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Parent EE, Fowler AM. Nuclear Receptor Imaging In Vivo-Clinical and Research Advances. J Endocr Soc 2022; 7:bvac197. [PMID: 36655003 PMCID: PMC9838808 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are transcription factors that function in normal physiology and play important roles in diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and diabetes. Noninvasive imaging of nuclear receptors can be achieved using radiolabeled ligands and positron emission tomography (PET). This quantitative imaging approach can be viewed as an in vivo equivalent of the classic radioligand binding assay. A main clinical application of nuclear receptor imaging in oncology is to identify metastatic sites expressing nuclear receptors that are targets for approved drug therapies and are capable of binding ligands to improve treatment decision-making. Research applications of nuclear receptor imaging include novel synthetic ligand and drug development by quantifying target drug engagement with the receptor for optimal therapeutic drug dosing and for fundamental research into nuclear receptor function in cells and animal models. This mini-review provides an overview of PET imaging of nuclear receptors with a focus on radioligands for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and androgen receptor and their use in breast and prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ephraim E Parent
- Mayo Clinic Florida, Department of Radiology, Jacksonville, Florida 32224, USA
| | - Amy M Fowler
- Correspondence: Amy M. Fowler, MD, PhD, Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, 600 Highland Ave, Madison, WI 53792-3252, USA.
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Katzenellenbogen JA. PET Imaging Agents (FES, FFNP, and FDHT) for Estrogen, Androgen, and Progesterone Receptors to Improve Management of Breast and Prostate Cancers by Functional Imaging. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:E2020. [PMID: 32718075 PMCID: PMC7465097 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12082020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Many breast and prostate cancers are driven by the action of steroid hormones on their cognate receptors in primary tumors and in metastases, and endocrine therapies that inhibit hormone production or block the action of these receptors provide clinical benefit to many but not all of these cancer patients. Because it is difficult to predict which individuals will be helped by endocrine therapies and which will not, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) in breast cancer, and androgen receptor (AR) in prostate cancer can provide useful, often functional, information on the likelihood of endocrine therapy response in individual patients. This review covers our development of three PET imaging agents, 16α-[18F]fluoroestradiol (FES) for ER, 21-[18F]fluoro-furanyl-nor-progesterone (FFNP) for PgR, and 16β-[18F]fluoro-5α-dihydrotestosterone (FDHT) for AR, and the evolution of their clinical use. For these agents, the pathway from concept through development tracks with an emerging understanding of critical performance criteria that is needed for successful PET imaging of these low-abundance receptor targets. Progress in the ongoing evaluation of what they can add to the clinical management of breast and prostate cancers reflects our increased understanding of these diseases and of optimal strategies for predicting the success of clinical endocrine therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- John A Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Chemistry and Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Truillet C, Parker MFL, Huynh LT, Wei J, Jami KM, Wang YH, Shen YS, Sriram R, Wilson DM, Kurhanewicz J, Evans MJ. Measuring glucocorticoid receptor expression in vivo with PET. Oncotarget 2018; 9:20399-20408. [PMID: 29755660 PMCID: PMC5945515 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.24911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2017] [Accepted: 03/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is an emerging drug target for several common and deadly solid tumors like breast and prostate cancer, and clinical trials studying the antitumor effects of GR antagonists are beginning. Since GR expression can be variable in tumor cells, and virtually all normal mammalian tissues express some GR, we hypothesized that an imaging tool capable of detecting GR positive tumors and/or measuring GR occupancy by drug in tumor and normal tissues could improve the precision application of anti-GR therapies in the clinic. To this end, we developed a fluorine-18 labeled corticosteroid termed GR02 that potently binds the endogenous ligand binding pocket on full length GR. Binding of 18F-GR02 was suppressed in many normal tissues by co-treatment with mifepristone, a GR antagonist in human use, and was elevated in many normal tissues among mice lacking circulating corticosteroids due to adrenalectomy. 18F-GR02 also accumulated in GR positive subcutaneous and subrenal capsule prostate cancer models, and uptake in tumors was competed by mifepristone. Combined with a straightforward and high yielding radiosynthesis, these data establish the foundation for near-term clinical translation of 18F-GR02.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Truillet
