3-Carboxamido analogues of morphine and naltrexone. synthesis and opioid receptor binding properties.

In response to the unexpectedly high affinity for opioid receptors observed in a novel series of cyclazocine analogues where the prototypic 8-OH was replaced by a carboxamido group, we have prepared the corresponding 3-CONH(2) analogues of morphine and naltrexone. High affinity (K(i)=34 and 1.7nM) for mu opioid receptors was seen, however, the new targets were 39- and 11-fold less potent than morphine and naltrexone, respectively.

8-Carboxamidocyclazocine analogues: redefining the structure-activity relationships of 2,6-methano-3-benzazocines.

Unexpectedly high affinity for opioid receptors has been observed for a novel series of cyclazocine analogues where the prototypic 8-OH was replaced by a carboxamido group. For mu and kappa opioid receptors, the primary carboxamido derivative of cyclazocine ((+/-)-15) displayed high affinity (Ki=0.41 and 0.53 nM, respectively) nearly comparable to cyclazocine. A high enantiopreference ((2R,6R,11R)-) for binding was also observed. Compound (+/-)-15 also displayed potent antinociception activity in mice when administered icv.

Similar symptoms and confounding conditions: benign prostatic hyperplasia versus hyperglycemia.

The traditional approach to diagnosing men with symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) based on the American Urological Association symptom index may be limiting. There are often concurrent conditions that may be responsible for the urinary complaints of men with BPH, namely hyperglycemia. Both conditions manifest many of the same symptoms and complaints by patients, but treatment of one can lead to a missed diagnosis of the other.

Depressive symptoms in women with urinary incontinence: a prospective study.

In this prospective study, the incidence of depression in women who suffer from urinary incontinence (UI) is examined. Although the literature has confounding information directly linking depression to UI, this study revealed depression was significantly higher in women with UI as opposed to their counterparts without UI.

Impact of commercial marketing on patient demand.

This pilot study attempts to determine the impact of commercial direct-to-consumer advertising on the incidence of patients requesting medication for urinary incontinence by brand name. Of 310 patients interviewed prior to urodynamics, 237 (76%) sought treatment after seeing related commercials. After testing, 119 (50.2%) were prescribed the advertised drug for detrusor instability. Fifty-nine (24.8%) were diagnosed with intrinsic sphincter deficiency and were recommended anticholinergics, collagen injections, or surgery. Forty-one (17.2%) men were found to have bladder outlet obstruction, but only four were prescribed the advertised drug. Three (1.2%) were recommended intermittent catheterization along with the advertised drug and 15 (6.6%) had various other treatments. The results suggest that 50% of those seeking treatment were not candidates for the medication advertised.

Selective protection and functionalization of morphine: synthesis and opioid receptor binding properties of 3-amino-3-desoxymorphine derivatives.

As part of an effort to identify novel opioid receptor interactive agents, we recently prepared a series of 8-(substituted)amino analogues of cyclazocine. We found the chiral 8-phenylamino (NHC(6)H(5)) cyclazocine derivative to have subnanomolar affinity for kappa opioid receptors and a 2-fold lower affinity for mu, opioid receptors. To determine if the benefits of (substituted)amino groups could be extended to the morphine core structure, we have made five novel 3-amino-3-desoxymorphine derivatives of general structure 5 where RR'N = H(2)N, CH(3)NH, (CH(3))(2)N, C(6)H(5)NH, and C(6)H(5)CH(2)NH. Relative to morphine, these derivatives had 38-273-fold, 11-41-fold, and 10-141-fold lower affinity for mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors, respectively. Target compounds were made via Pd-catalyzed amination of a morphine 3-trifluoromethylsulfonate substrate where the 6-OH group was protected with a tert-butyldiphenylsilyl group. To make 6-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxymorphine selectively, a new high-yield method was developed whereby morphine was bis-silylated using normal conditions followed by selective removal of the 3-tert-butyldiphenylsilyl group with catalytic tetrabutylammonium fluoride.

Partial opioids. Medications for the treatment of pain and drug abuse.

