3'-O- and 5'-O-Propargyl Derivatives of 5-Fluoro-2'-Deoxyuridine: Synthesis, Cytotoxic Evaluation and Conformational Analysis.

A series of new 3'-O- and 5'-O-propargyl derivatives of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (1-4) was synthesized by means of propargyl reaction of properly blocked nucleosides (2,4), followed by the deprotection reaction with ammonium fluoride. The synthesized propargylated 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine analogues (1-4) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity in three human cancer cell lines: cervical (HeLa), oral (KB) and breast (MCF-7), using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The highest activity and the best SI coefficient in all of the investigated cancer cells were displayed by 3'-O-propargyl-5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (1), and its activity was higher than that of the parent nucleoside. The other new compounds exhibited moderate activity in all of the used cell lines.

Synergistic Combination Chemotherapy of Camptothecin and Floxuridine through Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Drug-Drug Conjugate.

Combination chemotherapy has been widely applied in cancer treatment; however, the cocktail administration of combination chemotherapy could cause the nonuniform biodistribution of anticancer agents, thus impairing the therapeutic efficacy. In the present study, to address this concern, we proposed a novel strategy of preparing self-assembled nanoparticles from amphiphilic drug-drug conjugate for synergistic combination chemotherapy. The conjugate was synthesized by two-step esterification of hydrophobic camptothecin (CPT) and hydrophilic floxuridine (FUDR) through a linker compound. Because of its amphiphilic nature, the CPT-FUDR conjugate self-assembled into stable nanoparticles which could simultaneously release fixed dosage of the two drugs in cancer cells. In vitro studies demonstrated synergistic anticancer efficacy of the CPT-FUDR nanoparticles including improved cell apoptosis, varied cell cycle arrest, as well as effective inhibition of cancer cell proliferation.

Effect of socioeconomic status on the association between air pollution and mortality in Bogota, Colombia / Efecto del nivel socioeconómico sobre la asociación entre contaminantes atmosféricos y mortalidad en Bogotá, Colombia

Objective. To evaluate the modification effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on the association between acute exposure to particulate matter less than 10 microns in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) and mortality in Bogota, Colombia. Materials and methods. A time-series ecological study was conducted (1998-2006). The localities of the cities were stratified using principal components analysis, creating three levels of aggregation that allowed for the evaluation of the impact of SES on the relationship between mortality and air pollution. Results. For all ages, the change in the mortality risk for all causes was 0.76% (95%CI 0.27-1.26) for SES I (low), 0.58% (95%CI 0.16-1.00) for SES II (mid) and -0.29% (95%CI -1.16-0.57) for SES III (high) per 10µg/m³ increment in the daily average of PM10 on day of death. Conclusions. The results suggest that SES significantly modifies the effect of environmental exposure to PM10 on mortality from all causes and respiratory causes.

Objetivo. Evaluar el efecto modificador del nivel socioeconómico (NSE) sobre la asociación entre la exposición aguda a partículas menores de 10 micras de diámetro aerodinámico (PM10) y la mortalidad en Bogotá, Colombia. Material y métodos. Se realizó un estudio ecológico de series de tiempo (1998-2006). Mediante análisis de componentes principales se estableció una estratificación de las localidades de la ciudad, de lo que se generaron tres niveles de agregación que permitieron evaluar el impacto de la variable NSE en la relación mortalidad-contaminación atmosférica. Resultados. En todas las edades, para la mortalidad por todas las causas, el porcentaje de cambio en el riesgo fue 0.76% (IC95% 0.27-1.26) en el NSE I (bajo), 0.58% (IC95% 0.16-1.00) en el NSE II (medio) y -0.29% (IC95% -1.16-0.57) en el NSE III (alto), por incremento de 10µg/m³ en el promedio diario de PM10 en el día del deceso. Conclusiones. Los resultados sugieren que el NSE modifica de manera significativa el efecto de la exposición ambiental a PM10 sobre la mortalidad por todas las causas y causas respiratorias.

Synthesis of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-5-fluorouridine phosphoramidates and evaluation of their anticancer activity.

