Contemplated substituted arylpiperazinyl compounds, and most preferably 18F-Mefway, exhibit desirable in vitro and in vivo binding characteristics to the 5-HT1A receptor. Among other advantageous parameters, contemplated compounds retain high binding affinity, display optimal lipophilicity, and are radiolabeled efficiently with 18F-fluorine in a single step. Still further, contemplated compounds exhibit high target to non-target ratios in receptor-rich regions both in vitro and in vivo, and selected compounds can be effectively and sensitively displaced by serotonin, thus providing a quantitative tool for measuring 5-HT1A receptors and serotonin concentration changes in the living brain.

Patent
   RE43688
Priority
Jan 25 2006
Filed
Jul 21 2011
Issued
Sep 25 2012
Expiry
Jan 24 2027
Assg.orig
Entity
Small
0
17
all paid
0. 13. A compound having a structure according to formula II
##STR00016##
0. 14. A compound having a structure according to formula III
##STR00017##
wherein L is a leaving group.
1. A compound having a structure according to formula I
##STR00009##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;
wherein R1 is OCH3 or O11CH3 alkoxy;
X is N, and W is CH;
Y is O, and wherein * denotes an optional 11C isotope;
Q is optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl; and
wherein Z is lower alkyl, and wherein 18F is covalently bound to Z when 11C is absent in *; and
wherein 11C is present in at least one of R1 and * when 18F is absent and Z is CH2F.
0. 18. A ligand-receptor complex comprising:
(i) a compound having a structure according to formula I
##STR00020##
wherein R1 is an optionally lower alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, or hydrogen, and wherein at least one carbon atom in R1 is optionally 11C;
X and W are independently N or CH;
Y is O, NR1, or S, and wherein * denotes an optional 11C isotope;
Q is optionally substituted cycloalkyl; and
Z is lower alkyl, and
wherein a pet detectable label is covalently bound to Z when 11C is absent in R1 and *, and wherein the pet detectable label is 11C or 18F, and wherein Z is CH2F when 11C is present in R1 or *; and
(ii) a 5-HT1A receptor.
3. A method of diagnosing or treating a panic disorder, a bipolar disorder, or a seizure disorder, comprising a step of administering a pharmaceutical composition that includes a compound having a structure according to formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a mammal,
##STR00010##
wherein R1 is an optionally substituted lower alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, or hydrogen, and wherein at least one carbon atom in R1 may be 11C;
X and W are independently N or CH;
Y is O, NR1, or S, and wherein * denotes an optional 11C isotope;
Q is optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl; and
wherein Z is lower alkyl, and wherein a pet detectable label is covalently bound to Z when 11C is absent in R1 and *, and wherein the pet detectable label is 11C or 18F.
0. 16. A method for imaging the 5-HT1A receptor comprising:
(i) administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound having a structure according to formula I to a mammal
##STR00018##
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;
wherein R1 is an optionally lower alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, or hydrogen, and wherein at least one carbon atom in R1 is optionally 11C;
X and W are independently N or CH;
Y is O, NR1, or S, and wherein * denotes an optional 11C isotope;
Q is optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl; and
Z is lower alkyl, and
wherein a pet detectable label is covalently bound to Z when 11C is absent in R1 and *, and wherein the pet detectable label is 11C or 18F, and wherein Z is CH2F when 11C is present in R1 or *; and
(ii) performing a pet scan on said mammal.
0. 17. A method of quantifying serotonin in vivo comprising:
(i) administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound having a structure according to formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a mammal
##STR00019##
wherein R1 is an optionally lower alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, or hydrogen, and wherein at least one carbon atom in R1 is optionally 11C;
X and W are independently N or CH;
Y is O, NR1, or S, and wherein * denotes an optional 11C isotope;
Q is optionally substituted cycloalkyl; and
Z is lower alkyl, and
wherein a pet detectable label is covalently bound to Z when 11C is absent in R1 and * and wherein the pet detectable label is 11C or 18F, and wherein Z is CH2F when 11C is present in R1 or *;
(ii) performing a pet scan on said mammal; and
(iii) correlating a pet signal quantity with a serotonin concentration.
11. A method of quantifying serotonin in a neural tissue comprising:
a step of administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound having a structure according to formula I, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, to a mammal,
##STR00015##
wherein R1 is an optionally substituted lower alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, or hydrogen, and wherein at least one carbon atom in R1 may be 11C;
X and W are independently N or CH;
Y is O, NR1, or S, and wherein * denotes an optional 11C isotope;
Q is optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl; and
wherein Z is lower alkyl, and wherein a pet detectable label is covalently bound to Z when 11C is absent in R1 to *, and wherein the pet detectable label is 11C or 18F, and wherein Z is CH2F when 11C is present in R1 or *;
a step of performing a pet scan on the tissue, and
a step of correlating a pet signal quantity with a serotonin concentration in the tissue.
2. The compound of claim 1 fun her comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in admixture with the compound to form a pharmaceutical composition, wherein the compound is optionally present as a salt with a pharmaceutically acceptable counter ion.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein in the compound Q is cyclohexyl or cyclohexenyl, and Z is CH218 or CH2CH2 18F.
5. The method of claim 3 wherein in the compound comprises 18F-Mefway the compound is
##STR00011##
6. The method of claim 5 wherein in the compound comprises the compound is trans-18F-Mefway
##STR00012##
7. The method of claim 3 further comprising a step of performing at least one of a pet scan and a SPECT scan on the mammal.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein the pharmaceutical composition is parenterally administered.
9. The method of claim 3 wherein the composition comprises 18F-Mefway
##STR00013##
10. The method of claim 3 wherein the composition comprises trans-18F-Mefway
##STR00014##
12. The method of claim 11 wherein in the compound Q is cyclohexyl or cyclohexenyl, and Z is CH2 18F or CH2CH2 18F.
0. 15. The compound of claim 14 wherein L is selected from the group consisting of halogen, O-mesylate, O-tosylate, O-nosylate, and O-brosylate.

This application claims the benefit of our U.S. provisional patent application with the Ser. No. 60/762,444, which was filed Jan. 25, 2006, and which is incorporated by reference herein.

This invention was made with government support from the NIH Grant No. R21AG030524-01 from the National Institute on Aging and Biological and Environmental Research Program (BER), U.S. Department of Energy, using Grant No. DE-FG03-02ER63294. The government may have certain rights in the invention.

The field of the invention is compositions and methods of synthetic receptor ligands, and especially as they relate to radiolabeled ligands for PET and/or SPECT analysis.

Serotonin 5-HT1A receptors are implicated in Alzheimers disease, dementia, anxiety, schizophrenia, and depression, and significant efforts have been undertaken to develop various compounds that bind to these receptors for potential use in diagnosis and therapy of disorders associated with serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. Among other proposed approaches, particularly desirable compounds include those suitable for selective positron emission tomography (PET) analysis.

