Complete regression of xenografted human carcinomas by camptothecin analogue-carboxymethyl dextran conjugate (T-0128).

Clinically available camptothecins (CPTs), such as irinotecan (CPT-11) and topotecan, represent one of the most promising classes of antitumor agents, despite their toxicity. To improve their pharmacological profiles, a new macromolecular prodrug, denoted T-0128, was synthesized. This prodrug is a novel CPT analogue (T-2513)-carboxymethyl (CM) dextran conjugate via a triglycine spacer, with a molecular weight of Mr 130,000. This study was designed to test the concept that the rational design of a CPT-polymer conjugate would increase the efficacy of the parent drug. The in vivo antitumor study against Walker-256 carcinoma demonstrated that T-0128 was 10 times as active as T-2513, supporting this concept. Additionally, comparative efficacy studies of T-0128, T-2513, CPT-11, and topotecan were performed using a panel of human tumor xenografts in nude mice, showing the advantage of T-0128 over these CPTs. The maximal tolerated doses (MTDs) of T-0128, T-2513, and CPT-11 were comparable. Even a single i.v. injection of T-0128 at 6 mg/kg (based on the amount of T-2513 bound to CM dextran) induced complete regression of MX-1 mammary carcinoma. T-0128 at 10 mg/kg weekly for 3 weeks (one-tenth of its MTD) cured LX-1 lung carcinoma. Also, T-0128 below its MTD consistently cured or regressed St-4 gastric and HT-29 colorectal tumor xenografts that are highly refractory to CPTs. These demonstrate the broad range of therapeutic doses achieved with T-0128. Pharmacokinetic studies were performed to correlate the efficacy results obtained for T-0128 with plasma and tissue drug concentrations using Walker-256 tumor-bearing rats. Results showed that after i.v. administration of T-0128, the conjugate continued to circulate at a high concentration for an extended period, resulting in tumor accumulation. In the tumor, the sustained release of T-2513 occurred. In contrast, T-2513 disappeared rapidly from the body. The significant increases in the amount and exposure time of released T-2513 in the tumor explain well the enhanced efficacy of T-0128. In conclusion, this study indicated that T-0128 improved the potency of T-2513, demonstrating the proof of the above concept.

Antidiabetic effect of T-1095, an inhibitor of Na(+)-glucose cotransporter, in neonatally streptozotocin-treated rats.

3-(Benzo[b]furan-5-yl)-2', 6'-dihydroxy-4'-methylpropiophenone-2'-O-(6-O-methoxycarbonyl)-bet a-D -glucopyranoside (T-1095) is a derivative of phlorizin, a potent inhibitor of Na(+)-glucose cotransporters. We determined the antidiabetic effect of T-1095 in neonatally streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats. Orally administered T-1095 is metabolized to an active form, 3-(benzo[b]furan-5-yl)-2', 6'-dihydroxy-4'-methylpropiophenone-2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (T-1095A), which inhibits renal Na(+)-glucose cotransporters as potently as phlorizin in vitro. A single oral administration of T-1095 (30 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) markedly lowered blood glucose levels with a concomitant increase in urinary glucose excretion; whereas the effect on blood glucose levels in non-diabetic rats was minimal. Continuous administration of T-1095 to diabetic rats for 6 weeks (0.1% in diet) improved not only hyperglycemia, but also the elevation of plasma free fatty acid and plasma ketone body levels. In addition, oral glucose tolerance testing clearly illustrated the improvement of glucose tolerance and insulin secretion with T-1095. In fact, amelioration of impaired insulin sensitivity in diabetic rats was demonstrated by the increase of whole-body and skeletal-muscle insulin-mediated glucose utilization with normalization of muscle glucose transporter (GLUT)4 content, and decrease of the hepatic glucose production rate. Consequently, polyuria and glucosuria were also improved in the T-1095-treated group. Therefore, T-1095 has a therapeutic potential as a means of ameliorating abnormal glucose metabolism via diminished glucose toxicity.