A series of novel 4-chlorophenyl N-alkyl phosphoramidates of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-5-fluorouridine (12-21) were synthesized by means of phosphorylation of 3'-azido-2',3'-dideoxy-5-fluorouridine (4) with 4-chlorophenyl phosphoroditriazolide (10) followed by a reaction with the appropriate amine. The synthesized phosphoramidates (12-21) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity in three human cancer cell lines: cervical (HeLa), oral (KB) and breast (MCF-7) using the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. The highest activity in all the investigated cancer cells was displayed by phosphoramidate 13 with the N-ethyl substituent and its activity was much higher than that of the parent nucleoside. Also phosphoramidate 17 with the N-propargyl substituent exhibited good activity in all the used cell lines.

Reductive activation of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine prodrug possessing azide methyl group by hypoxic X-irradiation.

We prepared a 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (5-FdUrd) derivative possessing azide methyl group (N(3)-FdUrd) as a novel radiation-activated prodrug. The parent antitumor agent, 5-FdUrd, was released efficiently from N(3)-FdUrd by hypoxic X-irradiation. On the other hand, the activation of N(3)-FdUrd was suppressed upon X-irradiation under aerobic conditions. A biological assay using A549 cells revealed that the cytotoxicity of N(3)-FdUrd was significantly enhanced by hypoxic X-irradiation.

Phosphoramidate ProTides of the anticancer agent FUDR successfully deliver the preformed bioactive monophosphate in cells and confer advantage over the parent nucleoside.

The fluorinated pyrimidine family of nucleosides continues to represent major current chemotherapeutic agents for treating solid tumors. We herein report their phosphate prodrugs, ProTides, as promising new derivatives, which partially bypass the dependence of the current drugs on active transport and nucleoside kinase-mediated activation. They are also resistant to metabolic deactivation by phosphorolytic enzymes. We report 39 ProTides of the fluorinated pyrimidine FUDR with variation in the aryl, ester, and amino acid regions. Notably, only certain ProTide motifs are successful in delivering the nucleoside monophosphate into intact cells. We also find that the ProTides retain activity in mycoplasma infected cells, unlike FUDR. Data suggest these compounds to be worthy of further progression.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-5-halouridine phosphoramidate ProTides.

We report the synthesis of a series of novel 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-5-halouridines and their corresponding phosphoramidate ProTides. All compounds were evaluated for antiviral activity and for cellular toxicity. Interestingly, 2'-deoxy-2',2'-difluoro-5-iodo- and -5-bromo-uridines showed selective activity against feline herpes virus replication in cell culture due to a specific recognition (activation) by the virus-encoded thymidine kinase.

Synthesis and biological activity of N-2,3-dihydroxypropyl-N-4-chlorobutyl nucleoside phosphoramidate prodrugs.

N-2,3-dihydroxypropyl-N-4-chlorobutyl phosphoramidate prodrugs of thymidine and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (5-FdU) 2-4 were synthesized as analogues of the known prodrugs 1a,b to assess the effects of the dihydroxypropyl moiety on prodrug activation, log P, and growth inhibitory activity in vitro. The thymidine analogues 2 and 3 were prepared as model compounds for kinetics and log P studies. 31P NMR kinetics following hydrogenolysis of 2 showed that the thymidine N-dihydroxypropyl phosphoramidate released thymidine monophosphate with a half-life of 212 min under model physiologic conditions compared to approximately 2 min for the corresponding N-methyl phosphoramidate reported previously. The measured log P for compound 3 was 1.1 log units lower than that of the analogous 1b, confirming that the dihydroxypropyl group significantly decreased prodrug lipophilicity. The dihydroxypropyl prodrug 4 showed cell growth inhibition activity in the NCI 60 cell line panel similar to that of the N-methyl analogue 1a previously reported.

A new class of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine prodrugs conjugated with a tumor-homing cyclic peptide CNGRC by ester linkers: synthesis, reactivity, and tumor-cell-selective cytotoxicity.

