Metabolism of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine and incorporation into DNA of human T-lymphoblastic cells (Molt-4).

1-beta-D-Arabinofuranosyl-5-azacytosine (ara-5-aza-Cyd) had potent cytotoxicity against human T-type lymphoblastic cells in culture. When Molt-4 cells were exposed to ara-5-aza-Cyd for 24 h, clonogenic survival was reduced by 50 and 98% at initial concentrations of 10(-7) and 10(-6) M, respectively, compared to 3 X 10(-8) and 10(-6) M, respectively, for the same effect with 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ara-C). The analogue is chemically unstable, with a t1/2 of 12 h at 37 degrees C in phosphate-buffered saline. ara-5-aza-Cyd is not significantly deaminated by human Cyd-deoxycytidine (dCyd) deaminase, in contrast to ara-C. It is phosphorylated by human cytoplasmic dCyd kinase, with a Km of 55 microM and a relative Vmax of 310% compared to dCyd. The primary metabolite (70%) in Molt-4 cells was identified as ara-5-aza-Cyd triphosphate. Thymidine but not uridine or amino acid incorporation was inhibited by ara-5-aza-Cyd. ara-5-aza-Cyd was incorporated in a dose-dependent manner into DNA, but not RNA, primarily in internucleotide linkage as the original compound. Incorporation into the cellular methanol-insoluble fraction was 3- to 5-fold higher at 8 h than was ara-C incorporation. ara-5-aza-Cyd may have a unique activity against tumor cells resistant to ara-C, particularly where high Cyd-dCyd deaminase activity is a factor. The mode of action, like that of ara-C, is probably mediated through its incorporation into DNA and inhibition of DNA synthesis.

Characterization of a hydroxyurea-resistant human KB cell line with supersensitivity to 6-thioguanine.

Hydroxyurea (HU) is currently used in the clinic for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia, head and neck carcinoma, and sarcoma. One of its drawbacks, however, is the development of HU resistance. To study this problem, we developed a HU-resistant human KB cell line which exhibits a 15-fold resistance to HU. The characterization of this HU-resistant phenotype revealed a gene amplification of the M2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase (RR), increased levels of M2 mRNA and protein, and a 3-fold increase of RR activity. This HU-resistant cell line also expressed a "collateral sensitivity" to 6-thioguanine (6-TG), with a 10-fold decrease in the dose inhibiting cell growth by 50% as compared to the KB parental line. The mechanism responsible for this supersensitivity to 6-TG is believed to be related to an increasingly efficient conversion of 6-TG to its triphosphate form, which is subsequently incorporated into DNA. After passage of the resistant cells in the absence of HU, the cell line reverts. The revertant cells lose their resistance to HU and concomitantly their sensitivity to 6-TG. This phenomenon is due to the return of RR to levels comparable to that of the KB parental cell line. These observations and their relevance to cancer chemotherapy will be discussed in this paper. Our results suggest that a clinical protocol could be designed which would allow for a lower dose of 6-TG to be used by taking advantage of the increased RR activity in HU-refractory cancer patients. Two drugs which display collateral sensitivity are known as a "Ying-Yang" pair. Alternate treatment with two different Ying-Yang pairs is the rationale for the "Ying-Yang Ping-Pong" theory in cancer treatment. This rationale allows for effective cancer chemotherapy with reduced toxicity.

Biological and biochemical effects of 2'-azido-2'-deoxyarabinofuranosylcytosine on human tumor cells in vitro.

2-azido-2'-deoxyarabinofuranosylcytosine (Cytarazid), recently synthesized, was found to inhibit the in vitro growth of several human cell lines by 50% at concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 0.2 microM and to prevent the replication of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 by 98% at 50 microM. As determined with HeLa cells, the inhibition of cell growth was partially prevented by 2'-deoxycytidine (dCyd) and cytidine but not by uridine or thymidine. Cytarazid proved resistant to deamination by human cytidine/dCyd deaminases purified from acute myelocytic leukemia blast cells and from liver, a property reflected in the inability of tetrahydrouridine to enhance the cytotoxicity of the compound. Cytarazid served as a substrate for cytoplasmic dCyd kinase partially purified from human peripheral chronic lymphocytic leukemia blast cells. At a concentration of 0.4 mM, the nucleoside analog was phosphorylated 2.6 times more effectively by this enzyme than was dCyd, the Km for Cytarazid being 250 microM. In intact HeLa cells, the triphosphate derivative of Cytarazid was the major drug metabolite formed. In these cells, the analog interfered with the incorporation of radiolabeled thymidine into DNA at a concentration and a time interval at which the incorporation of uridine into RNA and amino acids into protein was not inhibited, suggesting that interference with DNA synthesis is a primary drug effect. Further analysis showed that Cytarazid triphosphate interferes with DNA synthesis in intact HeLa cell nuclei and that it inhibits both the alpha- and beta-DNA polymerases purified from HeLa cells in a manner competitive with deoxycytidine triphosphate, with Ki's of 0.6 and 0.7 microM, respectively. Cytarazid triphosphate was not able to replace deoxycytidine triphosphate for the synthesis of DNA in either intact nuclei or in cell-free preparations; but, in the cell-free assay system, the compound was found to interfere with primer-template activity.

