Methotrexate-alpha-phenylalanine: optimization of methotrexate prodrug for activation by carboxypeptidase A-monoclonal antibody conjugate.

Methotrexate-alpha-phenylalanine (MTX-Phe), a second-generation prodrug in the MTX alpha-peptide series designed for activation to MTX by carboxypeptidase-mAb conjugates, was synthesized by reaction of the p-nitrophenyl ester of 4-amino-4-deoxy-10-methylpteroic acid with L-glutamyl-alpha-L-phenylalanine. Production of MTX from MTX-Phe, catalyzed by bovine pancreas carboxypeptidase A (CPA), was 250-fold faster than the corresponding reaction involving methotrexate-alpha-alanine, previously the best MTX peptide substrate for the enzyme. The amount of CPA required to make MTX-Phe equitoxic with MTX, when tested against UCLA-P3 human lung adenocarcinoma cells in vitro, was more than 10-fold lower than that required to achieve the same result with MTX-alpha-alanine. When the lung tumor cells were treated with CPA conjugated to KS1/4 (a mAb targeted to these cells) and excess conjugate removed by extensive washing, the ID50 for MTX-Phe improved from 2.2 x 10(-6) M (no enzyme present) to 6.3 x 10(-8) M; the latter value was comparable to that of the parent drug MTX (4.5 x 10(-8) M). [3H]MTX-Phe was synthesized and used to investigate the mechanism by which the prodrug exerts its cytotoxic effect in the presence and absence of CPA. The present results demonstrate that, for use in conjunction with CPA-mAb conjugates, the alpha-phenylalanine derivative is the optimal prodrug form of MTX (and probably other antifols that contain the glutamate moiety).

Activation of methotrexate-alpha-alanine by carboxypeptidase A-monoclonal antibody conjugate.

Carboxypeptidase A (CP-A) and monoclonal antibody KS1/4 directed against an antigen on human lung adenocarcinoma cells (UCLA-P3) were derivatized by treatment with succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate and N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate, respectively. The derivatized proteins were reacted to produce thioether-linked enzyme-antibody conjugates. Sequential HPLC size-exclusion and DEAE chromatography separated the conjugate preparation from unreacted enzyme and antibody. On the basis of SDS-PAGE analysis and measurement of catalytic activity, the preparation contained approximately equal amounts of 1:1 and 2:1 (enzyme:antibody) conjugates; binding activity of the conjugate (1.8 x 10(5) molecules/cell) was similar to that of unreacted antibody. In vitro cytotoxicity studies with UCLA-P3 cells demonstrated the ability of cell-bound conjugate to convert the prodrug methotrexate-alpha-alanine (MTX-Ala) to methotrexate (MTX). In the absence of conjugate, ID50 values for MTX-Ala and MTX were 8.9 x 10(-6) and 5.2 x 10(-8) M, respectively. ID50 for the prodrug improved to 1.5 x 10(-6) M with cells containing bound conjugate. This potentiation of MTX-Ala cytotoxicity by conjugate-bound CP-A, which was at least 30-fold greater than that produced by a comparable amount of free enzyme, is attributed to enhanced effectiveness of MTX generated at the cell surface as opposed to the surrounding medium. Examination of the time course of cytotoxicity over a 96-h period showed that the conjugate-prodrug combination (at 2.5 x 10(-6) M) was nearly as effective as MTX in preventing cell replication. These results demonstrate the chemotherapeutic potential of carboxypeptidase-monoclonal antibody conjugates used in conjunction with MTX peptide prodrugs.

Construction and chemotherapeutic potential of carboxypeptidase-A/monoclonal antibody conjugate.