Pentazocine and cyclazocine are two benzomorphans that were synthesized by the late Sydney Archer in 1962. These benzomorphans were synthesized as part of an effort to develop analgesics with little or no abuse potential. Pentazocine is used as an analgesic, often in individuals who have sever pain or in those who have drug-abuse problems. Cyclazocine is a low-liability analgesic and potential therapeutic for the treatment of drug abuse. The risk of drug dependence is lower with the benzomorphans, which usually act as partial agonists at the mu opioid receptor and as kappa agonists. In an attempt to synthesize analogs of cyclazocine with increased bioavailability and varying kappa agonist and partial mu agonist properties, a series of 8-amino derivatives of cyclazocine were synthesized. These compounds were characterized in radioligand binding assays for their affinity and selectivity for the mu, delta, and kappa opioid receptors. Mouse antinociceptive tests were used to characterize the agonist and antagonist properties of each compound at the mu, delta and kappa receptors.

A third life for burimamide. Discovery and characterization of a novel class of non-opioid analgesics derived from histamine antagonists.

Burimamide, a histamine (HA) derivative with both H2- and H3-blocking properties, induces antinociception when injected into the rodent CNS. Several related compounds share this property, and structure-activity studies have shown that this new class of analgesics is distinct from known HA antagonists. The prototype, named improgan, shows a preclinical profile of a highly effective analgesic, with activity against thermal, mechanical and inflammatory nociception after doses that do not alter motor balance or locomotor activity. Improgen analgesia is not blocked by opioid antagonists and is observed in opioid receptor knock-out mice. Unlike morphine, improgan does not induce tolerance after daily dosing. Extensive in vitro pharmacology studies have excluded known histaminergic, opioid, serotonergic, GABAergic and adrenergic receptor mechanisms, as well as 50 other sites of action. The improgan-like analgesic activity of some HA congeners suggests an analgesic action on a novel HA receptor, but further studies are required to substantiate this. Studies in progress are characterizing the sites and mechanisms of action of improgan, and developing brain-penetrating derivatives that could be useful for clinical pain.

8-Aminocyclazocine analogues: synthesis and structure-activity relationships.

Opioid binding affinities were assessed for a series of cyclazocine analogues where the prototypic 8-OH substituent of cyclazocine was replaced by amino and substituted-amino groups. For mu and kappa opioid receptors, secondary amine derivatives having the (2R,6R,11R)-configuration had the highest affinity. Most targets were efficiently synthesized from the triflate of cyclazocine or its enantiomers using Pd-catalyzed amination procedures.

Preclinical efficacy of thioxanthone SR271425 against transplanted solid tumors of mouse and human origin.

A highly active and broadly active thioxanthone has been identified: N-[[1-[[2-(Diethylamino)ethyl]amino]-7-methoxy-9-oxo-9H-thioxanthen++ +-4-yl] methylformamide (SR271425, BCN326862, WIN71425). In preclinical testing against a variety of subcutaneously growing solid tumors, the following %T/C and Log10 tumor cell kill (LK) values were obtained: Panc-03 T/C = 0, 5/5 cures; Colon-38 (adv. stage) T/C = 0, 3/5 cures, 4.9 LK; Mam-16/C T/C = 0, 3.5 LK; Mam-17/0 T/C = 0, 2.8 LK; Colon-26 T/C = 0, 1/5 cures, 3.2 LK; Colon-51 T/C = 0, 2.7 LK; Panc-02 T/C = 0, 3.1 LK; B16 Melanoma T/C = 13%, 4.0 LK; Squamous Lung-LC12 (adv. stage) T/C = 14%, 4.9 LK; BG-1 human ovarian T/C = 16%, 1.3 LK; WSU-Brl human breast T/C = 25%, 0.8 LK. The agent was modestly active against doxorubicin (Adr)-resistant solid tumors: Mam-17/AdrT/C =23%, 0.8 LK; and Mam-16/C/Adr T/C = 25%, 1.0 LK, but retained substantial activity against a taxol-resistant tumor: Mam-16/C/taxol T/C = 3%, 2.4 LK. SR271425 was highly active against IV implanted leukemias, L1210 6.3 LK and AML1498 5.3 LK. The agent was equally active both by the IV and oral routes of administration, although requiring approximately 30% higher dose by the oral route. Based on its preclinical antitumor profile, it may be appropriate to evaluate SR271425 in clinical trials.

