16α,17α-[(R)-1′-α-(5-[76Br]Bromofurylmethylidene)dioxyl]-21-hydroxy-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione ([76Br]16α,17α-[(R)-1′-α-(5-bromofurylmethylidene)dioxyl]-21-hydroxy-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione (3)), a PR ligand with relative binding affinity (RBA)=65 and log Po/w=5.09±0.84, was synthesized via a two-step reaction, and its tissue biodistribution and metabolic stability were evaluated in estrogen-primed immature female Sprague-Dawley rats.
[76Br]16α,17α-[(R)-1′-α-(5-bromofurylmethylidene)dioxyl]-21-hydroxy-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 3 was synthesized in 5 % overall yield with specific activity being 200–1250 Ci/mmol. [76Br]16α,17α-[(R)-1′-α-(5-bromofurylmethylidene)dioxyl]-21-hydroxy-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 3 demonstrated high PR-mediated uptake in the target tissue uterus (8.72±1.84 % ID/g at 1 h) that was reduced by a blocking dose of unlabeled progestin R5020, but the nonspecific uptake in blood and muscle (2.11±0.14 and 0.89±0.16 % ID/g at 1 h, respectively) was relatively high. [76Br]16α,17α-[(R)-1′-α-(5-bromofurylmethylidene)dioxyl]-21-hydroxy-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 3 was stable in whole rat blood in vitro, but it was not stable in vivo due to the fast metabolism that occurred in the liver, resulting in the formation of a more polar radioactive metabolite and free [76Br]bromide. The level of free [76Br]bromide in blood remained high during the experiment (2.11±0.14 % ID/g at 1 h and 1.52±0.24 % ID/g at 24 h). The tissue distribution of [76Br]16α,17α-[(R)-1′-α-(5-bromofurylmethylidene)dioxyl]-21-hydroxy-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 3 at 1 and 3 h was compared with that of the 18F analogs, [18F]FFNP fluoro furanyl norprogesterone (FFNP) 1 and ketal 2.
[76Br]16α,17α-[(R)-1′-α-(5-bromofurylmethylidene)dioxyl]-21-hydroxy-19-norpregn-4-ene-3,20-dione 3 may have potential for imaging PR-positive breast tumors at early time points, but it is not suitable for imaging at later times or for radiotherapy.