John E. Munroe

Cryptophycins-309, 249 and other cryptophycin analogs: preclinical efficacy studies with mouse and human tumors.

SummaryCryptophycins-1 and 52 (epoxides) were discovered to have in-vitro and in-vivo antitumor activity in the early 1990s. The chlorohydrins of these, Cryptophycins-8 and 55 (also discovered in the early 1990s) were markedly more active, but could not be formulated as stable solutions. With no method to adequately stabilize the chlorohydrins at the time, Cryptophycin-52 (LY 355073) entered clinical trials, producing only marginal antitumor activity. Since that time, glycinate esters of the hydroxyl group of the chlorohydrins have been synthesized and found to provide stability. Three of the most active were compared herein. Cryptophycin-309 (C-309) is a glycinate ester of the chlorohydrin Cryptophycin-296. The glycinate derivative provided both chemical stability and improved aqueous solubility. After the examination of 81 different Cryptophycin analogs in tumor bearing animals, C-309 has emerged as superior to all others. The following %T/C and Log Kill (LK) values were obtained from a single course of IV treatment (Q2d × 5) against early staged SC transplantable tumors of mouse and human origin: Mam 17/Adr [a pgp (+) MDR tumor]: 0%T/C, 3.2 LK; Mam 16/C/Adr [a pgp (−) MDR tumor]: 0%T/C, 3.3 LK; Mam 16/C: 0%T/C, 3.8 LK; Colon 26: 0%T/C, 2.2 LK; Colon 51: 0%T/C, 2.4 LK; Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma 02 (Panc 02): 0%T/C, 2.4 LK; Human Colon HCT15 [a pgp (+) MDR tumor]: 0%T/C, 3.3 LK; Human Colon HCT116: 0%T/C, 4.1 LK. One additional analog, Cryptophycin-249 (C-249, the glycinate of Cryptophycin-8), also emerged with efficacy rivaling or superior to C-309. However, there was sufficient material for only a single C-249 trial in which a 4.0 LK was obtained against the multidrug resistant breast adenocarcinoma Mam-16/C/Adr. C-309 and C-249 are being considered as second-generation clinical candidates.

Molecular modeling of γ-lactam analogues of β-lactam antibacterial agents: synthesis and biological evaluation of selected penem and carbapenem analoques

Abstract Computational chemistry made possible the prediction of the three-dimensional structures of γ-lactam analogues of penems and carbapenems before the analogues were made. Molecular superpositioning showed that these novel structures with a 7β-acylamino side-chain present the pharmacophoric groups in close spatial similarity to the groups in biologically active cephalosporin and penicillin antibiotics. This suggests that 8-oxo-7-acylamino-1-azabicyclo[3.3.0]-oct-2-ene-2-carboxylates and the 4-thia-analogues can be accommodated in the same active sites of essential bacterial penicillin-binding proteins where cephalosporins and penicillins are recognized. The syntheses of these compounds are reported. The γ-lactams exhibit low, but detectable levels of antibacterial activity and suggest promise that substantial activity can be achieved with other γ-lactams.

γ-Lactam analogues of carbapenems

Abstract γ-Lactam analogues of carbapenems have been synthesized using a [3+2] cyclization approach. Slight antibiotic activity was observed in one case.

POTENT, ORALLY BIOAVAILABLE HIV-1 PROTEASE INHIBITORS CONTAINING NONCODED D-AMINO ACIDS

Abstract Novel noncoded D-amino acids have been combined with decahydroisoquinoline, octahydrothienopyridine, and urea hydroxyethylamine isosteres to provide potent HIV-1 protease inhibitors with excellent HIV-1 antiviral activity. LY314613 shows a promising combination of potency and oral bioavailability. Trends in the SAR and comparisons to other isostere derivatives will be discussed.

Ly316340: A potent HIV-1 protease inhibitor containing a high affinity octahydrothienopyridine hydroxyethylamine isostere

Abstract Replacement of the decahydroisoquinoline group contained in Ro 31-8959 by a cis -octahydrothienopyridine moiety has provided a high affinity hydroxyethylamine isostere for use in HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Further gains in potency have been realized by incorporation of a sulfur atom into the P 1 benzyl group. Modification by a key P 2 ligand provided LY316440, a potent, orally absorbed inhibitor of HIV-1 protease.

3-Trifluoromethylcarbacephems: Synthesis of broad spectrum antibacterial compounds

The enhanced stability of the carbacephem nucleus over the corresponding cephalosporin nucleus has allowed the synthesis of 7-arylglycyl-3-trifluoromethyl-carbacephems. These unique carbacephems possess broad spectrum activity and high stability to both plasmid and chromosomally mediated beta-lactamases.

Synthesis of pentenoic acid analogs as potential anti-influenza agents

The synthesis of (2Z,4RS)-5-acetamido-4-guanidino-2-benzamidopent-2-enoic acid (sodium salt) 5 is reported. Wittig–Horner olefination of diamino protected propionaldehyde 8 with phosphonoglycine trimethyl ester 11 provided (Z)-olefin methyl ester 12. The methyl ester was converted to allyl ester 15 by initial hydrolysis with lithium hydroxide followed by reaction with allyl bromide. Target compound 5 was prepared from allyl ester 15 by initial formation of bis(Boc)guanidino ester 16 followed by treatment with tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0). The product was evaluated for activity against influenza neuraminidase and was found to be weakly active.

Synthesis and pharmacokinetics of potent carbamate HIV-1 protease inhibitors containing novel high affinity hydroxyethylamine isosteres

Abstract Using the hydroxyethylamine isosteres 1 and 2 containing the novel cis-octahydrothienopyridine moiety, substantial enhancement of binding potencies for HIV-1 protease inhibitors which incorporate carbamate linked heterocyclic P2 ligands has been realized. This increase in binding has led to a very potent antiviral compound (LY326188). The pharmacokinetics of selected derivatives are detailed in this report.