The "beta-fluorine effect" in the non-metal hydride radical deoxygenation of fluorine-containing nucleoside xanthates.

An alternative method to conduct a Barton-McCombie deoxygenation in nucleosides is described. The utility of the procedure is limited to structures with an electronegative substituent, particularly fluorine, in the beta-position relative to the radical center. The process is radical in nature and triggered by peroxides. The abstraction of hydrogen from the solvent is favorably influenced by the presence of a beta-fluorine.

Anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity of 2'-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyarabinosyladenine (F-ddA) used in combination with other mechanistically diverse inhibitors of HIV-1 replication.

2'-Fluoro-2'3'-dideoxyarabinosyladenine (F-ddA), a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, is currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Future monotherapy for the treatment of HIV is unlikely owing to the rapid emergence of drug-resistant viruses, so F-ddA was evaluated in combination with a variety of mechanistically diverse inhibitors of HIV replication. Such in vitro studies provide insights into whether certain drug combinations yield synergistic antiviral activity or, more importantly, antagonistic antiviral activity or synergistic cytotoxicity. F-ddA exhibited synergistic antiviral interactions with representatives of each of the major classes of anti-HIV compounds, including other nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and protease inhibitors. Greatest levels of synergistic interaction were detected when F-ddA was used in combination with the non-nucleoside compounds nevirapine and costatolide, the nucleoside analogues and costatolide, the nucleoside analogues AZT, ddC and 3TC and the protease inhibitors ritonavir and nelfinavir. No evidence of either combination toxicity or antagonistic antiviral activity was detected with any of the tested compounds.

Decay rates of anti-HIV dideoxynucleotides in tissue culture systems: a simple correction for the effect of cell replication.

Measurement of intracellular drug levels in cell culture systems can be of predictive value in establishing rational clinical dosage schedules. Such in vitro measurements carried out with anti-HIV agents of the 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside (ddN) class have shown that many of the pharmacologically active ddNTP metabolites of these agents have relatively long intracellular half-lives and little or no host-cell cytotoxicity. As a consequence, replication of drug-exposed cells continues at an unperturbed rate so that a systematic dilution error occurs in the measurement of ddNTP decay half-times. The aim of this study is to present a simple general formulation for the correction of measured t1/2-values for ddNTPs and for other agents with similar intracellular pharmacokinetic properties. Two factors of practical interest emerge: first, the error is greater for agents with slow intracellular clearance rates than for agents with rapid rates; and second, for cell lines with long doubling times, the measured t1/2-values approach more closely to the true t1/2-values, until with the extreme case (quiescent or "G(o)" cells), the observed and true decay times are identical. The greatest dilution errors are seen with adenodine-based agents such as ddATP and 2'-F-ddATP, while the smallest errors are seen with rapidly cleared agents of the dideoxythymidine class.

In vitro induction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 variants resistant to 2'-beta-Fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine.

2'-beta-Fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (F-ddA) is an acid-stable purine dideoxynucleoside analog active against a wide spectrum of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 strains in vitro. F-ddA is presently undergoing a phase I clinical trial at the National Cancer Institute. We induced HIV-1 variants resistant to F-ddA by exposing wild-type HIV-1 (HIV-1LAI) to increasing concentrations of F-ddA in vitro. After 18 passages, the virus was fourfold less sensitive to F-ddA than HIV-1LAI. Sequence analyses of the passage 18 virus revealed changes in three amino acids in the reverse transcriptase (RT)-encoding region of the pol gene: P to S at codon 119 (P119S; present in 3 of 13 and 28 of 28 molecular clones before and after F-ddA exposure, respectively), V179D (0 of 13 and 9 of 28, respectively), and L214F (9 of 13 and 28 of 28, respectively). Drug sensitivity assays using recombinant infectious clones confirmed that P119S was directly responsible for the reduced sensitivity of HIV-1 to F-ddA. Various infectious clones with single or multiple amino acid substitutions conferring viral resistance against nucleoside RT inhibitors, including HIV-1 variants with multi-dideoxynucleoside resistance, were generally sensitive to F-ddA. The moderate level of resistance of HIV-1 to F-ddA, together with the lack of conferment of significant cross-resistance by the F-ddA-associated amino acid substitutions, warrants further investigation of F-ddA as a potential antiviral agent for use in treatment of HIV-1 infection.

