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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2013 Jun 26.
Published in final edited form as: Nucl Med Biol. 2009 Apr;36(3):323–334. doi: 10.1016/j.nucmedbio.2008.12.013

Reinvestigation of the Synthesis and Evaluation of [N-methyl-11C]Vorozole, a Radiotracer Targeting Cytochrome P450 Aromatase

Sung Won Kim 1,*, Anat Biegon 1, Zachary E Katsamanis 1, Carolin W Ehrlich 2, Jacob M Hooker 1, Colleen Shea 1, Lisa Muench 3, Youwen Xu 1, Payton King 1, Pauline Carter 1, David L Alexoff 1, Joanna S Fowler 1,4,5
PMCID: PMC3693459  NIHMSID: NIHMS108139  PMID: 19324278

Abstract

Introduction

We reinvestigated the synthesis of [N-methyl-11C]vorozole, a radiotracer for aromatase, and discovered the presence of an N-methyl isomer which was not removed in the original purification method. Herein we report the preparation and PET studies of pure [N-methyl-11C]vorozole.

Methods

Norvorozole was alkylated with [11C]methyl iodide as previously described and also with unlabeled methyl iodide. A HPLC method was developed to separate the regioisomers. NMR spectroscopy (13C and 2D-NOESY NMR) was used to identify and assign structures to the N-methylated products. Pure [N-methyl-11C]vorozole and the contaminating isomer were compared by PET imaging in the baboon.

Results

Methylation of norvorozole resulted in a mixture of isomers (1:1:1 ratio) based on new HPLC analysis using a pentafluorophenylpropyl (PFPP) bonded silica column, in which vorozole co-eluted one of its isomers under the original HPLC conditions. Baseline separation of the three labeled isomers was achieved. The N-3 isomer was the contaminant of vorozole, thus correcting the original assignment of isomers. PET studies of pure [N-methyl-11C]vorozole with and without the contaminating N-3 isomer revealed that only [N-methyl-11C]vorozole binds to aromatase. [N-methyl-11C]Vorozole accumulated in all brain regions with highest accumulation in the aromatase-rich amygdala and preoptic area. Accumulation was blocked with vorozole and letrozole consistent with reports of some level of aromatase in many brain regions.

Conclusions

The discovery of a contaminating labeled isomer and the development of a method for isolating pure [N-methyl-11C]vorozole combine to provide a new scientific tool for PET studies of the biology of aromatase and for drug research and development.

Keywords: [N- methyl-11C]vorozole, positron emission tomography (PET), breast cancer, steroid abuse, estrogen

1. Introduction

Cytochrome P450 aromatase, is the last enzyme in estrogen biosynthesis, catalyzing the conversion of androgens to estrogen [1]. It plays a major role in the sexual differentiation of the brain during development [2] and has been implicated in the brain response to injury [3] and in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease [4, 5]. The enzyme is highly expressed in liver, steroidogenic organs [6] and specific regions of the brain including the amygdala, in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and the preoptic area (POA, anterior hypothalamus) [7]. Moderate or lower levels have been observed in many other brain regions including posterior and lateral hypothalamic nuclei, hippocampus and temporal cortex of rodents, non-human primates and man [8].

Aromatase activity can be inhibited reversibly or irreversibly by steroidal as well as non-steroidal compounds [9]. Aromatase inhibitors are used clinically in the hormonal therapy of breast cancer in women [10]. These drugs are also used by body builders and athletes who abuse anabolic steroids [11-13], as a means of curtailing the estrogenic side effects of excess androgens.

(S)-Vorozole (6-[(S)-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl]-1-methyl-1H-benzotriazole, 1) is a specific and potent non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor [14, 15] originally developed as an antineoplastic agent [16]. It has been labeled with carbon-11 (half-life = 20.4 min) via the N-alkylation of (S)-norvorozole (5-[(S)-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4,-triazol-1-yl)methyl]-1H-benzotriazole, 4) with [11C]methyl iodide for PET imaging [17, 18] and in vitro studies as a translational research tool for studies of aromatase in brain and peripheral organs for nearly a decade (Scheme 1) [19-22]. The previous study also reported that the N-3 alkylation product (11C-3) is formed but that it is well separated from [N-methyl-11C]vorozole under the reported HPLC conditions. The two isomers ([N-methyl-11C]vorozole (N-1) and the N-3 isomer) were reported to be produced in a 2:1 ratio. Surprisingly, ([N-methyl-11C]vorozole) synthesized by the reported procedure showed low target-to-background ratios (i.e. amygdala to cerebellum ratio of 1.25) and no reliable, blockable uptake in the preoptic area, despite remarkable metabolic stability in plasma and reasonable brain penetration [18].

