Fully automated radiosynthesis of N1-[18F]fluoroethyl-tryptophan and study of its biological activity as a new potential substrate for indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase PET imaging

Introduction:
Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) catalyzes the initial step in the catabolism of L-tryptophan along the kynurenine pathway and exerts immunosuppressive properties in inflammatory and tumor tissues by blocking locally T-lymphocyte proliferation. Recently, 1-(2-[19F]fluoroethyl)-DL-tryptophan (1-[19F]FE-DL-Trp) was reported as a good and specific substrate of this enzyme. Herein, the radiosynthesis of its radioactive isotopomer (1-[18F]FE-DL-Trp, DL-[18F]5) is presented along with in vitro enzymatic and cellular uptake studies.
Methods:
The one-pot n.c.a. radiosynthesis of this novel potential PET imaging tracer, including HPLC purification and formulation, has been fully automated on a FASTlabTM synthesizer. Chiral separation of both isomers and their formulation were implemented on a second cassette. In vitro enzymatic and cellular uptake studies were then conducted with the D-, L- and DL-radiotracers.
Results:
The radiolabeling of the tosylate precursor was performed in DMF (in 5 min; RCY: 57% (d.c.), n=3). After hydrolysis, HPLC purification and formulation, DL-[18F]5 was obtained with a global radiochemical yield of 18±3% (not decay corrected, n=7, in 80 min) and a specific activity of 600±180 GBq/µmol (n=5). The subsequent separation of L- and D-enantiomers was performed by chiral HPLC and both were obtained after formulation with a RCY (d.c.) of 6.1% and 5.8%, respectively. In vitro enzymatic assays reveal that L-[18F]5 is a better substrate than D-[18F]5 for human IDO. In vitro cellular assays show an IDO-specific uptake of the racemate varying from 30% to 50% of that of L-[18F]5, and a negligible uptake of D-[18F]5.
Conclusion:
In vitro studies show that L-[18F]5 is a good and specific substrate of hIDO, while presenting a very low efflux. These results confirm that L-[18F]5 could be a very useful PET radiotracer for IDO expressing cells in cancer imaging.