Arylphenylpyrrolidinylmethylphenoxybenzamides were found to have high affinity and selectivity for κ opioid receptors. On the basis of receptor binding assays in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing cloned human opioid receptors, (S)-3-fluoro-4-(4-((2-(3-fluorophenyl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl)phenoxy)benzamide (25) had a K(i) = 0.565 nM for κ opioid receptor binding while having a K(i) = 35.8 nM for μ opioid receptors and a K(i) = 211 nM for δ opioid receptor binding. Compound 25 was also a potent antagonist of κ opioid receptors when tested in vitro using a [(35)S]-guanosine 5'O-[3-thiotriphosphate] ([(35)S]GTP-γ-S) functional assay in CHO cells expressing cloned human opioid receptors. Compounds were also evaluated for potential use as receptor occupancy tracers. Tracer evaluation was done in vivo, using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) methods, precluding the need for radiolabeling. (S)-3-Chloro-4-(4-((2-(pyridine-3-yl)pyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl)phenoxy)benzamide (18) was found to have favorable properties for a tracer for receptor occupancy, including good specific versus nonspecific binding and good brain uptake.

Kappa opioid receptors (KOR) are believed to be involved in the pathophysiology of depression, anxiety disorders, drug abuse and alcoholism. To date, only one tracer, the kappa opioid receptor agonist [11C]GR103545, has been reported to be able to image KOR in primates. The goal of the present study was to synthesize the selective KOR antagonist [11C]LY2795050 and evaluate its potential as a PET tracer to image KOR in vivo. METHODS In vitro binding affinity of LY2795050 was measured in radioligand competition binding assays. Ex vivo experiments were conducted using microdosing of the unlabelled ligand in Sprague-Dawley rats, as well as wild-type and KOR knock-out mice, to assess the ligand’s potential as a tracer candidate. Imaging experiments with [11C]LY2795050 in monkeys were carried out on the Focus-220 PET scanner with arterial blood input function measurement. Binding parameters were determined with kinetic modeling analysis. RESULTS LY2795050 displays full antagonist activity and high binding affinity and selectivity for KOR. Microdosing studies in rodents and ex vivo analysis of tissue concentrations with LC/MS/MS identified LY2795050 as an appropriate tracer candidate able to provide specific binding signals in vivo. [11C]LY2795050 was prepared in an average yield of 12% and >99% radiochemical purity. In rhesus monkeys, [11C]LY2795050 displayed a moderate rate of peripheral metabolism, with ∼40% of parent compound remaining at 30 min postinjection. In the brain, [11C]LY2795050 displayed fast uptake kinetics (regional activity peak times < 20 min) and an uptake pattern consistent with the distribution of KOR in primates. Pretreatment with naloxone (1 mg/kg, iv) resulted in a uniform distribution of radioactivity. Further, specific binding of [11C]LY2795050 was reduced by the selective KOR antagonist LY2456302 in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION [11C]LY2795050 displayed favorable pharmacokinetic properties and binding profiles in vivo, and therefore is a suitable ligand for imaging the KOR in primates. This newly developed KOR antagonist tracer has since been advanced to PET imaging of KOR in humans and constitutes the first successful KOR antagonist radiotracer.

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Positron emission tomography (PET) coupled to an effective radioligand could provide an important tool for understanding possible links between neuropsychiatric disorders and brain NOP (nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide) receptors. We sought to develop such a PET radioligand. Highaffinity NOP ligands were synthesized based on a 3-(2'-fluoro-4',5'-dihydrospiro[piperidine-4,7'-thieno[2,3-c]pyran]-1-yl)-2(2-halobenzyl)-N-alkylpropanamide scaffold and from experimental screens in rats, with ex vivo LC-MS/MS measures, three ligands were identified for labeling with carbon-11 and evaluation with PET in monkey. Each ligand was labeled by 11 C-methylation of an N-desmethyl precursor and studied in monkey under baseline and NOP receptor-preblock conditions. The three radioligands, [ 11 C](S)-10a-c, gave similar results. Baseline scans showed high entry of radioactivity into brain to give a distribution reflecting that expected for NOP receptors. Pre-block experiments showed high early peak levels of brain radioactivity which rapidly declined to a much lower level than seen in baseline scans, thereby indicating a high level of receptor-specific binding in baseline experiments. Overall, [ 11 C](S)-10c showed the most favorable receptor-specific signal and kinetics and is now selected for evaluation in human subjects.