David Virieux

Oxaphosphinanes: New Therapeutic Perspectives for Glioblastoma

This paper reports the design and the synthesis of a new family of compounds, the phostines, belonging to the [1,2]oxaphosphinane family. Twenty-six compounds have been screened for their antiproliferative activity against a large panel of NCI cancer cell lines. Because of its easy synthesis and low EC(50) value (500 nM against the C6 rat glioma cell line), compound 3.1a was selected for further biological study. Moreover, the specific biological effect of 3.1a on the glioblastoma phylogenetic cluster from the NCI is dependent on its stereochemistry. Within that cluster, 3.1a has a higher antiproliferative activity than Temozolomide and is more potent than paclitaxel for the SF295 and SNB75 cell lines. In constrast with paclitaxel and vincristine, 3.1a is devoid of astrocyte toxicity. The original activity spectrum of 3.1a on the NCI cancer cell line panel allows the development of this family for use in association with existing drugs, opening new therapeutic perspectives.

Synthesis and evaluation of phosphorus containing, specific CDK9/CycT1 inhibitors.

Although there is a significant effort in the design of a selective CDK9/CycT1 inhibitor, no compound has been proven to be a specific inhibitor of this kinase so far. The aim of this research was to develop novel and selective phosphorus containing CDK9/CycT1 inhibitors. Molecules bearing phosphonamidate, phosphonate, and phosphinate moieties were synthesized. Prepared compounds were evaluated in an enzymatic CDK9/CycT1 assay. The most potent molecules were tested in cell-based toxicity and HIV proliferation assays. Selectivity of shortlisted compounds against CDKs and other kinases was tested. The best compound was shown to be a highly specific, ATP-competitive inhibitor of CDK9/CycT1 with antiviral activity.

Anomalous reactivity of diphenylhydroxymethylphosphine oxide in the synthesis of a phosphorylated ether by oxa- Michael reaction

Abstract Vinylic phosphorus compounds were found to react as Michael olefins with alcohols in basic catalytic conditions. Several phosphorylated polyethers were obtained in such a way. In analogous conditions, the hydroxymethylphosphine oxide used as alcoholic reagent looses formaldehyde leading to 1,2-diphosphorus compound formation.

Synthesis and biological applications of phosphinates and derivatives.

This review first outlines general considerations on phosphinic acids and derivatives as bioisosteric groups. The next sections present key aspects of phosphinic acid-based molecules and include a brief description of the biological pathways involved for their activities. The synthetic aspects and the biological activities of such compounds reported in the literature between 2008 and 2013 are also described.

C‑Glycoside Mimetics Inhibit Glioma Stem Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion

This paper reports the design and synthesis of C-glycoside mimetics (d-glycero-d-talo- and d-glycero-d-galactopyranose analogues), a subset of the recently published phostines, belonging to the [1,2]oxaphosphinane core. Eighteen new compounds were tested against 11 cancer cell types belonging to six categories of tumor tissues and three different species. The hit compound 5.3d inhibited invasion and migration of both GBM stem cells (Gli7 and Gli4) and GBM cancer cell lines (C6, SNB75) on fibronectin, vitronectin, and laminin. Ki values for Gli7 and Gli4 migration inhibition on fibronectin were 16 and 31 nM respectively. Ki values for invasion inhibition in a 3D system were 46 nM for Gli7 and 290 nM for Gli4. These activities were associated with an antiproliferative effect on Gli4 (EC50 = 5.20 μM) and Gli7 (EC50 = 2.33 μM). In conclusion, the heptopyranose mimetic 5.3d, devoid of toxicity on astrocyte and cortical neuron cultures at concentrations below 100 μM, opens new therapeutic perspectives against glioblastoma.