PURPOSE: Tumor-targeting prodrugs of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (5-FdUrd), which are chemical conjugations of 5-FdUrd with a tumor-homing cyclic peptide CNGRC by succinate and glutarate linkers, were synthesized to investigate the structural effects of linkers on the hydrolytic release of 5-FdUrd and the tumor-cell-selective cytotoxicity. METHODS: A solid phase synthesis method was used to produce 5-FdUrd prodrugs. The kinetics and efficiency of hydrolytic 5-FdUrd release from the prodrugs were investigated in phosphate buffer (PB), fetal bovine serum (FBS), HT-1080 cell lysate, MDA-MB-231 cell lysate, and MEM containing 10% FBS. The tumor-cell-selective cytotoxicity of prodrugs was evaluated by an MTT method. RESULTS: Two tumor-targeting prodrugs CNF1 and CNF2 bearing 5-FdUrd conjugated with a common cyclic peptide CNGRC by succinate and glutarate linkers, respectively, and their control compounds CN1 and CN2 without 5-FdUrd moiety were synthesized and identified. CNF1 underwent hydrolysis to release 5-FdUrd more rapidly and efficiently than CNF2. Both prodrugs were of lower cytotoxicity compared to 5-FdUrd, showing more selective cytotoxicity toward APN/CD13 positive cells (HT-1080) than toward APN/CD13 negative cells (HT-29, MDA-MB-231). CONCLUSIONS: A new class of tumor-targeting 5-FdUrd prodrugs CNF1 and CNF2 were successfully synthesized. These prodrugs targeted a tumor marker APN/CD13 to cause tumor-cell-selective cyctotoxicity due to 5-FdUrd release, the rate of which could be controlled by the structure of ester linker.

Hypoxia-selective activation of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine prodrug possessing indolequinone structure: radiolytic reduction and cytotoxicity characteristics.

We synthesized a 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (5-FdUrd) derivative possessing an indolequinone structure (IQ-FdUrd) to characterize the radiolytic reduction in aqueous solution and the radiation-activated cytotoxicity against EMT6/KU cells under hypoxic conditions. IQ-FdUrd released antitumor agent 5-FdUrd upon hypoxic, but not aerobic, irradiation with the G value of 0.38 x 10(-7) mol J(-1). Laser flash photolysis of IQ-FdUrd in Ar-purged aqueous solution with dimethylaniline as an electron donor gave rise to a transient absorption spectrum characteristic of semiquinone radical anion, which decayed via second order kinetics. It is most likely that bimolecular disproportionation of intermediate semiquinone radicals occurs to release 5-FdUrd. IQ-FdUrd showed enhanced cytotoxicity against EMT6/KU cells in a radiation dose-dependent manner upon hypoxic irradiation. IQ-FdUrd is potentially a prototype compound for new class of radiation-activated antitumor prodrugs that are useful for radiation treatment of hypoxic tumors.

Synthesis and physicochemical characteristics of a liver-targeted conjugate of fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate with lactosaminated human albumin.

In previous experiments fluorodeoxyuridine monophosphate (FUdRMP) was conjugated with lactosaminated human albumin (L-HSA). Fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR) is an anticancer agent and L-HSA is a hepatotropic carrier of drugs obtained by the covalent linkage of lactose residues to the albumin molecule. The conjugate was synthesised via the imidazolide of FUdRMP at alkaline pH. Peripheral venous administration of L-HSA-FUdRMP produced enhanced FUdR levels in hepatic blood and might accomplish a non-invasive loco-regional chemotherapy of liver micrometastases. In the present paper some physicochemical characteristics of L-HSA-FUdRMP are reported. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the coupling reaction did not cause covalent aggregation of the L-HSA molecules. 31P NMR spectra of the conjugate showed that FUdRMP was linked to L-HSA by phosphoamide bonds to lysine and histidine residues, and the area of the peak due to the lysine bond represented more than 80% of the spectrum of L-HSA-FUdRMP. MALDI analysis revealed a partial degradation of the peptide backbone of the conjugate which could not be detected using other methods of analysis. The degradation was not caused by the coupling of lactose molecules to albumin, but rather a consequence of FUdRMP conjugation with L-HSA. This fragmentation was dependent on the pH of the medium used for the FUdRMP coupling reaction. By decreasing the pH to 7.5, conjugates were obtained with a lower drug load but with a substantially reduced fragmentation, which should be preferred for a clinical use of L-HSA-FUdRMP.

In vivo evaluation of 5-[(18)F]fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine as tracer for positron emission tomography in a murine pancreatic cancer model.

