Synthesis and in vitro antitumour activity of carboplatin analogues containing functional handles compatible for conjugation to drug delivery systems.

We describe herein the synthesis of a series of carboplatin derivatives with different functional groups at position 3 of the cyclobutane ring. This pharmacomodulation approach aims at facilitating the vectorisation of these analogues, via their subsequent conjugation to a drug delivery system. Five different derivatives bearing a hydroxy, keto, iodo, azido or amino function at position 3 were synthesised. One of these compounds was coupled to a bifunctional maleimide-containing linker. All compounds were tested in vitro for their cytotoxicity on four different cell lines including two platinum-resistant colorectal cancer cell line (SK-OV-3, HCT116, D3E2, D5B7) using an MTS assay. Overall, the tested compounds were up to six times more potent than carboplatin, especially on D5B7 human colorectal cancer cells. We demonstrated that these modifications led to potent analogues which are compatible with conjugation to a drug delivery system.

Carboplatin prodrug conjugated Fe3O4 nanoparticles for magnetically targeted drug delivery in ovarian cancer cells.

Platinum (Pt)-based drugs including cisplatin, carboplatin and oxaliplatin have been widely used as first-line anticancer regimens due to their excellent anticancer efficacy. However, the clinical application of these drugs is greatly limited due to their side effects and drug resistance. In this study, an antitumor drug delivery system based on carboplatin prodrug loading Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs@carboplatin) was developed and the antitumor activity was also investigated. The as-synthesized NPs@carboplatin has an average diameter of 7.88 nm with a zeta potential of 8.11 mV. It exhibited a higher cytotoxic effect than carboplatin on both A2780 (cisplatin sensitive) and A2780DDP (cisplatin resistant) ovarian cancer cells via MTT assay, which can overcome Pt resistance. Moreover, the nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with carboplatin possess excellent delivery capability, which can be effectively taken up by ovarian cancer cell lines through an endocytosis process. With excellent delivery capability as carriers, NPs@carboplatin can promote drug internalization and result in the increase of intracellular drug accumulation with enhanced cellular cytotoxicity. Furthermore, in vivo experiments demonstrated that NPs@carboplatin can be widely distributed into major organs, and in the presence of an external magnetic field, the Fe3O4 nanocarrier is beneficial to visualize the tumor site location and promote the subsequent antitumor efficacy. It revealed a relatively high tumor inhibition rate without obvious potential toxicity to normal organs. Taken together, these results indicate that the magnetically targeted NPs@carboplatin can act as a drug delivery system and will have great potential in ovarian cancer therapeutic applications.

Antitumor platinum(IV) derivatives of carboplatin and the histone deacetylase inhibitor 4-phenylbutyric acid.

Five new platinum(IV) derivatives of carboplatin each incorporating the histone deacetylase inhibitor 4-phenylbutyrate in axial position were synthesized and characterized by 1H and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and elemental analysis, namely cis,trans-[Pt(CBDCA)(NH3)2(PBA)(OH)] (1), cis,trans-[Pt(CBDCA)(NH3)2(PBA)2] (2), cis,trans-[Pt(CBDCA)(NH3)2(PBA)(bz)] (3), cis,trans-[Pt(CBDCA)(NH3)2(PBA)(suc)] (4) and cis,trans-[Pt(CBDCA)(NH3)2)(PBA)(ac)] (5) (PBA=4-phenylbutyrate, CBDCA=1,1-cyclobutane dicarboxylate, bz=benzoate, suc=succinate and ac=acetate). The reduction behavior in the presence of ascorbic acid was studied by high performance liquid chromatography. The cytotoxicity against a panel of human tumor cell lines, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitory activity, cellular accumulation and the ability to induce apoptosis were evaluated. The most effective complex, compound 3, was found to be up to ten times more effective than carboplatin and to decrease cellular basal HDAC activity by approximately 18% in A431 human cervical cancer cells.

Synthesis and Structures of 9-Oxabispidine Analogues of Cisplatin, Carboplatin, and Oxaliplatin.

The literature synthesis of 9-oxabispidine [OC6H10(NH)2, C] has been revisited and optimized, which includes determination of the crystal structures of C, the secondary component trans-(PhSO2)NC4H6O(CH2I)2 (trans-III), and the unexpected solute intermediate OC6H10(NSO2Ph)2·(1)/2py (V·(1)/2py). The reaction of (1,5-hexadiene)platinum dichloride with C yields {OC6H10(NH)2}PtCl2 (C1), which is converted to {OC6H10(NH)2}Pt(cbdca)·5H2O (C2) and {OC6H10(NH)2}Pt(C2O4) (C3). In the crystal, C1 forms a planar 2D network by N-H··Cl and N-H··O hydrogen bonding. In the crystal structure of C2, which is isomorphous to the parent bispidine compound (A2), all complex molecules are encapsulated by a water shell. While complexes C1 and C3 are virtually insoluble in water, C2 dissolves quite well. The low cytotoxicity of compounds C1-C3 is explained by an increased polarity of the bonds in the C skeleton as a consequence of the electronegative O atom.