Potent activity of 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection in hu-PBL-SCID mice.

A new antiretroviral agent, 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (FddA), is an acid-stable compound whose triphosphate form is a potent reverse transcriptase inhibitor with in vitro anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity and a favorable pharmacokinetic profile. Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice reconstituted with human peripheral blood leukocytes (hu-PBL-SCID mice) provide a useful small-animal model for HIV research. In the present study we utilized this experimental system for the in vivo evaluation of the anti-HIV activity of this new compound when administered prior to infection. Initial studies revealed that, following a challenge with 50 100% tissue culture infective doses of HIV type 1 lymphadenopathy-associated virus, 39 of 42 (93%) control mice developed HIV infection, as evidenced by positive coculture or positive PCR. Administration of zidovudine decreased the infection rate to 5 of 16 (31%), while administration of FddA decreased the infection rate to 0 of 44 (0%). In follow-up controlled studies, the anti-HIV activity of FddA was confirmed, with 18 of 20 control mice showing evidence of HIV infection, compared with 4 of 20 FddA-treated mice. In addition to having direct anti-HIV effects, FddA was found to have a protective effect on human CD4+ T cells in the face of HIV infection. Mice treated with FddA were found to have a significantly higher percentage of CD4+ T cells than controls (10.3% +/- 3.4% versus 0.27% +/- 0.21%; P = 0.01). Thus, FddA, with its potent anti-HIV activity in vivo, high oral bioavailability, long intracellular half-life, and ability to preserve CD4+ cells in the presence of HIV, appears to be a promising agent for clinical investigation.

Comparison of the DNA incorporation in human MOLT-4 cells of two 2'-beta-fluoronucleosides, 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine and fialuridine.

Incorporation of 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (F-ddA), a recently developed anti-HIV agent, into the cellular DNA of human MOLT-4 cells has been compared with the DNA incorporation seen with fialuridine (FIAU; 1-[2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl]-5-iodouracil), a potent anti-hepatitis B (anti-HBV) nucleoside analogue recently found to cause severe hepatic toxicity in human subjects. At equimolar concentrations (10 microM), incorporation of F-ddA was less than 1% of that for FIAU, a difference attributable to the lack of a 3'-hydroxyl group in the former compound and a consequent inability of F-ddA, unlike FIAU, to form DNA internucleotide linkages.

Lipophilic, acid-stable, adenosine deaminase-activated anti-HIV prodrugs for central nervous system delivery. 3. 6-Amino prodrugs of 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyinosine.

A series of 6-substituted amino analogs of 9-(2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-threo-pentofuranosyl) purines (F-ddN) has been synthesized and characterized with the objective of finding compounds which might be superior to existing drugs for the treatment of HIV in the central nervous system. These compounds are intended to be more lipophilic than the currently approved anti-HIV drugs for better blood-brain barrier penetration. Subsequent adenosine deaminase (ADA)-catalyzed hydrolysis of these prodrugs in the brain is expected to produce the anti-HIV agent, 9-(2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-threo-pentofuranosyl)hypoxanthine (F-ddI). The new compounds, synthesized from the corresponding 6-chloro analog, include F-ddN which contain methylamino, ethylamino, dimethylamino, hydroxylamino, methoxyamino, benzyloxyamino, hydrazino, and nitro substituents in the 6-position. The 6-nitro analog was isolated as an unexpected product during the preparation of the 6-chloro derivative. Among the analogs with anti-HIV activity, the ethylamino and dimethylamino compounds are ca. 100 times more lipophilic than ddI or F-ddI. As expected, 2'-fluoro substitution protects the compounds from acid-catalyzed glycosylic cleavage. Only the hydroxylamino and nitro analogs underwent any nonenzymatic hydrolysis at pH 1.0 or 7.4. This reaction, however, results in hydrolysis of the group in the 6-position rather than glycosylic bond cleavage. ADA catalyzes the hydrolysis of the 6-substituents at rates which vary from slightly slower (NO2, 1.7x) to much slower (NHEt, 5000x) than F-ddA. The 6-dimethylamino analog is the only compound which possesses anti-HIV activity (ED50 18 microM) without ADA hydrolysis. With the exception of the two inactive alkoxyamino compounds, the other prodrugs exhibited cellular protection in the HIV-1/PHA-PBM system with IC50 potencies of 7-40 microM.