Currently known serotonin 5-HT1A receptor ligands for animal and human diagnostic imaging studies include 11C-WAY-100635 (WAY), 18F-FCWAY and 18F-MPPF. Other known compounds include those in Prior Art FIG. 1 in which (1) is WAY-100635, (2) is CPC-222, (3) is SWAY, and (4) is JWAY. Still further known ligands (which may or may not be labeled) are described in Nuclear Biology and Medicine (2000) Vol. 27, 441-447, in WO96/01656 and WO94/19026, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,861,427, 6,831,084, 6,821,981, and 6,670,400. While such compounds target the serotonin 5-HT1A receptors to at least some degree, numerous difficulties nevertheless exist. Among other problems, all or almost all of the known compounds are metabolized at a relatively fast rate, and/or are eliminated from plasma in an undesirably short time. Thus, data analysis is often difficult. Still further, the synthesis of such compounds is frequently difficult to achieve in adequate yields. Moreover, where 18F is used as a radiolabel, compounds are often rendered chemically instable. Worse yet, affinity of 18F-labeled compounds to the target receptor are typically relatively low.

Thus, while numerous compositions and methods for serotonin 5-HT1A receptor ligands are known in the art, all or almost all of them suffer from one or more disadvantages. Therefore, there is still a need to provide improved compositions and methods for such ligands, especially for 18F-labeled ligands.

The present invention is directed to compounds, compositions, and methods related to synthetic ligands for the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, wherein the ligands are most preferably radiolabeled with a label that is detectable by PET and/or SPECT. Particularly preferred ligands include substituted arylpiperazinyl compounds in which an alkyl linker is covalently bound to a tertiary amine that carries an aromatic ring and a carbonyl-bound labeling moiety.

In one aspect of the inventive subject matter, the ligand has a general structure according to Formula I

##STR00001##

in which R1 is an optionally substituted lower alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, or hydrogen, and wherein at least one carbon atom in R1 may be 11C, X and W are independently N or CH, Y is O, NR1, or S, wherein * denotes an optional 11C isotope, Q is optionally substituted cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl, and wherein Z is lower alkyl to which a PET and/or SPECT detectable label is covalently bound. In particularly preferred aspects R1 is OCH3 (optionally O11CH3), X is N, W is CH, Y is O, and the label is 18F. Still further, it is preferred that Q is cyclohexyl and Z is CH2 18F. Therefore, particularly preferred ligands include 18F-Mefway in trans- and cis-configuration as depicted in Formula IIa and Formula IIb, respectively.

##STR00002##

In another aspect of the inventive subject matter, a method of diagnosing or treating a disease associated with an abnormality of a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor (e.g., dysfunction, excess, or underexpression) comprises a step of administering a pharmaceutical composition that has a compound according to Formula I in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Alternatively or additionally, the compound may also be administered as a prodrug or metabolite.

In a still further aspect of the inventive subject matter, methods of quantifying serotonin in a neural tissue are contemplated where a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound according to Formula I in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is administered to a mammal. In a further step, a PET or SPECT scan is performed on the tissue, and the PET or SPECT signal quantity is correlated with a serotonin concentration in the tissue.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention.

Prior Art FIG. 1 depicts structures of exemplary known serotonin 5-HT1A receptor ligands.

FIG. 2 depicts structures of a preferred serotonin 5-HT1A receptor ligands according to the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary synthetic pathway for a compound according to the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary radio-labeling pathways for a compound according to the inventive subject matter.

FIG. 5 depicts binding of 18F-mefway in the rat brain.

FIG. 6 depicts distribution of 18F-mefway in the rhesus monkey brain.

FIG. 7 depicts binding of trans-18F-mefway binding in rat brain.

The inventors have discovered that numerous serotonin 5-HT1A receptor ligands can be prepared that have desirable chemical and metabolic stability in vitro and in vivo, and that have relatively high and specific affinity for the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor. Typically, such ligands will be labeled using 18F, which is most preferably covalently bound to a primary carbon atom of the ligand. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that the compounds according to the inventive subject matter will typically, but not necessarily function as a receptor antagonist, and that such compounds will be particularly suitable for PET analysis.

Compounds presented herein are contemplated to be useful for diagnosis and/or treatment of various diseases associated with the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, as well as for research and development of new drugs and/or drug-receptor interactions. Therefore, it is generally preferred that the compounds according to the inventive subject matter have a structure that (a) binds to the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, (b) has an antagonistic effect, and/or (c) is detectable in vitro and in vivo using detection methods (most preferably based on radiation) well known in the art. Most preferably, detection of the compound in vivo and/or in vitro collocates with the location of the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor.

In one particularly preferred aspect, the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor ligand is labeled using 18F at a primary carbon atom (e.g., in a fluoromethyl group on a cyclohexyl ring). One exemplary such compound is N-(2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazinyl]ethyl)-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-18F-fluoro-methylcyclohexane)carboxamide (18F-Mefway), which is shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, in a more general aspect of the inventive subject matter, compositions and methods for targeting the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor are contemplated, wherein the compounds in such compositions will selectively bind to the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor and (in most instances) evoke an antagonistic effect. Preferably, where the compound is labeled using a PET detectable radio ligand (e.g., 11C or 18F), it is contemplated that binding to and/or location of the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor may be analyzed in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, such compounds may also be employed to determine the serotonin concentration in in vitro and in vivo (e.g., using competitive displacement analysis).

Especially preferred labeled compounds will include those known to selectively bind to the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, wherein a PET detectable radio ligand is covalently bound to the compound. Typically, where the detectable radio ligand is 18F, the radio ligand is covalently bound to the compound via a primary carbon atom. Thus, contemplated compounds include those having a structure according to Formula I

##STR00003##

wherein R1 is optionally substituted lower alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, or hydrogen, X is N or CH, Y is O, NR1, or S, Q is optionally substituted (preferably cyclic) alkyl or alkenyl with between 1 and 8 carbon atoms, and wherein Z is lower alkyl. Where the compound is labeled, it is preferred that the radio ligand is 18F and is covalently bound to at least one of the R1, Q, and/or Z group. In especially preferred aspects, the 18F label is covalently bound to a primary carbon atom. For example, suitable groups with the 18F label include R—CH2 18F, R—CHF18F, and R—CF2 18F, wherein R may be linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, various heterocyclic compounds, etc. It should further be appreciated that all isomeric forms (e.g., D-/L-isomer, cis/trans-isomer, etc., isolated or in combination) are expressly considered herein.

Particularly preferred compounds include those in which R1 is OCH3, in which the PET detectable label comprises 18F, and in which Q is cyclohexyl or cyclohexenyl, and Z is CH2 18F or CH2CH2 18F. Such preferred compounds may have different stereoisomeric forms, and exemplary compounds are depicted below as Formula IIa and IIb.

##STR00004##

Further contemplated alternative compounds will include those in which the pyridine ring system is substituted with suitable cyclic and heterocyclic structures as shown below:

##STR00005##

The term “alkyl” as used herein refers to a cyclic, branched, or straight hydrocarbon in which all of the carbon-carbon bonds are single bonds, and the term “lower alkyl” refers to a cyclic, branched, or straight chain alkyl of one to ten carbon atoms (e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, i-butyl (or 2-methylpropyl), cyclopropylmethyl, i-amyl, n-amyl, hexyl, etc.). The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein refers to a cyclic or polycyclic alkyl group containing 3 to 15 carbons. For polycyclic groups, these may be multiple condensed rings in which one of the distal rings may be aromatic (e.g., indanyl, tetrahydronaphthalene, etc.).

