Synthesis and evaluation of 82Br and 77Br labeled (17α, 20E)-21-bromo-19-norpregna-1,3,5(10),20-tetraene-3,17β -diol

Radiobromine and radioiodine for medical applications

The halogens bromine and iodine have similar chemical properties and undergo similar reactions due to their closeness in Group 17 of the periodic chart. There are a number of bromine and iodine radionuclides that have properties useful for diagnosis and therapy of human diseases. The emission properties of radiobromine and radioiodine nuclides with half-lives longer than 1 h are summarized along with properties that make radionuclides useful in PET/SPECT imaging and β/Auger therapy, such that the reader can assess which of the radionuclides might be useful for medical applications. An overview of chemical approaches that have been used to radiolabel molecules with radiobromine and radioiodine nuclides is provided with examples. Further, references to a large variety of different organ/cancer-targeting agents utilizing the radiolabeling approaches described are provided.

Synthesis, receptor binding and biodistribution of the gem-21-chloro-21-iodovinylestradiol derivatives

Radioiodinated 11 beta-methoxy-(17 alpha,20E)iodovinylestradiol (11 beta-OMe-IVE2) shows high estrogen receptor (ER)-mediated uterus uptake and good potential as an ER-imaging agent. In order to examine the tolerance of the ER for modification about the iodovinyl substituent, we prepared the (17 alpha,20Z-chloro)21-chloro-21-iodovinylestradiol (4a) and several derivatives featuring 11 beta-methoxy (4b), 11 beta-ethoxy (4c) or 7 alpha-methyl (4d) substituents. All gem-dihalogen derivatives 4a-d were prepared from the 17 alpha-chloroethynyl precursors. The intermediate chlorostannylvinyl derivatives were obtained using tri-n-butyltin hydride and palladium acetate catalyst. Compounds 4a and 4b were labeled with 125I via their corresponding tin intermediates and their tissue distribution was studied in immature female rats. Addition of a 21-Cl to the 17 alpha-ethynylestradiols reduced ER binding affinity, except for the 11 beta-substituted analogs which showed a pronounced increase. Surprisingly, addition of a 21-Cl to the (17 alpha,20E)IVE2 resulted in increased ER binding affinities and augmented ER-mediated uterus uptake, which may result from the pronounced increase in the dipole moment of the molecule. Thus, further modifications at the C-21 position of IVE2 are well tolerated by the ER. However, addition of the 21-Cl also resulted in increased radioiodine uptake by the thyroid, much slower blood clearance and lower uterus to blood/nontarget ratios, suggesting increased in vivo instability of the C--I bond of the gem-chlorine-iodine atoms which may reflect the increase in steric and electronic interference.

Radiolabeled steroidal estrogens in cancer research

It has now been more than 30 years since the laboratory verification of the localization of estrogen in certain animal tissues. Much has been learned since that time regarding the details of this process, including the presence of specific receptors for these hormones in target tissues, the mechanism of ligand binding, the association of the ligand-receptor complex with unique chromatin sequences, and the activation of transcription. A concrete use of this knowledge has been the exploitation of these receptors as a targeting mechanisms for radiopharmaceuticals. This is an exciting area that encompasses both diagnosis and therapy. This review will summarize the in vitro and in vivo data obtained from evaluation of the many compounds that have been examined as radiolabeled receptor ligands, and will also discuss the chemistry necessary for their preparation. In particular, relative binding affinity values for relevant compounds will be tabulated, grouped according to molecular class. For those materials for which biodistributions have been performed, uterine (target), liver (nontarget, clearance), and, when available, tumor tissue uptake values are presented. These data should provide a reminder of what has been accomplished, and should serve as a working reference for those engaged in the pursuit of new candidates for these applications.

Synthesis, receptor binding and tissue distribution of 17 alpha-E[125I]iodovinyl-11 beta-ethyl-estradiol

In this study we prepared and evaluated a derivative of estradiol with an ethyl group at the 11 beta-position and an E-iodovinyl group at the 17 alpha-position. This new ligand binds to the estrogen receptor with an affinity slightly less than estradiol (RBA = 43%) at 0 degree C but much greater (RBA = 890%) at 25 degrees C. The 125I-labeled derivative was obtained by radioiododestannylation of the tri-n-butylstannyl precursor in good radiochemical yield with a specific activity exceeding 1500 Ci/mmol. The tissue distribution in immature female rats was evaluated over a 48 h period to determine uterine uptake and selectivity. Peak uterine uptake at 2 h was 6% ID/g and was significantly greater than that of [3H]estradiol, 2.4% ID/g. Substantial uptake in the uterus was still present at 48 h (2.4% ID/g). Co-administration of estradiol reduced the uptake at 2 and 24 h by 85%. Uterus-to-plasma ratios increased with time, from about 25:1 at 2 h to nearly 90:1 at 48 h. The affinity, ease of radiosynthesis and tissue distribution of the 17 alpha-E-[125I]iodovinyl-11 beta-ethyl-estradiol suggest that further evaluation of this agent as an imaging agent for estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer is warranted.

Preparation and evaluation of 17-ethynyl-substituted 16 alpha-[18F]fluoroestradiols: selective receptor-based PET imaging agents

We have prepared and studied six new analogs of 16 alpha-fluoroestradiol (FES): 17 alpha- and 17 beta-ethynyl-FES (7 [FEES] and 7a), and the 11 beta-ethyl (8 and 8a) and 11 beta-methoxy (9 and 9a) derivatives, novel estrogen receptor-based PET imaging agents. The relative binding affinity (RBA) for the estrogen receptor (ER) versus FES is increased for 7, 9 and 9a but decreased for 7a, 8 and 8a. All six analogs have been labeled in the 16 alpha position with 18F by the nucleophilic displacement of the corresponding 16 beta-trifluoromethanesulfonate with nBu4N18F. Subsequent ethynylation with lithium trimethylsilylacetylide yielded the FEES analogs (total synthesis time: 120 min; effective specific activity: 200-2400 Ci/mmol). Selective uptake in the uterus was high for [18F]7, [18F]8, [18F]9 and [18F]9a (% ID/g values at 1 h: 11.2, 12.9, 9.9 and 8.3, respectively), while uptake was effectively blocked by coinjection of an excess of unlabeled estradiol. The FEES analogs, [18F]7, [18F]8 and [18F]9, exhibited the highest selectivity, in terms of target (uterus)-to-blood ratios, ever seen amongst estrogen radiopharmaceuticals, 154, 145 and 169, respectively. The analogs [18F]7a and [18F]8a displayed no uptake in the uterus, consistent with their low RBAs. Metabolism studies revealed that most of the uterine activity is unmetabolized while the blood exhibits a rapid and subsequently sustained mixture of metabolites. The muscle shows a metabolic profile intermediate to the uterus and blood. These analogs provide an array of desirable characteristics for the optimal PET imaging of ER-rich target tissues.