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Matthew F L Parker
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Loc T Huynh
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Junnian Wei
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Khaled M Jami
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Yung-Hua Wang
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Yuqin S Shen
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Renuka Sriram
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - David M Wilson
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - John Kurhanewicz
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Michael J Evans
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.,Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
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Chan SR, Fowler AM, Allen JA, Zhou D, Dence CS, Sharp TL, Fettig NM, Dehdashti F, Katzenellenbogen JA. Longitudinal noninvasive imaging of progesterone receptor as a predictive biomarker of tumor responsiveness to estrogen deprivation therapy. Clin Cancer Res 2014; 21:1063-70. [PMID: 25520392 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-14-1715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate whether longitudinal functional PET imaging of mammary tumors using the radiopharmaceuticals [(18)F]FDG (to measure glucose uptake), [(18)F]FES [to measure estrogen receptor (ER) levels], or [(18)F]FFNP [to measure progesterone receptor (PgR) levels] is predictive of response to estrogen-deprivation therapy. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN [(18)F]FDG, [(18)F]FES, and [(18)F]FFNP uptake in endocrine-sensitive and -resistant mammary tumors was quantified serially by PET before ovariectomy or estrogen withdrawal in mice, and on days 3 and 4 after estrogen-deprivation therapy. Specificity of [(18)F]FFNP uptake in ERα(+) mammary tumors was determined by competition assay using unlabeled ligands for PgR or glucocorticoid receptor (GR). PgR expression was also assayed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS The levels of [(18)F]FES and [(18)F]FDG tumor uptake remained unchanged in endocrine-sensitive tumors after estrogen-deprivation therapy compared with those at pretreatment. In contrast, estrogen-deprivation therapy led to a reduction in PgR expression and [(18)F]FFNP uptake in endocrine-sensitive tumors, but not in endocrine-resistant tumors, as early as 3 days after treatment; the changes in PgR levels were confirmed by IHC. Unlabeled PgR ligand R5020 but not GR ligand dexamethasone blocked [(18)F]FFNP tumor uptake, indicating that [(18)F]FFNP bound specifically to PgR. Therefore, a reduction in FFNP tumor to muscle ratio in mammary tumors predicts sensitivity to estrogen-deprivation therapy. CONCLUSIONS Monitoring the acute changes in ERα activity by measuring [(18)F]FFNP uptake in mammary tumors predicts tumor response to estrogen-deprivation therapy. Longitudinal noninvasive PET imaging using [(18)F]FFNP is a robust and effective approach to predict tumor responsiveness to endocrine treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szeman Ruby Chan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
| | - Amy M Fowler
- Department of Radiology, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin
| | - Julie A Allen
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Dong Zhou
- Division of Radiological Sciences, Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Carmen S Dence
- Division of Radiological Sciences, Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Terry L Sharp
- Division of Radiological Sciences, Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Nicole M Fettig
- Division of Radiological Sciences, Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Farrokh Dehdashti
- Division of Radiological Sciences, Edward Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Zhou HB, Lee JH, Mayne CG, Carlson KE, Katzenellenbogen JA. Imaging progesterone receptor in breast tumors: synthesis and receptor binding affinity of fluoroalkyl-substituted analogues of tanaproget. J Med Chem 2010; 53:3349-60. [PMID: 20355713 PMCID: PMC2884396 DOI: 10.1021/jm100052k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The progesterone receptor (PR) is estrogen regulated, and PR levels in breast tumors can be used to predict the success of endocrine therapies targeting the estrogen receptor (ER). Tanaproget is a nonsteroidal progestin agonist with very high PR binding affinity and excellent in vivo potency. When appropriately radiolabeled, it might be used to image PR-positive breast tumors noninvasively by positron emission tomography (PET). We describe the synthesis and PR binding affinities of a series of fluoroalkyl-substituted 6-aryl-1,4-dihydrobenzo[d][1,3]oxazine-2-thiones, analogues of Tanaproget. Some of these compounds have subnanomolar binding affinities, higher than that of either Tanaproget itself or the high affinity PR ligand R5020. Structure-binding affinity relationships can be rationalized by molecular modeling of ligand complexes with PR, and the enantioselectivity of binding has been predicted. These compounds are being further evaluated as potential diagnostic PET imaging agents for breast cancer, and enantiomerically pure materials of defined stereochemistry are being prepared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Bing Zhou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA,
