Radiolabeling of multimeric neurotensin(8-13) analougues with the short-lived positron emitter fluorine-18

Introduction:

Neurotensin receptors are expressed with high incidence in several human tumour entities. Thus, radiolabeled neurotensin derivatives might be used for tumour targeting. However, its application is limited by insufficient metabolic stability. Metabolic stability might be improved by the synthesis of multimeric peptides.

Experimental:

Three methods for 18F-labeling of dimeric and tetrameric neurotensin(8-13) derivatives were evaluated with respect to the labeling yield and the required peptide amounts.

Results and Discussion:

Labeling using N-succinimidyl-4-[18F]fluorobenzoate ([18F]SFB) gave low radiochemical yield for the dimeric peptides. Coupling of the tetramer with [18F]SFB was not successful. Furthermore, labeling of aminooxy-functionalized neurotensin(8-13) derivatives using 4-[18F]fluorobenzaldehyde ([18F]FBA) was investigated. High yields of up to 96% were obtained for the dimer whilst coupling of the tetramer only gave low yields of up to 10%.
In contrast to these findings, labelling of sulfhydryl-functionalized neurotensin(8-13) derivatives using the maleinimide 4-[18F]fluorobenzaldehyde O-[6-(2,5-dioxo-2,5-dihydro-pyrrol-1-yl)-hexyl]-oxime ([18F]FBAM) resulted in high radiochemical yields for both, the dimer and the tetramer, being 94% and 40%, respectively. Therefore, [18F]FBAM seems to be the most suitable 18F-labeling agent for multimeric neurotensin(8-13) derivatives. The synthesized 18F-labeled multimeric neurotensin derivatives are depicted in Fig. 1.

Conclusion:

In summary, 18F-radiolabeling of dimeric and tetrameric NT(8-13) derivates was investigated. Suitable results were obtained by labeling of the sulfhydryl-functionalized peptides using [18F]FBAM. Using [18F]SFB or [18F]FBA as the labeling agent gave only low radiochemical yields. Furthermore, labeling of the dimer gave better radiochemical yields than labeling of the tetramer – independent from the labeling method which was used. Therefore, the nature of the peptide exhibits a strong influence on the coupling reaction.