Efficient automated synthesis of 2-(5-[18F]fluoropentyl)-2-methylmalonic acid ([18F]ML-10) on a commercial available [18F]FDG synthesis module.

[18F]ML-10 (2-(5-[18F]fluoro-pentyl)-2-methylmalonic acid) is a small molecule positron emission tomography (PET) probe for apoptosis imaging. Automated synthesis of [18F]ML-10 was developed by using two different purification methods through a direct saponification procedure on a modified commercial [18F]Fluoro-2-Deoxyglucose ([18F]FDG) synthesizer. C18 purification method 1: The final [18F]ML-10 solution containing ethanol was obtained with radiochemical yields of 60±5% (n=5) at the end of bombardment (EOB) and radiochemical purity of 98% in 35min. Al2O3 and SCX purification method 2: To avoid possible side effects of a conventional ethanol-containing formulation, an new ethanol-free solution of [18F]ML-10 was also developed, the radiochemical yields was 50±5% (n=5, EOB) within 45min and the radiochemical purity was 98%.

Molecular PET Imaging of Cyclophosphamide Induced Apoptosis with 18F-ML-8.

In this paper, a novel small-molecular apoptotic PET imaging probe, (18)F-ML-8 with a malonate motif structure, is presented and discussed. After study, the small tracer that belongs to a member of ApoSense family is proved to be capable of imaging merely apoptotic regions in the CTX treated tumor-bearing mice. The experimental result is further confirmed by in vitro cell binding assays and TUNEL staining assay. As a result, (18)F-ML-8 could be used for noninvasive visualization of apoptosis induced by antitumor chemotherapy.

Microfluidic radiosynthesis and biodistribution of [18 F] 2-(5-fluoro-pentyl)-2-methyl malonic acid.

Microfluidics technology has emerged as a powerful tool for the radiosynthesis of positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography radiolabeled compounds. In this work, we have exploited a continuous flow microfluidic system (Advion, Inc., USA) for the [(18) F]-fluorine radiolabeling of the malonic acid derivative, [(18) F] 2-(5-fluoro-pentyl)-2-methyl malonic acid ([(18) F]-FPMA), also known as [(18) F]-ML-10, a radiotracer proposed as a potential apoptosis PET imaging agent. The radiosynthesis was developed using a new tosylated precursor. Radiofluorination was initially optimized by manual synthesis and served as a basis to optimize reaction parameters for the microfluidic radiosynthesis. Under optimized conditions, radio-thin-layer chromatography analysis showed 79% [(18) F]-fluorine incorporation prior to hydrolysis and purification. Following hydrolysis, the [(18) F]-FPMA was purified by C18 Sep-Pak, and the final product was analyzed by radio-HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography). This resulted in a decay-corrected 60% radiochemical yield and ≥98% radiochemical purity. Biodistribution data demonstrated rapid blood clearance with less than 2% of intact [(18) F]-FPMA radioactivity remaining in the circulation 60 min post-injection. Most organs showed low accumulation of the radiotracer, and radioactivity was predominately cleared through kidneys (95% in 1 h). Radio-HPLC analysis of plasma and urine samples showed a stable radiotracer at least up to 60 min post-injection.

Use of LC-MS for the quality control of radiopharmaceuticals: example of [(18)F]ML10.

[(18)F]ML10 is a promising novel low molecular weight positron emission tomography probe for apoptosis. As part of the quality control to support clinical studies for cancer therapy monitoring in the GSK Clinical Imaging Centre, a simple and sensitive liquid chromatography mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for the quantification of total ML10 and impurity content in the final product. Chromatographic separation of ML10 and its radiolabelling precursor and impurities was achieved. Mass curves were constructed from a concentration range of ML10 and known impurities and were linear. Quantification was achieved by comparison of the area under the curve for ML10 content (m/z = 205) and the mass curve. The method was validated over a concentration range of 0.1-1 µg/ml.

Automated radiosynthesis of [(18)F]ML-10, a PET radiotracer dedicated to apoptosis imaging, on a TRACERLab FX-FN module.

PURPOSE: [(18)F]ML-10 is the most advanced radiopharmaceutical for the clinical imaging of the apoptosis phenomenon by PET. The preparation of this radiopharmaceutical on a commercial radiosynthesis module and the requested quality controls for its release are presented herein. PROCEDURES: ML-10 as reference and its mesyloxy derivative as precursor for labelling with fluorine-18 were prepared. [(18)F]ML-10 was synthesized via a [(18)F]fluorine-de-mesyloxy aliphatic nucleophilic substitution via a GE TRACERLab® FX-FN module. Quality controls were performed. RESULTS: The labelling precursor was obtained in a four step synthesis in 28 % overall yield affording ML-10 in two steps (88 % yield). Pure [(18)F]ML-10 was obtained with a decay corrected yield of 39.8 % ± 8.4 % (n = 7) in 70 min and a specific activity of 235 ± 85 GBq/µmol at the end of synthesis. CONCLUSIONS: [(18)F]ML-10 was prepared on a widely available automated module and passed the quality control. A LC/MS method was developed to measure specific radioactivity.