T-1095, an inhibitor of renal Na+-glucose cotransporters, may provide a novel approach to treating diabetes.

T-1095A and T-1095 are synthetic agents derived from phlorizin, a specific inhibitor of Na+-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs). Unlike phlorizin, T-1095 is absorbed into the circulation via oral administration, is metabolized to the active form, T-1095A, and suppresses the activity of SGLTs in the kidney. Orally administered T-1095 increases urinary glucose excretion in diabetic animals, thereby decreasing blood glucose levels. Indeed, the postprandial hyperglycemia after a meal load was shown to be suppressed by this compound in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. With long-term T-1095 treatment, both blood glucose and HbA1c levels were reduced in STZ-induced diabetic rats and yellow KK mice. In addition, there was amelioration of abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, i.e., hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia, and of the development of microalbuminuria, in yellow KK mice. Thus, T-1095 may be a useful antidiabetic drug, providing a novel therapeutic approach for diabetes.

Synthesis of taxoids 5. Synthesis and evaluation of novel water-soluble prodrugs of a 3'-desphenyl-3'-cyclopropyl analogue of docetaxel.

A novel 3'-desphenyl-3'-cyclopropyl analogue of docetaxel was synthesized from 10-deacetyl-baccatin III. The cytotoxicity of the new taxoid was evaluated against several human tumor cell lines, and it had ca. 20 times stronger activity against human colon cancer cell lines (WiDr and Colon 320) than that of docetaxel. This taxoid was converted to its water-soluble prodrugs that have 2'-substituted amino acid derivatives with spacer. The prodrugs had good solubility in saline and showed more potent antitumor activity against B 16 melanoma in mice than that of docetaxel.

Na(+)-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors as antidiabetic agents. 4. Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 4'-dehydroxyphlorizin derivatives substituted on the B ring.

In our studies of Na(+)-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors as antidiabetic agents, a series of novel 4'-dehydroxyphlorizin derivatives substituted on the B ring was prepared and their effects on urinary glucose excretion were evaluated in rats. Introduction of only a small alkyl group at the 4'-position increased the activity, and 3-(benzo¿bfuran-5-yl)-2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methylpropiophenone 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) showed the most potent effect. To overcome hydrolysis of compound 4 by beta-glucosidase in the digestive tract, the OH groups on the glucose moiety of compound 4 were modified. Three prodrugs (5, 42, and 55) were more potent than the parent compound 4 by oral administration, and finally 3-(benzo¿bfuran-5-yl)-2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methylpropiophenone 2'-O-(6-O-methoxycarbonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) (5) was selected as a new promising candidate. Compound 5 was metabolized mainly by liver esterase to the active form (4), which was about 10 times more potent than 5 in inhibiting SGLT. In oral glucose tolerance test in db/db mice, compound 5 dose-dependently suppressed the elevation of glucose levels. Single administration of 5 reduced hyperglycemia concurrently with increase of glucose excretion into urine in diabetic KK-A(y) mice. Furthermore, compound 5 suppressed the elevation of blood glucose levels but did not lower it below the normal level even in fasted conditions in KK-A(y) mice. Additionally, long-term treatment with 5 dose-dependently reduced hyperglycemia and HbA1c in KK-A(y) mice. These pharmacological data strongly suggest that compound 5 has a therapeutic potential in the treatment of NIDDM.

Na(+)-glucose cotransporter inhibitors as antidiabetic agents. III. Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 4'-dehydroxyphlorizin derivatives modified at the OH groups of the glucose moiety.

To overcome hydrolysis by beta-glucosidase present in the digestive tract, the OH groups on the glucose moiety of the 4'-dehydroxyphlorizin derivatives (1, 2, 3) were modified with various kinds of patterns, and then the effects of the modified compounds on urinary glucose excretion were evaluated in rats. Among them, triacetyl (9), 2,3-O-diacetyl (17), 6-O-methoxycarbonyl (34), 4-O-methoxycarbonyl (38), and 2-O-acetyl (41) derivatives showed more potent effect than the parent compound 2 by oral administration (p.o.). The stabilities of the compounds 34, 38, and 41 against beta-glucosidase were higher than that of 2. The increase in oral activity was found to correlate with the enhancement of the stability against beta-glucosidase.

