Chuanmin Qi

Treatment of alcohols with tosyl chloride does not always lead to the formation of tosylates.

Treatment of substituted benzyl alcohols with tosyl chloride resulted in the formation of the corresponding chlorides, not the usual tosylates. A series of experiments demonstrated that it was possible to predict whether chlorination or tosylation would occur for substituted benzyl alcohols and pyridine methanols. Treatment of electron withdrawing group-substituted benzyl alcohols with tosyl chloride gave the corresponding chlorides in moderate yields under mild conditions, which provided a simple way to directly prepare chlorides from alcohols.

Synthesis and evaluation of novel F-18 labeled fluoroarylvaline derivatives: Potential PET imaging agents for tumor detection

Two F-18 labeled fluoroarylvaline derivatives, methyl 2-(2-[(18)F]fluoro-4-nitrobenzamido)-3-methylbutanoate ([(18)F]1, [(18)F]MFNBMB) and its corresponding acid 2-(2-[(18)F]fluoro-4-nitrobenzamido)-3-methylbutanoic acid ([(18)F]2, [(18)F]FNBMBA), have been designed and synthesized, respectively, by our team. Meanwhile, we research on their biodistributions in mice model bearing S 180 tumor. Furthermore, we also carried out the biological evaluations of 2-[(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([(18)F]FDG) and O-2-[(18)F]fluoroethyl-l-tyrosine (l-[(18)F]FET) in the same model for comparison with our targeting molecules [(18)F]1 and [(18)F]2. Excitingly, the tumor/blood (T/Bl) and tumor/brain (T/Br) ratios were 2.91, 7.06 at 30 min, 3.44, 5.61 at 60 min post injection for [(18)F]1, 2.32, 13.30 for [(18)F]2 at 30 min post injection, which were obviously superior to [(18)F]FDG and l-[(18)F]FET in the same model and demonstrated that [(18)F]1 and [(18)F]2, especially [(18)F]2, were potential PET imaging agents for tumor detection.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel F-18 labeled pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives: Potential PET imaging agents for tumor detection

Two novel pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives, 7-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethylamino)-5-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile ([(18)F]FEMPPC, [(18)F]1) and N-(2-(3-cyano-5-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ylamino)ethyl)-2-[(18)F]fluoro-4-nitrobenzamide ([(18)F]FCMPPN, [(18)F]2), have been designed and successively labeled with (18)F by the nucleophilic substitution employing tosylate and nitryl as leaving groups, respectively. The radiochemical synthesis of both compounds was completed within 60min with final high-performance liquid chromatography purification included. The corresponding radiochemical yields (without decay correction) were approximately 35% and 30%, respectively. Meanwhile, we compared the uptake characteristics of [(18)F]1 and [(18)F]2 with those of [(18)F]FDG and L-[(18)F]FET in S180 tumor cells. Furthermore, the tumor uptake of [(18)F]1 and [(18)F]2 was assessed in mice bearing S180 tumor and compared with [(18)F]FDG and L-[(18)F]FET in the same animal model. In vitro cell uptake studies showed [(18)F]1 had higher uptake than [(18)F]FDG, [(18)F]2 and L-[(18)F]FET over the 2h period. In ex vivo biodistribution showed tumor/brain uptake ratios of [(18)F]2 were 12.35, 10.44, 8.69 and 5.13 at 15 min, 30 min, 60 min and 120 min post-injection, much higher than those of L-[(18)F]FET (2.43, 2.54, 2.93 and 2.95) and [(18)F]FDG (0.59, 0.61, 1.02 and 1.33) at the same time point. Whats more, the uptake of [(18)F]1 in tumor was 1.88, 4.37, 5.51, 2.95 and 2.88 at 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min and 120 min post-injection, respectively. There was a remarkable increasing trend before 30 min. The same trend was present for L-[(18)F]FET before 30 min and [(18)F]FDG before 60 min. Additionally, the tumor/brain uptake ratios of [(18)F]1 were superior to those of [(18)F]FDG at all the selected time points, the tumor/muscle and tumor/blood uptake ratios of [(18)F]1 at 30 min were higher than those of L-[(18)F]FET at the same time point. MicroPET image of [(18)F]1 administered into S180 tumor-bearing mouse acquired at 30 min post-injection illustrated that the uptake in S180 tumor was obvious. These results suggest that compound [(18)F]1 could be a new probe for PET tumor imaging.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidine-containing 99mTc Nitrido radiopharmaceuticals as imaging agents for tumors.

