Synthesis of a (11)C-Isotopologue of the B-Raf-Selective Inhibitor Encorafenib Using In-Loop [(11)C]CO(2) Fixation

[Image: see text] The serine/threonine kinase B-Raf is an essential regulator of cellular growth, differentiation, and survival. B-Raf protein expression is elevated throughout melanoma progression, making it an attractive target for noninvasive imaging using positron–emission tomography. Encorafenib is a potent and highly selective inhibitor of B-Raf used in the clinical management of melanoma. In this study, the radiosynthesis of a (11)C-isotopologue of encorafenib was developed using an in-loop [(11)C]CO(2) fixation reaction. Optimization of reaction conditions reduced the formation of a radiolabeled side product and improved the isolated yields of [(11)C]encorafenib (14.5 ± 2.4% radiochemical yield). The process was fully automated using a commercial radiosynthesizer for the production of 6845 ± 888 MBq of [(11)C]encorafenib in high molar activity (177 ± 5 GBq μmol(–1)), in high radiochemical purity (99%), and in a formulation suitable for animal injection. An in vitro cellular binding experiment demonstrated saturable binding of the radiotracer to A375 melanoma cells.