Radiosynthesis of [11C](S,S)-SAM by biocatalytic methodologies as a potential prostate cancer imagen agent

Abstract

This study focuses on prostate cancer and the need for better biomarkers for accurate diagnosis. Sarcosine, a metabolite linked to cancer progression, is produced via GNMT using (S,S)-SAM, making radiolabeled [¹¹C]-SAM a promising diagnostic tracer.

The researchers developed an automated method to synthesize [¹¹C]-SAM using an immobilized enzyme system. Starting from [¹¹C]CO₂, they produced [¹¹C]methionine and then converted it into [¹¹C]-SAM, optimizing reaction conditions and purification.

The method achieved high conversion (82%) and radiochemical purity (97%), demonstrating an efficient automated synthesis, though further biological evaluation is needed.