Susan Z. Lever

Synthesis of a novel bifunctional chelate designed for labeling proteins with technetium-99m

A novel bifunctional chelate, 1, was designed and synthesized for the facile and efficient incorporation of technetium-99m into biomolecules under mild conditions. The agent features a thiolactone moiety which upon direct protein coupling via amine residues, liberates the diaminedithiol ligand system for chelation with technetium-99m.

Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of a 99m 99Tc-DADT-Benzovesamicol: a potential marker for cholinergic neurons

The diaminodithiol (DADT) ligand has been conjugated to the neuromuscular blocking agent benzovesamicol (BVM) in the 5-position. DADT-BVM 1 was synthesized by coupling of 5-aminomethylbenzovesamicol with a BCA thiolactone reagent. 99mTc radiolabeling of 1 with [99mTc]glucoheptonate gave a 4.7:1 mixture of two 99mTc complexes as determined by HPLC. Biodistribution data of the major [99mTc]-1 complex in CD-1 mice (n = 4-5) showed very little uptake and no regional selectivity in the mouse brain. At all time points examined, the lung and liver showed the highest uptake. For whole brain, the % injected dose values were 0.27, 0.12, 0.04 and 0.01% at t = 1, 5, 30 and 240 min. The major [99mTc]-1 product exhibited a log P = 3.13 +/- 0.06 (SD) with an IC50 = 140-280 nM for the corresponding [99Tc]-1 vs (-)-N-[3H]methyl-5-aminobenzovesamicol. The low brain uptake of [99mTc]-1 vs 5-iodobenzovesamicol is attributed to its higher molecular weight (752) and lower binding affinity.

Brain imaging agents: synthesis and characterization of (N-piperidinylethyl) hexamethyl diaminodithiolate oxo technetium(V) complexes.

Two 99mTc complexes of (N-piperidinylethyl) hexamethyl diaminodithiol (NEP-DADT) have shown high brain uptake in rodents and lower primates. One of these 99mTc complexes has given positive images of the brain in man which are qualitatively related to regional brain blood flow (rCBF). In order to determine the structure of these 99mTc products, the corresponding 99Tc(NEP-DADT) complexes were prepared and characterized by HPLC, TLC, fast-atom-bombardment mass spectrometry (FAB MS) and other analytical techniques. These results indicate that the two 99Tc (NEP-DADT) complexes are syn and anti isomers (i.e. one isomer has the N-piperdinylethyl side chain located syn to the technetium oxo core while the other has this side chain located anti to the technetium oxo core).

Molecular Imaging of bcl-2 Expression in Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Using 111In-Labeled PNA–Peptide Conjugates

The bcl-2 gene is overexpressed in non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL), such as small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL), and many other cancers. Noninvasive imaging of bcl-2 expression has the potential to identify patients at risk for relapse or treatment failure. The purpose of this study was to synthesize and evaluate radiolabeled peptide nucleic acid (PNA)-peptide conjugates targeting bcl-2 gene expression. An 111In-labeled PNA complementary to the translational start site of bcl-2 messenger RNA was attached to Tyr3-octreotate for somatostatin receptor-mediated intracellular delivery. Methods: DOTA-anti-bcl-2-PNA-Tyr3-octreotate (1) and 3 control conjugates (DOTA-nonsense-PNA-Tyr3-octreotate (2), DOTA-anti-bcl-2-PNA-Ala[3,4,5,6]-substituted congener (3), and DOTA-Tyr3-octreotate (4) [DOTA is 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N′,N″,N‴-tetraacetic acid]) were synthesized by standard solid-phase 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) chemistry. In vitro studies were performed in Mec-1 SLL cells, which express both bcl-2 messenger RNA and somatostatin receptors. Biodistributions and microSPECT/CT studies were performed in Mec-1–bearing SCID (severe combined immunodeficiency) mice, a new animal model of human SLL. Results: 111In-Labeled conjugate 1 was taken up by Mec-1 cells through a somatostatin receptor-mediated mechanism. Biodistribution studies showed specific tumor uptake of conjugate 1, the somatostatin analog 4, and the PNA nonsense conjugate 2, but not of the mutant peptide conjugate 3. Mec-1 tumors could be detected by microSPECT/CT using 111In-labeled DOTA-Tyr3-octreotate (4) and the targeted anti-bcl-2 conjugate (1), but not using the 2 negative control conjugates 2 and 3. Conclusion: A new 111In-labeled antisense PNA–peptide conjugate demonstrated proof of principle for molecular imaging of bcl-2 expression in a new mouse model of human SLL. This imaging agent may be useful for identifying NHL patients at risk for relapse and conventional treatment failure.