SCHEME 1.

SCHEME 1

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The radiosynthesis of [N-methyl-11C]vorozole and its isomers

We recently reproduced the original synthesis and purification conditions for C-11 labeled vorozole in our laboratory and also encountered low regional specificity and high non-specific binding in baboon brain imaging studies. After a detailed investigation of the alkylation of norvorozole (4) with both [12C] and [11C]methyl iodide (Scheme 1), we discovered that the original synthesis produced three regioisomers not two isomers and the labeled side product previously reported as the N-3 isomer (11C-3) was N-2 isomer (11C-2). Moreover, under the reported HPLC conditions, the N-3 isomer co-eluted with [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (N-1 isomer, 11C-1) and thus affected PET imaging and analysis.

To overcome this, we developed a modified procedure that provides reliable separation of all three methylated products, thus affording pure [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1) for re-evaluation as an aromatase imaging radiotracer. Herein, we describe the investigation of the alkylation of norvorozole with [12C]methyl iodide and the development of rapid HPLC conditions which achieves baseline separation of the three isomers. In addition, we clarify the previous structural assignments using 13C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy and 2D-NOESY (nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy). We conclude with the first report of the brain distribution, pharmacokinetics and pharmacological blockade of the pure [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1, N-1 isomer) with PET in the female baboon.

2. Materials and methods

2.1 Chemistry

Vorozole and norvorozole, and their enantiomers were generously given by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development (Beerse, Belgium). All other chemicals and solvents were purchased from Aldrich Chemical Company (Milwaukee, WI, USA) and were used without further purification. NMR spectra were recorded using a Bruker Avance 400 MHz NMR spectrometer (Bruker Instruments Inc. Billerica, MA, USA). GC-MS analyses were performed with Agilent 6890/5973N GC/MSD system (Agilent Technologies, Avondale, PA, USA) equipped with a DB-5 column (30 m length × 0. mm ID, 5 μm film thickness; injector temperature; split; injection temperature, 280 °C; oven temperature, 280 °C, isothermal; carrier gas, He; flowrate 1 mL/min). The temperature of source and quadrupole of mass spectrometer were 280 °C, 180 °C, respectively.

[11C]Methyl iodide was produced by PETtrace MeI Microlab (GE Medical Systems, Milwaukee, WI, USA) from [11C]carbon dioxide, which was generated from a nitrogen/oxygen (1000 ppm) target (14N(p,α)11C) using EBCO TR 19 cyclotron (Advanced Cyclotron Systems INC. Richmond, Canada). High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification was performed by a Knauer HPLC system (Sonntek Inc., Woodcliff Lake, NJ, USA) with a model K-5000 pump, a Rheodyne 7125 injector, a model 87 variable wavelength monitor, and NaI radioactivity detector.

During the radiosynthesis, C-11 was measured by three PIN diode detectors (3 × 3 mm Si diode, Carroll Ramsey Associates, Berkeley, CA) equipped with a triple-channel amplifier (model 101-HDC-3; Carroll Ramsey Associates, Berkeley, CA) and NI USB-6008 (National Instruments, Austin, TX). Radioactivity of [N-methyl-11C]vorozole was measured by a Capintec CRC-712MV radioisotope calibrator (Capintec Inc., Ramsey, NJ, USA). 11C Radioactivity of preparative HPLC sample was measured by a Packard MINAXI γ 5000 automated gamma counter (Packard Instrument, Meriden, CT). All radioactivity measurements were decay-corrected. Specific activity was measured by radioactivity/mass (Ci/μmol). For quality control, radiochemical purities were measured by analytical HPLC using aqueous formic acid solution (0.1% (v/v), pH= 2.8):methanol (1:2) at a flow rate 1 mL/min on a Luna PFP(2) (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μ; Phenomenex, Torrance, CA). For baboon studies, a formulation of [N-methyl-11C]vorozole in 4 mL of saline was used.

