# Clinical translation of D-amino acid derived PET tracers for imaging spinalinfection

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2020 · $540,182

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY:
This proposal addresses a major challenge that radiologists and other physicians encounter frequently, namely
distinguishing active infection from other processes in the human body. Existing clinical techniques target the
host immune response, for example 111In SPECT white blood cell scanning or 18F-FDG PET. Although these
modalities can sometimes be useful, they lack the specificity required to distinguish living bacteria from sterile
inflammation, cancer, and other highly metabolic tissues. Therefore we are proposing a PET imaging
technique that exploits metabolic pathways specific to bacteria, targeting both gram-positive and gram-
negative organisms. We believe a technique that detects ALL or at least a majority of pathogenic bacteria will
be most useful in clinical practice. Once an imaging abnormality has been identified as infection, tissue
sampling, staining and culture may still be required. An imaging method that could distinguish active infection
from frequent mimics, would instantly become the standard of care in a variety of inpatient and outpatient
settings.
In this proposal, we develop 18F and 11C tracers for positron emission tomography (PET) using D-Met derived
tracers, and study them for the first time in human patients with spinal infections. We have identified 11C D-met
as a radiotracer with (1) a simple, high-yield radiosynthesis (2) good in vivo stability (3) appropriate mimicry of
the endogenous substrate (4) high rate of incorporation into bacterial peptidoglycan and (5) low uptake in
background tissues. We will start by refining the synthesis of enantiopure 11C D-met, and investigating close
structural relatives of 11C D-met for enhanced bacterial uptake (Specific Aim 1). We will then study our lead
D-met tracer in compelling preclinical infection models, including models of vertebral osteomyelitis-discitis
(Specific Aim 2). In Specific Aim 3, we will take all steps needed for an investigational new drug (IND)
approval for our lead tracer, and study its performance in patients suffering from spinal infection.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9974516
- **Project number:** 5R01EB024014-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Ohliger
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $540,182
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-20 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9974516

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9974516, Clinical translation of D-amino acid derived PET tracers for imaging spinalinfection (5R01EB024014-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9974516. Licensed CC0.

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