Imaging of the human CB2 receptors in the brain with PET: Development and biological evaluation of [18F]JHU94620-d8

2Laboratory for Radiopharmacy, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Introduction: In pathological conditions, the up-regulation of cannabinoid receptors type 2 (CB2) receptors has been reported in association with traumatic brain injury (TBI), neurodegeneration and cancer.[1] Up to date, only [11C]NE40 was evaluated in human subjects as PET tracer for the CB2 receptors. Recently, we reported the development of [18F]JHU94620, a highly affine and selective 18F-labeled CB2 radiotracer (Ki(hCB2) = 0.4 nM, Ki(hCB1) = 380 nM). However, this radioligand suffers from low metabolic stability in-vivo (36% intact tracer detected at 30 min p.i. in brain of CD1 mice).[2] Here, we describe the development of the deuterated analogues [18F]JHU94620-d4 and [18F]JHU94620-d8 as well as their in vitro and in-vivo evaluation in rats.
Methods: The precursors for radiofluorination were obtained by coupling 4,5-dimethylthiazol-ylidene-2,2,3,3-tetramethylcyclopropane-1-carboxamide with either d4 or d8 1,4-butanediol-bistosylate. The radiosynthesis of the deuterated [18F]JHU94620 analogues was performed in presence of Kryptand K2.2.2. and K2CO3. The metabolic stability of the new tracers was evaluated at 30 min p.i. in plasma, brain and spleen of healthy CD1 mice. The affinity and specificity toward the CB2 receptor was evaluated by in vitro autoradiography and binding experiments. Additionally, we evaluated the [18F]JHU94620-d8 uptake in vivo by PET-studies into the spleen of healthy rats and in a rat model overexpressing the hCB2 in the right striatum.[3]
Results: [18F]JHU94620-d4 and -d8 were obtained in moderate radiochemical yields of about 10% and high radiochemical purities (>99%). Preliminary results revealed a considerable improved metabolic stability of both deuterated [18F]JHU94620 analogues with 80% intact tracer in the brain at 30 min. p.i. in mice. In-vitro evaluation of [18F]JHU94620-d8 revealed a KD(rCB2) = 0.36 nM (SPRD rats spleen homogenates) and KD(hCB2) = 2.72 nM (hCB2-CHO cell membrane homogenate) as well as specific binding in mice and rat spleen autoradiography. PET studies with [18F]JHU94620-d8 revealed a rCB2 specific spleen uptake, which could be blocked by the CB2 agonist GW405833. Furthermore, a specific and reversible uptake of [18F]JHU94620-d8 revealed a constant SUV of 6.7±0.3 from 6 to 60 min p.i. in the rat model overexpressing the hCB2 in the right striatum with a high signal to background ratio shown by a SUVr (right striatum-to-cerebellum) of 43±7at 60 min p.i..
Conclusion: [18F]JHU94620-d8 is a new PET tracer with improved metabolic stability and excellent ability to image the CB2 receptors in-vivo. Its further evaluation is underway.