August 9, 2022 Dataset Open Access

Data Publication: Structure-Based Design, Optimization and Development of [18F]LU13, a novel radioligand for CB2R Imaging in the Brain with PET

Moldovan, Rares-Petru; Gündel, Daniel; Deuther-Conrad, Winnie; Ueberham, Lea; Kaur, Sarandeep; Otikova, Elina; Teodoro, Rodrigo; Lai, Thu Hang; Clauß, Oliver; Scheunemann, Matthias; Bormans, Guy; Kopka, Klaus; Bachmann, Michael; Brust, Peter

The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2R) is an attractive target for diagnosis and therapy of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Recently, we reported a novel naphthyrid-2-one based positron-emission tomography (PET) radioligand for imaging of the CB2R in the brain ([¹⁸F]5). In this study we aimed at the development of a novel ¹⁸F-labeled CB2R radioligand with improved binding properties and metabolic stability. Starting from the structure of 5, we developed a novel series of fluorinated derivatives by modifying the substituents at the naphthyrid-2-one subunit. Compound 28 (LU13) was identified with the highest binding affinity and selectivity versus CB1R (CB2RK_i = 0.6 nM; CB1RK_i/CB2RK_i > 1000) and was selected for radiolabeling with ¹⁸F and biological characterization. The radiofluorination was performed starting from the corresponding bromo-precursor (31) bearing a fully deuterated N-alkyl chain to protect against defluorination. The in vitro evaluation of [¹⁸F]LU13 proved the high binding affinity of the radioligand towards rat (rCB2RK_D = 0.2 nM) and human (hCB2RK_D = 1.1 nM) CB2R. Metabolism studies in mice revealed a metabolic stability at 30 min p.i. with fractions of parent compound of >80% in the brain and 90% in the spleen with only trace of defluorination products detected in plasma. PET imaging in a rat model of vector-based/related overexpression in the striatum revealed a high signal to background ratio, demonstrating the ability of [¹⁸F]LU13 to reach and selectively label the hCB2R in the brain. Thus, [¹⁸F]LU13 is a novel and highly promising PET radioligand for the imaging of up regulated CB2R expression under pathological conditions in the brain.