Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of (R,R)(S,S) 5-(2-(2-[4-(2-[18F]fluoroethoxy)phenyl]-1-methylethylamino)-1-hydroxyethyl)-benzene-1,3-diol ([18F]FEFE) for the in vivo visualisation and quantification of the β2-adrenergic receptor status in lung

The 18 F-labeled b2-adrenergic receptor ligand (R,R)(S,S) 5-(2-(2-(4-(2-( 18 F)fluoroethoxy)phenyl)-1-methylethylamino)-1- hydroxyethyl)-benzene-1,3-diol, a derivative of the original highly selective racemic fenoterol, was synthesized in an overall radio- chemical yield of 20% after 65 min with a radiochemical purity higher than 98%. The specific activity was in the range of 50-60 GBq/mmol. In vitro testing of the non-radioactive fluorinated fenoterol derivative with isolated guinea pig trachea was conducted to obtain an IC50 value of 60 nM. Preliminary ex vivo organ distribution and in vivo experiments with positron emission tomography (PET) on guinea pigs were performed to study the biod…