Similarly, the term “alkenyl” as used herein refers to an alkyl in which at least one carbon-carbon bond is a double bond. Thus, the term “lower alkenyl” includes all alkenyls with one to ten carbon atoms. The term “cycloalkenyl” as used herein refers to a cyclic or polycyclic group containing 3 to 15 carbons and at least one double bond. Likewise, the term “alkynyl” as used herein refers to an alkyl or alkenyl in which at least one carbon-carbon bond is a triple bond. Thus, the term “lower alkynyl” includes all alkynyls with one to ten carbon atoms.

As still further used herein, the term “alkoxy” refers to a —OR group, wherein R is lower alkyl, substituted lower alkyl, acyl, aryl, substituted aryl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, or optionally substituted cycloheteroalkyl.

Furthermore, the terms “aryl” and “Ar” are used interchangeably herein and refer to an aromatic carbocyclic group having at least one aromatic ring (e.g., phenyl or biphenyl) or multiple condensed rings in which at least one ring is aromatic, (e.g., 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthyl, naphthyl, anthryl, or phenanthryl). Similarly, the terms “heterocycle” or “heterocyclic ring” are used interchangeably herein and refer to a saturated, partially or entirely unsaturated, or aromatic carbocyclic group having a single ring (e.g., morpholino, pyridyl or furyl) or multiple condensed rings (e.g., naphthpyridyl, quinoxalyl, quinolinyl, or indolizinyl) which include at least one heteroatom within the ring(s). The term “heteroatom” as used herein refers to an atom other than carbon (e.g., S, O, or N), which can optionally be substituted with, e.g., hydrogen, halogen, lower alkyl, alkoxy, lower alkylthio, trifluoromethyl, amino, amido, carboxyl, hydroxyl, aryl, aryloxy, heterocycle, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, nitro, cyano, alkylthio, thiol, sulfamido and the like.

Still further, the term “substituted” as used herein means that a hydrogen atom that is covalently bound to a group or atom (or a free electron pair or electron pair of a double bond of an atom) is replaced by a covalently bound non-hydrogen substitutent, including hydroxyl, thiol, alkylthiol, halogen, alkoxy, amino, amido, nitro, carboxyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycle, cycloheteroalkyl, acyl, carboxyl, aryl, aryloxy, heteroaryl, arylalkyl, heteroarylalkyl, alkyl, alkenyl, alknyl, and cyano.

It should further be recognized that the compounds contemplated herein may also be active and/or prepared as a metabolites, as prodrugs, and/or otherwise modified compound, wherein the modified compound exhibits less pharmacological activity (as compared to the unmodified compound) and wherein the modified compound is converted within a target cell or target organ back into the unmodified form. For example, conversion of contemplated compounds into prodrugs may be useful where the active drug is too toxic for safe systemic administration, or where the contemplated compound is poorly absorbed by the digestive tract, or where the body breaks down the contemplated compound before reaching its target. Contemplated compounds may also be transformed by the hepatic phase I and/or phase II enzyme system, or by gastric acidity, intestinal microbial environment, or other biochemical process. Thus, suitable compounds may be oxidized, hydroxylated, ligated to a carbohydrate, etc.

Based on earlier experiments (for selected comparative data see experimental section) and published works by others, it was apparent that in vivo stability and imaging characteristics of heretofore known agents was less than desirable. Most significantly, defluorination of known compounds lead to loss in signal specificity. To improve stability, the inventors contemplated that if a labeling could be implemented that in which the labeled fluorine was covalently coupled to a primary carbon atom, stability may be improved. Still further, the inventors contemplated that if the primary labeling group could be designed to improve lipophilicity, compounds with better brain barrier penetration capability and receptor retention could possibly be achieved.

To that end, the inventors modified various known compounds by inclusion of 18F into a primary carbon to thus form a fluoroalkyl-modified ligand. Among various other examples, a fluoromethyl group was added to the cyclohexyl ring of the known compounds WAY-100635 to so form mefway. Calculations and further measurements (see data below) indicated that both compounds had very similar backbone structures, suggesting that 18F-mefway would bind to the 5-HT1A receptor with similar characteristics as WAY-100635 thus making it a good candidate as a PET imaging agent. Remarkably, labeling on the primary carbon has improved stability to a degree that virtually no deflourination of 18F-mefway was observed in numerous in vitro and in vivo experiments. The synthesis of mefway was a three-step procedure, and the synthesis of 18F-mefway was a four-step procedure, starting from the known intermediate, WAY-100634. An exemplary synthetic route for 18F-mefway is shown in FIG. 3. Additional data and procedures for synthesis are provided in the experimental section below.

Initial and subsequent data on various compounds indicated that binding affinity and IC50 values of mefway and WAY-100635 relative to the labeled compound 18F-mefway were similar and so provided motivation to further explore use of selected compounds for in vitro and in vivo labeling agents. A compound's lipophilicity is an important indicator of its potential in the development of a drug. Lipophilicity (quantified as a log P value) is associated with the compound's ability to interact closely with its binding site, the compound's affinity to stay bound to that site, ability to cross the blood brain barrier efficiently, and to exhibit low nonspecific binding. A measured Log P value of 2.0±0.5 has been established for high-melting polar compounds (carbamates, alcohols, amides, and ureas), and experimental Log P value of 2.62±0.06 were obtained for 18F-mefway, which is within range of optimal lipophilicity.

Especially preferred compounds (and particularly 18F-mefway) also performed well in rodent studies, and improved ratios from currently used agents were seen. Indeed, the ratios of brain region binding to cerebellum proved higher than any other reported compound when using selected compounds according to the inventive subject matter. For example, hippocampus to cerebellum ratios of 82:1, colliculus to cerebellum ratios of 46:1, and cortex to cerebellum ratios of 40:1 were measured for 18F-mefway. These specific binding ratios are substantially higher than those reported for 11C-WAY-100635, 18F-MPPF, and 18F-FCWAY. Further, WAY-100635 was able to displace binding of 18F-mefway, confirming 18F-mefway binding to the 5-HT1A receptor.

Based on such favorable binding affinity and selectivity, the inventors also contemplated use of the compounds according to the inventive subject matter for quantitative measurements of serotonin levels in the brain. Earlier experiments showed that 18F-Mefway binding to the 5-HT1A receptor is clearly and strongly inhibited by serotonin (IC50 169-244 nM) in various regions of the brain as evidenced by various in vitro studies. Consequently, contemplated compounds may be employed as a noninvasive imaging tool to measure absolute concentration and/or changes in brain serotonin levels. In this context, it should be noted that recent in vivo PET studies using 18F-MPPF and fenfluramine-induced serotonin release have failed to measure competition with 18F-MPPF.

Moreover, and with respect to 18F-mefway (and likely other compounds contemplated herein), uptake and retention of the labeled compound was found to be similar to that found for 11C-WAY-100635: The kinetics exhibit an approach to pseudoequilibrium around 80 mins in receptor-rich regions (e.g., hippocampus; ratio of hippocampus to cerebellum exceeded 9). Such selectivity of in vivo binding exceeds many of the binding properties of currently known 5-HT1A radiotracers. Moreover, several cortical regions also exhibited a high degree of binding consistent with the known distribution of 5-HT1A receptors. Regions such as the raphe exhibited a ratio of 3.5. These ratios compare, and even improve upon known ratios of 11C-WAY-100635 18F-MPPF, and 18F-FCWAY. Blood analysis indicates the presence of significant amount of the parent 18F-mefway, suggesting that cerebellum may be suitable for use in reference region analysis of the binding of 18F-mefway. Preliminary distribution volume ratios in the range of 1.8 to 7 were measured for various regions and are consistent with the findings with 11C-WAY-100635.