Carboxypeptidase-A and a monoclonal antibody (KS1/4) directed against a human lung carcinoma cell line (UCLA-P3) were derivatized by treatment with succinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylate and N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate, respectively. Admixture of these entities produced a stable conjugate containing 4 to 5 enzyme molecules per molecule of antibody. The conjugate (Mr approximately equal to 300 kDa) was purified to homogeneity by HPLC gel filtration and HPLC ion-exchange chromatography. Neither the catalytic activity of the enzyme nor the antigen-binding capacity of the monoclonal antibody was impaired in the conjugate. UCLA-P3 cells that had been exposed to the conjugate and then washed thoroughly were extremely sensitive to methotrexate alpha-alanine (MTX-Ala), a prodrug form of MTX. At 10(-5) M, MTX-Ala was almost as effective as free MTX in blocking the replication of conjugate-treated cells. These results demonstrate the chemotherapeutic potential of enzyme-monoclonal antibody conjugates used in conjunction with prodrugs.

Occurrence and significance of diastereomers of methotrexate alpha-peptides.

The L,L diastereomer of methotrexate-alpha-alanine (L,L-MTX-Ala) was synthesized by reaction of alpha-L-glutamyl-L-alanine di-tert-butyl ester with 4-amino-4-deoxy-10-methylpteroic acid, followed by removal of the blocking groups. It was identified by HPLC (C18 reversed-phase silica gel; acetic acid/CH3OH) as the slower of two closely spaced components in DL,L-MTX-Ala prepared previously by a different route [Kuefner et al. (1989) Biochemistry 28, 2288-2297]. The L,L diastereomer was hydrolyzed by pancreatic carboxypeptidase A (to yield MTX and Ala) twice as rapidly as the DL,L mixture. Analysis of the latter by HPLC established that the slower component was hydrolyzed to MTX and that the unreactive, faster component was D,L-MTX-Ala. DL,L-MTX-Arg was resolved by HPLC (NH4OAc/CH3CN) into two closely spaced components, and the diastereomers were partially separated by chromatography on DEAE-Trisacryl (H2O----2% NH4HCO3). Serum carboxypeptidase N hydrolyzed only the slower HPLC component (to yield MTX and Arg), thereby identifying it as the L,L diastereomer. When tested for cytotoxicity against L1210 cells, L,L-MTX-Arg (ID50 = 1.6 X 10(-8) M) was more effective than the D,L diastereomer (ID50 = 2.2 X 10(-7) M). Treatment of MTX with dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS), followed by hydrolysis of the NHS ester, led to racemization in the L-glutamate moiety of MTX as shown by the fact that the product was hydrolyzed by carboxypeptidase G2 (at the pteroate-Glu bond) only to the extent of ca. 50% compared to the untreated control. These observations have a broad significance, since coupling agents are employed extensively in the derivatization of MTX for attachment to affinity supports and monoclonal antibodies.

Carboxypeptidase-mediated release of methotrexate from methotrexate alpha-peptides.

Methotrexate (MTX) alpha-peptides containing representative neutral (alanine), acidic (aspartic acid), and basic (arginine) amino acids were synthesized by a regiospecific route. Purity and authenticity of MTX-Ala, MTX-Asp, and MTX-Arg were established by TLC, HPLC, elemental analysis, and NMR and absorbance spectra. These peptides were hydrolyzed by carboxypeptidases to yield MTX and the amino acids. Reactions were monitored by using a ninhydrin assay for the amino acids and HPLC and spectrophotometric assays for MTX. Pancreatic carboxypeptidase A (CP-A) hydrolyzed MTX-Ala and, at a much slower rate, MTX-Asp and MTX-Arg. MTX-Ala was also a substrate for pancreatic carboxypeptidase B (CP-B); marginal activity was observed with this enzyme and MTX-Arg. Human serum hydrolyzed only MTX-Arg; biphasic inhibition of this activity by 2-(mercaptomethyl)-3-(guanidinoethyl)thiopropionate was consistent with the known presence of two types of endogenous carboxypeptidase (CP-N). Cytotoxicity of the MTX peptides toward L1210 cells in culture was enhanced considerably in the presence of the appropriate carboxypeptidases. MTX-Ala was much less toxic than MTX (ID50 values of 2.0 X 10(-6) M and 2.4 x 10(-8) M, respectively), but in the presence of CP-A the ID50 of the peptide improved to 8.5 X 10(-8) M. Similar results were obtained with MTX-Asp/CP-A and MTX-Ala/CP-B combinations. MTX-Arg showed good cytotoxicity (ID50 of 5.0 X 10(-8) M), due to CP-N activity in the fetal bovine serum of the culture medium; inclusion of CP-B lowered the ID50 to that of MTX. Possible clinical uses of MTX peptides are discussed.