Acute cardiotoxicity of the Anti-HIV dideoxynucleoside, F-ddA, in the rat.

2'-beta-Fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (F-ddA), an acid-stable, purine dideoxynucleoside with in vitro anti-HIV activity, has been selected by the NCI as a clinical trial candidate. A recent report that high, single doses of F-ddA produce cardiotoxicity in rats prompted the present investigation whose objective was to quantitate this effect and establish a relationship between this toxicity and F-ddA plasma concentrations. Microscopic examination of cardiac tissues for degenerative lesions established the effects of F-ddA and ddA on three iv schedules [daily x 1(2.5-250 mg/kg); daily x 5(125, 250 mg/kg), and BID x 1 (250 mg/kg)] as well as one oral schedule [BID x 1 (500 mg/kg) using 8- to 12-week old female Sprague-Dawley rats. For both F-ddA and ddA, the group mean severity of the cardiac lesions was dose-dependent and proportional to the measured plasma concentrations of the undeaminated parent drugs. F-ddI and ddI, were essentially nontoxic in this study (iv, 250 mg/kg, daily x 1 and daily x 5), since plasma concentrations exceeding 2 mM produced only minimal cardiac lesions. The cardiomyopathy of F-ddA was minimal to mild for all iv doses except 250 mg/kg (daily x 1) and usually was greater than that of ddA at any given dose. This is a consequence of the fact that F-ddA is deaminated 20 times more slowly than ddA, resulting in higher plasma concentrations of F-ddA relative to ddA at any given time for any given dose. Neither F-ddA nor ddA was more cardiotoxic on a repeated iv schedule (daily x 5) than when administered only once, suggesting that rat cardiotoxicity is related Cmax rather than total exposure. In this most sensitive species, the formation of cardiac lesions above the background level is associated with i.v. F-ddA administration when the F-ddA plasma concentration approaches 300 microM, 30-50 times the anticipated therapeutic level in humans.

Enhancement by hydroxyurea of the anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 potency of 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors such as hydroxyurea (HU) and related compounds, at low, non-toxic doses, enhance the anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) potency of both purine and pyrimidine 2',3'-dideoxynucleosides (ddNs) in human lymphocytes and macrophages. The most marked enhancement of inhibition of HIV-1 replication reported to date has been seen with the purine ddN 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddIno): a low level of HU (0.1 mM) permitted a 4.5-fold reduction in optimal ddIno dosage with no decrease in therapeutic effect or increase in toxicity. We report here even more marked enhancement by HU of the potency of the purine ddN 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (2'-beta-F-ddAdo), where the addition of 0.1 mM HU permitted a 7.1-fold reduction in the optimal dose of 2'-beta-F-ddAdo in the phytohemagglutinin-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cell HIV-1 test system.

Conformational changes of small molecules binding to proteins.