Analysis of reaction products from the reaction of norvorozole with unlabeled methyl iodide

To a solution of (S)-norvorozole (6-[(S)-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl]-1H-Benzotriazole (4), 1.3 mg, 4 μmol) in anhydrous acetonitrile (1 mL) was added potassium carbonate (60 mg, 434 μmol) and methyl iodide (180 mg, 0.8 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 7 min. After evaporation of acetonitrile and excess of methyl iodide under reduced pressure, the crude product was extracted with ethyl acetate and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, then evaporated to dryness using the rotary evaporator under reduce pressure. This crude mixture was separated by HPLC using aqueous formic acid solution (pH=3.0):methanol (45:55) at a flow rate 1 mL/min on a Luna PFP(2) (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μ; Phenomenex, Torrance, CA). The three major fractions of UV active peaks (3, TR = 21 min; 1, TR= 24 min; 2, TR= 35 min) were collected separately (ratio, 1:1:1), and evaporated under reduced pressure. The residual water was extracted with ethyl acetate, dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to give three analytical samples.

6-[(S)-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl]-1-methyl-1H-benzotriazole((S)-vorozole, 1), 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.08 (s, 1 H), 8.07 (s, 1 H), 8.06 (d, J = 9.2, 1 H), 7.39 (d, J = 8.8 H), 7.19-7.21 (m, 2 H), 7.14 (d, J = 8.8, 2 H), 6.93 (s, 1 H), 4.26 (s, 3 H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) 152.83, 145.99, 143.82, 137.64, 136.01, 135.42, 133.86, 129.89. 129.64, 124.26, 121.04, 108.91, 67.1 8.34.61.

5-[(S)-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl]-1-methyl-1H-benzotriazole (3) 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.07 (s, 1 H), 8.01 (s, 1 H), 7.79 (s, 1 H), 7.68 (d, J = 8.8, 1 H), 7.36-7.40 (m, 3 H), 7.11 (d, J = 8.4, 1 H), 6.91 (s, 1 H), 4.33 (s, 3 H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 152.51, 146.24, 143.67, 136.29, 135.23, 133.87, 133.68, 129.60, 129.57, 127.76, 120.17, 110.33, 67.18, 34.66.

5-[(S)-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-ylmethyl]-2-methyl-2H-benzotriazole (2) 1H-NMR (CDCl3) δ 8.06 (s, 1 H), 8.00 (s, 1 H), 7.87 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.53 (s, 1 H), 7.38 (d, J = 8.5, 2 H), 7.21 (d, J = 8.9, 1 H), 7.12 (d, J = 8,5, 2 H), 6.87 (s, 1 H), 4.52 (s, 3 H). 13C-NMR (CDCl3) δ 152.80, 144.64, 144.51, 143.78, 136.26, 136.12, 135.17, 129.73, 129.53, 126.62, 119.19, 117.96, 67.40, 43.64.

Reaction of nor-vorozole with [11C]methyl iodide

To (S)-norvorozole (4, 1 mg, 3.22 μmol) in DMSO (300 μL) was added 5 M KOH (1 μL, 1.6 eq). After vortexing for 30 sec, the reaction mixture was transferred into a 1.5 mL V-shape reaction vessel. [11C]methyl iodide was transferred in a helium stream from the GEMS methyl iodide system into this solution at room temperature and peak trapping was observed by a pin-diode detector. After the vessel was heated to 90 °C for 3 min, the reaction mixture was cooled and diluted with HPLC eluent (1 mL). Preparative HPLC was performed using a method simulating the original publication method for the synthesis of [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (Method A) and another which we developed to separate [N-methyl-11C]vorozole from 11C-2 and 11C-3 (Method B).

Method A (partial separation)

We slightly modified the original HPLC method [17] based on column availability. Briefly, the reaction residue diluted with HPLC solvent (1 mL) was subjected to HPLC chromatography on a Spherisorb ODS2 (Phenomenex, 250 ×10 mm, 5 μ) column using aqueous ammonium formate solution (50 mM, pH= 3.5):acetonitrile (65:35), and a flow rate of 5 mL/min. The major C-11 labeled fraction (fraction X) was collected at the expected retention time (TR= 15 min) for vorozole and the other minor radioactive fraction was collected at 22 min. The 15 and 22 minute fractions were present in a ratio of 2 to 1, respectively. The solvent was removed from the 15 minute fraction and it was rechromatographed on a pentafluorophenylpropyl (PFPP) based column (Luna PFP(2), Phenomenex, 250 × 0.46 mm, 5 μ) column with aqueous formic acid (0.1%(v/v, pH= 2.8):methanol (1:2) and flow rate of 1 mL/min to reveal two peaks of equal radioactivity at 10 and 11 min.