Synthesis of biscoumarin and dihydropyran derivatives with promising antitumor and antibacterial activities.

Two series of biscoumarin (1-3) and dihydropyran (4-12) derivatives were successfully synthesized as new antitumor and antibacterial agents. The molecular structures of four representative compounds 2, 4, 7 and 10 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction study. The synthesized compounds (1-12) were evaluated for their antitumor activities against human intestinal epithelial adenocarcinoma cell line (HuTu80), mammary adenocarcinoma cell line (4T1) and pancreatic cancer cell line (PANC1) and antibacterial activities against one drug-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus ATCC 29213) strain and three MRSA strains (MRSA XJ 75302, Mu50, USA 300 LAC). The further mechanism study demonstrated that the most potent compound 1 could obviously inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells via the mechanism to induce apoptosis.

Oxidative halogenation of cisplatin and carboplatin: synthesis, spectroscopy, and crystal and molecular structures of Pt(IV) prodrugs.

A series of Pt(IV) prodrugs has been obtained by oxidative halogenation of either cisplatin or carboplatin. Iodobenzene dichloride is a general reagent that cleanly provides prodrugs bearing axial chlorides without the need to prepare intervening Pt(IV) intermediates or handle chlorine gas. Elemental bromine and iodine afford Pt(IV) compounds as well, although in the case of the iodine-mediated oxidation of carboplatin, an amido-bridged Pt(IV) side product also formed. A detailed analysis of the changes in spectroscopic and structural parameters induced by varying the axial halide is presented. A number of recurring motifs are observed in the solid state structures of these compounds.

Regulation of aggregation behavior and neurotoxicity of prion neuropeptides by platinum complexes.

Prion diseases belong to a group of infectious, fatal neurodegenerative disorders. The conformational conversion of a cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) into an abnormal misfolded isoform (PrP(Sc)) is the key event in prion disease pathology. PrP106-126 resembles PrP(Sc) in some physicochemical and biological characteristics, such as apoptosis induction in neurons, fibrillar formation, and mediation of the conversion of native cellular PrP(C) to PrP(Sc). Numerous studies have been conducted to explore the inhibiting methods on the aggregation and neurotoxicity of prion neuropeptide PrP106-126. We showed that PrP106-126 aggregation, as assessed by fluorescence assay and atomic force microscopy, is inhibited by platinum complexes cisplatin, carboplatin, and Pt(bpy)Cl2. ESI-MS and NMR assessments of PrP106-126 and its mutant peptides demonstrate that platinum complexes bind to the peptides in coordination and nonbonded interactions, which rely on the ligand properties and the peptide sequence. In peptides, methionine residue is preferred as a potent binding site over histidine residue for the studied platinum complexes, implying a typical thiophile characteristic of platinum. The neurotoxicity induced by PrP106-126 is better inhibited by Pt(bpy)Cl2 and cisplatin. Furthermore, the ligand configuration contributes to both the binding affinity and the inhibition of peptide aggregation. The pursuit of novel platinum candidates that selectively target prion neuropeptide is noteworthy for medicinal inorganic chemistry and chemical biology.

Bispidine analogues of cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin. synthesis, structures, and cytotoxicity.

Bispidine (3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane, C7H14N2) analogues of cisplatin, carboplatin, and oxaliplatin have been prepared. (C7H14N2)PtCl2·DMF (1b), obtained from (1,5-hexadiene)PtCl2 and bispidine in DMF, is dimeric in the solid state. Dissolving 1b in hot N-methylformamide allows crystallization of the solvent-free polymeric (C7H14N2)PtCl2 (1a). Recrystallization of 1a,b from hot water yields the trihydrate (C7H14N2)PtCl2·3H2O (1c). Reaction of 1 with Ag2(cbdca) (cbdca = 1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylate) in water affords the pentahydrate (C7H14N2)Pt{C4H6(CO2)2}·5H2O (2b), which loses water in vacuo to give (C7H14N2)Pt{C4H6(CO2)2} (2a). Reaction of 1 with AgNO3 in water, followed by addition of Na2C2O4, affords the water-free polymeric (C7H14N2)Pt(C2O4) (3). All complexes have been structurally characterized, revealing various patterns of N-H···Cl and N-H···O hydrogen bonds. In the hydrates 1c and 2b the complexes are embedded in intricate three-dimensional water networks. Complexes 1a, 2a, and 3 have been tested for their cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines K562 (chronic myeloid leukemia), A2780 (ovarian cancer), and its platinum-resistant subline A2780 CisR and are compared to their parent analogues. The new complexes show significant cytotoxic activity along with a low platinum resistance factor.