Facile and General Synthesis of Polyphosphane Polyoxides with (O)PCP(O) Linkages

Polyphosphane polyoxides with (O)PCP(O) linkages are powerful chelating agents for extraction of actinides from nuclear wastes. They are obtained either by the Michaelis–Arbuzov reaction of chloromethylphosphane oxides and phosphorus(III) esters, or by the reaction of phosphane oxide carbanions with chlorophosphanes. With the latter method, the addition of a phosphane oxide carbanion in excess allowed us to overcome a transmetallation reaction and thereby obtain polyphosphane polyoxides in good yields. The 1H-NMR spectra of the PCH2P groups show the influence of the different R groups attached to the phosphorus atoms. We determined the coupling constants and the chemical shifts of these spin systems.

Highly Convergent Synthesis of Chiral Bicyclophosphinates by Domino Hydrophosphinylation/Michael/Michael Reaction

Diastereoselective domino reactions of iminoalcohols and allenyl H-phosphinates produce chiral phosphorus bicycles in a regio- and stereoselective fashion. A predictive model for diastereoselection is used for these new chiral phosphinic esters.

Synthesis and crystal structure of tris(2,3-triphenylenedioxy)cyclotriphosphazene: a new clathration system

A new host compound TTPP (tris(2,3-triphenylenedioxy)cyclotriphosphazene), which is able to form a porous network, has been synthesized in five steps. When it crystallizes as a single component, TTPP exhibits a crystal structure with a monoclinic unit cell, the space groupP21/c (no. 14) and unit cell dimensions of a = 14.909(2) A, b = 31.013(4) A, c = 9.074(1) A, β = 102.12(1)°. Co-crystallization of TTPP with 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene forms an inclusion crystal having a triclinic unit cell with a P space group (no. 2) and unit cell dimensions of a = 8.769(2) A, b = 15.024(2) A, c = 21.216(2) A, α = 94.82(0)°, β = 99.98(0)°, γ = 98.23(1). The guest lies in two kinds of channel-like cavities with dimensions of 6.1 × 8.4 A2 and 10.7 × 12.4 A2 respectively. This represents the biggest porous network built up by spirocyclotriphosphazene derivatives to date.

Phostine PST3.1a Targets MGAT5 and Inhibits Glioblastoma Initiating Cell Invasiveness and Proliferation

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor and accounts for a significant proportion of all primary brain tumors. Median survival after treatment is around 15 months. Remodeling of N-glycans by the N-acetylglucosamine glycosyltransferase (MGAT5) regulates tumoral development. Here, perturbation of MGAT5 enzymatic activity by the small-molecule inhibitor 3-hydroxy-4,5-bis-benzyloxy-6-benzyloxymethyl-2-phenyl2-oxo-2λ5-[1,2]oxaphosphinane (PST3.1a) restrains GBM growth. In cell-based assays, it is demonstrated that PST3.1a alters the β1,6-GlcNAc N-glycans of GBM-initiating cells (GIC) by inhibiting MGAT5 enzymatic activity, resulting in the inhibition of TGFβR and FAK signaling associated with doublecortin (DCX) upregulation and increase oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 (OLIG2) expression. PST3.1a thus affects microtubule and microfilament integrity of GBM stem cells, leading to the inhibition of GIC proliferation, migration, invasiveness, and clonogenic capacities. Orthotopic graft models of GIC revealed that PST3.1a treatment leads to a drastic reduction of invasive and proliferative capacity and to an increase in overall survival relative to standard temozolomide therapy. Finally, bioinformatics analyses exposed that PST3.1a cytotoxic activity is positively correlated with the expression of genes of the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), while the expression of mitochondrial genes correlated negatively with cell sensitivity to the compound. These data demonstrate the relevance of targeting MGAT5, with a novel anti-invasive chemotherapy, to limit glioblastoma stem cell invasion. Mol Cancer Res; 15(10); 1376–87. ©2017 AACR.

Phosphorus-Containing Bis-allenes: Synthesis and Heterocyclization Reactions Mediated by Iodine or Copper Dibromide

Bisphosphorylallenes were easily obtained in multigram scale from the Wittig-type rearrangement of bispropargyl alcohols. Unlike other conjugated bis-allenes, these reagents underwent a double cyclization mediated by iodine or copper dibromide leading to the formation of bis-1,2-oxaphospholenes.