José Desneves

Synthesis and antitumor activity of some indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-based bis carboxamides.

A series of bis(11-oxo-11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-6-carboxamides) linked through the 6-carboxamides were prepared by coupling the requisite acid imidazolides with various diamines. Compounds with mono-cationic linker chains were more potent cytotoxins than the corresponding monomer in a panel of rodent and human cell lines, while those with the dicationic linker chains (CH2)2NR(CH2)2NR(CH2)2 and (CH2)2NR(CH2)3NR(CH2)2 showed extraordinarily high potencies (for example, IC50s of 0.18-1.4 nM against human Jurkat leukemia; up to 1000-fold more potent than the parent monomer). As seen previously in the monomeric series, small, lipophilic 4-substituents significantly increased potency in cell culture. The dimeric compounds were all slightly to significantly more potent in the mutant JL(A) and JL(D) cell lines that under-express topo II, suggesting that this enzyme is not their primary target. An 11-imino-linked dimer was much less active, and an asymmetric indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-6-carboxamide/naphthalimide dimer was less active than the comparable symmetric bis(indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-6-carboxamide). Selected analogues were active against sub-cutaneously implanted colon 38 tumors in mice, giving growth delays comparable to that of the clinical topo I inhibitor irinotecan at up to 10-fold lower doses. These compounds form an interesting new class of putative topo I inhibitors.

Positioning of the carboxamide side chain in 11-oxo-11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinolinecarboxamide anticancer agents: effects on cytotoxicity.

A series of 11-oxo-11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinolines bearing a carboxamide-linked cationic side chain at various positions on the chromophore was studied to determine structure-activity relationships between cytotoxicity and the position of the side chain. The compounds were prepared by Pfitzinger synthesis from an appropriate isatin and 1-indanone, followed by various oxidative steps, to generate the required carboxylic acids. The 4- and 6-carboxamides (with the side chain on a terminal ring, off the short axis of the chromophore) were effective cytotoxins. The dimeric 4- and 6-linked analogues were considerably more cytotoxic than the parent monomers, but had broadly similar activities. In contrast, analogues with side chains at the 8-position (on a terminal ring but off the long axis of the chromophore) or 10-position (off the short axis of the chromophore but in a central ring) were drastically less effective. The 4,10- and 6,10-biscarboxamides had activities between those of the corresponding parent monocarboxamides. The first of these showed good activity against advanced subcutaneous colon 38 tumours in mice.

Photoaffinity labeling of mefloquine-binding proteins in human serum, uninfected erythrocytes and Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes

A photoreactive quinolinemethanol analog, N-[4-[1-hydroxy-2-(dibutylamino)ethyl]quinolin-8yl]-4- azido-2-salicylamide (ASA-MQ) has been synthesized which closely mimics the action of mefloquine. ASA-MQ possesses potent antimalarial activity against a mefloquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum and shows decreased activity against a mefloquine-resistant parasite strain. Radioiodinated ASA-MQ has been used in photoaffinity labeling studies to identify mefloquine-interacting proteins in serum, uninfected erythrocytes and Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes. We have shown that mefloquine interacts specifically with apo-A1, the major protein of serum high density lipoproteins. In addition, mefloquine was shown to interact specifically with the erythrocyte membrane protein, band 7.2b (stomatin). A further two high affinity mefloquine-binding proteins with apparent molecular masses of 22 and 36 kDa were identified in three different strains of Plasmodium falciparum. We suggest that these two mefloquine-binding parasite proteins may be involved in the uptake of mefloquine or may represent macromolecular targets of mefloquine action in malaria parasites.

Synthesis of Substituted Indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-6-carboxamides, [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]quinoline-4-carboxamides and 10H-quindoline-4-carboxamides: Evaluation of Structure–Activity Relationships for Cytotoxicity

New substituted indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-6-carboxamides, [1]benzothieno[3,2-b]quinoline-4-carboxamides and 10H-quindoline-4-carboxamides were prepared from methyl 2-amino-3-formylbenzoate by a new Friedlander synthesis. Evaluation of these carboxamides for cytotoxicity in a panel of cell lines showed that small lipophilic substituents in the non-carboxamide ring, in a pseudo-peri position to the side chain, significantly increased cytotoxic potency while retaining a pattern of cytotoxicity consistent with a non-topo II mode of action. The methyl-substituted indeno[1,2-b]quinoline-6-carboxamide demonstrated substantial effectiveness (20-day growth delays) in a sub-cutaneous colon 38 in vivo tumor model. This is comparable to that reported for the dual topo I/II inhibitor DACA that is in clinical trial.

Synthesis of some 11H-indeno[1,2-b]quinoxalin-11-ones

Abstract Condensation of substituted o-phenylene diamines and ninhydrins gave the title compounds. The substituent orientation in the products was determined by 1H NMR analysis of the chemical shifts brought about by N5-oxidation. Reduction of the 8-nitro to 8-amino compound was achieved both with and without reduction of the carbonyl group. Nitration of the 8-carboxylic acid occurred in the 2-position.

A cinchonidine derivative for photoaffinity labelling of proteins

8-Aminohydrocinchonidine was prepared and coupled with 4-azidosalicylic acid. The resulting amide was labelled with 125 I to produce a photoactivatable species for attaching to proteins.