Augmentation of sinecomitant immunity in mice by gamma-(9H-purine-6-yl)thiomethyl L-glutamate (6-MPG), a water-soluble derivative of 6-mercaptopurine.

Effects of the administration of gamma-(9H-purine-6-yl)thiomethyl L-glutamate (6-MPG), a water-soluble derivative of 6-mercaptopurine, on concomitant and sinecomitant immunity against the implanted MethA tumor were studied in BALB/c mice. In the concomitant immunity experiments, mice were intradermally inoculated with 1x10(5) MethA cells at the right inguinal region on day 0. In sinecomitant immunity experiments, mice were similarly inoculated on day -21, and the grown tumor was excised on day -11. Both the tumor-bearing and tumor-ectomized animals were re-inoculated with 3x10(6) MethA cells intradermally at the left inguinal region on day 10. Administration of 6-MPG (100 mg/kg, i.p.) on days 3 through 7 significantly inhibited growth of the re-inoculated tumor in both series of experiments. Cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, mitomycin C and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) had no significant effect on the growth of the re-inoculated tumor in the tumor-ectomized mice. Spleen cells harvested from the 6-MPG-treated tumor-ectomized mice showed a strong tumor-neutralizing activity (Winn assay).

Na(+)-glucose cotransporter inhibitors as antidiabetic agents. II. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 4'-dehydroxyphlorizin derivatives.

A novel series of 4'-dehydroxyphlorizin derivatives was synthesized and the effects of these compounds on urinary glucose excretion were evaluated in rats. There was a strict structural requirement for activity. Introduction of a small substituent or a flat ring at the 3- and/or the 4-position on the A ring was permissible, but any change at the bridge part between the A and B rings or in the sugar moiety resulted in complete loss of activity. The 6'-OH group on the B ring was also necessary, and even small structural modifications of the 6'-OH group reduced the activity considerably. Among the compounds synthesized, the 5-benzofuryl derivative 25 was the most potent and was selected as a new lead for further structure-activity relationship investigations.

Study on the mechanism of immunopotentiating antitumor effect of 6-MPG, a water-soluble derivative of 6-mercaptopurine.

We investigated possible mechanisms of the antitumor action of gamma-(9H-purine-6-yl) thiomethyl L-glutamate (6-MPG), a water-soluble derivative of 6-MP. In the double grafted tumor system, BALB/c mice were inoculated intradermally with 10(6) cells of MethA fibrosarcoma at the right inguinal region on day 0 (the primary tumor) and later with 3 x 10(6) cells at the left on day 10 (the secondary tumor). Intraperitoneal administration of 6-MPG at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day from day 3 through 7 completely prevented growth of the secondary tumor. 6-MPG showed no effect on growth of colon 26 adenocarcinoma cells inoculated in place of the secondary MethA cells (antigen specificity). 6-MPG did not inhibit the secondary MethA growth in the BALB/c (nu/nu) mouse. The inhibitory effect of 6-MPG on the secondary tumor growth was diminished by prior treatment of the primed animals with cyclosporin A and anti-Thy antibody. Spleen cells from the tumor-bearing mice treated with 6-MPG showed a tumor-neutralizing activity (Winn assay). Treatment of the spleen cells with anti-CD8 antibody plus complement diminished the tumor-neutralizing effect but that with anti-CD4 antibody plus complement did not, indicating that CD8-positive cells are responsible for potentiation of the tumor immunity. These results suggest that the antitumor effect of 6-MPG against the secondary tumor is elicited by augmenting tumor specific T-cell production.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 9-acyloxyellipticines.

