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PET Chemistry in Molecular Imaging

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2013) | Viewed by 60174

Special Issue Editor

Head, Nuclear Medicine, TRIUMF, 4004 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A3, Canada
Interests: radiochemistry; radiopharmaceutical development; molecular imaging; positron emission tomography, radioisotope production and applications
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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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300 KiB  
Article
A Fully Automated Radiosynthesis of [18F]Fluoroethyl-Diprenorphine on a Single Module by Use of SPE Cartridges for Preparation of High Quality 2-[18F]Fluoroethyl Tosylate
by Bent W. Schoultz, Brian J. Reed, János Marton, Frode Willoch and Gjermund Henriksen
Molecules 2013, 18(6), 7271-7278; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18067271 - 20 Jun 2013
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 7510
Abstract
We have developed a new method for automated production of 2-[18F]fluoroethyl tosylate ([18F]FETos) that enables 18F-alkylation to provide PET tracers with high chemical purity. The method is based on the removal of excess ethylene glycol bistosylate precursor by [...] Read more.
We have developed a new method for automated production of 2-[18F]fluoroethyl tosylate ([18F]FETos) that enables 18F-alkylation to provide PET tracers with high chemical purity. The method is based on the removal of excess ethylene glycol bistosylate precursor by precipitation and subsequent filtration and purification of the filtrate by means of solid phase extraction cartridges (SPE). The method is integrated to a single synthesis module and thereby provides the advantage over previous methods of not requiring HPLC purification, as demonstrated by the full radiosynthesis of the potent opioid receptor PET tracer [18F]fluoroethyldiprenorphine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PET Chemistry in Molecular Imaging)
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511 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Radiolabelling of DOTA-Linked Glutamine Analogues with 67,68Ga as Markers for Increased Glutamine Metabolism in Tumour Cells
by Paul A. Pellegrini, Nicholas R. Howell, Rachael K. Shepherd, Nigel A. Lengkeek, Elisabeth Oehlke, Andrew G. Katsifis and Ivan Greguric
Molecules 2013, 18(6), 7160-7178; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18067160 - 19 Jun 2013
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 7654
Abstract
DOTA-linked glutamine analogues with a C6- alkyl and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) chain between the chelating group and the L-glutamine moiety were synthesised and labelled with 67,68Ga using established methods. High yields were achieved for the radiolabelling of the molecules with both [...] Read more.
DOTA-linked glutamine analogues with a C6- alkyl and polyethyleneglycol (PEG) chain between the chelating group and the L-glutamine moiety were synthesised and labelled with 67,68Ga using established methods. High yields were achieved for the radiolabelling of the molecules with both radionuclides (>90%), although conversion of the commercially available 67Ga-citrate to the chloride species was a requirement for consistent high radiochemical yields. The generator produced 68Ga was in the [68Ga(OH)4] form. The 67Ga complexes and the 67Ga complexes were demonstrated to be stable in PBS buffer for a week. Uptake studies were performed with longer lived 67Ga analogues against four tumour cell lines, as well as uptake inhibition studies against L-glutamine, and two known amino acid transporter inhibitors. Marginal uptake was exhibited in the PEG variant radio-complex, and inhibition studies indicate this uptake is via a non-targeted amino acid pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PET Chemistry in Molecular Imaging)
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370 KiB  
Article
Chelator-Accelerated One-Pot ‘Click’ Labeling of Small Molecule Tracers with 2-[18F]Fluoroethyl Azide
by Eva Galante, Bent Wilhelm Schoultz, Matthias Koepp and Erik Årstad
Molecules 2013, 18(5), 5335-5347; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18055335 - 10 May 2013
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 6042
Abstract
2-[18F]Fluoroethyl azide ([18F]FEA) can readily be obtained by nucleophilic substitution of 2-azidoethyl-4-toluenesulfonate with [18F]fluoride (half-life 110 min), and has become widely used as a reagent for ‘click’ labeling of PET tracers. However, distillation of [18F]FEA [...] Read more.
