Development and validation of a LC-MS assay for the quantification of ikh12 a novel anti-tumor candidate in rat plasma and tissues and its application in a pharmacokinetic study.

IKH12 is a novel histone deacetylase 6 selective inhibitor. A rapid and sensitive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the quantification of IKH12 in rat plasma and tissue with kendine 91 as internal standard (IS). The samples were prepared by liquid-liquid extraction with tert-butyl methyl ether. The chromatographic separation was accomplished by using a Zorbax Extend C18 4.6 × 150 mm, 5 µm column, with a mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.1% formic acid (75:25 v/v). Multiple reaction monitoring, using electrospray ionization in positive ion mode, was employed to quantitatively detect IKH12 and IS. The monitored transitions were set at m/z 418 → 252 and 444 → 169 for IKH12 and kendine 91, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the concentration range 2-1000 ng mL(-1) . The intra- and inter-assay precision and accuracy of the quality controls and the limit of quantification were satisfactory in all cases (according to European Medicines Agency guidelines). Stability studies showed that plasma samples were stable in the chromatography rack for 24 h and at -80°C for 2 months and also after three freeze-thaw cycles. This method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of IKH12 in rat.

Design, synthesis, and functional evaluation of leukocyte function associated antigen-1 antagonists in early and late stages of cancer development.

The integrin leukocyte function associated antigen 1 (LFA-1) binds the intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) by its α(L)-chain inserted domain (I-domain). This interaction plays a key role in cancer and other diseases. We report the structure-based design, small-scale synthesis, and biological activity evaluation of a novel family of LFA-1 antagonists. The design led to the synthesis of a family of highly substituted homochiral pyrrolidines with antiproliferative and antimetastatic activity in a murine model of colon carcinoma, as well as potent antiadhesive properties in several cancer cell lines in the low micromolar range. NMR analysis of their binding to the isolated I-domain shows that they bind to the I-domain allosteric site (IDAS), the binding site of other allosteric LFA-1 inhibitors. These results provide evidence of the potential therapeutic value of a new set of LFA-1 inhibitors, whose further development is facilitated by a synthetic strategy that is versatile and fully stereocontrolled.

Synthesis of 11C-labeled Kendine 91, a histone deacetylase inhibitor.

In the present paper, the synthesis of (11)C-labeled Kendine 91 (a HDAC inhibitor which has shown in vitro and in vivo activity in HCT 116 and MOLT 4 human cancer cell lines) is described for the first time. The radiosynthesis has been approached by reaction of the non-radioactive precursor 6-((3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrrole-2-carboxamide))hexanehydroxamic acid with [(11)C]CH(3)I in basic media. Despite the presence of more than one reactive site in the chemical structure of the precursor, acceptable radiochemical yield (8.2±2.1%, decay corrected to the end of bombardment), specific activity (28.2±9.4 GBq/µmol) and radiochemical purity values (>95%) were obtained in reasonably short preparation times (~40 min). Despite the moderate radiochemical yield, final radioactivity and radioactivity concentration values (1.8±0.3 GBq and 180 MBq/ml, respectively) should be sufficient for putative in vivo studies in animals.

Regioselective preparation of benzo[b]furans from phenols and α-bromoketones.

In this paper, a fully regiocontrolled synthesis of either 2- and 3-substituted benzo[b]furans is described. Direct reaction between phenols and α-bromoacetophenones in the presence of neutral alumina yields 2-substituted benzo[b]furans with complete regiocontrol. When a basic salt such as potassium carbonate is used, the corresponding 2-oxoether is obtained. Cyclization of these latter compounds promoted by neutral alumina yields the corresponding 3-substituted benzo[b]furans. Using the former method, Moracin M and other analogues can be obtained from commercial sources in two preparative steps. DFT calculations provide reasonable reaction paths to understand the formation of 2-substituted benzo[b]furans.

Formation of γ-oxoacids and 1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-ones from α,ß-unsaturated ketones and ethyl nitroacetate.

Michael addition of ethyl nitroacetate on α,ß-unsaturated ketones followed by Nef oxidation under hydrolytic conditions yields γ-oxoacids instead of the corresponding α,δ-dioxoesters. A concerted decarboxylation step is proposed on the basis of computational results. Finally, conversion of the γ-ketoacids thus prepared into 1H-pyrrol-2(5H)-ones by reaction with primary amines under Paal-Knorr conditions is also reported.

Tandem [8 + 2] cycloaddition--[2 + 6 + 2] dehydrogenation reactions involving imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines.

The reaction between benzynes and imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines (pyrimidines) to form benzo[a]imidazo[5,1,2-cd]indolizines and 2,3,9c-triazocyclopenta[j,k]fluorenes has been studied computationally and experimentally. It is found that these reactions take place via tandem [(pi)8(s) + (pi)2(s)] and [(sigma)2(s) + (pi)6(s) + (sigma)2(s)] processes. The [8 + 2] cycloaddition steps are essentially barrierless, and the aromatization steps occur via highly synchronous aromatic transition structures. From an experimental standpoint, the reaction is feasible under microwave irradiation and using 2-(trimethylsilyl)phenyl triflates as benzyne precursors. Depending on the substitution pattern in the starting triflate a complete regiocontrol of the reaction can be achieved. The tetracyclic compounds thus prepared emitted blue light when excited at 365 nm and exhibited interesting photophysical properties.

Trans-stereoselectivity in the reaction between homophthalic anhydride and imines.

The reaction between homophthalic anhydride and imines in the presence of TiCl4 and diisopropyl ethyl amine is trans-selective. Under these conditions, the reaction using homochiral imines can be highly diastereoselective, thus allowing the synthesis of enantiopure 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-oxoquinoline-4-carboxylic acids.

Regiochemistry of the microwave-assisted reaction between aromatic amines and alpha-bromoketones to yield substituted 1H-indoles.

The scope and regioselectivity of the Bischler (or Bischler-Möhlau) reaction between aromatic amines and alpha-bromoketones has been studied by computational and experimental techniques. It has been found that in many cases the reaction yields are improved under microwave irradiation and working in the absence of solvent. When di- and trisubstituted amines are used as substrates the regioselectivity of the reaction is different to that obtained with the corresponding primary anilines. The reaction between benzene-1,2-diamine and alpha-bromoacetophenones under the same conditions yields 2-substituted quinoxalines instead of indoles. Finally, when pyridin-2-amines and pyrimidine-2-amines are allowed to react with the corresponding alpha-bromoacetophenones, the corresponding imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines are obtained, respectively.