Inverse 1,2,3-triazole-1-yl-ethyl substituted hydroxamates as highly potent matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors: (Radio)synthesis, in vitro and first in vivo evaluation

Noninvasive imaging and quantification of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in vivo are of great (pre)clinical interest. This can potentially be realized by using radiolabeled MMP inhibitors (MMPIs) as positron emission tomography (PET) imaging agents. Triazole-substituted MMPIs, discovered by our group, are highly potent inhibitors of MMP-2, -8, -9, and -13. The triazole ring and its position contribute significantly to the potency of the MMP inhibitor. To evaluate structure-activity relationships (SARs) of the initially discovered triazole-substituted MMPIs, an additional CH₂-group between the backbone of the molecule and the triazole core was inserted, and the triazole ring was "inversed" by switching the alkyne and azide groups. Similar to the original triazole-substituted hydroxamates, the inverse triazole MMPIs are excellent inhibitors with promising in vivo properties. Pharmacokinetic properties and metabolic stability of an ¹⁸F-labeled candidate in mice were investigated.