Synthesis and biological evaluation of 8-oxoadenine derivatives as toll-like receptor 7 agonists introducing the antedrug concept.

Systemic administration of a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist is effective to in suppressing Th2 derived inflammation, however systemic induction of various cytokines such as IL-6, IL-12, and type I interferon (IFN) is observed. This cytokine induction would be expected to cause flu-like symptoms. We have previously reported adenine compounds (3, 4) as interferon inducing agents acting as TLR7 agonists. To identify potent anti-inflammatory compounds without systemic side effects, a labile carboxylic ester as an antedrug functionality onto the N(9)-benzyl group of the adenine was introduced. We found that 9e was a potent TLR7 agonist (EC(50) 50 nM) and rapidly metabolized by human plasma (T(1/2) 2.6 min) to the pharmacologically much less active carboxylic acid 16. Intratracheal administration of 9e effectively inhibited allergen-induced airway inflammation without inducing cytokines systemically. Therefore, the TLR7 agonist with antedrug characteristics 9e (SM-324405) is a novel candidate for immunotherapy of allergic diseases.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 9-substituted-8-hydroxyadenine derivatives as potent interferon inducers.

Recently we reported the adenine derivatives 3a-d as novel interferon (IFN) inducers. In the present study, we conducted a detailed structure-activity relationship study of analogues of 3a-d with respect to their IFN-inducing activity, mainly focusing on the N(9)-position of the adenine. From this study, we found that introduction of the 3-pyridylmethyl moiety was effective to increase in vitro activity, and compound 9ae was identified as being the most potent IFN inducer. This compound gave a minimum effective concentration (MEC) of 3 nM, which is comparable with that of R-848, a second generation IFN inducer. Compound 9ae also demonstrated potent IFN-inducing activity at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg by oral administration in mice. Furthermore, compound 9ae induced IFN in monkeys in a dose dependent manner, with a potency superior to that of R-848. In addition, 9ae did not cause emesis in ferrets even at a dose of 30 mg/kg. In this study the maximum plasma concentration of 9ae was 1019 ng/mL (ca. 3.1 microM), which was approximately 1000-fold higher than the MEC value. Therefore, with respect to both the efficacy and the safety margin, compound 9ae (SM-276001) is considered to be a promising compound as an orally active IFN inducer.

Prodrugs of 9-benzyl-8-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyethylthio)adenine: potent interferon inducing agents in monkeys.

In order to improve the oral bioavailability of 9-benzyl-8-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxyethylthio)adenine (SM-295072), a potent interferon (IFN) inducing agent, we synthesized prodrugs of it by utilizing the hydroxy groups at the C(2)-side chain and/or the C(8)-position. The carbonate prodrug at the C(8)-position was more effective than that at the C(2)-side chain for oral absorption in rats. Among the compounds prepared, compound 6 demonstrated the most preferable prodrug properties, and the maximum plasma concentration of 6 was approximately 4-fold higher than that of SM-295072. Furthermore, compound 6 was dose-dependently absorbed in monkeys by oral administration, and exhibited a potent IFN-inducting activity that correlated well with its plasma drug concentration.

Synthesis and evaluation of 2-substituted 8-hydroxyadenines as potent interferon inducers with improved oral bioavailabilities.

In order to create novel compounds which possess potent interferon (IFN) inducing activities with excellent oral bioavailabilities, a series of 8-hydroxyadenines, which have various alkoxy or alkylthio moieties at the adenine C(2)-position, were synthesized and evaluated. The introduction of hydrophobic groups was not considered to be effective for potentiating the IFN-inducing activity, but several compounds having hydrophilic groups were effective. Among the compounds tested, compound 13f induced IFN from the dosage of 0.03 mg/kg, which was approximately 100-fold more potent than that of Imiquimod, and showed an excellent oral bioavailability (F=40%) which was 10-fold improved over 5, a lead compound (F=4%).

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 2-amino-8-hydroxyadenines as orally active interferon inducing agents.

Recently, we have reported the 8-hydroxyadenine derivatives (2-4) as a novel class of interferon (IFN) inducing agents. In the present study, a series of 8-hydroxyadenines, which possess various amino moieties at the adenine C(2)-position, were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to induce endogenous IFN in comparison to the known active agent, Imiquimod. Among the compounds prepared, compound 9o possessing a 2-methoxyethylamino group at C(2)-position of adenine was found to exhibit potent IFN inducing activity in vivo. Compound 9o induced IFN from the dosage of 0.1 mg/kg, which was 30-fold potent than that of Imiquimod, and showed a good oral bioavailability (F=81%).

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 2-substituted-8-hydroxyadenine derivatives as orally available interferon inducers without emetic side effects.

Recently we reported the adenine derivatives (2-4) as new interferon (IFN) inducers. In the present study, we conducted a detailed structure and activity relationship study of 4 and its related derivatives on IFN inducing activity. From this study, we found that compound 4 exhibited the most potent IFN inducing activity in vitro with a minimum effective concentration of 0.01 microM, and 4 also showed strong IFN-inducing activity at doses of more than 0.3mg/kg by oral administration in mice. This potency was 10-fold stronger than that of Imiquimod. Moreover, 4 did not cause emesis in ferrets even at doses as high as 10mg/kg, whereas, 80% of animals were emetic when orally administered with the same dose of Imiquimod. These results indicate that compound 4 is superior to Imiquimod with respect to efficacy and safety.

Discovery of 8-hydroxyadenines as a novel type of interferon inducer.

9-Benzyl-8-hydroxyadenine (6) was found to possess interferon-inducing activity in vitro as a lead compound. Although replacement of the 9-benzyl group of 6 did not improve the activity, the introduction of a substituent such as alkyl, alkylthio, alkylamino, and alkoxy groups into the 2-position of the adenine ring resulted in a remarkable increase in the activity. The 2-alkylthio (30-32), 2-butylamino (41), and 2-butoxy (47) analogues indicated the highest activities by oral administration to mice.