A new class of analogues of the bifunctional radiosensitizer alpha-(1-aziridinylmethyl)-2-nitro-1H-imidazole-1-ethanol (RSU 1069): the cycloalkylaziridines.

A series of compounds related to alpha-(1-aziridinylmethyl)-2-nitro-1H-imidazole-1-ethanol (RSU 1069, 1) were synthesized and evaluated as selective hypoxic cell cytotoxic agents and as radiosensitizers. The aziridine moiety was replaced with a number of other potential alkylating groups including cycloalkylaziridines and azetidines. The data indicated that modification of the aziridine of 1 resulted in a substantial decrease in the ability of the compounds to selectively kill hypoxic cells. However, these modifications did not affect the compounds' in vitro radiosensitizing activity since many of the derivatives were as potent as 1. All of the compounds that were evaluated in vivo were less toxic than 1, and several members of this series had significant activity. The best compound was trans-alpha-[[(4-bromotetrahydro-2H-pyran-3-yl) amino]methyl]-2-nitro-1H-imidazole-1-ethanol (18), which, due to its activity and log P value, is a candidate for additional in vivo studies.

Effect of PD 128763, a new potent inhibitor of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, on X-ray-induced cellular recovery processes in Chinese hamster V79 cells.

The modifying effects of PD 128763 (3,4-dihydro-5-methyl-1(2H)-isoquinolinone), a potent inhibitor of poly(adenosine-diphosphate (ADP)-ribose) polymerase, on radiation-induced cell killing were examined in Chinese hamster V79 cells. This compound has an IC50 value against the purified enzyme approximately 50X lower than 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB), a widely used specific inhibitor of the enzyme. Exposure of exponentially growing cells to a noncytotoxic concentration (0.5 mM) of PD 128763 for 2 h immediately following X irradiation increased their radiation sensitivity, modifying both the shoulder and the slope of the survival curve. When recovery from sublethal damage and potentially lethal damage was examined in exponential and plateau-phase cells, respectively, postirradiation incubation with 0.5 mM PD 128763 was found not only to inhibit both these processes fully, but also to enhance further the level of radiation-induced cell killing. This is in contrast to the slight effect seen with the less potent inhibitor, 3-AB. The results presented suggest that the mechanism of radiosensitization by PD 128763 is related to the potent inhibition of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase by this compound.

Dihydroisoquinolinones: the design and synthesis of a new series of potent inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase.

A series of dihydroisoquinolinones, formally rigid analogs of 3-substituted benzamides, and a series of 2,3-disubstituted benzamides were synthesized and evaluated as inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The results indicated that the orientation of the amide with respect to the substituent on the aromatic ring was critical for optimum inhibitory activity. Selected compounds were also evaluated for their ability to modify the radiation response of mammalian cells to ionizing radiation. A number of the 5-substituted dihydroisoquinolinones, which were very potent inhibitors of the enzyme, were able to enhance the lethal effects of ionizing radiation in mammalian cells, as measured by changes in the survival curve parameters Do and/or Dq.