Method B (complete separation)

The crude product in DMSO was diluted with of HPLC solvent (1 mL) and chromatographed using a solvent mixture of aqueous formic acid solution (0.1% (v/v), pH= 2.8):methanol (45:55) at a flow rate 5 mL/min on a Luna PFP(2) (Phenomenex, 250 mm × 10 mm, 5 μ). [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1) eluted at 24.5 min and was collected. The HPLC solvent was removed by azeotropic evaporation with acetonitrile using a rotary evaporator under the reduced pressure. The residue was taken up by saline (4 mL), filtered through a 0.2 μm HT tuffryn® membrane filter (Acrodisc® 25 mm Syringe Filter, Pall Life Sciences, Ann Arbor, MI) into a sterile vial ready for the baboon study. The radiochemical purity for 11C-1 was >99% as determined by TLC (solvent, acetonitrile:water:NH4OH (conc.) = 90:9:1) on Macherey-Nagel plastic back silica plates (Rf: 0.6). In separate syntheses, fractions containing 11C-2 and 11C-3 (which eluted at 21.2 and 39.5 min respectively) were collected.

2.2 Measurement of log D

Log D7.4 for 11C-1, 11C-2 and 11C-3 was measured using a published method [23, 24]. Briefly, into a mixture of 1-octanol (2.5 mL) and phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4; 2.5 mL) was added an aliquot (50 μL) of 11C solution. The mixture was vortexed for 2 min and then centrifuged at 7000 rpm for 2 min. An aliquot (0.1 mL) of the clear octanol layer and 1.0 mL of the buffer layer were sampled separately into two empty vials and counted. Two mL of the octanol layer was transferred into a test tube containing 0.5 mL of fresh octanol and 2.5 mL of buffer. After vortexing and centrifuging in the same way as the first measurement, counts of the second batch were measured. In general, these processes were repeated up to 6 times. Log D7.4 at pH= 7.4. is as the log10 of the average of the ratios of the decay corrected counts in the octanol: phosphate buffer (pH= 7.4).

2.3 Measurement of free fraction in plasma

An aliquot of 11C-1, 11C-2 or 11C-3 was incubated at room temperature for 10 min with baboon plasma (500 μL) as described previously [25]. Briefly, aliquots (20-40 μL) of the incubated spike plasma were counted (unspun aliquots). A portion of the incubation mixture (200-400 μL) was centrifuged using a Centrifree tube (Amicon Inc, Beverly, MA, USA, molecular weight cut-off, 30,000) for 10 minutes. The top portion of the Centrifree tube (the bound portion) was removed and precisely measured aliquots (20-40 μL) of the liquid in the cup (unbound fraction) were counted. The free fraction is the ratio of radioactivity of the unbound aliquots to the radioactivity of the unspun aliquots. All counts were decay-corrected.

2.4 PET Studies in Baboons

All animal studies were reviewed and approved by the Brookhaven Institutional Animal Use and Care committee. Four different baboons were studied in 7 PET sessions where two or three radiotracers injections were administered two hours apart to compare different isomers or to assess reproducibility of repeated measures or the effects of a blocking dose of vorozole or letrozole (0.1 mg/kg, 5 min prior). Baboons were anesthetized with ketamine (10 mg/kg) and then intubated and ventilated with a mixture of isoflurane (Forane, 1-4%) and nitrous oxide (1500 mL/min) and oxygen (800 mL/min). Animals were transported to and from the PET facility in a temperature controlled transfer cage and a member of the staff attended them while they recovered from anesthesia. Catheters were inserted in a popliteal artery and radial arm vein for arterial sampling a radiotracer injection respectively. Dynamic PET imaging was carried out on a Siemen's HR+ high resolution, whole body PET scanner (4.5×4.5×4.8 mm at center of field of view) in 3D acquisition mode, 63 planes. A transmission scan was obtained with a 68Ge rotating rod source before the emission scan to correct for attenuation before each radiotracer injection. The injected dose of 11C-1, 11C-2 or 11C-3 ranged from 55.5 to 185 MBq, the specific activity ranged from 16 to 19 Ci/μmol at the end of the bombardment and the injected mass ranged from 0.08 -0.3 nmol. Dynamic scanning was carried out for 90 minutes with the following time frames (1×10 sec; 12×5 sec; 1×20 sec; 1×30 sec; 8×60 sec; 4×300 sec; 8×450 sec). Arterial sampling was performed to obtain the time activity curve in plasma and to analyze selected samples for the fraction of C-11 present as unchanged parent compounds with the sample times described previously [25]. During the PET scan, baboons were monitored for heart rate, respiration rate, PO2 and temperature. Animals were allowed 4 weeks between studies to recover from anesthesia and blood sampling.

