Design,synthesis and biological activities of antiangiogenic hypoxic cytotoxin,triazine-N-oxide derivatives

For cancer therapy, hypoxia represents an important tumor specific target. Therefore we designed and synthesized antiangiogenic hypoxic cytotoxins as 'hypoxia modifiers'. They can be activated bioreductively in hypoxic cells to kill the oxygen-deficient tumor cells selectively and prevent their re-growth. The aromatic heterocycle di-N-oxides, tirapazamine (TPZ), TX-1102, and TX-402 inhibited growth of EMT6/KU cells, SAS/neo cells, and SAS/Trp248 cells (mutant p53 gene transformant) under hypoxic condition. They also induced apoptosis selectively at a dose of 10 microM each under hypoxic condition for 5 h. Their hypoxic cytotoxicities and apoptosis inducing activities were p53-independent because the activities in SAS/neo cells were almost similar to that in SAS/Trp248 cells. In angiogenesis inhibition assay using chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), TPZ, TX-1102, TX-402 and TX-1033 showed 40, 25, 60 and 60% inhibition of angiogenesis each at a dose of 10 microg/CAM. On the other hand, the nitrosopyrimidine, TX-1041 had neither antiangiogenic activity nor cytotoxicity. Therefore the di-N-oxide group is thought to be required for the biological activities. TX-1102 was a potent antiangiogenic hypoxic cytotoxin inducing apoptosis p53-independently.     

Redox-activated, hypoxia-selective DNA cleavage by quinoxaline 1,4-di-N-oxide.

Quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide (4) is the historical prototype for modern heterocyclic N-oxide antitumor agents such as 3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine 1,4-dioxide (tirapazamine, 1) and 3-amino-2-quinoxalinecarbonitrile 1,4-dioxide (11). Early experiments in bacterial cell lines suggested that enzymatic, single-electron reduction of quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides under low-oxygen (hypoxic) conditions leads to DNA damage. Here the ability of quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide to cleave DNA has been explicitly characterized using in vitro assays. The hypoxia-selective DNA-cleaving properties of 4 reported here may provide a chemical basis for understanding the cytotoxic and mutagenic activities of various quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide antibiotics.     

Synthesis and hypoxic-cytotoxic activity of some 3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxide derivatives

A series of 3-amino-1,2,4-benzotriazine-1,4-dioxide derivatives 1 have been synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activity in vitro against human leukemia cell lines: Molt-4, K562, HL60, human liver cancer cell Hep-G2, human prostate cancer cell PC-3 in hypoxia. Most of the compounds showed more potent activity than TPZ. Compounds 1i and 1m displayed encouraging superior activity against Molt-4 and HL-60 cell lines. Three potential derivatives received the test of the activity in hypoxia and in normoxia against Molt-4 and HL-60 cell lines and showed obvious hypoxia selectivity. Further mechanism study revealed that the cytotoxic activities of compounds 1i and 1k in Molt-4 cells might be mediated by modulation of p53 protein expression and mitochondrial membrane potential (DeltaPsi(m)).     

Design, synthesis, and radiosensitizing activities of sugar-hybrid hypoxic cell radiosensitizers

We have designed sugar-hybrid TX-1877 derivatives conjugated with sugar moieties including beta-glucose (beta-Glc), beta-galactose (beta-Gal), alpha-mannose (alpha-Man) and N-acetyl-beta-galactosamine (beta-GalNAc). Compound 1 (TX-1877) was glycosylated with appropriate peracetylated sugars using BF(3)-OEt(2) to give acetylated sugar-hybrids, 5 (TX-2244), 6 (TX-2245), 7 (TX-2246), and 10 (TX-2243). Removal of the acetyl groups afforded the sugar-hybrids having free hydroxyl groups, 11 (TX-2141), 12 (TX-2218), 13 (TX-2217) and 14 (TX-2068). We evaluated their radiosensitizing activities by an in vitro radiosensitization assay. All free hydroxyl hybrids have lower enhancement ratio (ER) values (ER1.43) and lower n-octanol/water partition coefficient (P(oct)) values (P(oct)<1.00x10(-2)) than does 1 (TX-1877, ER=1.75, P(oct): 5.60x10(-2)). All acetylated hybrids have similar P(oct) values (3.55x10(-2)-1.05x10(-1)) to 1 (TX-1877) and have improved ER values (ER>or=1.47) compared to the hybrids having free hydroxyl groups. Among these, 5 (TX-2244) is the most active radiosensitizer (ER=2.30). We found a good correlation (r=0.866) between the magnitude of P(oct) (logP(oct)) and the ER value of 5 (TX-2244), 6 (TX-2245), 7 (TX-2246), 10 (TX-2243) and 1 (TX-1877), suggesting that increasing the hydrophobicity is reflected in increased in vitro radiosensitizing activity. In the present study, we have succeeded in producing sugar-hybrid hypoxic cell radiosensitizers that have an increased radiosensitizing activity that does not depend on increased hydrophobicity.     