Various kinds of water-soluble 9-acyloxyellipticine derivatives were synthesized in a search for compounds with potent antitumor activity. Antitumor activities against several tumors in mice (P388 leukemia, colon 26, Lewis lung carcinoma and B16 melanoma) were evaluated by using intravenous administration. Many compounds exhibited good antitumor activities; in particular, the glutarate derivative (5o) showed potent antitumor activity. This compound (5o) may be converted to 9-hydroxyellipticine (2) by enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis in the body.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of quaternary salts of 2-(2'-oxoalkoxy)-9-hydroxyellipticines.

Various kinds of water-soluble quaternary salts of 2-(2'-oxoalkoxy)-9-hydroxyellipticines were synthesized in a search for compounds with potent antitumor activity and low toxicity. Some compounds exhibited more potent antitumor activities than elliptinium (1) and SUN 4599 (3). In particular, 2-(3'-methoxy-2'-oxopropanoxy)-9- hydroxy-5,11-dimethyl-6H-pyrido[4,3-b]carbazolium bromide (4d) showed potent antitumor activities against P388 leukemia, colon 26, and Lewis lung carcinoma.

Na(+)-glucose cotransporter inhibitors as antidiabetics. I. Synthesis and pharmacological properties of 4'-dehydroxyphlorizin derivatives based on a new concept.

Based on our new concept that inhibitors of the Na(+)-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) would be useful as antidiabetics, 4'-dehydroxyphlorizin derivatives 1a--f were designed, synthesized, and examined for various pharmacological properties related to antidiabetic activity. In normal rats, 1a, e and phlorizin showed a strong SGLT-inhibitory effect and significantly increased urinary glucose on intraperitoneal administration at 10 mg/kg, though only 1a resulted in excretion of large quantities of urinary glucose on oral administration at 100 mg/kg. Compounds 1a, e, and phlorizin markedly inhibited glucose uptake in the small intestine during enteric perfusion in normal rats. Compound 1a had a significant reducing effect on blood glucose in the glucose tolerance test in mice when administered orally and also lowered blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The aglycons 2a, e of 1a, e, and 1a showed weak inhibitory effects on the facilitated glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) in human erythrocytes, while phloretin had a strong inhibitory effect on GLUT-1. Compound 1a caused no apparent renal damage in rats when administered orally at 1 g/kg for 4 successive weeks. Thus, 1a was considered to be a promising candidate as a lead compound for antidiabetics of a new type, and was selected for further pharmacological evaluation.

Synthesis and biological activity of O-alkyl-3-N-aminoacyloxymethyl-5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine derivatives.

In an attempt to improve the effectiveness of action of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR), various kinds of O-alkylated water-soluble analogues were synthesized. Antitumor activities against sarcoma 180 (solid) were also evaluated. Some compounds exhibited potent activities. In particular, 3'-O-p-chlorobenzyl-3-N-aminoacyloxy-methylester derivatives were effective over a very wide range of dose and gave extremely large therapeutic ratios compared with known 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) derivations.

Augmentation of tumor immunity by 6-MPG, a water-soluble derivative of 6-mercaptopurine, in mice.

Inhibitory effects on some immunological responses and MethA fibrosarcoma in the double grafted tumor system in mice were compared between 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its novel water-soluble derivative, gamma-(9H-purine-6-yl)thiomethyl L-glutamate (6-MPG). The dose-dependent inhibitory effects by 6-MPG on the hemagglutinin response to SRBC, DTH reaction to MBSA, contact sensitivity to oxazolone, GVH response and growth of the primary tumor were 3-10 times weaker than those by 6-MP, probably reflecting the difference in their cytotoxicities antimetabolites. However, the two drugs were nearly equipotent in reproducing inhibition of the secondary tumor growth, which is a host-mediated immunological response to tumor antigen as shown by its dependency on the primary inoculation with 1 x 10(4) or more MethA cells and by the production of anti-tumor splenocytes in tumor-bearing animals (the Winn assay). Thus, 6-MPG may point to the direction of derivatization towards anti-tumor immunopotentiators with an improved therapeutic index.

Augmentation of tumor immunity by 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its analogs in the double grafted tumor system in mice.