Telomerase from human leukemia cells: properties and its interaction with deoxynucleoside analogues.

Telomerase is a unique reverse transcriptase involved in the maintenance of genomic integrity. In an attempt to understand the properties of this enzyme and to study the effect of deoxynucleoside analogues, we have isolated and partially purified telomerase from the blast cells of a patient with acute myelogenous leukemia. During the course of purification of telomerase, three characteristic forms of this enzyme activity were separated. Two processive forms and one less processive form were noted. All forms of the enzyme activities could be abolished by RNase A and proteinase K treatments, implying that they are ribonucleoproteins. The major form of telomerase was characterized with respect to divalent ion requirements, effect of salt and nonionic detergents. The Km of deoxynucleoside triphosphates was determined with a modified telomerase repeat array protocol assay. Studies with deoxynucleoside analogues indicated that 3'-azido-3'deoxythymidine triphosphate is much more inhibitory than 2',3'-dideoxy 2',3'didehydrothymidine triphosphate, and the cytidine analogue ddCTP was not inhibitory. ddGTP was the most potent inhibitor among all dideoxynucleosides studied.

Activity of the new antifolate N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolate and its polyglutamates against human dihydrofolate reductase, human thymidylate synthetase, and KB cells containing different levels of dihydrofolate reductase.

The action of N10-propargyl-5,8-dideazafolate (PDDF) and its gamma-polyglutamyl analogues against human thymidylate synthetase and dihydrofolate reductase was examined. PDDF inhibited thymidylate synthetase in a noncompetitive fashion with respect to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate and dihydrofolate reductase in a competitive fashion with respect to dihydrofolate. Ki values were estimated to be 20 and 250 nM, respectively. The addition of glutamyl moieties through gamma-linkage enhanced the inhibitory activity of PDDF against thymidylate synthetase without significant effect on dihydrofolate reductase. PDDF inhibited human KB cell growth, and its potency was found to be influenced less than that of methotrexate by the amount of cellular dihydrofolate reductase.

Syntheses and biological evaluations of 3'-deoxy-3'-C-branched-chain-substituted nucleosides.

Various 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(hydroxymethyl)-, 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(fluoromethyl)-, 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(azidomethyl)-, and 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(aminomethyl)-substituted nucleosides (total 12 compounds) have been synthesized and evaluated against L1210, P388, S-180, and CCRF-CEM cells and HSV-1, HSV-2, and HIV-1 in culture. Only 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(hydroxymethyl)thymidine (36) was found to show significant anticancer activity against L1210, P388, S-180, and CCRF-CEM cells with ED50 values of 50, 5, 10, and 1 microM, respectively. None of these compounds demonstrated significant antiviral activity against HSV-1, HSV-2, or HIV-1. These compounds were also evaluated against thymidine kinases derived from HSV-I (strain KOS), HSV-2 (strain 333), and mammalian (K562) cells. The thymidine kinase (HSV-1 strain KOS) was inhibited significantly by both 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(hydroxymethyl)- and 3'-deoxy-3'-C-(fluoromethyl)thymidine.

Acetylenic nucleosides. 4. 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-ethynylcytosine. Improved synthesis and evaluation of biochemical and antiviral properties.