Flexible molecules change their conformation upon binding to a protein. This was shown by the analysis of small molecules whose structures have been determined by X-ray crystallography of both the pure compound and the compound bound to a protein. Thirty-three compounds present both in the Cambridge Structural Database and the Brookhaven Protein Data Bank were analyzed, and both were compared with the global energy minimum conformation calculated by the molecular mechanics program CHARMm. It was found that the conformation bound to the protein differs from that in the crystal structure and also from that of the global energy minimum, and the degree of deformation depends upon the number of freely rotatable bonds in the molecule. Analysis of the conformational energies of the flexible molecules showed that, for most of those compounds, both the crystal and the protein-bound conformations are energetically well above the global minimum, and, in many cases, not even in any local energy minimum. Semi-empirical calculations performed for a select number of structures, using both the AM1 and PM3 hamiltonians, confirmed these results. These findings are discussed as to their impact upon contemporary methods of drug design.

Lipophilic, acid-stable, adenosine deaminase-activated anti-HIV prodrugs for central nervous system delivery. 2. 6-Halo and 6-alkoxy prodrugs of 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyinosine.

A series of 6-halo-(F-, Cl-, Br-, I-) and 6-alkoxy-(OMe-, OEt-) 9-(2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-threopentofuranosyl) purines (F-ddN) have been synthesized and characterized with the objective of finding compounds which might be superior to existing drugs for the treatment of HIV in the central nervous system. These compounds, which contain lipophilic 6-substituents, were chosen as acid-stable prodrugs for the anti-HIV-active F-ddN, 9-(2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-threo-pentofuranosyl) hypoxanthine (F-ddI), because of their potential to increase blood-brain-barrier penetration relative to F-ddI. All the new compounds were more lipophilic than the currently approved anti-AIDS drugs. Partition coefficient increases of 30- and 110-fold were achieved, relative to didanosine (ddI), for the 6-chloro- and 6-ethoxy analogues. 2'-Fluoro substitution abolished the pH 1, acid-catalyzed cleavage of the nucleoside glycosylic bond. However, pH 1, acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of the 6-fluoro substituent to produce F-ddI was observed to occur at a rate (t1/2 0.54 h) which was ca. 40-170 times faster than that of the other prodrugs. The utility of the F-ddNs as prodrugs for F-ddI depends upon their ability to act as substrates for adenosine deaminase. The relative rates of adenosine deaminase-catalyzed prodrug hydrolysis to F-ddI varied by a factor of > 25,000 with the 6-fluoro- and 6-ethoxy analogues reacting the fastest and slowest, respectively. All of the prodrugs possessed anti-HIV activity in the phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell test system and a qualitative correlation exists between prodrug anti-HIV activity and adenosine deaminase hydrolysis rates.

Reversal by cytidine of cyclopentenyl cytosine-induced toxicity in mice without compromise of antitumor activity.

Among nine compounds surveyed, cytidine was found to be the most effective in reversing the antiproliferative effects of cyclopentenyl cytosine (CPEC) on human T-lymphoblasts (MOLT-4) in culture. Cytidine, at concentrations of 1-25 microM, enabled cells to maintain normal logarithmic growth when added up to 12 hr after exposure to a 200 nM concentration of the oncolytic nucleoside, CPEC. The most abundant CPEC metabolite, CPEC-5'-triphosphate, is a potent [K1 approximately 6 microM] inhibitor of CTP synthetase (EC 6.3.4.2). Accumulation of this inhibitor resulted in a depletion of CTP levels to 17% of their original cellular concentration. Exogenous cytidine reversed CPEC-induced cellular cytotoxicity by suppressing the formation of CPEC-5'-triphosphate by 70%, and by partially replenishing intracellular CTP to at least 60-70% of its original concentration. In vivo, cytidine (500 mg/kg) administered intraperitoneally 4 hr after each daily dose of CPEC (LD10-LD100) for 9 days reduced the toxicity and abolished the lethality of CPEC to non-tumored mice. Of greater practical importance is the finding that, under these experimental conditions, cytidine did not curtail the antineoplastic properties of CPEC in L1210 tumor-bearing mice. Moreover, the concentration range over which CPEC exhibited antineoplastic activity was extended with cytidine administration.

