Synthesis of fluorinated analogues of sphingosine-1-phosphate antagonists as potential radiotracers for molecular imaging using positron emission tomography

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) receptors play major roles in cardiovascular, immunological and neurological diseases. The recent approval of the sphingolipid drug Fingolimod (Gilenya®), a sphingosine-1-phosphate agonist for relapsing multiple sclerosis, in 2010 exemplifies the potential for targeting sphingolipids for the treatment of human disorders. Moreover, non-invasive in vivo imaging of S1P receptors that are not available till now would contribute to the understanding of their role in specific pathologies and is therefore of preclinical interest. Based on fluorinated analogues of the S1P1 receptor antagonist W146 showing practically equal in vitro potency as the lead structure, the first S1P receptor antagonist [18F]-radiotracer has been synthesized and tested for in vivo imaging of the S1P1 receptor using positron emission tomography (PET). Though the tracer is serum stable, initial in vivo images show fast metabolism and subsequent accumulation of free [18F]fluoride in the bones.