Introduction: [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 (previously published as [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-S01-GCG) has shown high-affinity specific binding to the glucagon receptor (GCGR) in vitro and in vivo in rats and non-human primates in our previous studies, confirming the suitability of the tracer for drug development applications in humans. The manufacturing process of [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 was automated for clinical use to meet the radiation safety and good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements.Methods:The automated synthesis platform (Modular-Lab PharmTrace, Eckert & Ziegler, Eurotope, Germany), disposable cassettes for(68)Ga-labeling, and pharmaceutical-grade(68)Ge/Ga-68 generator (GalliaPharm(R)) used in the study were purchased from Eckert & Ziegler. The parameters such as time, temperature, precursor concentration, radical scavenger, buffer concentration, and pH, as well as product purification step, were investigated and optimized. Process optimization was conducted with regard to product quality and quantity, as well as process reproducibility. The active pharmaceutical ingredient starting material DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 (GMP-grade) was provided by Sanofi Aventis.Results:The reproducible and GMP-compliant automated production of [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 with on-line documentation was developed. The non-decay-corrected radiochemical yield was 45.2 +/- 2.5% (n= 3, process validation) at the end of the synthesis with a labeling synthesis duration of 38 min and a quality controlincluding release procedure of 20 min. The radiochemical purity of the product was 98.9 +/- 0.6% (n= 17) with the total amount of the peptide in the preparation of 48 +/- 2 mu g (n= 3, process validation). Radionuclidic purity, sterility, endotoxin content, residual solvent content, and sterile filter integrity tests met the acceptance criteria. The product was stable at ambient temperature for at least 2 h.Conclusion:The fully automated GMP-compliant manufacturing process was developed and thoroughly validated. The resulting [Ga-68]Ga-DO3A-VS-Cys(40)-Tuna-2 was used in a clinical study for accurate quantification of GCGR occupancy by a dual anti-diabetic drug in vivo in humans.

Objective: Triptans are highly effective in the treatment of migraine. Both central and peripheral mechanisms of action have been suggested. Until now, firm data about the passage of triptans into the CNS in humans have been lacking. The aim of the current study was to evaluate, using positron emission tomography (PET), the uptake and distribution of zolmitriptan into the CNS after intranasal administration. Subjects and methods: Eight healthy volunteers, five males and three females (mean ages 23 and 26 years, respectively), were included. Radioactive [carbonyl-11C]zolmitriptan was infused intravenously for 5 minutes on two occasions: once alone, and once 30–40 minutes after intranasal administration of unlabelled zolmitriptan 5mg. PET was used to measure the concentration of labelled zolmitriptan in the brain, from the start of the tracer infusion for 90 minutes. Regional cerebral blood volume was determined with [15O]carbon monoxide. In addition, an MRI scan was performed to obtain anatomical information. The PET images were analysed quantitatively for different areas of the brain, generating [11C]zolmitriptan time-activity data corrected for circulating tracer activity. The rate of uptake of intranasal zolmitriptan into the CNS was estimated by kinetic modelling using the PET data. Results: PET data from this study demonstrate a rapid dose-proportional uptake of [11C]zolmitriptan into the brain. Significant concentrations of [11C]zolmitriptan were found in all brain regions studied. Calculated CNS concentrations after intranasal zolmitriptan administration showed a gradual increase, reaching about 2nM (0.5 μg/L) 30 minutes after administration and 3.5nM (1.0 μg/L), or one-fifth of the plasma concentration, 1 hour after administration. Five minutes after zolmitriptan administration, the mean CNS concentration had already reached 0.5nM, which is higher than in vitro values for initiation of the agonistic action on 5-HT1B/1D receptors. Conclusion: This study demonstrates by direct measurements that zolmitriptan enters the brain parenchyma in humans, achieving an uptake rate and concentration compatible with a central mode of action.

Smoking is a cause of serious disease in smokers. Electronic cigarettes, delivering aerosolized nicotine, offer adult smokers a potentially less harmful alternative to combustible cigarettes. This explorative PET/CT study investigated the distribution and deposition of inhaled [C-11]nicotine using the myblu (TM) e-cigarette with two nicotine formulations, freebase and lactate salt. Fifteen healthy adult smokers participated in the two-part study to assess the distribution and accumulation of [C-11]nicotine in the respiratory pathways and brain. Time-activity data for the respiratory pathways, lungs, oesophagus and brain were derived. 31-36% of both inhaled tracer formulations accumulated in the lung within 15-35 s. [C-11]Nicotine(freebase) exhibited higher uptake and deposition in the upper respiratory pathways. For [C-11]nicotine(lactate), brain deposition peaked at 4-5%, with an earlier peak and a steeper decline. A different kinetic profile was obtained for [C-11]nicotine(lactate) with lower tracer uptake and accumulation in the upper respiratory pathways and an earlier peak and a steeper decline in lung and brain. Using nicotine lactate formulations in e-cigarettes may thus contribute to greater adult smoker acceptance and satisfaction compared to freebase formulations, potentially aiding a transition from combustible cigarettes and an acceleration of tobacco harm reduction initiatives.