Overview: rational basis for development of fluoropyrimidine/5-formyltetrahydrofolate combination chemotherapy.

Fluorodeoxyuridylate (FdUMP) and thymidylate synthase (TS) are one of the better understood systems of drug-target interaction in cancer chemotherapy. Isolation and characterization of TS (initially from Lactobacillus casei and later from a variety of other sources), cloning and sequencing of the gene, determination of the 3-D structure of the enzyme by X-ray diffraction, and elucidation of the structure of both the catalytic intermediate and the enzyme-inhibitor complex have revealed critical parameters of the target at the molecular level. Potentiation of FdUMP binding by 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (CH2-FH4), discovered at the enzymatic level, has been exploited to increase the clinical effectiveness of fluoropyrimidines. CH2-FH4 can be generated from folate, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, or 5-formyltetrahydrofolate (citrovorum factor, CF); the latter is the compound of choice for therapeutic regimens. Transformation of CF to CH2-FH4 can occur via two pathways: (a) CF----5,10-methyltetrahydrofolate----CH2-FH4; or (b) CF----tetrahydrofolate----CH2-FH4. The relative importance of these pathways in various cells is not yet clear. The role of CH2-FH4 in FdUMP toxicity, and its central position in folate coenzyme-dependent C1 metabolism, emphasize the need for development of methods to quantitate intracellular levels of this compound.

Chemotherapeutic potential of methotrexate peptides.

MTX peptides in which the amino acid was linked to the alpha-carboxyl group have been prepared and examined for cytotoxicity before and after treatment with proteolytic enzymes. The alanine, aspartic acid and arginine derivatives (MTX-ala, MTX-asp and MTX-arg) were synthesized by a regio-specific route, following the general procedures of Rosowsky and Montgomery. Each compound was obtained in good yield, and purity was established by TLC, HPLC, absorbance spectra and elemental analyses. The MTX peptides were not hydrolyzed by a variety of proteolytic enzymes (e.g., trypsin, plasmin, urokinase, aminopeptidase). Pancreatic carboxypeptidase A, however, hydrolyzed MTX-ala readily, MTX-asp slowly and MTX-arg not at all. The MTX-ala and, to a lesser extent, MTX-arg were substrates for pancreatic carboxypeptidase B. MTX-arg was also hydrolyzed by the endogenous carboxypeptidase N in human serum. The cytotoxicity of these MTX peptides toward L1210 cells was measured in a microculture assay system using a tetrazolium dye. MTX-ala was weakly cytotoxic (ID50 = 2.0 x 10(-6)M) compared to MTX (ID50 = 2.4 x 10(-8)M). When MTX-ala was tested in the presence of carboxypeptidase A, the ID50 value improved to 8.5 x 10(-8)M. MTX-arg gave an ID50 of 5.0 x 10(-8)M, which was not unexpected in view of its susceptibility to hydrolysis by the carboxypeptidase activity present in the fetal calf serum of the culture medium. Inclusion of carboxypeptidase B lowered the ID50 value to 2.5 x 10(-8)M. Possible clinical uses of MTX peptides are discussed.

Platinum-folate compounds: synthesis, properties and biological activity.

