bis(tBuSATE) PHOSPHOTRIESTER PRODRUGS OF 8-AZAGUANOSINE AND 6-METHYLPURINE RIBOSIDE; bis(POM) PHOSPHOTRIESTER PRODRUGS OF 2′-DEOXY-4′-THIOADENOSINE AND ITS CORRESPONDING 9α ANOMER

As an extension of previous work with bis(POM) nucleotide prodrugs, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation in tumor cell culture of the bis(pivaloyloxymethyl) phosphotriester prodrug of slightly cytotoxic 2′-deoxy-4′-thioadenosine and its α-anomer. We have experienced need for an alternative phosphate masking group, particularly with purine nucleosides. Accordingly, we report synthesis and biological evaluation of the bis(tBuSATE) phosphotriester prodrugs of 8-azaguanosine and 6-methylpurine riboside, nucleoside analogs with moderate to significant cytotoxicity. All four prodrugs were examined in tumor cell culture in parallel with the parent nucleosides. Synthetic routes and biological data are presented.     

Design of new mononucleotide prodrugs: aryl (SATE) phosphotriester derivatives

Synthesis, biological activities and decomposition kinetics of novel phosphotriester derivatives of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) bearing a S-tButyl-2-thioethyl (tBuSATE) group and L-tyrosinyl residues are reported. All the derivatives appeared to be potent inhibitors of HIV-1 replication in various cell culture experiments. The proposed decomposition process of these mixed phosphotriesters may involve successively an esterase and then a phosphodiesterase activation.     

Arylboronate prodrugs of doxorubicin as promising chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer

This study describes the synthesis of arylboronate-based ROS-responsive prodrugs of doxorubicin and their biological evaluation as anticancer agents. The determination of the most sensitive cancer type toward arylboronate prodrugs is crucial for further consideration of these molecules in clinical phase. To address this goal, an arylboronate-based profluorescent probe was used to compare the capacity of various cancer cell lines to efficiently convert the precursor into the free fluorophore. On the selected MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic cancer cells, a benzeneboronate prodrug exhibited 67% of the cytotoxicity obtained with the free doxorubicin. The prodrug was also able to induce tumor regression on MiaPaCa-2 pancreatic tumor model in ovo. Using this model, the amount of free doxorubicin liberated from this prodrug into the tumor was equivalent to the quantity measured after direct intratumoral injection of the same concentration of doxorubicin.     

Special feature of mixed phosphotriester derivatives of cytarabine

Despite the unquestionable therapeutic interest of bis(SATE) pronucleotides, a presystemic metabolism preventing the delivery of the prodrugs in target cancer cells or tumours may constitute a limitation to the in vivo development of such derivatives. In order to overcome these drawbacks several strategies have been envisaged and we report herein the application of the S-acyl-2-thioethyl (SATE) phenyl pronucleotide approach to the well-known cytotoxic nucleoside cytosine-1-β-d-arabinofuranoside (cytarabine, araC). We describe modifications of the SATE moieties with the introduction of polar groups on the acyl residue, in order to study how these changes affect antitumoral activity and metabolic stability. Two different synthetic pathways were explored and lead to obtain the corresponding mixed derivatives in satisfactory yields. Cytotoxicity was studied in murine leukaemia cells L1210 as well as in cells derived from solid human tumours (Messa and MCF7). Biological evaluation of these compounds in cell culture experiments with nucleoside analogue-sensitive and resistant cell lines showed that the modified compounds were active at higher concentrations than unmodified cytarabine, yet were much able to partially reverse resistance due to deficient nucleoside transport or activation. These results can be correlated with an incomplete decomposition mechanism into the corresponding 5′-mononucleotide.     

Increase of the adenallene anti-HIV activity in cell culture using its bis(tBuSATE) phosphotriester derivative.

The bis(S-pivaloyl-2-thioethyl) phosphotriester derivative of 9-(4'-hydroxy-1',2'-butadienyl)adenine (adenallene) was synthesized. This mononucleotide prodrug proved to be more effective than the parent nucleoside in inhibiting HIV-1 replication in several human T4 lymphoblastoid cell lines.     

Dihydroindenoisoquinolines function as prodrugs of indenoisoquinolines

Dihydroindenoisoquinolines are analogs of cytotoxic indenoisoquinoline topoisomerase I (Top1) inhibitors, exhibiting potent cytotoxicity but weak inhibitory activity toward Top1. Through COMPARE analysis, cytotoxicity studies in Top1-deficient cells, chemical synthesis and biological evaluation of methylated dihydroindenoisoquinoline 5, we demonstrated that dihydroindenoisoquinolines function as prodrugs of indenoisoquinolines in cancer cells.     