Synthesis and antitumor activity of 4-aminomethylthioxanthenone and 5-aminomethylbenzothiopyranoindazole derivatives.

Two new series of antitumor agents, 4-aminomethylthioxanthenones (6-50) and 5-aminomethylbenzothiopyranoindazoles (51-61), are described and compared. Nearly all members of both series display excellent in vivo activity versus murine pancreatic adenocarcinoma 03 (Panc03) although there is little to distinguish the two series from each other. In both series there is no discernible relationship between structure and in vivo efficacy. Selected analogues were evaluated in vitro; all were observed to have moderate to strong DNA binding via intercalation. However, varying degrees of in vitro P388 cytotoxicity and topoisomerase II inhibition were seen. In general, those molecules which exhibited strong topoisomerase II inhibition were significantly more cytotoxic than those which did not. In both series, those derivatives (48-50, 60, and 61) having a phenolic hydroxy substitution exhibited the most potent P388 cytotoxicity and topoisomerase II inhibition.

Antiviral properties of 3-quinolinecarboxamides: a series of novel non-nucleoside antiherpetic agents.

Novel antiherpetic 3-quinolinecarboxamides were discovered as part of a drug discovery program at Sterling Winthrop Inc. A major goal of this research was to identify novel non-nucleoside agents possessing activity against acyclovir resistant herpes simplex virus. From screening compound libraries in an HSV-2 plaque reduction assay, 1-ethyl-1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-(4-pyridinyl)-3-quinolinecarboxamide (1) emerged as an attractive lead structure. By modifying the quinoline ring at the 1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, and 7-positions, analogues were identified that have up to 5-fold increased in vitro potency relative to acyclovir. In a single dose mouse model of infection the 1-(4-FC6H4) analogue 17, one of the most potent derivatives in vitro, displayed comparable oral antiherpetic efficacy to acyclovir at 1/16 the dose; in a multiple dose regimen, however, it was 2-fold less potent. Mechanism of action studies indicate that these new compounds interact with a different, as yet undefined, molecular target than acyclovir.

Large-scale concatenation cDNA sequencing.

A total of 100 kb of DNA derived from 69 individual human brain cDNA clones of 0.7-2.0 kb were sequenced by concatenated cDNA sequencing (CCS), whereby multiple individual DNA fragments are sequenced simultaneously in a single shotgun library. The method yielded accurate sequences and a similar efficiency compared with other shotgun libraries constructed from single DNA fragments (> 20 kb). Computer analyses were carried out on 65 cDNA clone sequences and their corresponding end sequences to examine both nucleic acid and amino acid sequence similarities in the databases. Thirty-seven clones revealed no DNA database matches, 12 clones generated exact matches (> or = 98% identity), and 16 clones generated nonexact matches (57%-97% identity) to either known human or other species genes. Of those 28 matched clones, 8 had corresponding end sequences that failed to identify similarities. In a protein similarity search, 27 clone sequences displayed significant matches, whereas only 20 of the end sequences had matches to known protein sequences. Our data indicate that full-length cDNA insert sequences provide significantly more nucleic acid and protein sequence similarity matches than expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for database searching.

Discovery of cryptophycin-1 and BCN-183577: examples of strategies and problems in the detection of antitumor activity in mice.

Historically, many new anticancer agents were first detected in a prescreen; usually consisting of a molecular/biochemical target or a cellular cytotoxicity assay. The agent then progressed to in vivo evaluation against transplanted human or mouse tumors. If the investigator had a large drug supply and ample resources, multiple tests were possible, with variations in tumor models, tumor and drug routes, dose-decrements, dose-schedules, number of groups, etc. However, in most large programs involving several hundred in vivo tests yearly, resource limitations and drug supply limitations have usually dictated a single trial. Under such restrictive conditions, we have implemented a flexible in vivo testing protocol. With this strategy, the tumor model is dictated by in vitro cellular sensitivity; drug route by water solubility (with water soluble agents injected intravenously); dosage decrement by drug supply, dose-schedule by toxicities encountered, etc. In this flexible design, many treatment parameters can be changed during the course of treatment (e.g., dose and schedule). The discovery of two active agents are presented (Cryptophycin-1, and Thioxanthone BCN 183577). Both were discovered by the intravenous route of administration. Both would have been missed if they were tested intraperitoneally, the usual drug route used in discovery protocols. It is also likely that they would have been missed with an easy to execute fixed protocol design, even if injected i.v.