5-Ethynyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (EAC) was prepared from 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)cytosine by iodination followed by coupling with (trimethylsilyl)acetylene and deblocking. At 50 microM, EAC was found to inhibit the in vitro replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 by greater than 99%. EAC also showed activity against a strain of HSV-1 resistant to (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine which has an alteration of the virus-induced thymidine kinase (TK). At 100 microM, EAC did not inhibit the in vitro growth of leukemia L1210 and HeLa cells. EAC was resistant to the action of dCR-CR deaminase, its rate of deamination being approximately 2% that of dCR. The compound was a poor substrate for dCR kinase, but it was phosphorylated by HSV-1- and HSV-2-induced TKs at 50% and 30%, respectively, the rate of thymidine.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2',3'-dideoxy-L-pyrimidine nucleosides as potential antiviral agents against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Various 2',3'-dideoxy-L-cytidine,2',3'-dideoxy-L-uridine, and 3'-deoxy-L-thymidine analogues have been synthesized and evaluated in vitro as potential anti-HIV and anti-HBV agents. Coupling of 1-O-acetyl-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-2,3-dideoxy-L-ribofuranose (1) with silylated derivatives of 5-fluorocytosine, cytosine, 5-fluorouracil, uracil, and thymine in the presence of ethylaluminum dichloride gave the corresponding nucleosides 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, and 18 as a mixture of alpha- and beta-anomers, which were then deblocked to yield the corresponding 2',3'-dideoxy-L-5-fluorocytidine derivatives, 6 and 7, 2',3'-dideoxy-L-cytidine derivatives, 8 and 9, 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-fluorouridine (13), 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-uridine (14), and 3'-deoxy-L-thymidine derivatives, 15 and 19. Among these 2',3'-dideoxy-L-nucleoside analogues, 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-5-fluorocytidine (6, beta-L-FddC) was found to be the most active against HIV-1, which is approximately 3 and 4 times more active against HIV-1 in vitro than 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-D-cytidine (ddC) and 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-D-5-fluorocytidine (beta-D-FddC) with ED50 values of 0.5, 1.5, and 2 microM, respectively. The dose-limiting toxicity of ddC is severe neuropathy which may be caused by the inhibition of the synthesis of mitochondrial DNA. ddC has an IC50 value of 0.022 microM against host mitochondrial DNA synthesis. Conversely, the IC50 values for beta-L-FddC and beta-L-ddC are > 100 microM; therefore, neuropathy may not present itself to be a problem with beta-L-FddC and beta-L-ddC as chemotherapeutic agents. In addition, beta-L-FddC and 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-cytidine (8, beta-L-ddC) demonstrated equally potent activity against HBV in vitro by having the same ED50 value of 0.01 microM. Both beta-L-FddC and beta-L-ddC, which have an "unnatural" L-configuration in the sugar moiety, are approximately 1000 and 280 times more potent, respectively, against HBV than the D-configuration beta-D-FddC and ddC which have an ED50 values of 10 and 2.8 microM. In view of the potent antiviral activity of beta-L-FddC against both HIV-1 and HBV and potent antiviral activity of beta-L-ddC against HBV in vitro, their low cytotoxicity, and especially the negligible inhibitory effect on host mitochondrial DNA synthesis, beta-L-FddC and beta-L-ddC merit further development as potential anti-HIV and anti-HBV agents.

Prevention of binding of rgp120 by anti-HIV active tannins.

Several tannins with anti-HIV activity have been described previously (Nonaka et al., J Nat Prod 53: 587-595, 1990). We have shown that the tannins chebulinic acid and punicalin were able to block the binding of HIV rgp120 to CD4. These compounds were not toxic to stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes at concentrations ten times above their maximal effective concentration.

Favorable interaction of beta-L(-) nucleoside analogues with clinically approved anti-HIV nucleoside analogues for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus.

The combination of L(-)-2',3'-dideoxy-3'-thiacytidine (L(-)SddC, 3TC), L(-)-2',3'-dideoxy-5-fluorocytidine (L(-)FddC), or L(-)-2',3'-dideoxy-5-fluoro-3'-thiacytidine (L(-)(FTC) with 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) synergistically inhibited replication of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vitro. Similar synergistic activity was also obtained when these compounds were used in combination with 2',3'-didehyro-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (D4T). In terms of 2',3'- dideoxyinosime (ddI) and 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (ddC), only additive anti-HIV activity was observed. None of the beta-L(-) nucleoside analogues had additive toxicity in cell culture, and they could protect against the delayed mitochondrial toxicity associated with AZT, D4T, ddC, and ddI in drug-treated cells. Thus, combinations of beta-L(-) nucleoside analogues with any of the approved anti-HIV drugs could have a potentially beneficial outcome.

Differential binding affinities of sugar-modified derivatives of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine for herpes simplex virus-induced and human cellular deoxythymidine kinases.

The affinity of a large number of sugar-modified derivatives of (E)-5-(2-bromovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (BVDU) was determined towards deoxythymidine (dThd) kinases (TK) of various origin, i.e. human cytosol and mitochondrial TK, as well as herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 and type 2 TK. Substitution at the 3'- and 5'-position had differential effects on the interaction of BVDU with TK from different sources. The binding affinity of the nucleoside analogs for these different TKs was also influenced by the nature of the 5-substituent (2-bromovinyl vs 2- chlorovinyl ). The 5'-azido and 5'-amino derivatives of BVDU showed affinity for HSV-1 TK only and may, therefore, be useful to differentiate HSV-1 TK from all other TKs . There was no stringent correlation between the antiviral effects of the compounds and their binding constants for viral TK, suggesting that phosphorylation by viral TK is an essential but not sufficient factor in determining the antiviral activity of these analogs.