The compound 5-((2-aminoethylamino)methyl)-7-(4-bromoanilino)-3-cyano-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (ABCPP) was synthesized and conjugated with N-mercapto-acetylglycine (MAG), N-mercaptoacetylphenylalanine (MAF) and N-mercaptoacetylvaline (MAA), respectively. These three compounds were labeled successfully with [99mTcN]2+ intermediate in high radiochemical purities. Biodistribution in tumor-bearing mice demonstrated that the three new complexes showed tumor accumulation, high tumor-to-muscle (T/M) ratios and fast clearance from blood and muscle. Among them, the 99mTcN-MAG-ABCPP showed the most favorable characteristics, with tumor/blood and tumor/ muscle ratios reaching 1.51 and 2.97 at 30 min post-injection, 1.84 and 2.49 at 60 min post-injection, suggesting it could be further studied as potential tumor imaging agent for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT).

Synthesis and evaluation of novel F-18 labeled 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives: Potential PET imaging agents for tumor detection

Three novel (18)F-labeled 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives, N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-6-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethoxy)-7-methoxyquinazolin-4-amine([(18)F]1), N-(3-ethynylphenyl)-6-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethoxy)-7-methoxyquinazolin-4-amine([(18)F]2), and N-(3-bromophenyl)-6-(2-[(18)F]fluoroethoxy)-7-methoxyquinazolin-4-amine([(18)F]3) were synthesized and radiolabeled by two-step reaction with overall radiochemical yield of 21-24% (without decay corrected). Then we carried out their biodistribution experiments in S180 tumor-bearing mice. Results showed that they had certain concentration accumulation in tumor and fast clearance from muscle and blood. It was encouraging that [(18)F]3 was competitive among three (18)F-labeled 4-aminoquinazoline derivatives in some aspects such as tumor/muscle uptake ratio reaching 7.70 at 60 min post-injection, tumor/blood uptake ratio reaching 6.61 at 120 min post-injection. So we compared radioactivity characteristics of [(18)F]3 with those of [(18)F]-FDG and L-[(18)F]-FET in the same animal model. The absolute radioactivity uptake of [(18)F]3 in tumor reached 3.31 at 60 min p.i., which was slightly higher than [(18)F]-FDG (2.16) and L-[(18)F]-FET (2.75) at the same time phase. For [(18)F]3, tumor/muscle uptake ratio peaked 7.70 at 60 min, which was obviously superior to those of [(18)F]-FDG and L-[(18)F]-FET at all time points. The tumor/brain uptake ratios of [(18)F]3 were 10.36, 17.42, 41.11 at 30 min, 60 min and 120 min post-injection, respectively, and are much higher than those of L-[(18)F] FET (2.54, 2.92 and 2.95) and [(18)F]-FDG (0.61, 1.02 and 1.33) at the same time points. All these results indicate that [(18)F]3 is promising to become a potential PET tumor imaging agent.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 7-(2-Chlorophenylamino)-5-((2- [18F]fluoro-ethyoxy)methyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile as PET Tumor Imaging Agent

An 18F-labeled pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivative, 7-(2-chlorophenylamino)-5-((2-[18F] fluoroethyoxy)methyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile ([18F]5), has been designed and prepared as a radio tracer candidate for tumor detection with positron emission tomography (PET). The desired product [18F]5was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of the corresponding tosylated precursor with [18F]KF=Kryptofix 2.2.2 and potassium carbonate in anhydrous DMF at 100 °C for 20 min followed by purification with HPLC. The radiochemical purity was >98%, and the radio-chemical yield was 25% (decay-uncorrected). Compound [18F]5was very stable in vitro. The biodistribution study in mice bearing S180 tumors demonstrated that [18F]5had a rapid and prolonged accumulation in tumors with moderate washout from other tissues Graphical Abstract Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 7-(2-Chlorophenylamino)-5-((2- [18F]fluoro-ethyoxy)methyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile as PET Tumor Imaging Agent

18F-labeled Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine Derivatives: Synthesis from 2,4-Dinitrobenzamide and Tosylate Precursors and Comparative Biological Evaluation for Tumor Imaging with Positron Emission Tomography

We previously reported 18F-labeled pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives: 7-(2-[18F]fluoroethylamino)-5-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile ([18F]1) and N-(2-(3-cyano-5-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-ylamino)ethyl)-2-[18F]fluoro-4-nitro- benzamide ([18F]2). Preliminary biodistribution experiments of both compounds showed s slow clearance rate from excretory tissues which warranted further investigation for tumor imaging with PET. Here we modified [18F]1 and [18F]2 by introducing polar groups such as ester, hydroxyl and carboxyl and developed three additional 18F-18 labeled pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine derivatives: (3-Cyano-7-(2-[18F]fluoroethylamino)pyrazolo[1,5-a]-pyrimidin-5- yl)methyl acetate ([18F]3), 7-(2-[18F]fluoroethylamino)-5-(hydroxymethyl)pyrazolo[1,5-a]- pyrimidine-3-carbonitrile ([18F]4) and (S)-6-(3-cyano-5-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7- ylamino)-2-(2-[18F]fluoro-4-nitrobenzamido)hexanoic acid ([18F]5). The radiolabeled probes were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of the corresponding tosylate and nitro precursors with 18F-fluoride. In Vitro studies showed higher uptake of [18F]3 and [18F]4 than that of [18F]5 by S180 tumor cells. In Vivo biodistribution studies in mice bearing S180 tumors showed that the uptake of both [18F]3 and [18F]4 in tumors displayed an increasing trend while the uptake of [18F]5 in tumor decreased through the course of the 120 min study. This significant difference in tumor uptake was also found between [18F]1 and [18F]2. Thus, we compared the biological behavior of the five tracers and reported the tumor uptake kinetic differences between 2-[18F]fluoroethylamino- and 2-[18F]fluoro-4-nitro- benzamidopyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine derivatives.