Plasma analysis for fraction of 11C-1, 11C-2 and 11C-3

Plasma samples at 1, 5, 10, 30 and 60 min were analyzed by HPLC to determine the percent of residual parent tracer. Plasma samples from selected time points were added to 300 uL acetonitrile containing an appropriate amount of standard, then subjected to cell disruption using a Polytron (Brinkmann Instruments), centrifuged for 4 minutes and decanted into 300 uL water. HPLC conditions were 60:40 0.1 M ammonium formate:acetontrile, Waters μBondapak column (3.9 × 300 mm), flow 1.3 mL/min, UV detection at 254 nm. Supernatants were injected onto the column, reserving a measured amount to determine recovery of injected activity from the column. Retention times were 7.5 minutes for vorozole itself and the N-3 isomer, and 9.5 minutes for the N-2 isomer. Five fractions were collected from each injection, 3 before the parent peak, the parent peak, and finally the tail of the parent peak. The percent unchanged tracer was determined by dividing the sum of the last 2 peaks by the sum of all HPLC fractions. Sample recoveries were determined to verify that there were no labeled metabolites retained on the column.

Image Analysis

Time frames were summed over the 90 minute experimental period. Regions of interest (ROIs) were placed over the amygdala, the preoptic area, frontal cortex, cerebellum and thalamus on the summed image and then projected onto the dynamic images to obtain time activity curves. Regions occurring bilaterally were averaged. Carbon-11 concentration in each region of interest was divided by the injected dose to obtain the % dose/cc. The summed PET images from one baboon was co-registered with a 3D MR image of the same animal using PMOD (PMOD Technologies, Ltd.).

3. Results and Discussion

3.1 Reaction of norvorozole (4) with [12C]methyl iodide

[N-methyl-11C]Vorozole synthesized by the published method [17] using slightly modified HPLC purification conditions, did not give the high signal to noise baboon brain images and autoradiography results with rat brain sections which were described previously (data not shown). Given the alkaline reaction medium, we first considered that the non-specific binding could be a result of racemization, thus forming the inactive (R)-vorozole [26], which would co-elute with the active form. However, chiral HPLC analysis (column, Chiralpak OJ-P, 4.6 × 15 mm; eluent, water:acetonitrile= 75:35; flowrate, 0.5 ml/min) indicated that no racemization of either (S)-norvorozole or (S)-vorozole occurred under the reaction conditions (data not shown).

Serendipitously, during this investigation, we uncovered the presence of an unexpected reaction byproduct (therefore, observing three N-methylated compounds in total) that was formed in approximately equal yield to (S)-vorozole. This product was not separable under the HPLC conditions originally reported and thus Lidström et al. noted only two major fractions ‘in a ratio of 5 to 2’ [17]. The authors identified the two fractions as ([N-methyl-11C]vorozole (N-1 alkylation) and an regioisomer, 11C-3 (N-3 alkylation). Their assignment was based on 13C NMR experiments, in which [13C]methyl iodide was added as a carrier in the carbon-11 methylation reaction in order to have sufficient mass for a 13C NMR. After HPLC isolation of the fraction with the expected retention time of vorozole, the authors determined the chemical shift of the 13C-enriched product matched that of vorozole (34.4 ppm). The minor isomer, which was well separated under their HPLC conditions, was also isolated and analyzed by 13C NMR and assigned as the N-3 methylation product with a reported chemical shift of 43.4 ppm [17]. When we reproduced the original radiosynthesis as closely as possible (Spherisorb ODS columns (Phenomenex) were used instead of Spherisorb ODS1 (Beckman) because of commercial availability) [17], we also found two apparent C-11 labeled fractions in a similar ratio (2:1).

Since there was precedent for alkylation at the N-2 position of benzotriazole rings [27], we investigated the possibility that the N-2 isomer may form and that it may co-elute with the labeled vorozole accounting for the low specificity and reproducibility we had observed in our PET studies. In fact, GC-MS analysis confirmed that three products were formed by the reaction of norvorozole with excess methyl iodide. Consistent with our hypothesis, each of the three isomers had the same molecular weight (M+ = 324) yet fragmented distinctly. Later, we observed three singlet peaks between 4.2-4.6 ppm in the 1H-NMR spectrum. The 13C-NMR spectrum of the crude reaction mixture also confirmed three methyl peaks, 34.61, 34.66, and 43.64 ppm. However, in spite of rigorous HPLC analysis with six different reversed-phase and two different normal-phase columns using several gradient elution systems, only two major fractions were observed. This prompted us to isolate and characterize the two major UV-active fractions from HPLC separation in order to confirm that the vorozole fraction was contaminated by one of the other isomers. GC-MS and 13C-NMR analysis of the fraction assigned as vorozole confirmed the presence of two isomers of the same molecular weight with 13C-methyl shifts of 34.61 and 34.66 ppm (125 MHz, CDCl3) one of which (34.61 ppm) corresponded to the chemical shift of an authentic sample of vorozole. These two shifts are so similar that they were probably not resolved at the lower field strength used in the original analysis. Thus this rigor of analysis, which has been typical in the field of carbon-11 labeling radiosynthesis was, in this instance, unable to distinguish the two isomers and thus led to PET evaluation of a mixture.

