Improved automated one-pot two-step radiosynthesis of (S)-[18F]FETrp, a radiotracer for PET imaging of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1)

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Aurélie Maisonial-Besset - , Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques (IMoST) (Author)
  • David Kryza - , University of Lyon, Hospices civils de Lyon (Author)
  • Klaus Kopka - , Chair of Bioinorganic and Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Sophie Levesque - , Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques (IMoST), Jean Perrin Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Author)
  • Emmanuel Moreau - , Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques (IMoST) (Author)
  • Barbara Wenzel - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (Author)
  • Jean Michel Chezal - , Imagerie Moléculaire et Stratégies Théranostiques (IMoST) (Author)

Abstract

Background: (S)-[18F]FETrp is a promising PET radiotracer for imaging IDO1 activity, one of the main enzymes involved in the tryptophan metabolism that plays a key role in several diseases including cancers. To date, the radiosynthesis of this tryptophan analogue remains highly challenging due to partial racemization occurring during the nucleophilic radiofluorination step. This work aims to develop a short, epimerization-free and efficient automated procedure of (S)-[18F]FETrp from a corresponding enantiopure tosylate precursor. Results: Enantiomerically pure (S)- and (R)-FETrp references as well as tosylate precursors (S)- and (R)-3 were obtained from corresponding Na-Boc-(L and D)-tryptophan in 2 and 4 steps, respectively. Manual optimisation of the radiolabelling conditions resulted in > 90% radiochemical conversion with more than 99% enantiomeric purity. Based on these results, the (S)-[18F]FETrp radiosynthesis was fully automated on a SynChrom R&D EVOI module to produce the radiotracer in 55.2 ± 7.5% radiochemical yield, 99.9% radiochemical purity, 99.1 ± 0.5% enantiomeric excess, and molar activity of 53.2 ± 9.3 GBq/µmol (n = 3). Conclusions: To avoid racemisation and complicated purification processes, currently encountered for the radiosynthesis of (S)-[18F]FETrp, we report herein significant improvements, including a versatile synthesis of enantiomerically pure tosylate precursor and reference compound and a convenient one-pot two-step automated procedure for the radiosynthesis of (S)-[18F]FETrp. This optimised and robust production method could facilitate further investigations of this relevant PET radiotracer for imaging IDO1 activity.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number28
Number of pages22
JournalEJNMMI radiopharmacy and chemistry
Volume9
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - 2 Apr 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Automation, Circular dichroism detection, Fluorine-18, IDO1, Racemization-free radiolabelling, Radiochemistry, Radiofluorination, [F]FETrp