Enhancement by 2'-deoxycoformycin of the 5'-phosphorylation and anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity of 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine and 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine.

The anti-human immunodeficiency virus agents 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (ddAdo) and 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (2'-beta-F-ddAdo) are rapidly converted, both in vitro and in vivo, to the corresponding inosine analogs by the widely distributed enzyme adenosine deaminase (EC 3.5.4.4). We have determined the effects of the potent adenosine deaminase inhibitor 2'-deoxycoformycin (2'-dCF) on ddAdo and 2'-beta-F-ddAdo metabolism in MOLT-4 cells and on ddAdo antiviral activity in the ATH8 test system. At levels as low as 5 nM in the incubation medium, 2'-dCF effectively blocks the extracellular deamination of both agents, thus permitting their rapid cellular uptake as the unchanged parent compounds, rather than as the less lipid-soluble 2',3'-dideoxyinosine or 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyinosine. The result is a significant increase in intracellular levels of the pharmacologically active forms 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine-5'-triphosphate and 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine-5'-triphosphate. The effect becomes maximal over the range of 50-250 nM 2'-dCF and declines to control levels when extracellular 2'-dCF levels exceed 1 microM. This decrease in ddAdo and 2'-beta-F-ddAdo phosphorylation with higher levels of the inhibitor appears to result from intracellular penetration of 2'-dCF and consequent inhibition of intracellular deamination, a critical step in the activation of both agents through the 5'-nucleotidase pathway. In anti-human immunodeficiency virus assays, a 2.2-fold increase in ddAdo antiviral potency was seen at 2'-dCF levels of 20 and 50 nM.

Effect of anti-HIV 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxynucleoside analogs on the cellular content of mitochondrial DNA and on lactate production.

Many dideoxynucleosides that are effective against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) also are potent inhibitors of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) synthesis, and the resulting mtDNA decrease could be responsible for the delayed clinical toxicity sometimes observed with these drugs. The following compounds have been examined for their toxicity to human lymphoid CEM cells, and their ability to suppress mtDNA content: 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC), 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (ddA), 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI) and 2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (ddG); and their 2'-beta-fluoro analogs; beta-F-ddC, beta-F-ddA, beta-F-ddI and beta-F-ddG. Two other fluoro analogs, 5-F-ddC and 2'-beta,5-di-F-ddC were also examined. The ratio of C-IC50 (concentration that inhibited cell growth by 50%) to mt-IC50 (concentration that inhibited mtDNA synthesis by 50%) was determined for each compound. The rank-order of this ratio was ddC > 5-F-ddC >> ddA > ddI > ddG > beta-F-ddC > beta-F-ddA > beta-F-ddG with the highest ratios indicating the greatest potential for delayed toxicity. In comparison with ddC, beta-F-ddC and beta-F-ddA were 5,000 and 22,000 times less potent, respectively, in suppressing cellular mtDNA content, while their anti-HIV potencies were decreased only modestly relative to their unfluorinated parent compounds. beta-F-ddI and 2'-beta,5-di-F-ddC produced neither cellular toxicity nor mtDNA suppression at concentrations of 500 and 1000 microM, respectively. Lactic acid, the product of compensatory glycolysis that results from the inhibition of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, was measured after cells were treated with these compounds. There appears to be a concentration-related correlation between the increase of lactic acid and the extent of mtDNA inhibition for the compounds examined.

National Cancer Institute Drug Information System 3D database.

A searcheable database of three-dimensional structures has been developed from the chemistry database of the NCI Drug Information System (DIS), a file of about 450,000 primarily organic compounds which have been tested by NCI for anticancer activity. The DIS database is very similar in size and content to the proprietary databases used in the pharmaceutical industry; its development began in the 1950s; and this history led to a number of problems in the generation of 3D structures.

Divergent anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity and anabolic phosphorylation of 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside analogs in resting and activated human cells.