Based on the observed and/or expected stability of contemplated compounds, it should be recognized that these compounds may be employed for various uses. Among other uses, it is contemplated that the compounds will allow the study of levels of endogenous serotonin, and will provide a tool to determine the location, function, and/or quantity of receptors in neural (and other) tissue. Thus, it is contemplated that the compounds and compositions according to the inventive subject matter are suitable for diagnostic and/or therapeutic purposes.

Consequently, a pharmaceutical composition may include at least one of contemplated compounds (preferably in oral or parenteral formulation) at a concentration effective to treat a disease associated with serotonin 5-HT1A receptor dysfunction. In preferred aspects of such compositions, the concentration is effective to provide an antagonist effect at the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor, while the disease is typically Alzheimer's disease, cognitive impairment, schizophrenia, dementia, anxiety, and/or depression. Especially contemplated methods of diagnosing a mammal having a disease associated with a serotonin 5-HT1A receptor dysfunction includes a step in which contemplated compounds are administered to the mammal (typically in a labeled form) at a dosage effective to locate and/or quantify in vivo binding of the labeled compound to the serotonin 5-HT1A receptor. Preferably, the label is a isotope suitable for detecting the compound in vivo using PET (preferably 18F), and contemplated compounds are parenterally administered. Further especially suitable uses and compositions useful for contemplated compounds presented herein are those disclosed in WO 2005/1212796, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Particularly preferred compositions according to the inventive subject matter may be administered using various routes, including orally, parenterally, by inhalation, topically, rectally, nasally, or via an implanted reservoir, wherein the term “parenteral” as used herein includes subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraarticular, intrasynovial, intrathecal, intrahepatic, intralesional, and intracranial administration (typically injection or infusion). Preferably, the compositions are administered orally, intraperitoneally, or intravenously. Compositions according to the inventive subject matter may further be administered by nasal aerosol or inhalation. Such compositions are prepared according to techniques well-known in the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may be prepared as solutions in saline, employing benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhance bioavailability, fluorocarbons, and/or other conventional solubilizing or dispersing agents.

With respect to the amount of contemplated compounds in the composition, it should be recognized that the particular quantity will typically depend on the specific formulation, active ingredient, and desired purpose. Therefore, it should be recognized that the amount of contemplated compounds will vary significantly. However, it is generally preferred that the compounds are present in a minimum amount effective to deliver a therapeutic effect and/or to be visualized in vitro and/or in vivo.

Thus, in most preferred embodiments, contemplated compounds will be present in an amount of between about 0.1 ng/ml to about 100 mg/ml, more typically in an amount of between about 10 ng/ml to about 10 mg/ml, and most typically between about 1 μg/ml to about 100 μg/ml. Where the formulation is a solid, contemplated compounds will be present in an amount of between about 0.1 ng/g to about 100 mg/g, more typically in an amount of between about 10 ng/g to about 10 mg/g, and most typically between about 1 μg/g to about 100 μg/g. With respect to a dosage unit, it is generally contemplated that contemplated compounds are administered at a dosage effective to achieve a desired therapeutic effect or at a dosage effective to provide visualization in vitro and/or in vivo.

Therefore, suitable amounts of contemplated compounds will be in the range of 0.1 μg per dosage unit to about 0.5 gram per dosage unit, more typically between 10 μg per dosage unit to about 0.05 gram per dosage unit, and most typically between 50 μg per dosage unit to about 100 mg per dosage unit. Thus, suitable dosages will be in the range of about 0.01 μg/kg and 100 mg/kg, more typically between 1 μg/kg and 50 mg/kg, and most typically between 10 μg/kg and 10 mg/kg.

With respect to suitable labeling amounts, it is generally contemplated that all quantities are deemed suitable that can be detected using an in vitro and/or in vivo imaging technology, and particularly in vivo PET. Typically, a radiolabeling precursor compound will be labeled with a fluorine-18 source by an imaging center. For example, several microcuries to several millicuries will be produced and then used for imaging studies. Therefore, contemplated compounds and kits may also be include at least one of a precursor molecule, the labeling molecule containing 18F, and the 18F labeled ligand.

Experiments

All chemicals and solvents were of analytical or HPLC grade from Aldrich Chemical Co. and Fisher Scientific. Cis- and Trans-Cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid monomethyl ester was purchased from Rieke Metals, Inc (Lincoln, Nebr.) and cis-trans mixture was purchased from CNH Technologies (Woburn, Mass.). WAY-100635 was synthesized using reported procedures (Pike et al., 1995). Electrospray mass spectra were obtained on a Model 7250 mass spectrometer (Micromass LCT). Proton NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker OMEGA 500 MHz spectrometer.

Analytical thin layer chromatography (TLC) was carried out on silica coated plates (Baker-Flex, Phillipsburg, N.J.). Chromatographic separations were carried out on preparative TLC (silica gel GF 20×20 cm 2000 micron thick; Alltech Assoc. Inc., Deerfield, Ill.) or silica gel flash column or semi-preparative reverse-phase columns using the Gilson high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) systems.

High specific activity 18F-fluoride was produced in the MC-17 cyclotron or the CTI RDS-112 cyclotron using oxygen-18 enriched water (18O to 18F using p, n reaction). The high specific activity 18F-fluoride was used in subsequent reactions which were carried out in automated radiosynthesis units (either a chemistry processing control unit (CPCU or a nuclear interface fluorine-18 module). Fluorine-18 radioactivity was counted in a Capintec dose calibrator while low level counting was carried out in a well-counter (Cobra quantum, Packard Instruments Co., Boston, Mass.). Radioactive thin layer chromatographs were obtained by scanning in a Bioscan system 200 Imaging scanner (Bioscan, Inc., Washington, D.C.).

Rat brain slices were obtained on a Leica 1850 cryotome. Fluorine-18 autoradiographic studies were carried out by exposing tissue samples on storage phosphor screens. The apposed phosphor screens were read and analyzed by Opti-Quant acquisition and analysis program of the Cyclone Storage Phosphor System (Packard Instruments Co., Boston, Mass.). Monkey PET were carried out using a high-resolution ECAT EXACT HR+ scanner. All animal studies were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of University of California-Irvine and Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.

An exemplary synthetic mute for mefway is shown in FIG. 3. Reaction of WAY-100634, (8) with the commercially available cis- or trans-cyclohexane-1,4-dicarboxylic acid monomethyl ester was carried out using BOP to provide N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine-yl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-carboxymethylcyclohexane)carboxamide (10). The yields of this coupling step were moderate (30-40%); acid chloride procedure as described for the synthesis of WAY-100635 may provide higher yields. This ester (10) was reduced with LiAlH4 more efficiently than with NaBH4, although in both cases there was significant breakdown of the amide bond. Conversion of the alcohol to the corresponding fluoro-compound (mefway) proceeded in high yields smoothly (>80%). The alcohol (11) was converted to the tosylate (12) in approximately 50% yield.

