I. Development of Novel Silicon Precursors for Rapid and Efficient Radiofluorination Reactions
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I. DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL SILICON PRECURSORS FOR RAPID AND EFFICIENT RADIOFLUORINATION REACTIONS: SYNTHESIS AND BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF A 18F-LABELLED ESTROGEN DENDRIMER CONJUGATE II. OTHER STUDIES ON 18F-LABELLED ESTROGENS BY VINCENT M. CARROLL DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry in the Graduate College of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2012 Urbana, Illinois Doctoral Committee: Professor John A. Katzenellenbogen, Chair Professor Paul J. Hergenrother Professor Benita S. Katzenellenbogen Professor Scott K. Silverman ABSTRACT Molecular imaging (MI) has revolutionized the visualization of complex biochemical processes in normal physiology and diseased states. Although still in its infancy, the data generated from MI studies aids in identifying sites of pathological involvement and provides key insight into the mechanisms that lead to the onset and progression of disease. Consequently, these techniques hold tremendous potential in the areas of diagnostics, therapy assessment, and drug development in the coming years. Amongst MI techniques, Positron Emission Tomography (PET) separates itself from the rest of the field with its exceptional sensitivity, near limitless depth of penetration and its ability to quantify metabolic processes in living patients. With the ability to visualize and quantify on an individualized basis, PET imaging has received considerable attention recently because of its potential for contributing to personalized medicine. Through better diagnosis, rational selection of targeted therapies, and individualization of therapy regimens for each patient, personalized medicine holds the promise of greatly improving patient outcomes as well as safeguarding against the use of unnecessary, harmful medical procedures. Given the current status of the PET field and the impact it has on many fields, significant effort is being made to expand the existing repertoire of imaging agents capable of further detailing pathophysiological processes beyond the most commonly used PET tracer, [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose, including the use of large, sensitive biomolecules such as peptides and antibodies, which may be of considerable clinical importance. However, the available methodology associated with PET isotope incorporation, specifically fluorine-18, involves rather harsh conditions that are incompatible with sensitive substrates, which restricts the availability of these agents and their subsequent clinical evaluation. Thus, there remains a tremendous need for rapid, mild and efficient methodology that can be used to label these previously inaccessible substrates in a direct, late-stage fashion. Chapter 1 presents a brief introduction into molecular imaging and the techniques available for use in the preclinical and clinical setting as well as in drug development. Additionally, the basics of PET principles and radiochemistry are introduced, with a significant focus on the synthetic difficulties involved in working with the most commonly used PET isotope, fluorine-18, and why there is a need for improved methodology for its incorporation into new radiopharmaceutical agents, especially sensitive ones. ii Chapter 2 details the development of methodology that targets the shortcomings of C- 18F strategies through Si-18F bond formation approaches. We have developed a simple and straightforward strategy in radiofluorinating complex substrates at a late stage, at room temperature, or in an aqueous environment in high radiochemical yields and specific activities through a reactive silyl acetate moiety. The utility and versatility of the approach is showcased in three main areas of research: small adaptor molecules, small molecules, and peptides. We have applied this Si-18F labeling strategy (Chapter 3) to prepare a fluorine-18 labeled version of 17α-ethynylestradiol conjugated PAMAM dendrimer that can be used for in vivo distribution studies of this novel hormone-polymer conjugate. Through biodistribution studies, we have found that the EDC, a dendrimer-bound estrogen that provides selective cardiovascular protection without classical stimulation of uterus and mammary tissues, also shows selective, ER-mediated uptake and retention by the vascular target tissues, heart and aorta, but not the classical target, the uterus. These findings suggest that the selective cardiovascular protective effect of EDC is the result of two factors, one mechanistic (selective stimulation of the extra-nuclear pathway of ER action) and one pharmacokinetic (selective accumulation of EDC in vascular targets). This points to a new dimension for extending the selective, potentially beneficial actions of estrogens. Chapter 4 details the synthetic approaches towards the radiosynthesis a promising ER imaging agent, 2-[18F]fluoroestradiol, and illustrates the most well-known difficulty encountered in fluorine-18 chemistry, specifically the radiofluorination of electron-rich aromatic rings. Efforts have focused on the use of diaryliodonium salts which has afforded synthetically useful radiochemical yields of the desired compound and is currently being scaled up, in terms of radioactivity, for evaluation in animal studies. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, I am forever indebted to Dr. K for giving me the chance to work in his laboratory. It seems like only yesterday I was still trying to convince him to accept me as one of his last graduate students. When I first joined the lab, I was, and still am today, in awe of his brilliant scientific mind and how quickly he can grasp any chemistry or biology-related topic. He has been an amazing role model, showing me the proper way of approaching problems, analyzing data, and most of all, asking the right questions, and as our relationship grew, I thought of Dr. K not only as my boss, but as a good friend. I am truly appreciative of everything he has done for me as a chemist and as a person and I will always cherish our time together. I have also been fortunate to work with Dr. Michael Welch of Washington University, who has recently passed on. It was always interesting working in St. Louis, especially since I was going from the calm, soft-spoken personality of Dr. K to a rather unique personality of Dr. Welch. It is an understatement that Dr. Welch liked to speak his mind and I could never stop laughing being in his presence because of it. I will always remember the one day I was complaining about the possibility of getting a high hand dose the one month and in his typical quick wit, responded in saying that he has been injected with over 20 radiopharmaceuticals and look how he turned out. But there was so much more to his humor, he was a great scientist, a great person and the world has lost a great man. He may be gone from us but his memories will live on forever. Great things happen because of great people and I am truly grateful for the group of colleagues that I have had a chance to work with. First and foremost, I will never forget the times with my good friend, Dr. Sung Hoon Kim. He is a remarkably driven and smart chemist and his strong work ethic has always been something for me to model off of. He has been there through the good times and the bad times, but his support for me and our projects never strayed and anything that was needed, I always knew I could rely on him. I thank him for everything that he has done for me. Norio Yasui has been a great lab mate for many years now and has always been there to help out whenever I needed him. I am grateful for Dr. Dong Zhou at Wash U for teaching the ins and outs of being a radiochemist and the proper way of not contaminating myself with radioactivity. And although it’s only been a short time, I appreciate Dr. Julie Pollock for being a good friend and trivia buddy. A great deal of thanks goes to other previous members that had an influence on my graduate career including Dr. Terry Moore, Dr. John Comninos, Dr. Davis Oldham, Dr. Chris Mayne, and Dr. Alex Parent. A special thanks also goes to Kathy iv Carlson and Kathleen Myerscough for everything they have done for me and always having an open ear to talk to. I appreciate the efforts of my thesis committee, Dr. Paul Hergenrother, Dr. Benita Katzenellenbogen, Dr. Scott Silverman, and formerly, Dr. Anne Baranger. I am thankful for all their advice and suggestions during the process. Finally, I would not be here today if it wasn’t for the constant and unyielding support of my family and friends. My parents have always been there for me and gave me everything I needed to succeed in the world and words can’t describe how thankful I am to have them in my life. Mark and Jill Knafl have been the best friends I could ever ask for and I will miss them dearly when I move away. I owe my biggest debt of gratitude to my wife, Mary, who has supported me through all these years. She is the most sincere and compassionate person I have ever met and although I may not have always expressed it during my time here, I wouldn’t have wanted anyone but her by my side. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS…………………………………………………………………………….vii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION..…………...………………………………………………………..…1 CHAPTER 2: DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL SILICON PRECURSORS FOR RAPID AND EFFICIENT RADIOFLUORINATION REACTIONS……………………..…………………….……22 CHAPTER 3: A NEW DIMENSION IN SELECTIVE ESTROGEN ACTION: A VASCULAR- PROTECTING ESTROGEN DENDRIMER CONJUGATE SHOWS SELECTIVE RECEPTOR- MEDIATED UPTAKE IN THE HEART AND VASCULATURE………………..……………………77 CHAPTER 4: SYNTHETIC APPROACHES