Background In a Phase I study treatment with the serum amyloid P component (SAP) depleter miridesap followed by monoclonal antibody to SAP (dezamizumab) showed removal of amyloid from liver, spleen and kidney in patients with systemic amyloidosis. We report results from a Phase 2 study and concurrent immuno-positron emission tomography (PET) study assessing efficacy, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, safety and cardiac uptake (of dezamizumab) following the same intervention in patients with cardiac amyloidosis. Methods Both were uncontrolled open-label studies. After SAP depletion with miridesap, patients received <= 6 monthly doses of dezamizumab in the Phase 2 trial (n = 7), <= 2 doses of non-radiolabelled dezamizumab plus [Zr-89]Zr-dezamizumab (total mass dose of 80 mg at session 1 and 500 mg at session 2) in the immuno-PET study (n = 2). Primary endpoints of the Phase 2 study were changed from baseline to follow-up (at 8 weeks) in left ventricular mass (LVM) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and safety. Primary endpoint of the immuno-PET study was [Zr-89]Zr-dezamizumab cardiac uptake assessed via PET. Results Dezamizumab produced no appreciable or consistent reduction in LVM nor improvement in cardiac function in the Phase 2 study. In the immuno-PET study, measurable cardiac uptake of [Zr-89]Zr-dezamizumab, although seen in both patients, was moderate to low. Uptake was notably lower in the patient with higher LVM. Treatment-associated rash with cutaneous small-vessel vasculitis was observed in both studies. Abdominal large-vessel vasculitis after initial dezamizumab dosing (300 mg) occurred in the first patient with immunoglobulin light chain amyloidosis enrolled in the Phase 2 study. Symptom resolution was nearly complete within 24 h of intravenous methylprednisolone and dezamizumab discontinuation; abdominal computed tomography imaging showed vasculitis resolution by 8 weeks. Conclusions Unlike previous observations of visceral amyloid reduction, there was no appreciable evidence of amyloid removal in patients with cardiac amyloidosis in this Phase 2 trial, potentially related to limited cardiac uptake of dezamizumab as demonstrated in the immuno-PET study. The benefit-risk assessment for dezamizumab in cardiac amyloidosis was considered unfavourable after the incidence of large-vessel vasculitis and development for this indication was terminated. Trial registration NCT03044353 (2 February 2017) and NCT03417830 (25 January 2018).

Background: In preclinical studies, the positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [C-11]UCB-A provided promising results for imaging synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) as a proxy for synaptic density. This paper reports the first-in-human [C-11]UCB-A PET study to characterise its kinetics in healthy subjects and further evaluate SV2A-specific binding.

Results: Twelve healthy subjects underwent 90-min baseline [C-11]UCB-A scans with PET/MRI, with two subjects participating in an additional blocking scan with the same scanning procedure after a single dose of levetiracetam (1500 mg). Our results indicated abundant [C-11]UCB-A brain uptake across all cortical regions, with slow elimination. Kinetic modelling of [C-11]UCB-A PET using various compartment models suggested that the irreversible two-tissue compartment model best describes the kinetics of the radioactive tracer. Accordingly, the Patlak graphical analysis was used to simplify the analysis. The estimated SV2A occupancy determined by the Lassen plot was around 66%. Significant specific binding at baseline and comparable binding reduction as grey matter precludes the use of centrum semiovale as reference tissue.

Conclusions: [C-11]UCB-A PET imaging enables quantifying SV2A in vivo. However, its slow kinetics require a long scan duration, which is impractical with the short half-life of carbon-11. Consequently, the slow kinetics and complicated quantification methods may restrict its use in humans.

Rationale

BMS-820836 is a novel antidepressant that selectively inhibits the reuptake of serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine.

Objective

This Phase I study assessed safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of multiple daily doses of BMS-820836 in healthy subjects. Central serotonin transporter (SERT) and dopamine transporter (DAT) occupancy were assessed using positron emission tomography and [¹¹C]MADAM or [¹¹C]PE2I, respectively.

Methods

Fifty-seven healthy volunteers were enrolled in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, ascending multiple-dose study (ClincalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00892840). Eight participants in seven dose cohorts received oral doses of BMS-820836 (0.1–4 mg) or placebo for 14 days to assess safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics. Additionally, SERT and DAT occupancies were evaluated in 4–8 subjects per cohort at 8 h post-dose on Day 10 and 24 h post-dose on Day 15 at anticipated steady-state conditions.

Results

Most adverse events were mild to moderate; there were no serious safety concerns. Median maximum concentrations of BMS-820836 were observed at 4.0–5.5 h post-dose; estimated elimination half-life was 44–74 h. About 80 % striatal SERT occupancy was achieved after multiple doses of 0.5 mg BMS-820836 at both 8 and 24 h post-dose. Striatal DAT occupancy ranged between 14 % and 35 % at 8 h post-dose with a slight decline at 24 h post-dose.

Conclusions

Multiple daily doses of up to 4 mg BMS-820836 appeared to be generally safe and well tolerated in a healthy population. SERT and DAT occupancies were in a range associated with therapeutic efficacy of antidepressants. Together with the pharmacokinetic profile of BMS-820836, the occupancy data support once-daily administration.