Royal Society of Chemistry, Chemical Science, 2(8), p. 1251-1258, 2017
DOI: 10.1039/c6sc02933g
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Pretargeted PET imaging has emerged as an effective two-step in vivo approach that combines the superior affinity and selectivity of antibodies with the rapid pharmacokinetics and favorable dosimetry of smaller molecules radiolabeled with short-lived radionuclides. This approach can be based on the bioorthogonal inverse-electron-demand Diels–Alder (IEDDA) reaction between tetrazines and trans-cyclooctene (TCO) derivatives. We aimed to develop new [18F]TCO–dienophiles with high reactivity for IEDDA reactions, and favorable in vivo stability and pharmacokinetics. New dienophiles were synthesized using an innovative micro-flow photochemistry process, and their reaction kinetics with a tetrazine were determined. In vivo stability and biodistribution of the most promising 18F-radiolabeled-TCO-derivative ([18F]3) was investigated, and its potential for in vivo pretargeted PET imaging was assessed in tumor-bearing mice. We demonstrated that [18F]3 is a suitable dienophile for IEDDA reactions and for pretargeting applications.