We used a murine tumor progression model for the evaluation of potential proliferation markers using positron emission tomography (PET). 5-[(18)F]-2'-deoxyuridine ([(18)F]FdUrd) was synthesized with >98% radiochemical purity and investigated in a pancreatic cancer model, transforming growth factor alpha transgenic mice crossbred to p53 deficient mice. Thymidylate synthase was increased already in premalignant lesions, whereas thymidine kinase 1 mRNA levels were up-regulated 4-fold in the pancreatic cancer specimen of these mice. PET imaging was performed after injection of 1 MBq of [(18)F]FdUrd and 1 MBq of [(18)F]fluoro-deoxyglucose. Animals with pancreatic cancer displayed focal uptake of both tracers. The [(18)F]FdUrd uptake ratio closely correlated with the proliferation index as evaluated in morphometric and fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis. These results indicate the potential of our tumor model for the evaluation of PET tracers and suggest [(18)F]FdUrd as a tracer for the assessment of proliferation in vivo.

[Study on brain targeting 3',5'-dioctanoyl-5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine pharmacosomes].

AIM: To investigate the specific brain drug targeting of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR) by synthesis of 3', 5'-dioctanoyl-5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (DO-FUdR) and incorporation into DO-FUdR pharmacosomes (DO-FUdR-PS). METHODS: DO-FUdR-PS was prepared by thin-layer ultrasonication technique. In vitro drug release was studied in pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline containing 0.3% pancreatic enzyme at 37 degrees C using bulk-equilirium reverse dialysis bag technique. The concentration of FUdR in various organs were determined by reversed phase HPLC after i.v. administration of DO-FUdR-PS and FUdR. RESULTS: The mean particle size of DO-FUdR-PS was 76 nm with drug loading of 29.02% and entrapment efficiency of 96.62%. The in vitro drug release kinetics could be characterized by bioexponential equation. Compared with FUdR injection, DO-FUdR-PS showed high concentration in tested organs. The brain AUC ratio of DO-FUdR-PS to FUdR was 10.97. CONCLUSION: DO-FUdR-PS showed a good targeting efficiency in vivo. PS can improve the ability of drug to cross blood-brain barrier and is a promising drug targeting system for the treatment of central nervous system disorders.

Synthesis and biological activity of novel 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine phosphoramidate prodrugs.

A series of novel haloethyl and piperidyl phosphoramidate FdUMP prodrug analogues has been synthesized, and the growth inhibitory activity of these compounds has been evaluated against L1210 mouse leukemia cells. All compounds exhibited potent inhibition of L1210 cell proliferation with IC(50) values in the nanomolar range. Growth inhibition was reversed by the addition of 5 microM thymidine, suggesting a mechanism of action involving the intracellular release of FdUMP. (31)P NMR studies carried out on model haloethyl phosphoramidates confirm the release of nucleotide via cyclization of the phosphoramidate anion to the aziridinium ion intermediate followed by hydrolysis of the P-N bond. The data suggests that <50% of the prodrug is converted to FdUMP intracellularly by this pathway. Piperidyl phosphoramidate analogues are also converted to nucleotide intracellularly, presumably by the action of an endogenous phosphoramidase.

Antiproliferative effect of immunoliposomes containing 5-fluorodeoxyuridine-dipalmitate on colon cancer cells.

