Novel and orally active 5-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyrimidine derivatives as selective FLT3 inhibitors.

5-(1,3,4-Oxadiazol-2-yl)pyrimidine derivative 1 was identified as a new class of FLT3 inhibitor from our compound library. With the aim of enhancement of antitumor activity of 2 prepared by minor modification of 1, structure optimization of side chains at the 2-, 4-, and 5-positions of the pyrimidine ring of 2 was performed to improve the metabolic stability. Introduction of polar substituents on the 1,3,4-oxadiazolyl group contributed to a significant increase in the metabolic stability. As a result, a series of compounds showed increased efficacy against MOLM-13 xenograft model in mice by oral administration.

The contribution of cytochrome P450 to the metabolism of tegafur in human liver.

Fluorouracil (5-FU) prodrug tegafur (FT) is used widely for treating cancer patients. It has been reported that CYP2A6 and thymidine phosphorylase (TP) are involved in the formation of 5-FU from FT. In this study, the relative contribution of cytochrome P450 (P450) to the formation of 5-FU from FT was assessed using human liver 9000 x g supernatant (S9) and hepatocytes, which contain both enzymes. Intrinsic clearances of 5-FU formation from FT by P450 (NADPH dependent) and TP (NADPH independent) in human liver S9 were 1.36 and 0.169 microL/min/mg protein, respectively. The formation of 5-FU from FT in human liver S9 was inhibited over 82% by 8-methoxypsoralen, a CYP2A6-selective inhibitor. The formation of 5-FU from FT was also evaluated in human hepatocytes, cells that not only exhibit P450 and TP activity but also have anabolic capacity. The results indicated that CYP2A6 played a major role in 5-FU formation, which was consistent with the results using human liver S9. Factors that can affect the level of CYP2A6 activity in patients, e.g., genetic polymorphism, should be considered when using FT for chemotherapy.

Effects of olopatadine, a new antiallergic agent, on human liver microsomal cytochrome P450 activities.

Olopatadine, a new histamine H(1) receptor-selective antagonist, is a tricyclic drug containing an alkylamino moiety. Some compounds containing a similar alkylamino group form a cytochrome p450 (p450) -iron (II)-nitrosoalkane metabolite complex [metabolic intermediate complex (MIC)], thereby causing quasi-irreversible inhibition of the p450. There was concern that olopatadine might also form MICs, therefore, the present investigation was undertaken to explore this possibility. We identified the enzymes catalyzing olopatadine metabolism and investigated the effect of olopatadine on human p450 activities. During incubation with human liver microsomes in the presence of a NADPH-generating system, olopatadine was metabolized to two metabolites, M1 (N-monodemethylolopatadine) and M3 (olopatadine N-oxide) at rates of 0.330 and 2.50 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively. Troleandomycin and ketoconazole, which are both selective inhibitors of CYP3A, significantly reduced M1 formation but specific inhibitors of other p450 isozymes did not decrease M1 formation. Incubation of olopatadine with cDNA-expressed human p450 isozymes confirmed that M1 formation was almost exclusively catalyzed by CYP3A4. The formation of M3 was enhanced by N-octylamine and was inhibited by thiourea. High specific activity of M3 formation was exhibited by cDNA-expressed flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)1 and FMO3. Olopatadine did not inhibit p450 activities when it was simultaneously incubated with substrates for different p450 isozymes. Also, p450 activities in human liver microsomes were unaffected by pretreatment with olopatadine or M1. Furthermore, spectral analysis revealed that neither olopatadine nor M1 formed an MIC. Therefore, it is unlikely that olopatadine will cause drug-drug interactions involving p450 isozymes.

Properties of olopatadine hydrochloride, a new antiallergic/antihistaminic drug.

Olopatadine hydrochloride (CAS 140462-76-6, KW-4679, AL-4943A; hereinafter referred to as olopatadine) is a novel antiallergic drug that is a selective histamine H1 receptor antagonist possessing inhibitory effects on the release of inflammatory lipid mediators such as leukotriene and thromboxane from human polymorphonuclear leukocytes and eosinophils. Olopatadine also inhibits the tachykininergic contractions in guinea pig bronchi by prejunctional inhibition of peripheral sensory nerves. Oral administration of olopatadine at doses of 0.03 mg/kg or higher reduces the symptoms of experimental allergic cutaneous responses and rhinoconjunctivitis in sensitized animals. Preclinical and clinical evaluations have demonstrated that olopatadine is a safe drug. After oral administration to healthy volunteers, olopatadine was rapidly and extensively absorbed. Unlike most other antiallergic drugs which are eliminated via hepatic metabolism, olopatadine is mainly excreted into urine. Olopatadine did not affect cytochrome P450 activities in human liver microsomes and consequently drug-drug metabolic interactions are unlikely. In double-masked clinical trials, olopatadine was shown to be effective at alleviating symptoms of allergic diseases. The drug (Allelock) was approved in Japan for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, chronic urticaria, eczema dermatitis, prurigo, cutaneous pruritus, psoriasis vulgaris and erythema exsudativum multiforme in December, 2000. An ophthalmic solution of olopatadine is also useful for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis: this formulation (Patanol) was approved in the USA and the European Union for the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic conjunctivitis in 1996 and 2002, respectively.