Enhanced effectiveness of radiochemotherapy with tirapazamine by local application of electric pulses to tumors

Tumor hypoxia is associated with resistance to radiotherapy and anticancer chemotherapy. However, it can be exploited to therapeutic advantage by concomitantly using hypoxic cytotoxins, such as tirapazamine (TPZ). Tumor electroporation offers the means to further increase tumor hypoxia by temporarily reducing tumor blood flow and therefore increase the cytotoxicity of TPZ. The primary objective of this work was to determine whether electric pulses combined with TPZ and radiotherapy (electroradiochemotherapy) was more efficacious than radiochemotherapy (TPZ + radiation). In these studies using the SCCVII tumor model in C3H mice, electroradiochemotherapy produced up to sixfold more tumor growth delay (TGD) than TPZ + radiation. In these studies, (1) large tumors (280 +/- 15 mm3) responded better to electroradiochemotherapy than small tumors (110 +/- 10 mm3), (2) TGD correlated linearly with tumor volume at the time of electroradiochemotherapy, (3) electric pulses induced a rapid but reversible reduction in O2 saturation, and (4) the electric field was highest near the periphery of the tumor in a 3D computer model. The findings suggested that electroradiochemotherapy gained its therapeutic advantage over TPZ + radiation by enhancing the cytotoxic action of TPZ through reduced tumor oxygenation. The greater antitumor effect achieved in large tumors may be related to tumor morphology and the electric-field distribution. These results suggest that electro-pulsation of large solid tumors may be of benefit to patients treated with radiation in combination with agents that kill hypoxic cells.     

Identification of diaryl 5-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as tubulin inhibitors: The special case of 3-(2-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-1,2,4-oxadiazole

The combination of experimental (inhibition of colchicine binding) and computational (COMPARE, docking studies) data unequivocally identified diaryl 5-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles as potent tubulin inhibitors. Good correlation was observed between tubulin binding and cytostatic properties for all tested compounds with the notable exception of the lead candidate, 3-(3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-1,2,4-oxadiazole (DCP 10500078). This compound was found to be substantially more active in our in vitro experiments than the monofluorinated title compound, 3-(2-fluorophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)amino-1,2,4-oxadiazole (DCP 10500067/NSC 757486), which in turn demonstrated slightly better tubulin binding activity. Comparative SAR analysis of 25 diaryl 5-amino-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with other known tubulin inhibitors, such as combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) and colchicine, provides further insight into the specifics of their binding as well as a plausible mechanism of action.     

Synthesis of Triazole Schiff’s Base Derivatives and Their Inhibitory Kinetics on Tyrosinase Activity

In the present study, new Schiff’s base derivatives: (Z)-4-amino-5-(2-(3- fluorobenzylidene)hydrazinyl)-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol (Y₁), (Z)-3-((2-(4-amino-5- mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)phenol (Y₂), (Z)-2-((2-(4-amino-5- mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)phenol (Y₃) and 3-((Z)-(2-(4- (((E)-3-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)-5-mercapto-4H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)hydrazono)methyl)phenol (Y₄) were synthesized and their structures were characterized by LC-MS, IR and ¹H NMR. The inhibitory effects of these compounds on tyrosinase activites were evaluated. Compounds Y₁, Y₂ and Y₃ showed potent inhibitory effects with respective IC₅₀ value of 12.5, 7.0 and 1.5 μM on the diphenolase activities. Moreover, the inhibition mechanisms were determined to be reversible and mixed types. Interactions of the compounds with tyrosinase were further analyzed by fluorescence quenching, copper interaction, and molecular simulation assays. The results together with the anti-tyrosinase activities data indicated that substitution on the second position of benzene ring showed superior ant-ityrosinase activities than that on third position, and that hydroxyl substitutes were better than fluorine substitutes. In addition, two benzene rings connecting to the triazole ring would produce larger steric hindrance, and affect the bonding between tyrosinase and inhibitors to decrease the inhibitory effects. The anti-tyrosinase effects of these compounds were in contrast to their antioxidant activities. In summary, this research will contribute to the development and design of antityrosinase agents.     