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, College of Pharmacy, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jae Hak Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA,
| | - Christopher G. Mayne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA,
| | - Kathryn E. Carlson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA,
| | - John A. Katzenellenbogen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois, 600 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801, USA,
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Radiosynthesis and radiopharmacological evaluation of [N-methyl-11C]Org 34850 as a glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-binding radiotracer. Appl Radiat Isot 2009; 67:308-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2008.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2008] [Revised: 10/23/2008] [Accepted: 10/25/2008] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Wuest F, Carlson KE, Katzenellenbogen JA. Expeditious synthesis of steroids containing a 2-methylsulfanyl-acetyl side chain as potential glucocorticoid receptor imaging agents. Steroids 2008; 73:69-76. [PMID: 17942130 DOI: 10.1016/j.steroids.2007.08.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2007] [Revised: 08/30/2007] [Accepted: 08/31/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
In our effort to develop imaging agents for brain glucocorticoid receptors, we have prepared several novel glucocorticoids possessing a 2-methylsulfanyl-acetyl side chain. The synthesis was accomplished via a Mitsunobu reaction with thiobenzoic acid starting from cortisol, prednisolone, dexamethasone and triamcinolone acetonide to give the corresponding S-thiobenzoates in 75-82% yield. Subsequent saponification and reaction with methyl iodide afforded C-21 methylthioethers in 68-82% yield. All compounds were tested in an in vitro glucocorticoid receptor-binding assay. Triamcinolone acetonide-based compound 12 showed promising binding affinity of 144% relative to dexamethasone (100%). Compound 12 was selected for radiolabeling with the short-lived positron emitter carbon-11. The radiolabeling was carried out starting from S-thiobenzoate 8 and in situ formation of the corresponding sodium thiolate, which was further reacted with [(11)C]methyl iodide. The obtained radiochemical yield was 20-30%. The specific activity was determined to be 20-40GBq/micromol at the end-of-synthesis, and the radiochemical purity exceeded 98%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Wuest
- Institut für Radiopharmazie, Forschungszentrum Dresden-Rossendorf e.V., Postfach 510119, 01314 Dresden, Germany.
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Matsuya T, Takamatsu H, Murakami Y, Noda A, Osoda K, Ichise R, Awaga Y, Nishimura S. Synthesis and evaluation of [11C]RU40555, a selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist. J Labelled Comp Radiopharm 2005. [DOI: 10.1002/jlcr.958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Blankenberg FG, Eckelman WC, Strauss HW, Welch MJ, Alavi A, Anderson C, Bacharach S, Blasberg RG, Graham MM, Weber W. Role of radionuclide imaging in trials of antiangiogenic therapy. Acad Radiol 2000; 7:851-67. [PMID: 11048882 DOI: 10.1016/s1076-6332(00)80633-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F G Blankenberg
- Department of Radiology, Lucile Packard Children's Hospital, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
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Hoyte RM, Labaree DC, Fede JM, Harris C, Hochberg RB. Iodinated and fluorinated steroid 2'-aryl-[3,2-c] pyrazoles as potential glucocorticoid receptor imaging agents. Steroids 1998; 63:595-602. [PMID: 9830686 DOI: 10.1016/s0039-128x(98)00069-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We have synthesized several halogenated steroids as potential glucocorticoid receptor mediated imaging agents. These compounds are analogs of aryl-pyrazolo steroids, similar to the potent glucocorticoid, cortivazol. Compounds containing the halogens, iodine, bromine, and fluorine, as well as the E- and Z-iodovinyl side chain at the para position of 2'-phenyl-11 beta,17,21-trihydroxy-16 alpha-methyl-20-oxo-pregn-4-eno[3,2-c] pyrazole were prepared. They were tested as ligands for the glucocorticoid receptor by competition for the binding of [3H]dexamethasone and for glucocorticoid potency by the induction of alkaline phosphatase in HeLa cells. None of the iodinated steroids were good ligands for the glucocorticoid receptor or potent glucocorticoids. The bromo analog was only slightly better than the iodinated steroids as a ligand, and it had a potency in the HeLa cell assay about half that of dexamethasone. The fluoro analog good binding to the glucocorticoid receptor and was a very potent glucocorticoid, approximately seven times that of dexamethasone. Consequently, it appears that the fluoro steroid, 2'-(4-fluorophenyl)-11 beta,17,21-trihydroxy-16 alpha-methyl-20-oxo-pregn-4-eno[3,2-c] pyrazole, when labeled with 18F, would make an excellent glucocorticoid receptor-mediated imaging agent for positron emission tomography.
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Affiliation(s)
- R M Hoyte
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York, Old Westbury, USA
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