We have investigated the antiproliferative action towards CC531 colon adenocarcinoma cells of target cell-specific immunoliposomes containing the amphiphilic dipalmitoyl derivative of 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (FUdR-dP). FUdR-dP incorporated in immunoliposomes caused a 13-fold stronger inhibition of CC531 cell growth in vitro, during a 72-h treatment, than FUdR-dP in liposomes without antibody, demonstrating that the prodrug is efficiently hydrolysed to yield the active drug, FUdR, intracellularly. The intracellular release of active FUdR was confirmed by determining the fate of 3H-labelled immunoliposomal FUdR-dP. Treatments shorter than 72 h with FUdR-dP in immunoliposomes resulted in anti-tumour activities comparable to, or even higher than, that of free FUdR. The shorter treatments reflect more closely the in vivo situation and illustrate the potential advantage of the use of immunoliposomes over non-targeted liposomal FUdR-dP or free FUdR. Association of tumour cell-specific immunoliposomes with CC531 cells was up to tenfold higher than that of liposomes without antibody or with irrelevant IgG coupled, demonstrating a specific interaction between liposomes and target cells which causes an efficient intracellular delivery of the drug. Since biochemical evidence indicates a lack of internalization or degradation of the liposomes as such, we postulate that entry of the drug most likely involves the direct transfer of the prodrug from the immunoliposome to the cell membrane during its antigen-specific interaction with the cells, followed by hydrolysis of FUdR-dP leading to relatively high intracellular FUdR-levels. In conclusion, we describe a targeted liposomal formulation for the anticancer drug FUdR, which is able to deliver the active drug to colon carcinoma cells with high efficiency, without the need for the cells to internalize the liposomes as such.

A photoactivated prodrug.

A photolabile derivative (1) of the anticancer drug, 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (2), was designed and synthesized as a model prodrug. Photolysis of 1 with long-wavelength UV light rapidly released 2 in solution. While compound 1 alone is nontoxic to cells, the presence of both 1 and UV irradiation (lambda = 350 nm) resulted in potent inhibition of cell growth.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identification of a novel N3-methylated metabolite of 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine in plasma of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.

Evidence of in vivo biomethylation of the anticancer pro-drug 5'-deoxy-5-fluorouridine (5'-dFUR) is presented for the first time. Biomethylation seems to occur specifically at the N3 site on the pyrimidine ring. This novel metabolic product was detected by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of the trimethylsilylated extract of plasma samples from cancer patients undergoing doxifluridine chemotherapy. Considering the observed electron impact fragmentation pattern, the metabolic product was tentatively identified as N3-Me-5'-dFUR. Definite confirmation of the proposed structure was achieved by comparison of the mass spectra and chromatographic characteristics of the suspected metabolite with those of a synthetically prepared reference standard.

Synthesis and biological activity of O-alkyl-3-N-aminoacyloxymethyl-5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine derivatives.

In an attempt to improve the effectiveness of action of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR), various kinds of O-alkylated water-soluble analogues were synthesized. Antitumor activities against sarcoma 180 (solid) were also evaluated. Some compounds exhibited potent activities. In particular, 3'-O-p-chlorobenzyl-3-N-aminoacyloxy-methylester derivatives were effective over a very wide range of dose and gave extremely large therapeutic ratios compared with known 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) derivations.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine phosphoramidate analogs.

A series of alkylating phosphoramidate analogs of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine has been prepared and their growth inhibitory activity evaluated against murine L1210 leukemia and B16 melanoma cells in vitro. These compounds were designed to undergo intracellular release of the phosphoramidate anions, which it was hoped would function as irreversible inhibitors of thymidylate synthase. The expectation was that binding of the nucleoside moiety would be followed by alkylation of the enzyme via the phosphoramidate. The chloride, bromide, iodide, and tosylate analogs were highly potent inhibitors of L1210 cell proliferation, with increased inhibition observed at both higher drug concentrations and longer exposure times. Addition of thymidine completely reversed the inhibition for all compounds, suggesting that these compounds are acting via inhibition of thymidylate synthase. Although the nonalkylating morpholine analog 1f was ca. 50-fold less potent than the methyl(chloroethyl)amino compound, the piperidine analog 1g was only 2-fold less potent, confirming that nitrogen basicity may be as important as the presence of an alkylating group. Addition of thymidine reversed the growth inhibition of the morpholine and piperidine analogs, suggesting that these compounds may also undergo intracellular conversion to 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'monophosphate. The thymidine and deoxyuridine derivatives 2 and 3 showed minimal growth inhibition in the L1210 assay. The alkylating analogs showed modest cytotoxicity against B16 melanoma cells, and the potency of the analogs was more dependent upon the alkylating moiety than on the 5-substituent.

Synthesis and properties of 5-fluorouracil oligonucleotides.

Oligonucleotides of 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FUdR) 1 and 5-fluorouridine (FUR) 2 have been prepared by the standard phosphoramidite method. Homo oligomers (24 mer) of 1, 2 and hetero oligomers of those will be described.