N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-carboxymethylcyclo-hexane)-carboxamide (10): Using reported procedures, 1-(2-Methoxyphenyl)-4-(2-(2-pyridylamino)ethyl)-piperazine (WAY-100634, 8, Pike et al., 1995) (96.3 mg, 0.3 mmol) was reacted with 4-carbomethoxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid (9, 47.4 mg, 0.3 mmol) in the presence of benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluorophosphate (BOP; 132.0 mg, 0.3 mmol), triethylamine (125 μL), and CH3CN (1.5 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours. Solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. The residue was then taken up in water (3 mL) and extracted with dichloromethane. The extracts were concentrated and purified on preparative TLC(CH2Cl2:CH3OH, 9:1). 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ ppm: trans-isomer: 8.52-8.53 (dd, 1H), 7.76-7.79 (dt, 1H), 7.25-7.31 (m, 2H), 7.02-6.97 (m, 1H), 6.91-6.87 (m, 2H), 6.83-6.85 (m, 1H), 3.97-4.0 (t, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.62 (s, 3H, CO2CH3), 3.02 (br, 4H), 2.63-2.66 (m, 6H), 2.29-2.32 (m, 1H), 2.04-2.08 (m, 1H), 1.84-1.95 (m, 4H), 1.07-1.64 (m, 4H). MS, m/z, 481 (30%, [M+H]+), 503 (10%, [M+Na]+).

N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-hydroxymethylcyclo-hexane)-carboxamide (11): The ester (10) (4.8 mg; 0.01 mmol) was treated with a small amount (0.1 mL of 1M THF solution; 0.1 mmol) of LiAlH4 in an ice bath for 30 minutes. The mixture was allowed to stir subsequently at ambient temperature for 30 mins. Excess LiAlH4 was quenched with saturated ammonium chloride and solvents were removed by rotary evaporation. The residue was extracted with CH2Cl2 and purified by silica preparative TLC plate (9:1 CH2Cl2:CH3OH) to provide N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-hydroxymethylcyclohexane)carboxamide (11) was a sticky oil. 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ ppm: trans-isomer: 8.52-8.53 (dd, 1H), 7.75-7.78 (dt, 1H), 7.24-7.32 (m, 2H), 7.00-6.97 (m, 1H), 6.91-6.87 (m, 2H), 6.83-6.85 (m, 1H), 4.0 (br, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.39 (d, 2H, —CH2O—), 3.0 (br, 4H), 2.64 (m, 6H), 2.20 (m, 1H), 1.76-1.86 (m, 4H), 0.75-1.64 (m, 5H). MS, m/z, 453 (30%, [M+H]+).

N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-fluoromethylcyclo-hexane)-carboxamide: The alcohol (11) (4.5 mg; 0.01 mmol) was also treated with diethylaminosulfur trifloride (DAST) (2 μL; 0.015 mmol) in CH2Cl2 (0.5 mL) while cooled in a an ice-water bath. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to ambient temperature and stirred for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was washed with 10% NaHCO3 followed by water. The CH2Cl2 was dried over MgSO4, filtered and removed by rotary evaporation. After purification by silica preparative TLC plate (9:1 CH2Cl2:CH3OH) N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-fluoromethylcyclohexane)carboxamide was obtained. MS, m/z, 455 (35%, [M+H]+).

N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-tosyloxymethylcyclo-hexane)-carboxamide (12): The alcohol (11) (7 mg; 0.015 mmol) was reacted with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride (3.5 mg) in the presence of 2.2 μL Et3N in 0.5 mL CH2Cl2 for 24 hours at room temperature. Solvent was removed by rotary evaporation. Dichloromethane was added and washed with NaHCO3 and H2O. The organic layer was removed, dried with MgSO4, and filtered to give N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-tosyloxymethylcyclohexane)carboxamide which was purified by silica preparative TLC plate (CH2Cl2:CH3OH, 9:1) (12). 1H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl3) δ ppm: trans-isomer: 8.52 (d, 1H), 7.73-7.79 (m, 4H), 7.30-7.35 (m, 4H), 6.99 (br, 1H), 6.84-6.90 (m, 2H), 3.96 (br 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H, OCH3), 3.75 (d, 2H, —CH2OSO2—), 2.98 (br, 4H), 2.61 (m, 6H), 2.44 (s, 3H, CH3), 2.10-2.20 (m, 1H), 1.85-0.80 (m, 8H). MS, m/z, 607 (20%, [M+H]+).

FIG. 4 illustrates the reaction of the tosylate (12) in acetonitrile with 18F-fluoride from a MC-17 cyclotron using Kryptofix and K2CO3 at 96° C. for 30 min in the CPCU proceeded efficiently, to provide 18F-mefway in a single step with a radiochemical yield of (20-30%). Semi-Preparative HPLC chromatogram separation of 18F-mefway, 13 product mixture gave the product radioactive peak at approximately 10.5 mins as seen in the HPLC chromatogram of FIG. 4. Radiochemical yields were lower than typically observed with tosylate-to-fluorine-18 exchange reactions as previously reported (Mukherjee et al., 1995). Stability of the product to the basic radiolabeling conditions (such as cleavage of the amide bond) needs further investigations. The specific activity of 18F-mefway was approximately 74-111 GBq/μmol. Alternative leaving groups may include Cl, Br, I, O-mesylate, O-tosylate, O-nosylate, O-brosylate, or other leaving groups.

The radiosynthesis of 18F-mefway was carried out using an automated synthesis procedure which employs a chemistry processing computer unit (CPCU). Fluorine-18 in H2 18O from a MC-17 cyclotron was passed through a QMA-light sep-pak (Waters Corp. Milford, Mass.), preconditioned with 3 mL of K2CO3, 140 mg/mL, followed by 3 mL of anhydrous acetonitrile. The fluorine-18 trapped in the QMA-light sep-pak was then eluted (using nitrogen gas) with 1 mL Kryptofix222/K2CO3 (360 mg/75 mg in 1 mL of water and 24 mL of acetonitrile) and transferred to the CPCU reaction vessel. The “SYNTHI” program in the CPCU was used for the synthesis. This involved initial drying of the 18F-fluoride, Kryptofix, and K2CO3 mixture at 120° C. for 10 mins. Subsequently, acetonitrile (2 mL) from CPCU reagent vial #2 was added and evaporated at 120° C. for 7 mins to ensure dryness of the 18F-fluoride mixture. Following this, the precursor, N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-tosyloxymethyl-cyclohexane)carboxamide, 12 (1-2 mg in 0.5 mL of anhydrous acetonitrile continued in CPCU reagent vial #3) was added and the reaction went for 15 to 30 min at 96° C. Subsequent to the reaction, CH3OH (7 mL contained in CPCU reagent vial #4) was added to the mixture and the CH3OH contents were passed through a neutral alumina sep-pak (prewashed with methanol in order to remove any unreacted 18F-fluoride. The collected CH3OH solution coming out of the CPCU now contained N-{2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl) piperazinyl]ethyl}-N-(2-pyridyl)-N-(4-18F-fluoromethylcyclohexane)carboxamide, 13 (18F-mefway). The CH3OH was removed in vacuo and the residue was taken up for HPLC purification. Product was purified in a reverse-phase HPLC C-18 column with 60% acetonitrile: 40% water containing 0.1% triethylamine with a flow rate of 2.5 mL/min. Semi-Preparative HPLC separation of the 18F-mefway was performed and specific activity was measured. The retention time of 18F-mefway was found to be 10.5 minutes (FIG. 4, HPLC chromatogram). The 18F-mefway fraction was collected into a flask and the solvent was removed in vacuo using a rotary evaporator. The radiosynthesis was accomplished in 2 hrs with an overall radiochemical yield of 20-30% decay corrected. Specific activity was measure to be 74-111 GBq/μmol.

