[¹⁸F]
FMISO is the most widely validated PET radiotracer for imaging hypoxic tissue. However, as a result of the pharmacokinetics of [¹⁸F]
FMISO a 2h wait between tracer administration and patient scanning is required for optimal image acquisition. In order to develop
hypoxia imaging agents with faster kinetics, we have synthesised and evaluated several F-18 labelled anilino
sulfoxides. In this manuscript we report on the synthesis, in vitro and in vivo evaluation of a novel fluoroethyltriazolyl propargyl anilino
sulfoxide. The radiolabelling of the novel tracer was achieved via 2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl
azide click chemistry. Radiochemical yields were 23 ± 4% based on 2-[¹⁸F]fluoroethyl
azide and 7 ± 2% based on K[¹⁸F]F. The radiotracer did not undergo metabolism or defluorination in an in vitro assay using S9 liver fractions. Imaging studies using SK-RC-52
tumors in BALB/c nude mice have indicated that the tracer may have a higher pO₂ threshold than [¹⁸F]
FMISO for uptake in hypoxic
tumors. Although clearance from muscle was faster than [¹⁸F]
FMISO, uptake in hypoxic
tumors was slower. The average
tumor to muscle ratio at 2h post injection in large, hypoxic
tumors with a volume greater than 686 mm³ was 1.7, which was similar to the observed ratio of 1.75 for [¹⁸F]
FMISO. Although the new tracer showed improved pharmacokinetics when compared with the previously synthesised
sulfoxides, further modifications to the chemical structure need to be made in order to offer significant in vivo imaging advantages over [¹⁸F]
FMISO.