We investigated the antitumor effect of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its analogs using the double grafted tumor technique. BALB/c mice were inoculated intradermally with MethA fibrosarcoma cells at the right inguinal region on day 0 (the primary tumor) and at the left on day 10 (the secondary tumor). Intraperitoneal or intra-lesional administration of 6-MP, 6-mercaptopurine riboside (6-MP-r) and 6-mercaptopurine riboside triacetate (6-MPRTA) from day 3 to 7 dose-dependently inhibited growth of the secondary tumor. Without the primary inoculation, 6-MP showed no effect on growth of the tumor inoculated on day 10, indicating that the antitumor effect of 6-MP could not be attributable to its direct antimetabolic or tumoricidal action only, and that the primary tumor inoculation is necessary for these compounds to inhibits growth of the challenging tumor. 6-MP did not inhibit the secondary MethA growth in the BALB/c (nu/nu) mouse. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells increased in the spleen of mice treated with 6-MP. Meanwhile, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction to the methylated bovine serum albumin (MBSA) antigen at the footpad was not augmented but inhibited by 6-MP-r and 6-MPRTA in both normal and tumor-bearing mice. Thus, the immunomodulatory activity of 6-MP could be observed in two opposite directions, augmentation of tumor immunity and inhibition of DTH to MBSA. This indicates that the immune mechanism and/or the type of effector cells induced in these two cell-mediated immune systems are different from each other.

Water-soluble antitumor agents. I. Synthesis and biological activity of 6-S-aminoacyloxymethyl mercaptopurine derivatives.

In an attempt to improve the effectiveness and bioavailability of 6-mercaptopurine, various kinds of water-soluble analogues, such as 6-S-aminoacyloxymethyl mercaptopurine derivatives (3a--m) and 6-S,9-disubstituted derivates (7a,b and 9a,b), were synthesized. These compounds were evaluated for activity to augment antitumor immunity by using a double grated tumor system. Antitumor activities against solid tumors (sarcoma 180 and colon 26) were also evaluated. Many compounds exhibited potent activities in both test systems. In particular, the aminopropionate derivative (3a) and the L-glutamate derivative (3f) showed significant enhancement of antitumor immunity together with potent antitumor activities.

Ethylidene glucose-substituted new analogue of streptozotocin cannot induce diabetes: study on the basis of structure and activity relationship.

4,6-O-Ethylidene glucose (ethylidene glucose), a specific inhibitor at the outer surface of a glucose transporter in the cell membranes, substituted analogue of streptozotocin was newly synthesized. This compound did not induce diabetes in rats and also did not show cytotoxic effect on pancreatic beta cells of neonatal rats in a monolayer culture system. The reasons why such a molecule was designed and why it showed no biological effects are discussed on the basis of a structure-activity relationship. Our results afford positive evidence for the presence of a glucose transport system or a glucose transporter on pancreatic beta cells and its involvement in the action of streptozotocin on beta cells.

New diabetogenic streptozocin analogue, 3-O-methyl-2-([(methylnitrosoamino) carbonyl]amino)-D-glucopyranose. Evidence for a glucose recognition site on pancreatic B-cells.

The nonmetabolizable glucose analogue 3-O-methyl-glucose is known to protect pancreatic B-cells against streptozocin (STZ) when injected with or just before STZ. If 3-O-methyl-glucose and the sugar moiety of STZ compete for a glucose recognition site on B-cells, it seemed likely that 3-O-methyl-2-deoxy-2-( [(methylnitrosoamino)carbonyl]amino)-D-glucopyranose, an analogue of STZ with a 3-O-methyl-glucosyl residue, would cause experimental diabetes. This possibility was tested by synthesis of this analogue (alpha-anomer) and comparison of its diabetogenic activity in Wistar rats with that of STZ. Results showed that the compound was diabetogenic and as potent as STZ. This new analogue is the first of the various STZ derivatives reported to show diabetogenic activity. Its activity supports the idea that 3-O-methyl-glucose and STZ bind competitively with a glucose recognition site on pancreatic B-cells.