Adamantane-platinum conjugate hosted in ß-cyclodextrin: enhancing transport and cytotoxicity by noncovalent modification.

This work reports the synthesis of a complex of a carboplatin analog having tethered adamantane that is encapsulated in the hydrophobic cavity of ß-cyclodextrin (ßCD) and its cytotoxic activity towards human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH). We found that this inclusion complex of ßCD adamantane carboplatin analog exhibited higher cytotoxicity towards SK-N-SH cells than carboplatin itself, and the inclusion complex exhibited a higher binding to plasmid pBR322 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) than carboplatin. Confocal fluorescence images of SK-N-SH cells treated with ßCD having an attached fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-tag exhibited fluorescence in the vicinity of the nuclei of the neuroblastoma cells. Direct measurements of the platinum content in SK-N-SH cells using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) indicated that the uptake rate of carboplatin was about 4 times higher than ßCD adamantane carboplatin analog inclusion complex. When compared to carboplatin, we believe that the higher cytotoxicity of inclusion complex towards SK-N-SH cells is due to its higher DNA binding ability as compared to carboplatin, and more efficient delivery to the nucleus of the cell. This work suggests that the advantage of deliberate noncovalent modification with ßCD through host-guest chemistry may also be broadly applicable to other anticancer agents as well.

Spray-dried poly(D,L-lactide) microspheres containing carboplatin for veterinary use: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The aim of this study was the development of a veterinary dosage form constituted by injectable biodegradable microspheres designed for the subcutaneous release of carboplatin, a chemotherapeutic drug. Poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) microspheres were prepared by an emulsification/spray-drying method, using the drug-to-polymer weight ratios 1:9 and 1:5; blank microspheres (1% w/v) were prepared as a comparison. Microparticles were characterized in terms of morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release behavior. In vivo tests were conducted on rats by subcutaneous injection of microsphere aqueous suspensions. Levels of carboplatin were evaluated both in the skin and in serum. The microparticles obtained had a spherical shape; particle size ranged from 5 to 7 microm, dependent on drug loading. Microspheres were able to control the in vitro release of the drug: approximately 90% to 100% of the carboplatin was released over 30 days. In vivo results showed that the microspheres were able to release high drug amounts locally, and sustained serum levels of drug were also achieved. Based on these results, carboplatin-loaded PDLLA microspheres may be useful for local delivery of the antineoplastic drug to the tumor, avoiding tumor recurrence in small animals, and may decrease the formation of distant metastases.

Synthesis and biological activity of water-soluble maleimide derivatives of the anticancer drug carboplatin designed as albumin-binding prodrugs.

Four platinum (II) complexes (13-16) were synthesized by reacting either [Pt trans-DACH](NO(3))(2) with a 6-maleimidocaproic acid, a 15-maleimido-4,7,10,13-tetroxapentadecanoic acid, and a 6-maleimido-4-oxacaproic ester derivative of cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid (CDBA) or [Pt(NH(3))(2)](NO(3))(2) with a 6-maleimido-4-oxacaproic ester derivative of CBDA. Both complexes containing the 6-maleimido-4-oxacaproic ester (15, 16) showed good water solubility (>/=8 mg/mL) and CE experiments revealed rapid binding to human serum albumin and the formation of biadducts with dGMP and dAMP. In the MaTu xenograft model in nude mice, both complexes showed an improved antitumor effect at their maximum tolerated dose (2 x 50 mg/kg carboplatin equivalents) compared to therapy with carboplatin at equimolar dose or at its optimal dose (2 x 75 mg/kg).

Folate-targeted PEG as a potential carrier for carboplatin analogs. Synthesis and in vitro studies.

Like most low molecular weight drugs, carboplatin has a short blood circulation time, which reduces tumor uptake and intracellular DNA binding. Drugs conjugated to PEG carriers benefit from prolonged blood circulation, but suffer from reduced cell permeability. In this work we attempted to develop long-circulating PEGylated carboplatin analogues with improved cell permeation abilities, by conjugating the platinum moiety to folate-targeted PEG carriers capable of utilizing the folate receptor-mediated endocytosis (FRME). Two bifunctional FA-PEG conjugates, FA-PEG-Pt and FA-PEG-FITC, were prepared, and their cell uptake, DNA binding, and cytotoxicity were studied by fluorescent microscopy, FACS, and platinum analysis. Folate-targeted PEG conjugates enter the cells efficiently by the FRME pathway but form relatively few DNA adducts and have higher IC(50) values than carboplatin and their nontargeted analogues. Nontargeted PEG-Pt conjugates have a lower cellular uptake but produce higher levels of DNA binding and improved cytotoxicity. Carboplatin, used as a control, has the fastest cellular uptake, but after 16 h of postincubation a large percentage of the drug is excreted from the cells. The findings of this study suggest that folate-targeted conjugates such as FA-PEG-Pt, may not be an optimal prodrug for the carboplatin family compounds, because the conjugates or the active moieties are neutralized or blocked during the FRME process and do not manage to effectively reach the nuclear DNA.

