Michael R. Barbachyn

The oxazolidinones: past, present, and future

The success of linezolid stimulated significant efforts to discover new agents in the oxazolidinone class. Over a dozen oxazolidinones have reached the clinic, but many were discontinued due to lack of differentiated potency, inadequate pharmacokinetics, and safety risks that included myelosuppression. Four oxazolidinones are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. The Trius Therapeutics compound tedizolid phosphate (formerly known as torezolid phosphate, TR‐701, DA‐7218), the most advanced, is in phase 3 clinical trials for acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Rib‐X completed two phase 2 studies for radezolid (Rx‐01_667, RX‐1741) in uncomplicated skin and skin structure infections and community‐acquired pneumonia. Pfizer and AstraZeneca have each identified antitubercular compounds that have completed phase 1 studies: sutezolid (PNU‐100480, PF‐02341272) and AZD5847 (AZD2563), respectively. The oxazolidinones share a relatively low frequency of resistance largely due to the requirement of mutations in 23S ribosomal RNA genes. However, maintaining potency against strains carrying the mobile cfr gene poses a challenge for the oxazolidinone class, as well as other 50S ribosome inhibitors that target the peptidyl transferase center.

Oxazolidinones: New antibacterial agents

The oxazolidinones are a new chemical class of synthetic antibacterial agents that are active orally or intravenously against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Their unique mechanism of action and activity against bacteria that pose therapeutic problems in hospital and community treatments make them promising candidates for antimicrobial agents.

Discovery and Characterization of QPT-1, the Progenitor of a New Class of Bacterial Topoisomerase Inhibitors

ABSTRACT QPT-1 was discovered in a compound library by high-throughput screening and triage for substances with whole-cell antibacterial activity. This totally synthetic compound is an unusual barbituric acid derivative whose activity resides in the (−)-enantiomer. QPT-1 had activity against a broad spectrum of pathogenic, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, was nontoxic to eukaryotic cells, and showed oral efficacy in a murine infection model, all before any medicinal chemistry optimization. Biochemical and genetic characterization showed that the QPT-1 targets the β subunit of bacterial type II topoisomerases via a mechanism of inhibition distinct from the mechanisms of fluoroquinolones and novobiocin. Given these attributes, this compound represents a promising new class of antibacterial agents. The success of this reverse genomics effort demonstrates the utility of exploring strategies that are alternatives to target-based screens in antibacterial drug discovery.

5-(2-Pyrimidinyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines are antibacterial agents targeting the ATPase domains of DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV

Dual inhibitors of bacterial gyrB and parE based on a 5-(2-pyrimidinyl)-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine template exhibited MICs (microg/mL) of 0.06-64 (Sau), 0.25-64 (MRSA), 0.06-64 (Spy), 0.06-64 (Spn), and 0.03-64 (FQR Spn). Selected examples were efficacious in mouse sepsis and lung infection models at <50mg/kg (PO dosing).

Carbon–carbon-linked (pyrazolylphenyl)oxazolidinones with antibacterial activity against multiple drug resistant gram-positive and fastidious gram-negative bacteria

In an effort to expand the spectrum of activity of the oxazolidinone class of antibacterial agents to include Gram-negative bacteria, a series of new carbon-carbon linked pyrazolylphenyl analogues has been prepared. The alpha-N-substituted methyl pyrazole (10alpha) in the C3-linked series exhibited very good Gram-positive activity with MICs <or=0.5-1 microg/mL and moderate Gram-negative activity with MICs=2-8 microg/mL against Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. This analogue was also found to have potent in vivo activity with an ED(50)=1.9 mg/kg. Beta-substitution at the C3-linked pyrazole generally results in a loss of activity. The C4-linked pyrazoles are slightly more potent than their counterparts in the C3-linked series. Most of the analogues in the C4-linked series exhibited similar levels of activity in vitro, but lower levels of activity in vivo than 10alpha. In addition, incorporation of a thioamide moiety in selected C4-linked pyrazole analogues results in an enhancement of in vitro activity leading to compounds several times more potent than eperezolid, linezolid and vancomycin. The thioamide of the N-cyanomethyl pyrazole analogue (34) exhibited an exceptional in vitro activity with MICs of <or= 0.06-0.25 microg/mL against Gram-positive pathogens and with MICs of 1 microg/mL against fastidious Gram-negative pathogens.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of new tropone-substituted phenyloxazolidinone antibacterial agents 2. Modification of the phenyl ring — the potentiating effect of fluorine substitution on in vivo activity

Abstract Various electron-withdrawing groups were incorporated into the meta position of tropone-substituted 3-phenyl-2-oxazolidinones and their influence on antibacterial activity examined. Consideration of in vitro and in vivo test results indicated that one or two fluorine atoms flanking the para tropone appendage is the optimum arrangement for these compounds. Synthetic routes to enantiomerically enriched analogues are reported.

Recent Advances in the Discovery of Hybrid Antibacterial Agents

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses dual-action/targeting concept as a solution to bacterial resistance development and various hybrid/dual-action antibacterial agents. There are a variety of potential solutions available to address the growing bacterial resistance problem. One approach that has been used with some clinical success has been the combination of two antibacterial agents employing complementary mechanisms of action. In this combination approach, one agent can target any bacterial strains that possess intrinsic resistance or develop resistance to the partner agent and vice versa. In yet another variation of this theme, the two partner compounds can be covalently linked to form a single hybrid agent with the ability to modulate two essential targets. Some possible advantages of a dual-action, hybrid antibacterial agent might include (1) an expanded spectrum of activity, including coverage of resistant organisms; (2) greatly reduced potential for spontaneous mutations and resistance development; (3) synergistic activity superior to simple 1+1 combinations of the individual partner agents; and (4) reduction of potential toxicity for a constituent agent. Various hybrid/dual-action antibacterial agents discussed are rifamycin-quinolone hybrids, oxazolidinone-quinolone heterodimers, cephalosporin-glycopeptide conjugates, and DNA polymerase IIIC-quinolone hybrids.

Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel Oxazolidinone Antibacterial Agents Active Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

Throughout the human experience, diseases caused by pathogenic bacteria have exerted an enormous negative impact on society. Today, for example, approximately one third of the world’s population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and tuberculosis remains the leading cause of death in the world from infectious disease (Bloom, 1994). The emergence of effective antibacterial agents, from penicillin to more contemporary drugs, was initially thought to mark an end to the burden of microbial disease. However, subsequent events have illustrated the resiliency of bacteria to environmental pressures, including the threat of antibacterial agents.

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of new tropone-substituted phenyloxazolidinone antibacterial agents 1. Identification of leads and importance of the tropone substitution pattern

Abstract Incorporation of a substituted tropone moiety into the para position of suitably functionalized 3-phenyl-2-oxazolidinones affords novel and potent antibacterial agents. The effect of the tropone regioisomer and its attendant substituents on antibacterial activity is discussed. Analogues such as 11c and 13b display in vitro and in vivo activity approaching that of the current clinical benchmark, vancomycin.

Electronic structure and molecular topology of boron and aluminum suboxides

Abstract Semiempirical and ab initio calculations on the suboxides B 2 O, B 2 O 2 , Al 2 O, and Al 2 O 2 predict linear BOB, linear OBBO, linear AlOAl, and cyclic OAlOAl molecular structures. These structures could not have been predicted on the basis of a set of simple topological rules. The calculations provide additional evidence that the tentative structures adopted on the basis of the available thermochemical and spectroscopic data are correct.