The mechanism of divergent anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity of various 2',3'-dideoxynucleoside analogs (ddNs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) was studied. We demonstrate that the in vitro anti-HIV-1 activity of various ddNs varies profoundly and that the divergent antiviral activity is related to the extent of anabolic phosphorylation of each ddN and its counterpart 2'-deoxynucleoside (dN). We also show that certain ddNs cause a reduction of their counterpart dNTP formation in PBM in the following order: 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC) >> 2',3'-didehydro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (d4T), 3'-thia-2',3'-dideoxycytidine (3TC), 2',3'-dideoxyinosine (ddI), 2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (ddG) > 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT) > 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (F-ara-ddA). Based on the phosphorylation profiles, anti-HIV-1 ddNs can be classified into two groups: (i) cell-activation-dependent ddNs such as AZT and d4T that are preferentially phosphorylated, yield higher ratios of ddNTP/dNTP, and exert more potent anti-HIV-1 activity in activated cells than in resting cells; and (ii) cell-activation-independent ddNs including ddI (and 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine), F-ara-ddA, ddG, ddC, and 3TC that produce higher ratios of ddNTP/dNTP and exert more potent anti-HIV-1 activity in resting cells. These data should provide a basis for the elucidation of the mechanism of the divergent antiretroviral activity of ddNs.

The design and synthesis of a new anticancer drug based on a natural product lead compound: from neplanocin A to cyclopentenyl cytosine (CPE-C).

In 1979, an unusual, carbocyclic nucleoside was discovered in a Japanese fermentation broth and designated neplanocin A. This compound is an analog of adenosine possessing a cyclopentene-containing "sugar" glycon. Although neplanocin A was biologically active, it was quite toxic. It therefore became a lead compound for analog synthesis in an attempt to maximize antitumor and antiviral activity while minimizing toxicity. First, a total synthesis of naturally occurring (-)-neplanocin A was accomplished using a new, versatile cyclopentenone carbocyclic "sugar" intermediate. This intermediate was then used to synthesize some 20 purine and pyrimidine analogs of neplanocin A which were evaluated for their antitumor and antiviral properties. Among the purine analogs, 3-deazaneplanocin A, a powerful inhibitor of S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, was found to have excellent antiviral activity both in vitro and in vivo. Cyclopentenyl cytosine (CPE-C) was found to be the most biologically active compound among the carbocyclic pyrimidine nucleosides. In addition to activity against over 20 viruses, this compound had excellent preclinical antitumor activity against both murine leukemias and human tumor xenografts. CPE-C is currently under clinical evaluation as an anticancer drug.

Enhanced stimulation by ribavirin of the 5'-phosphorylation and anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity of purine 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxynucleosides.

The purine dideoxynucleosides 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (2'-beta-F-ddAdo), 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyinosine, and 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyguanosine (2'-beta-F-ddGuo) are active inhibitors of the replication of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the ATH8 assay system, with 2'-beta-F-ddAdo and 2'-beta-fluoro-2',3'- dideoxyinosine showing activity and potency equivalent to those of their respective parent compounds, 2',3'-dideoxyadenosine (ddAdo) and 2',3'-dideoxyinosine. Because inhibitors of IMP dehydrogenase such as ribavirin and tiazofurin stimulate the 5'-phosphorylation and consequently the anti-HIV activity of the three nonfluorinated parent compounds (ddAdo, 2',3'-dideoxyinosine, and 2',3'-dideoxyguanosine), we have undertaken a study in MOLT-4 cells to determine whether a similar stimulatory effect is observed with their 2'-beta-fluorinated analogs. The 5'-phosphorylation of all the fluoro compounds was found to be greatly enhanced by low levels (10 microM) of either ribavirin or tiazofurin, with the greatest increase being seen with 2'-beta-F-ddAdo, where stimulation of the formation of the 5'-mono-, di-, and triphosphorylated nucleotides was approximately 20-fold, 6-fold, and 5-fold, respectively. These increases were approximately 3-fold greater than the increases seen with the nonfluorinated parent compound ddAdo. In the case of 2'-beta-F-ddGuo, the greatest stimulation (8-fold) was seen in the formation of the 5'-diphosphate. In parallel with the increased phosphorylation of 2'-beta-F-ddAdo and 2'-beta-F-ddGuo, the anti-HIV potency of these two compounds at the 5 microM level was approximately doubled in the presence of ribavirin (5 microM).