1,2,4]Triazole derivatives as 5-HT(1A) serotonin receptor ligands.

A series of new 4-amino-3-[3-[4-(2-methoxy or nitro phenyl)-1-piperazinyl] propyl]thio]-5-(substitutedphenyl)[1,2,4]triazoles 11a-t was synthesized in order to obtain compounds with high affinity and selectivity for 5-HT(1A) receptor over the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor. A series of isomeric 4-amino-2-[3-[4-(2-methoxy or nitro phenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]-5-(substitutedphenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H[1,2,4]triazole-3-thiones 12a-r was also isolated and characterized. New compounds were tested to evaluate their affinity for 5-HT(1A) receptor and alpha(1)-adrenoceptor in radioligand binding experiments. As a general trend, triazoles 11a-t showed a preferential affinity for the 5-HT(1A) receptor whereas isomeric 2,4-dihydro-3H[1,2,4]triazole-3-thiones 12a-r preferentially bind to the alpha(1)-adrenoceptor site. Several molecules showed affinities in the nanomolar range and 4-amino-3-[3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]thio]-5-(4-propyloxy-phenyl)[1,2,4]triazole (11o) was the most selective derivative for the 5-HT(1A) receptor (K(i) alpha(1)/K(i) 5-HT(1A)=55). The decrease in 5-HT(1A) receptor selectivity in 3-[3-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]propyl]thio]-5-(substitutedphenyl)[1,2,4] triazole 14a-b, lacking in the amino group in 4-position of the triazole ring, in comparison with their analogues in the series 11a-t, suggest that the amino function represents a critical structural feature in determining 5-HT(1A) receptor selectivity in this class of compounds.     

The anticancer drug perillyl alcohol is a Na/K-ATPase inhibitor

Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is an enzyme that suppresses adaptive T-cell immunity by catabolizing tryptophan from the cellular microenvironment. Inhibition of IDO pathway might enhance the efficacy of immunotherapeutic strategies for cancer. We synthesized 1-alkyl-tryptophan targeted IDO inhibitors and compared their effects on IDO expression and activity in dendritic cells (DCs) with the common IDO inhibitor 1-methyl-dl-tryptophan (1-MT). The IDO gene expression was examined by RT-PCR and realtime PCR. The toxicity of these analogs on the proliferation of DCs was detected by MTT assay. All of these analogs inhibited IDO expression and activity induced by IFN-γ and showed no cytotoxicity to DCs at 100 μM. 1-MT intensively suppressed IDO1 expression and activity in DCs, and 1-propyl-tryptophan (1-PT) and 1-isopropyl-tryptophan (1-isoPT) moderately inhibited them. 1-Butyl-tryptophan (1-BT) and 1-ethyl-tryptophan (1-ET) mainly inhibited IDO2 expression. Our results suggest that those analogs differed in their inhibitory activity on IDO expression may give us a clue for developing active IDO inhibitors.     

Antimycobacterial activity of novel 1,2,4-oxadiazole-pyranopyridine/chromene hybrids generated by chemoselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of nitrile oxides

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides generated in situ from benzohydroximinoyl chloride and triethylamine to 2-aminopyranopyridine-3-carbonitriles and 2-aminochromene-3-carbonitriles occurred chemoselectively furnishing novel 1,2,4-oxadiazole-pyranopyridine/chromene hybrid heterocycles in moderate yields. In vitro screening of these compounds against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (MTB) disclosed that the 1,2,4-oxadiazole-pyranopyridine hybrids display enhanced activity relative to the 1,2,4-oxadiazole-chromene hybrids. Among the compounds screened, 3-[3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl]-4-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-8-[(E)-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-methylidene]-6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-4H-pyrano[3,2-c]pyridin-2-amine (MIC: 0.31 μM) is 1.2, 15.2 and 24.6 times more active than standard antitubercular drugs, viz. isoniazid, ciprofloxacin and ethambutol, respectively.     