This collected fraction was taken to near dryness in vacuo. Approximately 5-8 mL of sterile saline (0.9%, NaCl INJ, USP, 10 mL single-dose, Abbot Laboratories, Chicago, Ill.) was added to the flask. The contents of the flask were then drawn into a 5 or 10 mL sterile syringe depending on volume. The contents of the syringe were then filtered through a 0.2 micron Millex-FG Millipore sterile filter (Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass.). This final dose was then used for in vitro and in vivo studies.

Since it may be assumed that cis- and trans-isomers may have different in vitro and in vivo properties, independent synthesis and evaluation was performed. Such synthesis and analysis was prompted by the recognition that cis-18F-FCWAY and trans-18F-FCWAY had distinct properties.

The two acids, trans-4-carbomethoxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid and cis-4-carbometh-oxycyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid were purchased from Rieke Specialty Compounds, Rieke Metals Inc. Electrospray mass spectra were obtained on a Model 7250 mass spectrometer (Micromass LCT) which provided mass peaks of [M+H]=187 and [M+Na]=209 for both isomers. Proton NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker OMEGA 500 MHz spectrometer of the two isomers to confirm purity. The trans-isomer exhibits a greater upfield shift of the β-methylene adjacent to the carboxylic acid (δ=1.71 ppm for cis- and 1.47 ppm for trans-). The acids were converted to the respective trans- and cis-4-carbomethoxycyclohexane-1-carbonyl chloride (see below) by heating with excess of thionyl chloride (approx. 5-fold molar equiv) at 50° C. for 3 hours. The excess thionyl chloride was removed under vacuo to provide the respective acid chlorides for use in the next step of formation of the amide. The Synthesis of trans- and cis-4-carbomethoxycyclohexane-1-carbonyl chloride is shown below:

##STR00006##

Synthesis of the mefway isomers was then carried out as shown further below. In our original procedure, we used benzotriazol-1-yloxytris(dimethylamino)phosphonium hexafluoro-phosphate (BOP) as a condensing agent for the piperazineamine or WAY-100634 and the acid. The yields of this coupling reaction were around 40%. In order to enhance this yield we have used the acid chlorides instead. This step in the synthesis of WAY-100635 has been carried out using cyclohexanecarbonyl chloride in high yields. The next step involves conversion of the ester to an alcohol. Sodium borohydride and diisobutylaluminum hydride did not provide optimal conditions for reduction. Thus far, lithium aluminum hydride seemed to work better at low temperature, however, there is still a significant loss of the starting material as a result of amide bond cleavage. Nonetheless, this reduction gave approx. 30-35% yield as previously reported. This alcohol is a key intermediate both for the synthesis of mefway as well as the synthesis of the precursor for radiolabeling (tosylate, mesylate, halides, or other leaving groups). The alcohol was treated with one molar equivalent of diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST) in dichloromethane while cooled in an ice-water bath. The reaction mixture was allowed to warm up to ambient temperature and stirred for 24 hours. The alcohol will also be reacted with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine in dichloromethane for 24 hours at room temperature.

##STR00007##

High specific activity 18F-fluoride was produced in the MC-17 cyclotron using oxygen-18 enriched water (18O to 18F using p, n reaction). This 18F-fluoride was used in subsequent reactions in automated chemistry processing control unit (CPCU). Fluorine-18 radioactivity was counted in a Capintec dose calibrator while low level counting was done in a well-counter (Cobra quantum, Packard Instruments Co). The mefway precursor molecule, tosylate or mesylate was reacted with 18F-fluoride in an automated synthesis unit. The methanolic solution of product, 18F-mefway was purified in a reverse-phase HPLC C18 Econosil colunm 250×10 mm (Alltech Assoc. Inc.) with 60% acetonitrile: 40% water containing 0.1% triethylamine with a flow rate of 2.5 mL/min. The retention time of trans-18F-mefway was expected to be approx. 10.5 minutes. The radiosynthesis and purification was complete in 1.5 hrs. The yield of 18F-mefway was in the range of 20-30% decay corrected.

It is generally noted that carbon-11 labeled radiotracers have a potential advantage of back-to-back same day studies. This can be of value when pharmacological or behavioral challenges are being studied. It can avoid movement of the subject from the PET scanner. Also, if drug effects are being explored, then repeat studies can be performed within two to three hours of the first study. This is typically not the case of fluorine-18 labeled radiotracers. It will generally take an overnight wait to repeat a study with fluorine-18. Carbon-11 radiotracers allow good imaging statistics only for about an hour to 90 minutes. Thus, the radiotracer ought to achieve optimal binding kinetics within this time period. In the case of mefway, optimal binding kinetics may be achieved in 90 minutes in the various brain regions. Formula IIIa and IIIb below illustrate exemplary labeling with O-11C-methoxy group labeling and Carbonyl-11C-labeling, respectively.

##STR00008##

In vitro binding affinity of WAY-100635 and mefway to 5-HT1A receptor sites was determined from a competitive binding assay using 18F-mefway as the radioligand. In vitro binding affinity of mefway was measured in rat brain slices labeled with fluorine-18. The brains from Sprague-Dawley rats were extracted and frozen in isopentane at −20° C. Several 10 μm thick horizontal rat brain slices were pre-incubated at room temperature for 15 minutes in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4). The horizontal slides were then treated with increasing concentrations of WAY-100635 and mefway in the presence of 167 kBq/mL of 18F-mefway at 37° C. for 1 hour. After incubation slides were washed twice with cold buffer for one minute, dipped in cold water, air dried, and exposed to phosphor storage screens for 24 hours. Autoradiographs were generated using the Packard Phosphor Cyclone Imager, and the apposed phosphor screens were read by the Cyclone Storage Phosphor System. To calculate binding affinity of WAY and mefway to 5-HT1A receptor sites, the non-specific binding was subtracted from all samples and changes in specific binding under different concentrations of WAY-100635 and mefway was calculated. Binding affinity (IC50) was calculated using KELL program (BioSoft Inc).

Both WAY-100635 and mefway bound to the 5-HT1A receptor site and prevented binding of 18F-mefway. As WAY-100635 and mefway reached micromolar concentrations the amount of 18F-mefway bound to the 5-HT1A receptors was below 5% in all brain regions. Binding affinity (IC50) of WAY-100635 and unlabeled mefway against 18F-mefway was measured. Mefway and WAY-100635 both showed an approximately equal decrease in binding of 18F-mefway. Mefway exhibited an IC50 of 32.1±2.4 nM which was similar to the affinity of WAY-100535, IC50 of 23.2±2.8 nM.

