Synthesis and Metabolic Stability of ¹¹C-Labelled SU11248 Derivative as Inhibitor of Tyrosine Kinases

Aim:

SU11248 is a novel inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and plated‐derived growth factor (PDGF) [1]. Due to the fact that RTKs are overexpressed in some tumour entities, they might be a suitable target for cancer imaging by positron emission tomography (PET). A tyrosine kinase inhibitor labelled with a positron emitting isotope could represent a useful tool for monitoring levels of RTKs in tumour tissue by giving valuable information for anti‐angiogenic therapy. For this purpose we synthesized a methoxy substituted derivative of SU11248 and performed the radiosynthesis with the PET radionuclide carbon‐11 to the corresponding ¹¹C‐labelled radiotracer. First investigations on the in vivo metabolic stability of the new ¹¹C‐labelled SU11248 derivative are reported.

Materials and methods:

The radiolabelling was performed via ¹¹C‐methylation reaction of the corresponding desmethyl precursor with [¹¹C]MeI in a TRACERLab FX_C gas phase synthesizer (GE). After purification by semi‐preparative HPLC and solid phase extraction the radiotracer was dispensed with E153 electrolyte solution and injected intravenously into male Wistar rats. For metabolite analysis blood samples were taken from the arteria femoralis at 1.5; 3; 5; 10, 20, 30 and 60 minutes past injection. After centrifuging blood samples 5 min 13.000 rpm at 4°C plasma was analyzed by radio HPLC.

Results:

The synthesis of the non‐radioactive methoxy‐substituted SU11248 as well as the desmethyl precursor was accomplished by reacting 5‐methoxy‐ and 5‐hydroxyl‐oxindole with 5‐formyl‐2,4‐dimethyl‐1H‐pyrrole‐3‐carboxylic‐acid‐(2‐diethylaminoethyl)‐amide. Radiolabelling was achieved by reaction of the 5‐hydroxy‐substituted SU11248 derivative with [¹¹C]CH₃I in DMF/aqueous NaOH at 80°C. After semi‐preparative HPLC purification the ¹¹C‐labelled radiotracer was obtained in 14‐17% decay corrected radiochemical yield at a specific activity of 162‐198 GBq/μmol at the end of synthesis in 94‐99% radiochemical purity. Metabolism analysis in rat plasma showed 96% of intact compound 3 min and 73% 60 min p.i., together with three more polar metabolites.

Conclusion:

The new ¹¹C‐labelled derivative of SU11248 can be synthesized in good radiochemical yield, sufficient purity and high specific activity. The found metabolic stability in rat plasma showing 73% of intact radiotracer 60 min p.i. suggests that the ¹¹C‐methoxy labelling group is preserved under in vivo conditions. These findings are encouraging for further investigation with this radiotracer on RTK expressing cells and tumour tissue to answer the question if this radiotracer would be a useful tool for monitoring angiogenic processes by PET. [1] Sun L., Liang C. et al., J. Med. Chem., 46, (2003), 1116