Design of a hypoxia-activated prodrug inhibitor of O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase

The efficacy of agents that alkylate the O-6 position of guanine is inhibited by O(6)-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) which removes these lesions from the tumor DNA. To increase differential toxicity, inhibitors must selectively deplete AGT in tumors, while sparing normal tissues where this protein serves a protective function. A newly synthesized prodrug of the AGT inhibitor O(6)-benzylguanine (O(6)-BG) with an α,α-dimethyl-4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl moiety masking the essential 2-amino group has demonstrated the feasibility of targeting hypoxic regions that are unique to solid tumors, for drug delivery. However, these modifications resulted in greatly decreased solubility. Recently, new potent global AGT inhibitors with improved formulatability such as O(6)-[(3-aminomethyl)benzylguanine (1) have been developed. However, acetylamino (N-(3-(((2-amino-9H-purin-6-yl)oxy)methyl)benzyl)acetamide) (2) exhibits a pronounced decrease in activity. Thus, 1 would be inactivated by N-acetylation and probably N-glucuronidation. To combat potential conjugational inactivation while retaining favorable solubility, we synthesized 6-((3-((dimethylamino)methyl)benzyl)oxy)-9H-purin-2-amine (3) in which the 3-aminomethyl moiety is protected by methylation; and to impart tumor selectivity we synthesized 2-(4-nitrophenyl)propan-2-yl(6-((3-((dimethylamino)methyl)benzyl)oxy)-9H-purin-2-yl)carbamate (7), a hypoxia targeted prodrug of 3 utilizing an α,α-dimethyl-4-nitrobenzyloxycarbonyl moiety. Consistent with this design, 7 demonstrates both hypoxia selective conversion by EMT6 cells of 7 to 3 and hypoxic sensitization of AGT containing DU145 cells to the cytotoxic actions of laromustine, while exhibiting improved solubility.     

Effect of triton X-100 on genetic segregation and manifestation of the trait of mono- and dicotyledonousness in sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.)

The effect of Triton X-100 (TX-100) on the ratio of phenotypic classes and the expression of morphological traits in the progeny of sugar beet hybrids (No. 12 and No. 2) was investigated. It was shown that the TX-100 exposition on the unopened flower buds of sugar beet plants has different effects on hybrid progenies. In agamospermous progeny of hybrid plant N12ct-4, a significant decrease in the heteroallelic (heterozygous) phenotypic classes of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH1) fraction was determined. The progeny of hybrid plant N2ct-2 did not express the traits of agamospermous origin, but the appearance of sugar beet seedlings with one cotyledon leaf was detected in it. The obtained results indicate high efficiency of the epimutagenic effect of TX-100 on the early stages of plant ontogenesis.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel steroidal[17,16-d][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines

The preparation of steroidal[17,16-d][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and their biological evaluation as potential anticancer agents are herein reported. These novel heterosteroids (2, 4) were prepared through the condensation reaction of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole with 16-arylidene-17-ketosteroids (1, 3). All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anticancer activity in vitro against PC-3 (human prostatic carcinoma), MCF-7 (human breast carcinoma) and EC9706 (human esophageal carcinoma) cell lines. Among the screened compounds, 2i, 2n and 4f showed significant inhibitory activity against all the three human cell lines.     

Structure-based optimization of type III indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) inhibitors

The haem enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) catalyses the rate-limiting step in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism and plays an essential role in immunity, neuronal function, and ageing. Expression of IDO1 in cancer cells results in the suppression of an immune response, and therefore IDO1 inhibitors have been developed for use in anti-cancer immunotherapy. Here, we report an extension of our previously described highly efficient haem-binding 1,2,3-triazole and 1,2,4-triazole inhibitor series, the best compound having both enzymatic and cellular IC₅₀ values of 34 nM. We provide enzymatic inhibition data for almost 100 new compounds and X-ray diffraction data for one compound in complex with IDO1. Structural and computational studies explain the dramatic drop in activity upon extension to pocket B, which has been observed in diverse haem-binding inhibitor scaffolds. Our data provides important insights for future IDO1 inhibitor design.     