Lipophilicity (log P) was measured to evaluate lipid solubility of 18F-mefway. The lipophilicity was measured by partitioning between n-octanol and 50 M Tris-HCl (pH 7.4) buffer. Into three tubes 2 mL of n-octanol and 2 mL of buffer were added and vortexed. To this mixture 370 kBq of 18F-mefway was added. The mixture was again vortexed and allowed to settle. The layers were separated and the aqueous layer was centrifuged again to remove n-octanol contamination. An aliquot of both layers was counted for concentration of 18F-mefway using the Cobra Quantum well counter (Packard Instruments Co., Boston, Mass.). Log P was taken as the concentration of 18F-mefway in n-octanol over concentration of buffer.

Lipophilicity (Log P) of 18F-mefway measured between n-octanol and a 50 M Tris-HCl (pH 7.4) buffer was found to be 2.62±0.06. This compares well to the reported log P of 11C-WAY-100635 and 11C-DesmethylWAY-100635. These values also suggest that 18F-mefway would demonstrate good brain penetration.

Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were anesthetized and decapitated, the brain was rapidly removed and frozen in isopentane at −20° C. Horizontal slices were cut 10 μm thick using a Leica 1850 cryotome. Slices contained the regions of cortex, hippocampus, and other regions known to contain 5-HT1A receptors. Brain slices were stored at −20° C. Brain slices were preincubated in 50 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.4) for 10 mins. The slices were then incubated with 130-148 kBq/mL of 18F-mefway at 37° C. for 1 hr. Nonspecific binding was measured in the presence of 10 μM of WAY-100635. For serotonin studies increasing amounts of serotonin (1 nM to 10 μM) competed with 130-148 kBq/mL of 18F-mefway at 37° C. for 1 hr. After incubation, slides were washed twice (one minute for both washes) with ice-cold buffer. Slides were then quickly dipped in cold deionized water, air dried, and exposed to a phosphor screen for 24 hours. The autoradiographs were generated using the Phosphor Cyclone Imager (Packard Instruments Co., Boston Mass.). The amount of binding was evaluated in digital light units (DLU/mm2) using OptiQuant accusation and analysis program (Packard Instruments Co.) Autoradiographs were quantified using a computer-based image analysis system (OptiQuant Version 4.0 Packard Instruments Co., Boston Mass.).

FIG. 5 illustrates In vitro horizontal brain slices of rat brain showing binding of 18F-mefway (red=highest binding and white=lowest binding; Ctx: cortex; Hp: hippocampus; St: striata; Cb: cerebellum); Left: image shows rat brain slice, 10 μm thick, showing brain regions; Center: same slice after treatment with 130-148 kBq/mL of 18F-mefway; Right: rat brain slice with nonspecific binding—in the presence of 10 μM of WAY-100635. (B). Horizontal rat brain slices (with dorsal hippocampus) showing in vitro binding in a competitive study of 18F-mefway with increasing concentrations of serotonin (5HT; a: 1 nmol/L; b: 10 nmol/L; c: 100 nmol/L; d: 1 tμmol/L; e: 10 μmol/L)(Ctx: cortex; Hp: hippocampus; Col: colliculus; Cb: cerebellum). (C). Left: Competition curves of WAY-100635 and mefway against 18F-mefway measured autoradiographically in the hippocampus of rat brain slices. Inhibition constant, IC50, of WAY-100635=23.2±2.8 nM and Mefway=25.7±2.4 nM; Right: Inhibition curves of 18F-mefway binding by serotonin measured autoradiographically in different brain regions of rat brain slices (shown in B).

Serotonin competition was studied in increasing concentrations 1 nM, 10 nM, 100 nM, 1 μM, and 10 μM. It was found with increasing concentrations of serotonin there was a decrease in the amount of 18F-mefway binding to the 5-HT1Areceptor. This supports the idea that mefway is inhibited by serotonin in the brain. Differing levels of serotonin allowed for the calculation of IC50 values. An IC50 value for serotonin was calculated for all three brain regions. Colliculus gave the highest IC50 value, 243.5±2.0 nM. Hippocampus and cortex, gave values of 169.4±5.0 and 218.3±15. It was found that serotonin displaced >85% in hippocampus and >70% in cortex of 18F-mefway binding.

Binding of trans-18F-mefway was evident in several 5HT1A receptor-rich regions, including hippocampus and cortex. Using cerebellum as a reference region, rat brain slices gave ratios of hippocampus/cerebellum=55 and cortex/cerebellum=17. Studies in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease show >90% loss in 5HT1a receptor binding (data not shown). Exemplary results are shown in FIG. 7 in which trans-18F-Mefway binding to serotonin 5HT1A receptors is depicted in rodent brain.

In vivo studies were performed in a Rhesus monkey. The monkey was anesthetized using ketamine (10 mg/kg) and xylazine (0.5 mg/kg) and maintained on 1-1.5% isoflurane. Two intravenous catheters were placed, one on each arm, for administration of the radiopharmaceutical and for obtaining blood samples during the study. Vital signs of the money were monitored carefully. The monkey did not show any unusual deviations from baseline values. The head of the animal was placed in the gantry of an ECAT EXACT HR+PET scanner and positioned in place with the use of adhesive tape. A transmission scan using a Ge-68/Ga-68 rod source was acquired prior to administration of the radiopharmaceutical to correct for tissue attenuation of the coincident radiation. A dynamic sequence of scans was acquired for 180 minutes after administration of 130 MBq of 18F-Mefway intravenously (specific activity=74-111 GBq/μmol). Data in the final form were expressed in units of percent-injected dose/mL or kBq/mL. Areas showing maximal radioligand binding in the frontal cortex, temporal cortex, dorsal raphe and other braain regions were delineated in the images. The PET images were coregistered with an MRI image template of the rhesus monkey in order to provide anatomical detail as reported previously. This MRI template of the rhesus (Macaca mulatta) brain is an average of 6 monkeys with T1-weighted MR scans. PET image summed till 120 min duration was used for the coregistration. Coregistration of the PET-MR data was carried out by VINCI program (CPS Innovations, Inc.). Time activity curves were obtained for all of these regions.

A blood analysis of the monkey PET study subsequent to administration of 18F-mefway was performed to observe levels of breakdown in the blood similar to methods described for 18F-fallypride. Venous whole blood (approx. 1 mL) was obtained at various time-points (5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 min) during the course of the PET study. The samples were centrifuged in a Microfuge centrifuge (Eppendorf Centrifuge 5415C) at 12,000 rpm for 5 min. Plasma, 0.6 mL was separated from each sample and 0.1 mL was counted from each sample. was extracted. The remaining 0.5 mL of plasma at each time point was combined with 0.1 mL NaHCO3 and mixed well and subsequently extracted with 0.4 mL of ethyl acetate. The ethyl acetate was separated and 0.1 mL of ethyl acetate layer and 0.1 mL of aqueous layer were counted for analysis of 18F-mefway in blood. The aqueous layer contains hydrophilic metabolites of 18F-mefway while the ethyl acetate fraction contains 18F-mefway and other lipophilic metabolites. Each of the ethyl acetate extracts were concentrated to a small volume (20 μL) and were spotted (along with standard, 18F-mefway) on a large TLC plate. The plate was eluted with CH2Cl2:CH3OH, 9:1 in order to analyze for parent 18F-mefway and metabolites. The developed TLC plate was dried, apposed overnight to phosphor screen, and were read using the Phosphor Cyclone Imager (Packard Instruments Co., Boston Mass.). The amount of 18F-mefway was evaluated in digital light units (DLU/mm2) using Opti-Quant acquisition and analysis program (Packard Instruments Co.). All blood samples were counted for radioactivity in a Packard Gamma Counter 5000 series.