Simultaneous shotgun sequencing of multiple cDNA clones.

This study describes an efficient method for the rapid sequencing of DNA fragments in the size range 1-5 kb. Individual fragments, here cDNA inserts, are purified by restriction enzyme digestion and gel purification, pooled and concatenated by ligation. The concatamers are sheared and cloned randomly into M13, followed by random sequencing. The sequences of the individual cDNA inserts are obtained at the assembly stage using restriction enzyme sites as "tags' for the ends of each fragment. In this study the sequencing of two libraries containing 7 and 16 cDNA inserts with an average length of 2.5 kb is described. The results show that of the shotgun sequencing of large fragments, and that the method compares favorably to alternative strategies, such as primer walking.

Novel qualitative structure-activity relationships for the antinociceptive actions of H2 antagonists, H3 antagonists and derivatives.

Recent studies have shown that cimetidine, burimamide and improgan (also known as SKF92374, a cimetidine congener lacking H2 antagonist activity) induce antinociception after intracerebroventricular administration in rodents. Because these substances closely resemble the structure of histamine (a known mediator of some endogenous analgesic responses), yet no role for known histamine receptors has been found in the analgesic actions of these agents, the structure-activity relationships for the antinociceptive effects of 21 compounds chemically related to H2 and H3 antagonists were investigated in this study. Antinociceptive activity was assessed on the hot-plate and tail-flick tests after intracerebroventricular administration in rats. Eleven compounds induced time-dependent (10-min peak) and dose-dependent antinociceptive activity with no observable behavioral impairment. ED50 values, estimated by nonlinear regression, were highly correlated across nociceptive assays (r2 = 0.98, n = 11). Antinociceptive potencies varied more than 6-fold (80-464 nmol), but were not correlated with activity on H1, H2 or H3 receptors. Although highly potent H3 antagonists such as thioperamide lacked antinociceptive activity, homologs of burimamide and thioperamide containing N-aromatic substituents retained H3 antagonist activity and also showed potent, effective analgesia. A literature review of the pharmacology of these agents did not find a basis for their antinociceptive effects. Taken with previous findings, the present results suggest: 1) these compounds act on the brain to activate powerful analgesic responses that are independent of known histamine receptors, 2) the structure-activity profile of these agents is novel and 3) brain-penetrating derivatives of these compounds could be clinically useful analgesics.

A "double adaptor" method for improved shotgun library construction.

The efficiency of shotgun DNA sequencing depends to a great extent on the quality of the random-subclone libraries used. We here describe a novel "double adaptor" strategy for efficient construction of high-quality shotgun libraries. In this method, randomly sheared and end-repaired fragments are ligated to oligonucleotide adaptors creating 12-base overhangs. Nonphosphorylated oligonucleotides are used, which prevents formation of adaptor dimers and ensures efficient ligation of insert to adaptor. The vector is prepared from a modified M13 vector, by KpnI/PstI digestion followed by ligation to oligonucleotides with ends complementary to the overhangs created in the digest. These adaptors create 5'-overhangs complementary to those on the inserts. Following annealing of insert to vector, the DNA is directly used for transformation without a ligation step. This protocol is robust and shows three- to fivefold higher yield of clones compared to previous protocols. No chimeric clones can be detected and the background of clones without an insert is <1%. The procedure is rapid and shows potential for automation.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of some novel 1-substituted 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-pyridinyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acids. Potent antistaphylococcal agents.