Design and synthesis of a versatile precursor to neutral technetium and rhenium complexes

Abstract The design and synthesis of a novel bifunctional chelating agent (BCA) is described which allows convenient one-step preparation of organic ligands for subsequent formation of neutral complexes with group VIIB metals of biomedical interest, such as technetium and rhenium.

Comparison of 99tcm complexes (nep-dadt, Me-nep-dadt and Hmpao) with 123iamp for brain Spect imaging in dogs

Several new lipophilic 99Tcm complexes have recently been described as alternatives to N-isopropyl (123I) iodoamphetamine (123IAMP) for measurement of regional cerebral blood flow (RCBF). In this study we have compared brain uptake and blood clearance of 99Tcm-N-ethylpiperidine-diamino dithiol (99Tcm-NEP DADT), its 4-methylated derivative (99Tcm-Me-NEP-DADT) and 99Tcm-hexamethyl-propylene-amine-oxime (99Tcm-HMPAO) with that of 123IAMP in two dogs. Single photon emission tomography (SPECT) was employed to measure brain accumulation and retention of the four radiopharmaceuticals. Cerebral uptake of the 99Tcm complexes (0.8-1.1%) was lower than that of 123IAMP (1.6% of the injected dose). There was considerable extracerebral activity in the dogs head, especially in the olfactory and snout regions. Because of slow blood clearance 99Tcm-HMPAO showed high uptake in these regions. Brain uptake of 99Tcm-HMPAO reached a plateau 5 to 10 min after intravenous injection and remained constant for the entire study period (1 h). 99Tcm-NEP-DADT, on the other hand, showed significant clearance from the brain after reaching maximal uptake at 10 to 15 min after injection. However, brain imaging with these agents was possible during the first 20 min. The mechanism of brain uptake, as well as the relationship between brain uptake and RCBF need to be evaluated for each of the four radiopharmaceuticals.

Preparation of radioactive lead complexes utilizing Chelex methodology

The use of Chelex resin for the synthesis of radioactive lead complexes has been explored. The process involved immobilization of 203Pb on the resin and subsequent elution of complexed lead by chelating agents. 203Pb complexes derived from meso- and racemic dimercaptosuccinic acid (meso-DMSA, rac-DMSA) were prepared and assessed for stability in vitro.

Synthesis, Sigma Receptor Binding Studies, and In Vivo Evaluation of Radioiodinated (Z)- and (E)-iodoallyl Analogs of SA4503

SA4503, a potent σ1 receptor agonist, is under study for functional recovery after stroke, and has been tested for treatment of major depression. Recent behavioral studies indicate that SA4503 can also display antagonist properties, and attenuates psychostimulant-induced hyperactivity in animal models. Further, SA4503 labeled with carbon-11 (halflife 20.4 min), or analogs labeled with fluorine-18 (half-life 109.7 min), are useful for PET studies of the σ1 receptor. Analogs labeled with iodine-123 (13.2 h half-life) would have potential as SPECT imaging agents, while analogs labeled with iodine-125 (60.1 d half-life) could be used routinely in laboratory studies. Toward these ends, we describe the synthesis and radiolabeling, as well as in vitro and in vivo binding studies, of two SA4503 analogs where the 4-methoxy group of the dimethoxyphenethyl moiety is replaced by either a (Z)- or (E)-iodoallyloxy substituent. The iodoallyl groups were introduced by base-promoted coupling of stannylated alkylating agents to 4-O-des-methyl-SA4503, followed by iododestannylation with retention of configuration. Both (Z)- and (E)-iodoallyl-SA4503 displayed moderately high affinities for σ1 and σ2 receptors in vitro (Ki values 11-18 nM). The corresponding radioiodinated ligands were prepared in good yields (57-58%), with high purities (>97%) and high specific activities (>2000 mCi/μmol). Both radioligands readily crossed the blood-brain-barrier of mice, although their log D7.4 values of 3.6 were relatively high. Haloperidol pretreatment defined a modest degree of specific binding to σ1 receptors, but only for the [125I]-labeled (E)-isomer in mouse brain (28%) and liver (25%) at 60 min. Thus, these particular radioligands are not well suited to in vivo studies. More significantly, the work shows that σ receptors display substantial tolerance to bulky structural modifications of SA4503, a feature that might aid in the future development of possible therapeutics based on the SA4503 scaffold.