Novel [99mTcN]2+ Labeled EGFR Inhibitors as Potential Radiotracers for Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Tumor Imaging

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in many cancers, including breast, ovarian, endometrial and non-small cell lung cancer. An EGFR-specific imaging agent could facilitate clinical evaluation of primary tumors or metastases. To achieve this goal, 4-(2-aminoethylamino)-6,7-dimethoxyquinazoline (ADMQ) was synthesized based on a 4-aminoquinazoline core and then conjugated with N-mercapto- acetylglycine (MAG) and N-mercaptoacetyltriglycine (MAG3), respectively, to give compounds 1 and 2. The final complexes [99mTcN]-1 and [99mTcN]-2 were successfully obtained with radiochemical purities of >99% and >98% as measured by radio-HPLC. No decomposition of the two complexes at room temperature was observed over a period of 2 h. Their partition coefficients indicated they were hydrophilic and the electrophoresis results showed they were negatively charged. Biodistribution in tumor-bearing mice demonstrated that the two new complexes showed tumor accumulation, high tumor-tomuscle (T/M) ratios and fast clearance from blood and muscle. Between the two compounds, the 99mTcN-MAG3-ADMQ ([99mTcN]-2) showed the better characteristics, with the tumor/muscle and tumor/blood ratios reached 2.11 and 1.90 at 60 min post-injection, 4.20 and 1.10 at 120 min post-injection, suggesting it could be a promising radiotracer for SPECT tumor imaging.

Synthesis of 2-R1-2-(4-(2-fluoroethoxy)benzamido)acetate as potential PET imaging agents

Radiolabeled acetates have potential use in tumor imaging. Moreover, aryl fatty acid displays antitumor effect with phenylacetate currently in clinical trial. A series of 2-R1-2-(4-(2-fluoroethoxy)benzamido)acetate were synthesized in the present investigation. 2-(4-(2-[18F]fluoroethoxy)benzamido)acetate ([18F]FEBA) was evaluated in tumor-bearing mice. It was compared with 2-[18F]fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([18F]FDG), showing satisfied stability. Excitingly, the radiochemical purity of [18F]FEBA was more than 99% and the radiochemical yield was up to 25%. Although 2-R1-2-(4-(2-fluoroethoxy)benzamido)acetate deserved further evaluations, the results might provide many experimental foundations and principles for the future study of the novel fluorine-18-labeled pharmaceuticals.

18F Labeled benzimidazole derivatives as potential radiotracer for positron emission tomography (PET) tumor imaging

This article reported the synthesis and bioevaluation of two [(18)F] labeled benzimidazole derivatives, 4-(5-(2-[(18)F] fluoro-4-nitrobenzamido)-1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) butanoic acid ([(18)F] FNBMBBA, [(18)F]a1) and 3-(2-fluoroethyl)-7-methyl-2-propyl-3H-benzimidazole-5-carboxylic acid ([(18)F] FEMPBBA, [(18)F]b1) for PET tumor imaging. The preparation [(18)F] FEMPBBA was completed in 1h with overall radiochemical yield of 50-60% (without decay corrected). Biodistribution assay in S180 tumor bearing mice of both compounds were carried out, and the results are both meaningful. [(18)F] FEMPBBA which can be taken as a revision of [(18)F] FNBMBBA got an excellent result, and has significant advantages in some aspects compared with L-[(18)F] FET and [(18)F]-FDG in the same animal model, especially in tumor/brain uptake ratio. The tumor/brain uptake ratio of [(18)F] FEMPBBA gets to 4.81, 7.15, and 9.8 at 30min, 60min and 120min, and is much higher than that of L-[(18)F] FET (2.54, 2.92 and 2.95) and [(18)F]-FDG (0.61, 1.02, 1.33) at the same time point. The tumor/muscle and tumor/blood uptake ratio of [(18)F] FEMPBBA is also higher than that of L-[(18)F] FET at 30min and 60min. This result indicates compound [(18)F] FEMPBBA is a promising radiotracer for PET tumor imaging.