2-[18F]Fluoroethyl azide ([18F]FEA) can readily be obtained by nucleophilic substitution of 2-azidoethyl-4-toluenesulfonate with [18F]fluoride (half-life 110 min), and has become widely used as a reagent for ‘click’ labeling of PET tracers. However, distillation of [18F]FEA is typically required, which is time-consuming and unpractical for routine applications. In addition, copper(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition of [18F]FEA with non-activated alkynes, and with substrates containing labile functional groups, can be challenging. Herein, we report a highly efficient and practical ligand-accelerated one-pot/two-step method for ‘click’ labeling of small molecule tracers with [18F]FEA. The method exploits the ability of the copper(I) ligand bathophenanthrolinedisulfonate to accelerate the rate of the cycloaddition reaction. As a result, alkynes can be added directly to the crude reaction mixture containing [18F]FEA, and as cyclisation occurs almost immediately at room temperature, the reaction is tolerant to labile functional groups. The method was demonstrated by reacting [18F]FEA with a series of alkyne-functionalized 6-halopurines to give the corresponding triazoles in 55–76% analytical radiochemical yield. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PET Chemistry in Molecular Imaging)
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Review

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583 KiB  
Review
Microfluidics: A Groundbreaking Technology for PET Tracer Production?
by Christian Rensch, Alexander Jackson, Simon Lindner, Ruben Salvamoser, Victor Samper, Stefan Riese, Peter Bartenstein, Carmen Wängler and Björn Wängler
Molecules 2013, 18(7), 7930-7956; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18077930 - 05 Jul 2013
Cited by 61 | Viewed by 10295
Abstract
Application of microfluidics to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracer synthesis has attracted increasing interest within the last decade. The technical advantages of microfluidics, in particular the high surface to volume ratio and resulting fast thermal heating and cooling rates of reagents can lead [...] Read more.
Application of microfluidics to Positron Emission Tomography (PET) tracer synthesis has attracted increasing interest within the last decade. The technical advantages of microfluidics, in particular the high surface to volume ratio and resulting fast thermal heating and cooling rates of reagents can lead to reduced reaction times, increased synthesis yields and reduced by-products. In addition automated reaction optimization, reduced consumption of expensive reagents and a path towards a reduced system footprint have been successfully demonstrated. The processing of radioactivity levels required for routine production, use of microfluidic-produced PET tracer doses in preclinical and clinical imaging as well as feasibility studies on autoradiolytic decomposition have all given promising results. However, the number of microfluidic synthesizers utilized for commercial routine production of PET tracers is very limited. This study reviews the state of the art in microfluidic PET tracer synthesis, highlighting critical design aspects, strengths, weaknesses and presenting several characteristics of the diverse PET market space which are thought to have a significant impact on research, development and engineering of microfluidic devices in this field. Furthermore, the topics of batch- and single-dose production, cyclotron to quality control integration as well as centralized versus de-centralized market distribution models are addressed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PET Chemistry in Molecular Imaging)
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406 KiB  
Review
89Zr, a Radiometal Nuclide with High Potential for Molecular Imaging with PET: Chemistry, Applications and Remaining Challenges
by Gabriel Fischer, Uwe Seibold, Ralf Schirrmacher, Björn Wängler and Carmen Wängler
Molecules 2013, 18(6), 6469-6490; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18066469 - 03 Jun 2013
Cited by 95 | Viewed by 12421
Abstract
Molecular imaging—and especially Positron Emission Tomography (PET)—is of increasing importance for the diagnosis of various diseases and thus is experiencing increasing dissemination. Consequently, there is a growing demand for appropriate PET tracers which allow for a specific accumulation in the target structure as [...] Read more.
