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Technical Aspect of the Automated Synthesis and Real-Time Kinetic Evaluation of [11C]SNAP-7941
Published on: April 28, 2019
Development of a Novel Carbon-11 Labeled PET Radioligand for Melanin- Concentrating Hormone Receptor 1
Hideyuki Igawa1, Vladimir Stepanov2, Lenke Tari2
1Pharmaceutical Research Division, Takeda Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., 26-1, Muraoka-Higashi 2- Chome, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 251-8555. Japan.
Background And Objective:
Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is an attractive target for antiobesity agents and many drug discovery programs have been dedicated to identify smallmolecule antagonists of melanin-concentrating hormone receptor 1 (MCHR1). The aim of this study was to develop a positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for MCHR1 for translation of preclinical pharmacology to clinic to enhance success rate of drug discovery programs.
Methods:
We identified 4-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-N-[8-methyl-3-({[(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methyl] amino}ethyl)quinolin-7-yl]benzamide (Compound II) from Takeda MCHR1 antagonist library by utilizing binding affinity, log D value, physicochemical parameters ideal for a central nerve system agent, and synthetic feasibility of corresponding carbon-11 labeled radioligands as selection parameters for tracer candidates.
Results:
In the rat PET study, [11C] Compound II showed clear uptake in the caudate/putamen with the pretreatment of cyclosporine A and its uptake was higher than that in the cerebellum where expression of MCHR1 was reported to be low.
Conclusion:
In summary, [11C]Compound II is a promising lead compound for developing a suitable MCHR1 PET radioligand. [11C]Compound II, in combination with cyclosporine A, could be used as a research tool to visualize and quantify MCHR1 in rodents.

