The synthesis of a novel series of potent chiral inhibitors of histone deacetylase (HDAC) is described that contain a heterocyclic capping group and a N-(2-aminophenyl)benzamide unit that binds in the active site. In vitro assays for the inhibition of HDAC1, HDAC2, HDAC3-NCoR1, and HDAC8 by the N-(2-aminophenyl)benzamide 24a gave respective IC50 values of 930, 85, 12, and 4100 nM, exhibiting class I selectivity and potent inhibition of HDAC3-NCoR1. Both imidazolinone and thiazoline rings are shown to be effective replacements for the pyrimidine ring present in many other 2-(aminophenyl)benzamides previously reported, an example of each ring system at 1 μM causing an increase in histone H3K9 acetylation in the human cell lines Jurkat and HeLa and an increase in cell death consistent with induction of apoptosis. Inhibition of the growth of MCF-7, A549, DU145, and HCT116 cell lines by 24a was observed, with respective IC50 values of 5.4, 5.8, 6.4, and 2.2 mM.

Positron emission tomography (PET) is unique in that it allows quantification of biochemical processes in vivo, but difficulties with preparing suitably labelled radiotracers limit its scientific and diagnostic applications. Aromatic [18F]fluorination of drug-like small molecules is particularly challenging as their functional group compositions often impair the labelling efficiency. Herein, we report a new strategy for incorporation of 18F into highly functionalized aromatic compounds using sulfonium salts as leaving groups. The method is compatible with pharmacologically relevant functional groups, including aliphatic amines and basic heterocycles. Activated substrates react with [18F]fluoride at room temperature, and with heating the reaction proceeds in the presence of hydrogen bond donors. Furthermore, the use of electron rich spectator ligands allows efficient and regioselective [18F]fluorination of non-activated aromatic moieties. The method provides a broadly applicable route for 18F labelling of biologically active small molecules, and offers immediate practical benefits for drug discovery and imaging with PET.

Increased activity of efflux transporters, e.g., P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), at the blood-brain barrier is a pathological hallmark of many neurological diseases, and the resulting multiple drug resistance represents a major clinical challenge. Noninvasive imaging of transporter activity can help to clarify the underlying mechanisms of drug resistance and facilitate diagnosis, patient stratification, and treatment monitoring. We have developed a metabolically activated radiotracer for functional imaging of P-gp/BCRP activity with positron emission tomography (PET). In preclinical studies, the tracer showed excellent initial brain uptake and clean conversion to the desired metabolite, although at a sluggish rate. Blocking with P-gp/BCRP modulators led to increased levels of brain radioactivity; however, dynamic PET did not show differential clearance rates between treatment and control groups. Our results provide proof-of-concept for development of prodrug tracers for imaging of P-gp/BCRP function in vivo but also highlight some challenges associated with this strategy.