Cholic acid-carboplatin compounds (CarboChAPt) as models for specific drug delivery: synthesis of novel carboplatin analogous derivatives and comparison of the cytotoxic properties with corresponding cisplatin compounds.

This report continues our work on new compounds which consist of three functional parts--a transport fragment, a spacer and a biologically active 'drug' component. Here cholic acid functions as the transport fragment, linked via an alkyl spacer to a carboplatin analog, representing the drug (carbo-ChAPt-Fig. 1). We describe the synthesis and characterization of the series of complexes [Pt(Cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylato)(diamine)], [diamine=CholCOO(CH(2))(n)CH(CH(2)NH(2))(2) and THP(CH(2))(n)CH-(CH(2)NH(2))(2), n=4, 6, 8, 11]. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and NMR-measurements. Cytostatic activity data are given. In general, the cytostatic activity is similar to that of the parent compound and is strongly influenced by the length of the alkyl chain spacer separating the drug and transport fragments, the ones with long chain spacers being more toxic than the parent complexes. Preliminary investigations indicate the ability of the ChAPt to break resistance of tumor cells against common platinum tumor drugs, e.g. cisplatin. They are effective even on cell lines that have developed resistance to other drugs such as cis- and carboplatin. They are more cytotoxic so they are potentially effective at lower dose concentrations. The mode of cell death was examined by trypan-blue exclusion test and DNA gelelectrophoresis. Typical fragmentation of DNA was observed and the cells were still able to exclude trypan-blue.

Synthesis, structures and antitumor activity of the first crown ester-linked bipyridyl platinum complexes.

Three new crown ester-linked bipyridine homologs with three, four or five ethylene glycol units, which are bulky and soluble in both hydrophilic and lipophilic media, were synthesized. The reaction of the appropriate macrocycles with K2PtCl4 in water gave yellow cisplatin analogs in good yield. These complexes were converted to carboplatin analogs by exchange of the leaving group. All the compounds were characterized by elemental analysis and various spectroscopic methods. Carboplatin analogs showed good solubility in both hydrophilic and lipophilic media. The crystal structure of 2c, the carboplatin analog with macrocycles containing five ethylene glycol units, was determined by X-ray diffraction: space group P1, a = 9.798(1), b = 12.580(3), c = 13.945(2) A, alpha = 108.61(2), beta = 94.59(1), gamma = 97.42(2) degrees, Z = 2, R = 0.0618. Some of platinum complexes showed a moderate cytotoxic effect on both murine leukemia L1210 and P388 even though they do not have any NH proton.

Synthesis and preliminary in vitro cytotoxic activity of novel cisplatin and carboplatin analogues.

Six new platinum(II) complexes were synthesized from a common triphenylethylene precursor using various diamines. The cytotoxicity of the compounds, evaluated on human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), was greatly influenced by the nature of the diamine ligand. Two derivatives presented cytotoxic activity greater than tamoxifen and, for the first time, as potent as cisplatin.

Synthesis, antitumor activity, and nephrotoxicity of the optical isomers of 2-aminomethylpyrrolidine(1,1-cyclobutane-dicarboxylato)platinum(II).

The optical isomers of 2-aminomethylpyrrolidine(1,1-cyclobutane- dicarboxylato)platinum(II) (DWA2114, 1), which has potent antitumor activity against various tumors, were synthesized. They were examined for antitumor activity against Colon 26 carcinoma in a sc-iv system, and changes in urinary protein and sugar levels in drug-treated mice were used as an index of nephrotoxicity. In their effect on tumors, (+)-(S)-2-aminomethylpyrrolidine(1,1-cyclobutanedicarboxylato++ +)platinum(II) (6b) was more potent than the enantiomer 6a in that the effective dose of 6b was smaller than that of 6a; but, both drugs exhibited potent antitumor activity. On the other hand, a distinct difference between 6a and 6b was shown in their nephrotoxicity. Isomer 6b induced a great increase in urinary protein and sugar levels in mice, whereas 6a caused no increase in these levels.