Hypoxia-Targeted Drug Q6 Induces G2-M Arrest and Apoptosis via Poisoning Topoisomerase II under Hypoxia

In spite of the tremendous efforts dedicated to developing hypoxia-activated prodrugs, no agents yet have been approved for clinical therapy. In the present study, the hypoxic selective anti-cancer activity as well as the cellular target of a novel tirapazamine (TPZ) analogue, 7-methyl-3-(3-chlorophenyl)-quinoxaline-2-carbonitrile 1,4-dioxide (Q6) were investigated. Q6 implemented anti-cancer effects via poisoning topoisomerase II (topo II) under hypoxia. Modified trapped in agarose DNA immunostaining (TARDIS) assay showed more topo II–DNA cleavage complexes trapped by Q6 than TPZ at even lower concentration. In addition, by introducing ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) kinase inhibitors caffeine and KU-60019, we displayed that Q6-triggered apoptosis was attributed, at least partially, to DNA double-strand breaks generated by the topo II-targeting effect. Collectively, Q6 stood out for its better hypoxia-selectivity and topo II-poisoning than the parental compound TPZ. All these data shed light on the research of Q6 as a promising hypoxia-activated prodrug candidate for human hepatocellular carcinoma therapy.     

Oxygen dependence of the metabolic activation and cytotoxicity of tirapazamine: implications for extravascular transport and activity in tumors

The hypoxic cytotoxin tirapazamine (TPZ) is currently in phase III clinical trial and appears to have clinical activity. One hypothesis as to why TPZ has been used more successfully in the clinic than most other bioreductive drugs is that its unusual O(2) dependence allows killing of radioresistant cells at "intermediate" O(2) concentrations. We have determined the O(2) dependence of the metabolism of TPZ to its reduction product SR 4317, and its cytotoxicity, in stirred suspensions of HT29 colon carcinoma cells while monitoring O(2) in solution with an Oxylite trade mark probe. The O(2) dependence of the cytotoxicity of TPZ is entirely accounted for by its inhibition of the metabolism of TPZ, with a K(O(2)) value (O(2) concentration for 50% inhibition) of 1.21 +/- 0.09 (SEM) microM. We used this experimental O(2) dependence to extend a recent (Hicks et al., Cancer Res. 63, 5970-5977, 2003) pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model for the cytotoxicity of TPZ in anoxic HT29 multicellular layers to model cell killing in tumors. The model indicates that the O(2) dependence of killing by TPZ complements that of radiation well during fractionated radiotherapy. It predicts that lowering K(O(2)) would decrease killing in radioresistant cells at intermediate O(2) concentrations, while higher K(O(2)) values would exacerbate metabolic consumption of TPZ and thus further impede its penetration into hypoxic regions. Raising K(O(2)) would also increase metabolic activation at physiological O(2) concentrations, thereby compromising hypoxic selectivity. We conclude that the K(O(2)) value of TPZ is indeed close to the optimum for a bioreductive drug of this class (i.e. one that kills only cells in which it is reduced).     

Hemoglobin induces the expression of indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase in dendritic cells through the activation of PI3K,PKC, and NF‐κB and the generation of reactive oxygen species

Indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase (IDO) is the rate‐limiting enzyme in the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway of tryptophan (Trp) metabolism. IDO is immunosuppressive and is induced by inflammation in macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs). Previous studies have shown the serum Kyn/Trp levels in patients with hemolytic anemia to be notably high. In the present study, we demonstrated that hemoglobin (Hb), but not hemin or heme‐free globin (Apo Hb), induced IDO expression in bone marrow‐derived myeloid DCs (BMDCs). Hb induced the phosphorylation and degradation of IκBα. Hb‐induced IDO expression was inhibited by inhibitors of PI3‐kinase (PI3K), PKC and nuclear factor (NF)‐κB. Hb translocated both RelA and p52 from the cytosol to the nucleus and induced the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hb‐induced IDO expression was inhibited by anti‐oxidant N‐acetyl‐L ‐cysteine (NAC) or mixtures of SOD and catalase, however, IDO expression was enhanced by 3‐amino‐1,2,4‐triazole, an inhibitor of catalase, suggesting that the generation of ROS such as O, H₂O₂, and hydroxyl radical is required for the induction of IDO expression. The generation of ROS was inhibited by a PKC inhibitor, and this action was further enhanced by addition of a PI3K inhibitor. Hb induced Akt phosphorylation, which was inhibited by a PI3K inhibitor and enhanced by a PKC inhibitor. These results suggest that the activation of NF‐κB through the PI3K‐PKC‐ROS and PI3K‐Akt pathways is required for the Hb‐induced IDO expression in BMDCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 108: 716–725, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.