Uptake of 18F-mefway in various regions was rapid and in less than 2 mins reached levels greater than 0.03% injected dose/mL. This is comparable to levels attained by 18F-MPPF, 18F-6FPWAY and other related WAY-100635 derivatives in monkey PET studies. After 3 hrs, about 6% of the initial activity in the cerebellum was still present. A number of brain regions exhibited retention of 18F-mefway and was consistent with the presence of 5-HT1A receptors.

FIG. 6 depicts the distribution of 18F-mefway in the rhesus monkey brain. Coregistered MRI with summed PET images show localization of 18F-mefway. First and second rows are coregistered MR images and PET images, respectively, showing binding in various cortical regions, including distinct hot spot (Hs) seen in red near insular cortex. Third and fourth rows are coregistered MR images and PET images, respectively, showing hippocampus (seen in red in three slices) and raphe. Hs=hot spot; Cg=cingulate; Rp=raphe; St=striata; Oc=occipital cortex; Cb=cerebellum; Th=thalamus; Tc=temporal cortex.

It should be noted that time-activity curves for the various brain regions were taken and identified four sets of regions with different activity levels (data not shown). The highest binding regions relative to the cerebellum were the hippocampus and an area in the cortex, most probably associated with the insular cortex. Clearance from the cortical region was faster than that observed in the hippocampus. The second group comprised of temporal cortex, anterior cingulate/cingulate gyrus, frontal cortex and occipital cortex. The third group was the striatum, thalamus and raphe. Fourthly, the lowest binding region was the cerebellum. Cerebellum, containing little or no 5-HT1A receptors was taken as the reference region similar to the other 5-HT1A radiotracers. The highest ratio (between 8 to 10) was found for the hippocampus and the hot spot in the cortex. These ratios went down after plateauing around 80 mins, suggesting that a 90 to 120 min PET study should be sufficient to obtain quantitative information on receptor concentration. The second group of regions exhibited ratios between 5 and 8 was found for temporal cortex, frontal cortex, occipital cortex and anterior cingulate. All ratios decreased after peaking at approx. 80 mins. The third group of regions namely thalamus, striatum and raphe had ratios of 2-3.5. At the end of the 3 hr scan approx 60% of the initial activity in the hippocampus was still specifically bound and the hippocampus to cerebellum ratio had come down to 8.4 from a peak of 9.7.

Hydrophilic and lipophilic components were observed in the plasma during the PET study with 18F-mefway. Thee aqueous fraction is most likely comprised of the amide-hydrolysis product, 18F-4-fluoromethylcyclohexane carboxylic acid, analogous to other reported radiotracers such as 18F-FCWAY (Carson et al., 2003). Formation of this acid seems to plateau around 50-60% after 50 mins post-injection. Lipophilic components that were extracted into ethyl acetate indicated the presence of primarily the parent, 18F-mefway (FIG. 10), suggesting that radiolabeled 18F-mefway is the principal component in the brain. At 3 hours post injection, approximately 30% of 18F-mefway still remained unmetabolized in plasma. These levels are greater than those reported for some of the previous 5-HT1A radioligands.

Therefore, it should be appreciated that the radiotracer 18F-mefway provides excellent in vitro and in vivo binding characteristics to the 5-HT1A receptor. Most advantageously, the compound retains high binding affinity, displays optimal lipophilicity, and is radiolabeled efficiently with 18F-fluorine in a single step. Furthermore, the unexpected lack of any significant defluorination allowed for very high target to non-target ratios in receptor-rich regions both in vitro and in vivo. These improved ratios from currently used agents and therefore make 18F-mefway more suitable for human studies. Moreover, 18F-mefway's ability to be displaced by serotonin allows measuring serotonin concentration changes in the living brain.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of compositions and methods related to serotonin 5-HT1A receptor ligands have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the present disclosure. Moreover, in interpreting the specification and contemplated claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Furthermore, where a definition or use of a term in a reference, which is incorporated by reference herein is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

Mukherjee, Jogeshwar, Saigal, Neil, Saigal, legal representative, Harsh

Patent Priority Assignee Title
Patent Priority Assignee Title
5135931, Jun 11 1990 N V ORGANON Pyridinylpiperazine derivatives
5609849, Mar 11 1994 The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Serotonin (5-HT1A) receptor ligands and imaging agents
5744121, Mar 11 1994 The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Serotonin (5-HT1A) receptor ligands and imaging agents
5789412, Jul 20 1994 Pierre Fabre Medicament Piperazides derived from arylpiperazine, processes for their preparation, their use as medicaments and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them
6056942, Feb 26 1993 John Wyeth & Brother, Ltd. 5-HT1A ligands
6103725, May 10 1996 Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. Alkylaminobenzothiazole and -benzoxazole derivatives
6224849, May 10 1996 Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. Alkylaminobenzothiazole and-benzoxazole derivatives
6670400, Apr 07 1995 IPSEN PHARMA S A S Phenoxyethylamine derivatives having high affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor, preparation thereof, use thereof as drugs, and pharmaceutical compositions containing said derivatives
6821981, Apr 26 2001 Wyeth Azaheterocyclylmethyl derivatives of 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-f]-quinoline as 5-HT1A antagonists
6831084, Nov 12 1999 Wyeth Branched adamantyl and noradamantyl aryl- and aralkylpiperazines with serotonin 5-HT1A activity
6861427, Apr 26 2001 Wyeth Azabicyclylmethyl derivatives of 2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-f]quinoline as 5-HT1A antagonists
EP512755,
WO2005121796,
WO9311122,
WO9314076,
WO9419026,
WO9601656,
//
Executed onAssignorAssigneeConveyanceFrameReelDoc
Jul 24 2008CALIFORNIA, UNIVERSITY OFEnergy, United States Department ofCONFIRMATORY LICENSE SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS 0329130392 pdf
Jul 21 2011The Regents of the University of California(assignment on the face of the patent)
Date Maintenance Fee Events
Dec 09 2013M2551: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 4th Yr, Small Entity.
Dec 08 2017M2552: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 8th Yr, Small Entity.
Dec 08 2021M2553: Payment of Maintenance Fee, 12th Yr, Small Entity.


Date Maintenance Schedule
Sep 25 20154 years fee payment window open
Mar 25 20166 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Sep 25 2016patent expiry (for year 4)
Sep 25 20182 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4)
Sep 25 20198 years fee payment window open
Mar 25 20206 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Sep 25 2020patent expiry (for year 8)
Sep 25 20222 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8)
Sep 25 202312 years fee payment window open
Mar 25 20246 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Sep 25 2024patent expiry (for year 12)
Sep 25 20262 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12)