Cis-diamminediaquaplatinum(II)-ion, the biologically active form of the anticancer agent Cisplatin, reacted readily with tetrahydrofolate at pH 7 and 37 degrees C to produce a stable complex. The reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically by the change in absorbance maximum from 298 nm (tetrahydrofolate) to 275 nm (complex); occurrence of isobestic points at 282 and 327 nm indicated that a single product was formed. Purity of platinum-tetrahydrofolate, after isolation in ca. 70% yield, was established by TLC and HPLC. Elemental analysis, absorbance spectra at various pH values and nmr spectra provided evidence that the diammine platinum moiety was bridged across the N-5 and N-10 positions of tetrahydrofolate. Complexation also occurred with 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, Methotrexate and aminopterin, but not with folate or 7,8-dihydrofolate. Biological implications of these observations have been investigated. Intracellular folates in L1210 cells have been identified and quantitated via reverse phase HPLC (C18 column; tetrabutylammonium phosphate as the pairing ion) and changes in the levels of these compounds, after exposure of cells to Cisplatin, have been measured. Platinum derivatives of tetrahydrofolate or other reduced folates were not found, but there was a decrease in the level of 5,10-methenyltetrahydrofolate, accompanied by an increase in 5-formyl and 10-formyltetrahydrofolate (and perhaps tetrahydrofolate). The chemical interaction of the diaqua form of Cisplatin with Methotrexate resulted in decreased uptake of the latter by L1210 cells. The platinum complex of tetrahydrofolate was a reasonably good inhibitor (Ki = 4 microM) of L1210 dihydrofolate reductase and of the folate transport system (50% inhibition at ca. 200 microM) of L1210 cells.

Adherence of L1210 murine leukemia cells to sephacryl-aminopropylcobalamin beads treated with transcobalamin-II.

Sephacryl beads containing an immobilized aminopropylcobalamin-transcobalamin-II complex serve as foci for the adherence of L1210 murine leukemia cells. Bead-cell interaction does not occur when (A) nonderivatized beads are used; (B) transcobalamin-II is omitted or presaturated with cyanocobalamin in the preparation of the bead complex; (C) intrinsic factor replaces transcobalamin-II; and (D) the complex is removed from beads by photolysis. These observations suggest that adherence results from the ability of transcobalamin-II to form a bridge between immobilized cobalamin on the bead and receptors in the plasma membrane of the cell.

Cryptofluorescent analogs of cobalamin coenzymes: synthesis and characterization.

Upper-axial (beta-position) ligand analogs of the B12 coenzymes 5'-deoxy-5'-adenosylcob(III)alamin and methylcob(III)alamin have been synthesized by reaction of the 5'-chloro-5'-deoxy derivatives of fluorescent nucleosides (1,N6-ethenoadenosine, formycin, 2-amino-nebularine, and 2,6-diaminonebularine) and a fluorescent alkyl halide (dansylamidopropyl chloride) with cob(I)alamin. These analogs were nonfluorescent, but fluorescent products could be generated by photolysis or cyanolysis of the carbon-cobalt bonds. Under anaerobic and aerobic conditions, the major fluorescent photolysis products of 1,N6-ethenoadenosylcob(III)alamin were 1,N6-etheno-5',8-cyclic-5'-deoxyadenosine, and the 5'-aldehyde of 1,N6-ethenoadenosine, respectively. The cryptofluorescent property of these analogs was utilized to follow the kinetics of aerobic photolysis. First-order rate constants determined by this method were comparable to those obtained spectrophotometrically [via appearance of of aquacob(III)alamin]. Pseudo-first-order rate constants determined fluorometrically for the cyanolysis (at 25 degrees C) of 1,N6-ethenoadenosylcob(III)alamin, 2,6-diaminonebularinylcob(III)alamin, 2-aminonebularinylcob(III)alamin and formycinylcob(III)alamin were 5.8 X 10(-2), 2 X 10(-2), 1.8 X 10(-2), and 3 X 10(-5) min-1, respectively; values in good agreement were obtained spectrophotometrically (via appearance of dicyanocobalamin). Dansylamidopropylcob(III)alamin was stable in the presence of cyanide. The nucleoside alpha-ribazole is fluorescent in the free state but nonfluorescent when present as the lower axial (alpha-position) ligand in cobalamin coenzymes. Thus fluorescence of ligands in both the alpha- and beta-positions of cobalamins is quenched, probably as a result of intramolecular energy transfer between the ligands and the nonfluorescent corrinoid.