Chemistry and anti-HIV properties of 2'-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyarabinofuranosylpyrimidines.

The synthesis, chemistry, biochemistry, and anti-HIV activity of a series of 1-(2,3-dideoxy-2-fluoro-beta-D-threopentofuranosyl)pyrimidines have been studied in an attempt to find useful anti-AIDS drugs. Synthesis is carried out via a 2,3-dideoxyribose intermediate which facilitates the preparation of analogues by removing the sugar 3'-hydroxyl group prior to, rather than after, condensation with a uracil or cytosine aglycon. The 2'-F-dd-uridine analogues 7a-d (with H, F, Cl, and CH3 substitution in the 5-position) as well as the 4-deoxy compound (12b) are nonprotective to ATH8 or CEM cells infected with HIV-1. In the corresponding cytidine series, the 5-chloro analogue (11) is inactive. However, 2'-fluoro-2',3'-dideoxyarabinosylcytosine, 10a, and its 5-fluoro analogue, 10b, are both active. While neither compounds is a potent as ddC or 5-F-ddC (2b), 10b gives complete protection against the cytopathic effects of HIV in both host cell lines. 2'-Fluoro substitution confers increased chemical and enzymatic stability on dideoxynucleosides. Even though dideoxy pyrimidine nucleosides are inherently more stable than the corresponding purine analogues toward acid-catalyzed cleavage of the glycosidic bond, 2'-fluoro substitution (10a) still increases stabilization relative to ddC (2b). No detectable deamination by partially purified cytidine deaminase is observed with the 2'-fluoro compounds 10a, 10b, or 11 under conditions which rapidly deaminate cytidine. A small amount of 2'-F-dd-ara-U (7a) is formed from 10a in monkey plasma after greater than 24 h of exposure. The octanol-water partition coefficients for the dideoxynucleosides in this study indicate their hydrophilic character, with log P values varying from -0.28 to -1.18.

Antitumor properties of 2(1H)-pyrimidinone riboside (zebularine) and its fluorinated analogues.

2(1H)-Pyrimidinone riboside (zebularine, 1b) and its 5-fluoro (6b) and 2'-ara-fluoro (7b) analogues have been synthesized and evaluated in vivo as antitumor agents. Zebularine provides increase in life span (ILS) values of ca. 70% against intraperitoneal (ip) murine B16 melanoma and 50% against P388 leukemia. This compound is active when administered either ip or orally against ip or subcutaneously implanted L1210 leukemia, producing ILS values of about 100% at an optimum dose of 400 mg/kg. 1b is also active (60% ILS) against ara-C-resistant L1210. The analogous unsubstituted purine riboside nebularine (2) has modest activity against P388 leukemia (60% ILS). While 2'-ara-fluorozebularine (7b) is only marginally active (40% ILS) at high doses against L1210 leukemia, 5-fluoro analogue 6b is more active than zebularine and is ca. 100 times more potent. Although the activity of 6b is about the same as that of 1b against P388 leukemia, greater potency also is realized in this model. Zebularine is a strong inhibitor of cytidine deaminase, but in contrast to tetrahydrouridine, 1b is acid-stable. In an attempt to use this property to advantage in oral administration, 1b and ara-C have been orally coadministered to mice with ip L1210 leukemia. When zebularine is given in divided doses, up to a 2-fold increase in activity is realized, relative to treatment with the same dose of ara-C alone.