 F]fluoro- l -3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (6-FD, 1 ) with a radiochemical yield of 11% (decay corrected and based on the total amount of [ 18 F]F 2 recovered from the target). 6-FD was obtained with a chemical and radiochemical purity of > 99% and with a level of mercury in the final preparation of less than 20 ppb. Utilization of a remote, semiautomated production system, resulted in the preparation of a sterile, pyrogen-free product suitable for human injection after a synthesis time of 50 min.

Computer-controlled radiochemical synthesis: a chemistry process control unit for the automated production of radiochemicals.

A computer-controlled general purpose chemistry process control unit (CPCU) suitable for the automated production of radiochemicals has been developed. This valve-and-tubing synthesis system can be user programmed to accommodate a variety of chemical processes. In a practical demonstration of its utility, the CPCU has been configured and programmed to synthesize 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (2-[18F]FDG) using aqueous [18F]fluoride ion. Using this instrument, the yield of 2-[18F]FDG from [18F]fluoride ion is 54.9% (+/- 11.2%, n = 125) corrected to EOB, after a synthesis time of 50-55 min. The average total activity produced (for runs of 5-10 microA) is 28.1 mCi/microA (+/- 5.03 mCi/microA). Thus, the amount of 2-[18F]FDG produced from a 10 microA for 1 h bombardment was 154.3 mCi (+/- 27.4 mCi). The unit has been similarly configured and programmed to synthesize 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-mannose (48% EOB), 3-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)spiperone (29% EOB), and [18F]fluoroacetate (66% EOB) from aqueous [18F]-fluoride ion, and 2-[18F]FDG from gaseous acetyl hypo[18F]fluorite (20% EOB).

The effects of carbidopa on the metabolism of 6-[18F]fluoro-l-dopa in rats, monkeys and humans

The effects of carbidopa on the peripheral metabolism of 6-[18F]fluoro-L-DOPA (FDOPA) were characterized in the rat, monkey and human along with its effects on cerebral FDOPA metabolism in the rat. After carbidopa pretreatment, FDOPA plasma metabolite profiles in all three species revealed extensive metabolism of FDOPA to 3-0-methyl-6-[18F]-fluoro-L-DOPA (3-OMFD). In humans, there were significant increases in FDOPA plasma levels for 30 min and in 3-OMFD levels for 120 min after FDOPA administration. 6-[18F]Fluorodopamine sulfate (FDA-sulfate) and [18F]fluoro-homovanillic acid (FHVA) levels were decreased, while at all times, free 6-[18F]-fluorodopamine (FDA) and 6-[18F]-3-4 dihydroxy-phenylacetic acid (FDOPAC) were not detected. In rat brain, the FDOPA metabolite profile at 30 min was significantly altered by carbidopa pretreatment; increases were noted for striatum FDA (700%) and 3-OMFD (230%), and for cerebellum FDOPA (370%) and 3-OMFD (300%). Thus, carbidopa pretreatment increased FDOPA plasma levels for a given FDOPA dose and essentially restricted peripheral FDOPA metabolism to 3-OMFD formation. The increase in FDOPA bioavailability to the brain resulted in greater selective FDA accumulation in striatum. As such, carbidopa pretreatment for FDOPA-positron emission tomography studies will significantly increase the amount of radioactivity that can be attributable to FDA in cerebral regions of interest.

No-carrier-added 3-(2′-[18F]fluoroethyl)spiperone, a new dopamine receptor-binding tracer for positron emission tomography

No-carrier-added (NCA)3-(2-[18F]fluoroethyl)spiperone (5), a new dopamine receptor-binding radiopharmaceutical for positron emission tomography, was synthesized by two different methods. Alkylation of the amide nitrogen in spiperone by NCA [18F]fluorobromoethane in the presence of a strong base gave 5 (Method A). Experimental methods were also developed for the syntheses of functional 3-N-alkylderivatives of spiperone such as 3-(2-bromoethyl)- or 3-(2-methylsulfonyloxyethyl)spiperone (4a and 4b, respectively). These derivatives (4) reacted with NCA Ag18F, Cs18F or K18F/Kryptofix 222 in acetonitrile or DMSO to give 5 (Method B). Method B, using K18F/Kryptofix 222 in acetonitrile provided 5 in multimillicure amounts (30-40% isolated radiochemical yield) with a specific activity of 2-10/mumol (EOS) in less than 60 min. This one-step, one-pot synthesis is simple, and the high radiochemical yield of 5, as well as the 110 min half-life of 18F, permit multiple tomographic studies a day with one preparation. Tomographic results in monkey brain with 5 are consistent with the labeling of dopamine-D2 receptor systems.

Synthesis of 4-[18F]fluoro-L-m-tyrosine: a model analog for the in vivo assessment of central dopaminergic function.

4-[18F]Fluoro-L-m-tyrosine (6), a new analog of L-dopa for probing the presynaptic dopaminergic system by positron emission tomography has been synthesized in good radiochemical yields via the regioselective fluorodemercuration of the 4-mercurio derivatives 4a and 4b with 18F-labeled acetylhypofluorite. The chemical, radiochemical and enantiomeric purities were determined to be greater than 99%. The key step in the synthesis of the precursors 4 was the mercuration of the protected L-m-tyrosine 3. The position of mercuration on the aromatic ring was gleaned from the 13C-NMR spectral data. The non-radiolabeled counterpart of 6 was also synthesized. Structural analyses of all these compounds were carried out by 1H-, 13C-, 19F-NMR and mass spectroscopy.

Stereospecific approach to the synthesis of [18F]2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-mannose.

The reaction of methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-benzyl-2-O-trifluoromethanesulfonyl-beta-D- glucopyranoside in acetonitrile at 75 degrees C for 30 min with [18F]tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride, followed by silica gel column chromatographic purification, gave the corresponding [18F]methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-3-O-benzyl-2-fluoro-beta-D-mannopyranoside with complete regio- and stereoselectivity (42% radiochemical yield). Hydrolysis of the radiolabeled fluoromannopyranoside intermediate with either 6 N HCl or 50% methanesulfonic acid for 30 min at 120 degrees C, followed by purification by column chromatography (ion retardation resin and neutral alumina), gave pure [18F]2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-mannose ([18F]2-FDM) with an overall radiochemical yield (from [18F]fluoride ion) of 34%. Extension of this methodology to the no carrier added (nca) synthesis under phase transfer conditions (Kryptofix 222/K 18F/acetonitrile) gave nca [18F]2-FDM in a radiochemical yield of 75%. Purity and identity of the fluorinated products were confirmed by 1H and 19F NMR spectroscopy. The synthetic procedure described here permits for the first time the routine preparation of large amounts of [18F]2-FDM for tomographic studies.