The palladium-catalyzed coupling of 3- and 4-(trialkylstannyl)pyridines with 7-bromo or 7-chloro 1-substituted 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-3-quinolinecarboxylates has provided access to the corresponding 1-substituted 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-7-pyridinyl-3-quinolinecarboxylic acids. The antibacterial activity of these derivatives was studied with the finding that the optimal 1- and 7-position substituents for Gram positive activity are cyclopropyl and 4-(2,6-dimethylpyridinyl), respectively. We find that for the fluorine-substituted derivatives studied, the position of the fluorine on the quinolone nucleus or the number of fluorine atoms does not seem to be important for good Gram positive activity. For 1-cyclopropyl 7-(2,6-dimethyl-4-pyridinyl) derivatives, the 6-fluoro 4a, 8-fluoro 10d, 6,8-difluoro 10b, and 5,6,8-trifluoro 8, all provided equal antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213. There is also a correlation between the substitution on the 7-(4-pyridinyl) group and the Gram positive activity, particularly for S. aureus, clearly indicating that the 2,6-dimethylpyridinyl group is optimal. The MIC50 value for the most potent agents in this study against S. aureus ATCC 29213 is 0.008 microgram/mL. By comparison, ciprofloxacin and aminopyrrolidine 28 gave values of 0.25 and 0.015 microgram/mL, respectively, against this organism.

Cyclic variations of 3-quinolinecarboxamides and effects on antiherpetic activity.

Supported by the antiherpetic properties of 3-quinolinecarboxamides and the importance of the planar intramolecular H-bonded beta-keto amide pharmacophore, a series of novel conformationally rigid analogues that contain a heterocyclic bridge between the 3- and 4-positions of the quinoline ring have been evaluated. Two isoxazolo-fused derivatives 17 and 23 displayed good in vitro antiherpetic potency that was similar to that of 1, the 3-quinolinecarboxamide that served as the comparison structure for this study. The pyrazolo, pyrrolo, and pyrimido derivatives showed considerably less or no activity. In vitro activity did not translate to in vivo efficacy. For 17, the lack of in vivo activity is likely a consequence of insufficient plasma drug levels (both Cmax and duration) in mice relative to the MIC versus HSV-2.

Mechanism of action and antitumor activity of (S)-10-(2,6-dimethyl-4-pyridinyl)-9-fluoro-3-methyl-7-oxo-2,3-dihydro-7 H- pyridol[1,2,3-de]-[1,4]benzothiazine-6-carboxylic acid (WIN 58161).

(S)-10-(2,6-Dimethyl-4-pyridinyl)-9-fluoro-3-methyl-7-oxo-2,3-dihydro-7H - pyrido[1,2,3-de][1,4]benzothiazine-6-carboxylic acid (WIN 58161) is an enantiomerically pure quinolone with outstanding bacterial topoisomerase II (DNA gyrase, EC 5.99.1.3) inhibitory and antibacterial activity. Unlike most quinolones, WIN 58161 also exhibits significant inhibitory activity against mammalian topoisomerase II (EC 5.99.1.3). DNA gyrase and topoisomerase II inhibitory activities are enantioselective. Consequently, WIN 58161 and its enantiomer (WIN 58161-2) provide useful tools to probe the contribution of topoisomerase II inhibition to the mechanism of cytotoxicity of quinolones and the potential utility of quinolone-topoisomerase II inhibitors as antitumor agents. WIN 58161 inhibited both highly purified Escherichia coli DNA gyrase and HeLa cell topoisomerase II by the promotion of enzyme-DNA covalent complexes. WIN 58161 did not bind stably to DNA via intercalation and did not enhance the formation of topoisomerase I (EC 5.99.1.2)-DNA covalent complexes. At drug concentrations that are cytotoxic to P388 murine leukemia cells, WIN 58161 promoted intracellular DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) that exhibited the hallmarks of being mediated by topoisomerase. DNA fragments were complexed with protein, and SSBs were readily resealed at 37 degrees following drug removal. WIN 58161-2 was neither cytotoxic nor did it promote intracellular SSBs in P388. These observations suggest that the mechanism of cytotoxicity of WIN 58161 is predominantly, if not exclusively, a result of topoisomerase II inhibition. When studied in tumor-bearing mice, WIN 58161 exhibited a significant antitumor effect against each of five tumors tested, whereas neither toxicity nor antitumor activity was observed with WIN 58161-2. We conclude from these studies that WIN 58161 represents the prototype of a novel chemical class of topoisomerase II inhibitor with potential clinical utility in treating cancer.