Mutual prodrugs containing bio-cleavable and drug releasable disulfide linkers

We report herein the design and synthesis of several representative examples of novel mutual prodrugs containing nine distinct types of self-immolative drug-releasable disulfide linkers with urethane, ester, carbonate, or imide linkages between the linker and any two amine/amide/urea (primary or secondary) or carboxyl or hydroxyl (including phenolic)-containing drugs. We also report drug release profiles of a few representative mutual prodrugs in biological fluids such as simulated gastric fluid and human plasma. We also propose plausible mechanisms of drug release from these mutual prodrugs. We have also conducted a few mechanistic studies based on suggested sulfhydryl-assisted cleavage of mutual prodrugs and characterized a few important metabolites to give support to the proposed mechanism of drug release from the reported mutual prodrugs.     

Anti-pneumocystis activity of bis-amidoximes and bis-o-alkylamidoximes prodrugs

We report the synthesis of 2,5-bis-[4-amidinophenyl]furan bis-amidoxime(2), the corresponding bis-O-methylamidoxime(3) and the corresponding bis-O-ethylamidoxime(4) and their evaluation as prodrugs against Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.     

Methoxymethyl and (p-nitrobenzyloxy)methyl groups in the synthesis of oligoribonucleotides by the phosphotriester method

An efficient synthetic method for monomer ribonucleotide synthons containing 2'-O-methoxymethyl and 2'O-(p-nitrobenzyloxy)methyl groups used for oligonucleotide phosphotriester method with O-nucleophilic intramolecular catalysis at the stage of formation of internucleotide bond is developed. It is shown that synthons containing protecting 2'-O-(p-nitrobenzyloxy)methyl group may be used for automatic synthesis of phosphotriester oligoribonucleotides with high yields and synthons containing methoxymethyl group--to get 2'-O-modified oligonucleotides.     

Methoxymethyl and (p-nitrobenzyloxy)methyl groups in synthesis of oligoribunucleotides by the phosphotriester method

An efficient method to synthesize monomer ribonucleotide synthons containing 2′-O-methoxymethyl and 2′-O-(p-nitrobenzyloxy)methyl groups is developed. These synthons are applied to the oligonucleotide phosphotriester method using O-nucleophilic intramolecular catalysis at the stage of the internucleotide bond formation. The former synthons may be used for the automatic synthesis of 2′-modified oligonucleotides; the latter synthons made be used for the synthesis of phosphotriester oligoribonucleotides in high yields.     

Synthesis, hydrolytic activation and cytotoxicity of etoposide prodrugs

Two 4'-propylcarbonoxy derivatives (2,3) of etoposide (1), a topoisomerase II inhibitor, were synthesized and evaluated as potential prodrugs for anticancer therapy. Their activation via hydrolysis mechanisms was determined as a function of pH in buffer solutions, in human serum and in the presence of carboxyl ester hydrolase. Cytotoxicity was determined on various tumor cell lines and compared to the parent compound. On cell lines exhibiting resistance to etoposide we observed an enhanced cytotoxicity of the prodrugs of up to three orders of magnitude.     

SATE (aryl) phosphotriester series. I. Synthesis and biological evaluation

Synthesis and biological activities of several phosphotriester derivatives of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) bearing a S-pivaloyl-2-thioethyl (tBuSATE) group and aryl residues derived from L-tyrosine are reported. All compounds showed marked anti-HIV activity in thymidine kinase-deficient CEM cells demonstrating their ability to deliver intracellularly the parent 5'-mononucleotide.     

Synthesis and anti-HIV evaluation of new 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine prodrugs

A series of anti-HIV prodrugs possessing various polyaminated side arms have been developed. The incorporation of a N-Boc protected monoamine or diamine side arm into the backbone of the 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine 1 (BCH-189) provided an increase in antiviral potency, which could be several orders magnitude greater than the parent drug (1) depending on the cell culture systems used (MT-4 or MDMs). Twenty six 2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine prodrugs which differ from each other by the length, the nature of the 5'-O function and the 5'-O or/and N-4 position on the nucleoside moiety were synthesized. Among this new series of prodrugs, several congeners (12c and 12a) were found to inhibit HIV-1 replication in cell culture with 50% effective concentrations EC50 of 10 and 50 nM respectively, in MT-4 cells. Compound 12c was found more active on infected MDMs cells with 50% effective concentration of 0.01 nM. The synthesis and the antiviral properties of these compounds are discussed.     

SATE (aryl) phosphotriester series. II. Stability studies and physicochemical parameters

The stability of phosphotriester derivatives of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) bearing a S-pivaloyl-2-thioethyl (tBuSATE) group and various aryl residues derived from L-tyrosine was evaluated in biological media. The results demonstrate that such compounds give rise to intracellular delivery of the parent mononucleotide through esterase and phosphodiesterase hydrolytic steps, successively.     