To achieve this exceptionally difficult separation of the three isomers for full characterization, we screened a number of methods for purification. Separation of the two co-eluting isomers in the ODS column was finally achieved (TR = 52 and 58 min) using aqueous formic acid (pH=3.5)/methanol (50:50) at a flowrate (1 mL/min) on a silica based phenoxypropyl bonded column (Synergi PolarRP, 5μ, 250 × 4.6 mm, Phenomenex). After isolation, each compound was characterized by 13C-NMR and 2D-NOESY NMR. The byproduct that could be isolated in pure form using the original ODS HPLC conditions (13C of N-methyl, 43.64 ppm), which was previously assigned as the N-3 methylated isomer (3), was re-assigned as the N-2 isomer (2). This reassignment was primarily based on the 13C chemical shift of the two quaternary carbons (both C-8 and C-9, above 140 ppm) of the benzoquinoid ring, which were shifted clearly downfield relative to the corresponding one of benzotriazole carbons which is typically below 140 ppm [28]. The other two isomers, which co-eluted under the original HPLC conditions but which were separated by the PFPP column, were identified as vorozole (N-1 isomer) and the N-3 isomer (3). Their structural assignments were largely based on the NOE (nuclear Overhauser effect) correlation of the H-7 or H-4 to the methyl group (Figure 1).

Fig 1.

Fig 1

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The 2D-NOESY spectrum of N-3 isomer (3) acquired in CDCl3 at 400 MHz.

3.2 Alkylation of norvorozole with [11C]methyl iodide: reproduction of the previous synthesis [17, 18] and separation of [N-methyl-11C]vorozole from 11C-3 and 11C-2

Initially, we set out (1) to reproduce the previous radiosynthesis and HPLC conditions (observation of two radioactive fractions) and (2) to separate the ‘vorozole’ fraction if it was actually a mixture of vorozole and the N-3 isomer as our 12C synthesis results suggested. Since the HPLC column (Spherisorb ODS1, Beckman, 250 mm × 10 mm) used previously was not commercially available, we replaced it with a similar HPLC column (Spherisorb ODS (2), Phenomenex, 5μ, 250 mm × 10 mm). Similar to the previous report, we obtained only two radioactive fractions in a ratio of 2:1. The major radioactive 15 minute fraction X (Figure 2A), which has the same retention time as vorozole, was isolated and subjected to further analysis (Figure 2B) using an analytical HPLC system. We chose the same solvent system and a similar HPLC column (Spherisorb ODS (1), Phenomenex, 5μ, 250 × 4.60 mm) to that reported previously [17, 18]. The radioactive fraction, X showed only one peak in this system (Figure 2B). Other conventional ODS columns gave the same results using various solvent systems (data not shown). However, a pentafluorophenylpropyl (PFPP) bonded-phase HPLC column resolved the 15 min fraction X into two peaks, which have the same retention time as ‘cold’ N-3 isomer (3) and vorozole (1), respectively (Figure 2B). Later, all three regioisomers of the crude reaction mixture were well-separated using a semi-preparative scale PFPP column (Figure 3). The radiochemical yields of the three regioisomers were approximately 30% each. The radiochemical purity was >97% and the specific activity ranged 10-19 Ci/μmol (0.3-0.7 GBq/μmol). The total radiosynthesis time was 65 min after the end of the cyclotron bombardment (EOB).

Fig 2.

Fig 2

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A. Preparative HPLC profile of the crude reaction mixture from the alkylation of norvorozole with [11C]methyl iodide. HPLC conditions: Spherisorb ODS (2), Phenomenex, 5μ, 250 mm × 10 mm; eluent, ammonium formate buffer (50 mM, pH= 3.5)/acetonitrile (65/35), 5 mL/min. Fraction X was isolated and subjected to analytical HPLC. B. Comparison of HPLC analysis of the isolated vorozole fraction, X in the reported system (i) and new HPLC system (ii). i. Spherisorb ODS (1), Phenomenex, 5μ, 250 × 4.60 mm; eluent, ammonium formate buffer (50 mM, pH= 3.5)/acetonitrile (40/60), 1 mL/min. ii. Luna PFP(2), Phenomenex, 5 μ, 250 mm × 4.6 mm; eluent, aqueous formic acid adjusted to pH=3.0/methanol (1/2), 1 mL/min.