Antiviral activity of 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-5-fluorocytidine (beta-L-FddC) and 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-cytidine (beta-L-ddC) against hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in vitro.

2',3'-Dideoxy-beta-L-5-fluorocytidine (beta-L-FddC) and 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-L-cytidine (beta-L-ddC), two nucleosides with "unnatural L-configuration," have been synthesized and found to have potent antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vitro with very little toxicity. At 1 microM, both beta-L-ddC and beta-L-FddC inhibited the growth of HBV by more than 90%, while at the same concentration the D-configuration counterparts, 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-D-cytidine (ddC) and 2',3'-dideoxy-beta-D-5-fluorocytidine (beta-D-FddC), did not show antiviral activity against HBV. The order of anti-HIV-1 activity was beta-L-FddC > ddC; beta-D-FddC > beta-L-ddC. The dose-limiting toxicity of ddC is neuropathy which is believed to be caused by the inhibition of the synthesis of mitochondrial DNA. ddC severely inhibited the mitochondrial DNA synthesis of CEM cells yielding an IC50 value of 0.022 microM. Conversely, both beta-L-FddC and beta-L-ddC did not demonstrate any inhibition against mitochondrial DNA synthesis up to 100 microM concentration.

Suppression of ocular herpes recurrences by a thymidine kinase inhibitor in squirrel monkeys.

5'-Ethynylthymidine, an inhibitor of viral thymidine kinase (TK), was given intraperitoneally to squirrel monkeys previously infected by the ocular route with Rodanus strain herpes simplex virus. Spontaneous ocular recurrences were reduced during therapy, compared to saline-treated controls. This is the first in vivo demonstration that a viral TK inhibitor can reduce recurrences of HSV-1. Similar benefit would be expected for HSV-2 and perhaps VZV (varicella zoster virus).

Virus-induced thymidine kinases as markers for typing herpes simplex viruses and for drug sensitivity assays.

A rapid, reproducible and objective new method for typing herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) based on the effects of virus-induced thymidine kinases on various antiviral drugs has been developed. When several laboratory strains and clinical isolates were typed by this method and compared to the results obtained by the immunofluorescence antibody typing method, agreement was found for all the viruses. The new technique has the added advantage of determining the sensitivity of HSV strains to antiviral drugs.

Synthesis of halogen-substituted 3-deazaadenosine and 3-deazaguanosine analogues as potential antitumor/antiviral agents.

Various 2-halogen-substituted analogues (38, 39, 43 and 44), 3-halogen-substituted analogues (51 and 52), and 2',3'-dihalogen-substituted analogues (57-60) of 3-deazaadenosine and 3-halogen-substituted analogues (61 and 62) of 3-deazaguanosine have been synthesized as potential anticancer and/or antiviral agents. Among these compounds, 3-deaza-3-bromoguanosine (62) showed significant cytotoxicity against L1210, P388, CCRF-CEM and B16F10 cell lines in vitro, producing IC50 values of 3, 7, 9 and 7 microM, respectively. Several 3-deazaadenosine analogues (38, 51, 57 and 59) showed moderate to weak activity against hepatitis B virus.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,3-oxathiolane 5-azapyrimidine, 6-azapyrimidine, and fluorosubstituted 3-deazapyrimidine nucleosides.

(2R,5S)-5-Amino-2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]- 1,2,4-triazine-3(2H)-one (8) and (2R,5R)-5-amino-2-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]-1,2,4-tr iazine-3(2H)-one (9) have been synthesized via a multi-step procedure from 6-azauridine. (2R,5S)-4-Amino-1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]-1,3, 5-triazine-2(1H)-one (11) and (2R,5R)-4-amino-1-[2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl]- 1,3,5-triazine-2(1H)-one (12), and the fluorosubstituted 3-deazanucleosides (19-24) have been synthesized by the transglycosylation of (2R,5S)-1-[2-[[(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl) oxy]methyl]-1,3-oxathiolan-5-yl] cytosine (2) with silylated 5-azacytosine and the corresponding silylated fluorosubstituted 3-deazacytosines, respectively, in the presence of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate as the catalyst in anhydrous dichloroethane, followed by deprotection of the blocking groups. These compounds were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity against L1210, B16F10, and CCRF-CEM tumor cell lines and for antiviral activity against HIV-1 and HBV.