Phenyl phosphotriester derivatives of AZT: variations upon the SATE moiety

Synthesis, in vitro anti-HIV activity, stability studies as well as potential for oral absorption of some novel phenyl S-acyl-2-thioethyl (SATE) phosphotriester derivatives of AZT (zidovudine; 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine) are described herein. These pronucleotides are characterized by the presence of polar functions on the SATE biolabile phosphate protections. Whereas derivatives incorporating an amino residue in the vicinity of the thioester functionality display low chemical stability, the introduction of one or two hydroxyl groups on the SATE moieties confers high resistance of the resulting prodrugs towards esterase hydrolysis. Thus, one of these pronucleotides, the monohydroxylated SATE derivative of AZT 2, is able to cross a Caco-2 cell monolayer mainly in intact form, probing that further development is warranted as a possible HIV-pronucleotide candidate.     

Mono, di and tri-mannopyranosyl phosphates as mannose-1-phosphate prodrugs for potential CDG-Ia therapy

An efficient and convergent method for the synthesis of mannose-1-phosphate prodrugs is described as a potential therapy for congenital disorders of glycosylation-Ia (CDG-Ia). The key feature of the proposed approach is the silver assisted nucleophilic substitution of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-protected-alpha-d-mannopyranosyl bromides with various silver phosphate salts to afford mono, di, and tri-mannopyranosyl phosphates. A preliminary biological evaluation of the synthesized phosphate prodrugs has been carried out.     

Synthesis of 1′,2′-methano-2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides as potential antivirals

The synthesis of constrained nucleosides has become an important tool to understand the SAR in the interaction between biological and synthetic nucleotides in the context of antisense oligonucleotide therapy. The incorporation of a cyclopropane into a furanose ring of a nucleoside induces some degree of constrain without affecting significantly the steric environment of a nucleoside. Here, we report a new, short and stereocontrolled synthesis of two constrained nucleosides analogues, 1′,2′- methano-2′,3′-dideoxyuridine 9, and the corresponding cytidine analog 12. X-ray crystallography revealed that the furanose ring in the constrained uridine and cytidine analogues was flattened with virtual loss of pseudorotation. The phosphoramidate esters of the novel constrained uridine and cytidine nucleosides, intended as prodrugs, were tested in cell-based assays for viral replication across the herpes virus family and HIV inhibition courtesy of Merck laboratories, Rahway. They were also tested in antiproliferative assays against colorectal and melanoma cell lines. Unfortunately, none of the compounds showed activity in these assays.     

Synthesis and anti-HCV activity of β-d-2′-deoxy-2′-α-chloro-2′-β-fluoro and β-d-2′-deoxy-2′-α-bromo-2′-β-fluoro nucleosides and their phosphoramidate prodrugs

We report herein the synthesis and evaluation of a series of β-d-2′-deoxy-2′-α-chloro-2′-β-fluoro and β-d-2′-deoxy-2′-α-bromo-2′-β-fluoro nucleosides along with their corresponding phosphoramidate prodrugs. Key intermediates, lactols 11 and 12, were obtained by a diastereoselective fluorination of protected 2-deoxy-2-chloro/bromo-ribonolactones 7 and 8. All synthesized nucleosides and prodrugs were evaluated with a hepatitis C virus (HCV) subgenomic replicon system.     

bis(S-Acyl-2-thioethyl)esters of 2′,3′-Dideoxyadenosine 5′-Monophosphate Are Potent Anti-HIV Agents in Cell Culture

Abstract

It is shown that ddA bis(SATE)phosphotriesters have potent anti-HIV activity in cell culture. Thus, compared with the parent nucleoside, a decrease of 3 or 4 orders of magnitude was observed in the EC₅₀ values for the bis(S-acetyl-2-thioethyl)phosphotriester derivative, which makes this compound as active as AZT.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of prodrugs of 2-fluoro-2-deoxyribose-1-phosphate and 2,2-difluoro-2-deoxyribose-1-phosphate

We report in this Letter the synthesis of prodrugs of 2-fluoro-2-deoxyarabinose-1-phosphate and 2,2-difluoro-2-deoxyribose-1-phosphate. We demonstrate the difficulty of realising a phosphorylation step on the anomeric position of 2-deoxyribose, and we discover that introduction of fluorine atoms on the 2 position of 2-deoxyribose enables the phosphorylation step: in fact, the stability of the prodrugs increases with the degree of 2-fluorination. Stability studies of produgs of 2-fluoro-2-deoxyribose-1-phosphate and 2,2-difluoro-2-deoxyribose-1-phosphate in acidic and neutral conditions were conducted to confirm our observation. Biological evaluation of prodrugs of 2,2-difluoro-2-deoxyribose-1-phosphate for antiviral and cytotoxic activity is reported.