Molecular imaging—and especially Positron Emission Tomography (PET)—is of increasing importance for the diagnosis of various diseases and thus is experiencing increasing dissemination. Consequently, there is a growing demand for appropriate PET tracers which allow for a specific accumulation in the target structure as well as its visualization and exhibit decay characteristics matching their in vivo pharmacokinetics. To meet this demand, the development of new targeting vectors as well as the use of uncommon radionuclides becomes increasingly important. Uncommon nuclides in this regard enable the utilization of various selectively accumulating bioactive molecules such as peptides, antibodies, their fragments, other proteins and artificial structures for PET imaging in personalized medicine. Among these radionuclides, 89Zr (t1/2 = 3.27 days and mean Eβ+ = 0.389 MeV) has attracted increasing attention within the last years due to its favorably long half-life, which enables imaging at late time-points, being especially favorable in case of slowly-accumulating targeting vectors. This review outlines the recent developments in the field of 89Zr-labeled bioactive molecules, their potential and application in PET imaging and beyond, as well as remaining challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PET Chemistry in Molecular Imaging)
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654 KiB  
Review
Radiolabeled COX-2 Inhibitors for Non-Invasive Visualization of COX-2 Expression and Activity — A Critical Update
by Markus Laube, Torsten Kniess and Jens Pietzsch
Molecules 2013, 18(6), 6311-6355; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18066311 - 29 May 2013
Cited by 64 | Viewed by 7700
Abstract
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key player in inflammation. Its overexpression is directly associated with various inflammatory diseases and, additionally, with several processes of carcinogenesis. The development of new selective COX-2 inhibitors (COXIBs) for use in cancer treatment is in the focus of the [...] Read more.
Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a key player in inflammation. Its overexpression is directly associated with various inflammatory diseases and, additionally, with several processes of carcinogenesis. The development of new selective COX-2 inhibitors (COXIBs) for use in cancer treatment is in the focus of the medicinal chemistry research field. For this purpose, a set of methods is available to determine COX-2 expression and activity in vitro and ex vivo but it is still a problem to functionally characterize COX-2 in vivo. This review focusses on imaging agents targeting COX-2 which have been developed for positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) since 2005. The literature reveals that different radiochemical methods are available to synthesize COXIBs radiolabeled with fluorine-18, carbon-11, and isotopes of radioiodine. Unfortunately, most of the compounds tested did not show sufficient stability in vivo due to de[18F]fluorination or de[11C]methylation or they failed to bind specifically in the target region. So, suitable stability in vivo, matching lipophilicity for the target compartment and both high affinity and selectivity for COX-2 were identified as prominent criteria for radiotracer development. Up to now, it is not clear what approach and which model is the most suited to evaluate COX-2 targeting imaging agents in vivo. However, for proof of principle it has been shown that some radiolabeled compounds can bind specifically in COX-2 overexpressing tissue which gives hope for future work in this field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PET Chemistry in Molecular Imaging)
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521 KiB  
Review
Folate-Based Radiotracers for PET Imaging—Update and Perspectives
by Cristina Müller
Molecules 2013, 18(5), 5005-5031; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules18055005 - 29 Apr 2013
Cited by 53 | Viewed by 7913
Abstract
The folate receptor (FR) is expressed in many tumor types, among those ovarian and lung cancer. Due to the high FR affinity of folic acid, it has been used for targeting of FR-positive tumors, allowing specific delivery of attached probes to the malignant [...] Read more.
The folate receptor (FR) is expressed in many tumor types, among those ovarian and lung cancer. Due to the high FR affinity of folic acid, it has been used for targeting of FR-positive tumors, allowing specific delivery of attached probes to the malignant tissue. Therefore, nuclear imaging of FR-positive cancer is of clinical interest for selecting patients who could benefit from innovative therapy concepts based on FR-targeting. Positron emission computed tomography (PET) has become an established technique in clinical routine because it provides an increased spatial resolution and higher sensitivity compared to single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). Therefore, it is of critical importance to develop folate radiotracers suitable for PET imaging. This review article updates on the design, preparation and pre-clinical investigation of folate derivatives for radiolabeling with radioisotopes for PET. Among those the most relevant radionuclides so far are fluorine-18 (t1/2: 110 min, Eavβ+: 250 keV) and gallium-68 (t1/2: 68 min, Eav β+: 830 keV). Recent results obtained with new PET isotopes such as terbium-152 (t1/2: 17.5 h, Eβ+: 470 keV) or scandium-44 (t1/2: 3.97 h, Eav β+: 632 keV) are also presented and discussed. Current endeavors for clinical implementation of PET agents open new perspectives for identification of FR-positive malignancies in patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue PET Chemistry in Molecular Imaging)
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