Fig 3.

Fig 3

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Preparative HPLC profile of the crude reaction mixture from the alkylation of norvorozole with [11C]methyl iodide. Baseline separation of [N-methyl-11C]vorozole from 11C-2 and 11C-3 was achieved. HPLC conditions: Luna PFP(2) (Phenomenex, 250 mm × 10 mm, 5 μ); aqueous formic acid adjusted to pH = 3)/methanol (45/55); 5 mL/min.

3.3 Comparison of C-11 labeled fraction A (11C-1 + 11C-3), [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1), 11C-3 and 11C-2 in the baboon brain

We determined that all three regioisomers have a lipophilicity (log D7.4) considered suitable for blood-brain barrier penetration. Notably, the log D's of 11C-1 and 11C-3 were almost identical (Table 1), which is consistent with their co-elution on HPLC using the ODS column. The free fraction of 11C-1 and 11C-3 in baboon plasma was also similar.

Table 1.

Comparison of log D and free fraction in plasma for 11C-1, [N-methyl-11C]vorozole, 11C-2 and 11C-3.

Isomer Log D at pH 7.4 (n=4) Percent unbound in plasma (n=2)
11C-1 2.5 7.2
11C-2 2.9 4.6
11C-3 2.5 8.1
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Figure 4 compares PET images of the 15 minute fraction (mixture of 11C-1 and 11C-3), 11C-1, 11C-3 and 11C-2 at the levels of the amygdala (top row) and preoptic area (bottom row). These images showed (1) low signal to background of the aromatase-rich amygdala and no specific uptake in the POA for the mixture; (2) high retention in amygdala and preoptic area for [N-methyl-11C]vorozole and (3) no specific uptake in amygdala and preoptic area for 11C-3 and 11C-2. Low signal to background for the mixture is consistent with contamination with the N-3 isomer (11C-3). The high signal to noise in the amygdala and preoptic areas for pure 11C-1 was consistent with the high affinity of vorozole for aromatase. We note that affinity values for the two non-vorozole isomers (2 and 3) for aromatase are not available though we would predict low affinities relative to vorozole (IC50 = 2.7 nM)[29] based on our imaging results.

Fig 4.

Fig 4

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PET images in the (transaxial (top row) and coronal (bottom row) planes in baboon brain summed from 15-90 min after injection for (A) the 15 minute fraction (X), (11C-1 + 11C-3, 176.49 MBq (4.77 mCi)), (B) [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1, 163.91 MBq (4.43 mCi)); (C) N-3 isomer (11C-3, 123.21 MBq (3.33 mCi)) and (D) N-2 isomer (11C-2, 44.77 MBq (1.21 mCi)). All PET images are dose-corrected. Arrows indicate the amygdala (Amg) and preoptic area (POA).

Time-activity curves for pure [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1) in the baboon brain revealed very high initial uptake in five brain regions (amygdala, cerebellum, frontal cortex, white matter and preoptic area). Carbon-11 peaked at ∼5 min and cleared to a low point at 20-30 min and relatively stable accumulation through the end of the study in all brain regions (Figure 5A). Regions with the highest accumulation of radiotracer were the amygdala and the preoptic area, both of which are rich in aromatase. Pretreatment with “cold” vorozole or letrozole (data not shown for letrozole) reduced [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1) accumulation in all brain regions examined, indicating its specificity to brain aromatase. This is shown in Figure 5B which compares the baseline and the blocked time-activity curves for the amygdala and the preoptic areas only. Note that after vorozole treatment there is a rapid but lower initial uptake followed by a steady clearance and no accumulation for both brain regions. A similar pattern after pretreatment was seen for other brain regions (data not shown). This can be also clearly seen from the images with the coregistered and blocking views (Figure 6). Kinetic modeling is currently underway.

Fig 5.

Fig 5

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Comparison of time-activity curves for [N-methyl-11C]vorozole in the baboon brain over a 90 minute scanning session at (A) baseline (11C-1, 163.91 MBq (4.43 mCi)), (B) after treatment with vorozole (0.1 mg/kg, 5 min prior) (11C-1, 173.16 MBq (4.68 mCi)), (C) time-activity curves for amygdala and preoptic areas corrected for the area under the plasma time-activity curves (AUC) at baseline(open symbols) and after pretreatment with vorozole (closed symbols). (D), ratio of amygdala/cerebellum vs time for 11C-1 (n=3), mixture (11C-1 + 11C-3, n=2), and N-3 isomer (11C-3, n=1) at baseline and after pretreatment with vorozole in baboons. Abbreviations are amygdala (amg), cerebellum (cb), frontal cortex (fr), thalamus (th), preoptic area (poa); V (vorozole).

Fig 6.

Fig 6

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Comparisons of [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1) PET images in the same baboon brain in transaxial (top row) and coronal (bottom row) view between baseline and pretreatment with vorozole (1). (A), MR images; (B) coregistered 11C-1 PET and MR images; (C), [N-methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1, 163.91 MBq (4.43 mCi)) PET images; (D), PET images following pretreatment with vorozole (0.1 mg/kg) 5 min before the injection of [methyl-11C]vorozole (11C-1, 173.16 MBq (4.68 mCi)). Amg, amygdala; POA, preoptic area. All PET images were summed over 15-90 min and PET image (D) was dose-corrected based on (C).

Both 11C-3 and 11C-2 (which we report here for the first time) show reasonably high brain penetration (0.02-0.03 %ID/cc at 2.5 min, data not shown) but no specific distribution to aromatase-rich brain regions as was shown in the images in Figure 4.

3.4 Analysis of chemical form of C-11 in plasma after administration of 11C-1, 11C-2 and 11C-3 in the baboon

For all baboon studies, total C-11 in plasma was measured and the unchanged fraction of C-11 labeled compound was determined by HPLC. The % unchanged C-11 labeled vorozole (11C-1) in baboon plasma was high (up to 78-80% at 90 min). Interestingly, the position of the methyl group seems to exert a considerable effect on the metabolism, in that N-2 and N-3 isomers showed very rapid appearance of labeled metabolites and inter-subject variability seemed high compared with N-1(11C-1). However, the area under curves (AUCs) for 11C-1, 11C-3 in plasma normalized to the injected dose over 90 minutes were similar as shown Figure 7B, suggesting that the contribution of the N-3 isomer in the PET image of the mixture (11C-1 + 11C-3) would be significant. The N-2 isomer (11C-2) showed a rapid rate of disappearance of the parent labeled compound from plasma.

Fig 7.

Fig 7

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(A) The percentage of unchanged 11C labeled fraction X (11C-1 + 11C-3), vorozole (11C-1), N-2 isomer (11C-2), and N-3 isomer (11C-3) in baboons. (B) The time-AUC plots of 11C labeled vorozole (11C-1), N-2 isomer (11C-2), and N-3 isomer (11C-3) in baboons.

4. Conclusion

We reinvestigated the synthesis of [N-methyl-11C]vorozole and discovered that all three isomers are produced. We characterized each of the isomers by 13C-NMR and by 2D-NOESY spectra and developed a rapid HPLC system to separate [N-methyl-11C]vorozole from the N-3 isomer using a pentafluorophenylpropyl bonded silica HPLC column. PET studies of the pure [N-methyl-11C]vorozole revealed accumulation of C-11 in all brain regions with highest accumulation in the aromatase rich amygdala and POA. Accumulation in these brain regions as well as other brain regions could be blocked by pretreatment with vorozole or letrozole, in accordance with reports indicating that some level of aromatase expression is present in many brain regions. The significant image degradation caused by the contamination of the labeled vorozole with an equal amount of 11C-3 brings to light the fact that [N-methyl-11C]vorozole will be a significantly better radiotracer than the original data indicated. Our findings necessitate the re-evaluation [N-methyl-11C]vorozole data from previous studies, both in vivo and vitro. The availability of pure [N-methyl-11C]vorozole for PET represents a new scientific tool for studies of the biology of aromatase and for drug research and development.

Acknowledgments

This work was carried out at Brookhaven National Laboratory under contract DE-AC02-98CH10886 with the U. S. Department of Energy and supported by its Office of Biological and Environmental Research and also by the National Institutes of Health (K05 DA 020001) and in part by Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD), Bonn, for a student fellowship for Carolin Ehrlich. We also thank Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development L.L.C. for a post-doctoral fellowship to Sung Won Kim. We thank Michael Schueller and David Schlyer for cyclotron operations and Donald Warner for PET operations. We are also grateful to Jean Logan for advice and discussions and to Dr. Nick Carruthers for his help in obtaining samples of vorozole and norvorozole.

Footnotes

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