Pretargeted PET of Osteodestructive Lesions in Dogs.

The last decade has witnessed the creation of a highly effective approach to in vivo pretargeting based on the inverse electron demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) click ligation between tetrazine (Tz) and trans-cyclooctene (TCO). Despite the steady progression of this technology toward the clinic, concerns have persisted regarding whether this in vivo chemistry will work in humans given their larger size and blood volume. In this work, we describe the use of a 64Cu-labeled Tz radioligand ([64Cu]Cu-SarAr-Tz) and a TCO-bearing bisphosphonate (TCO-BP) for the pretargeted positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of osteodestructive lesions in a large animal model: companion dogs. First, in a small animal pilot study, healthy mice were injected with TCO-BP followed after 1 or 6 h by [64Cu]Cu-SarAr-Tz. PET images were collected 1, 6, and 24 h after the administration of [64Cu]Cu-SarAr-Tz, revealing that this approach produced high activity concentrations in the bone (>20 and >15%ID/g in the femur and humerus, respectively, at 24 h post injection) as well as high target-to-background contrast. Subsequently, companion dogs (n = 5) presenting with osteodestructive lesions were administered TCO-BP (5 or 10 mg/kg) followed 1 h later by [64Cu]Cu-SarAr-Tz (2.2-7.3 mCi; 81.4-270.1 MBq). PET scans were collected for each dog 4 h after the administration of the radioligand, and SUV values for the osteodestructive lesions, healthy bones, and kidneys were determined. In these animals, pretargeted PET clearly delineated healthy bone and produced very high activity concentrations in osteodestructive lesions. Low levels of uptake were observed in all healthy organs except for the kidneys and bladder due to the renal excretion of excess radioligand. Ultimately, this work not only illustrates that pretargeted PET with TCO-BP and [64Cu]Cu-SarAr-Tz is an effective tool for the visualization of osteodestructive lesions but also demonstrates for the first time that in vivo pretargeting based on IEDDA click chemistry is feasible in large animals.

A Versatile Platform for the Development of Radiolabeled Antibody-Recruiting Small Molecules.

Building on clinical case reports of the abscopal effect, there has been considerable interest in the synergistic effects of radiation and immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer. Here, the first radiolabeled antibody-recruiting small molecule that can chelate a variety of cytotoxic radionuclides is described. The platform consists of a tunable antibody-binding domain against a serum antibody of interest (e.g., dinitrophenyl hapten) to recruit endogenous antibodies that activate effector cell function, a chelate capable of binding diagnostic and therapeutic radiometals, and a tetrazine for bioorthogonal coupling with trans-cyclooctene-modified targeting vectors. The dinitrophenyl-tetrazine ligand was shown to both affect dose-dependent antibody recruitment and immune cell function (phagocytosis) in vitro, and the bisphosphonate 177Lu-complex was shown to accumulate at sites of calcium accretion in vivo, which was achieved using both active and pretargeting strategies.

Fluorous Analogue of Chloramine-T: Preparation, X-ray Structure Determination, and Use as an Oxidant for Radioiodination and s-Tetrazine Synthesis.

A fluorous oxidant that can be used to introduce radioiodine into small molecules and proteins and generate iodinated tetrazines for bioorthogonal chemistry has been developed. The oxidant was prepared in 87% overall yield by combining a fluorous amine with tosyl chloride, followed by chlorination using aqueous sodium hypochlorite. A crystal structure of the oxidant, which is a fluorous analogue of chloramine-T, was obtained. The compound was shown to be stable for 7 days in EtOH and for longer than three months as a solid. The oxidant was effective at promoting the labeling of arylstannanes using [(125)I]NaI, where products were isolated in high specific activity in yields ranging from 46% to 86%. Similarly, iodinated biologically active proteins (e.g., thrombin) were successfully produced, as well as a radioiodinated tetrazine, through a concomitant oxidation-halodemetalation reaction. Because of its fluorous nature, unreacted oxidant and associated reaction byproducts can be removed quantitatively from reaction mixtures by passing solutions through fluorous solid phase extraction cartridges. This feature enables rapid and facile purification, which is critical when working with radionuclides and is similarly beneficial for general synthetic applications.

High yielding synthesis of carboranes under mild reaction conditions using a homogeneous silver(I) catalyst: direct evidence of a bimetallic intermediate.

Methods used to prepare functionalized carboranes generally require heating to high temperatures, and thus limits the range of derivatives which can be prepared directly from alkynes. We show here that by using a homogeneous silver(I) catalyst it is now possible to prepare carboranes in good to excellent yield at temperatures below 40 °C, including at room temperature. The process is general and provides an important new synthetic strategy for the preparation of functionalized boron clusters.

Photoacoustic imaging of a cyanine dye targeting bacterial infection.

The development of a non-invasive infection-specific diagnostic probe holds the potential to vastly improve early-stage detection of infection, enabling precise therapeutic intervention and potentially reducing the incidence of antibiotic resistance. Towards this goal, a commercially available bacteria-targeting Zinc(II)-dipicolylamine (ZnDPA)-derived fluorophore, PSVue794, was assessed as a photoacoustic (PA) imaging probe (PIP). A radiolabeled version of the dye, [99mTc]Tc-PSVue794, was developed to facilitate quantitative biodistribution studies beyond optical imaging methods, which showed a target-to-non-target ratio of 10.1 ± 1.1, 12 h post-injection. The ability of the PIP to differentiate between bacterial infection, sterile inflammation, and healthy tissue in a mouse model, was then evaluated via PA imaging. The PA signal in sites of sterile inflammation (0.062 ± 0.012 a.u.) was not statistically different from that of the background (0.058 ± 0.006 a.u.). In contrast, high PA signal was detected at sites of bacterial infection (0.176 ± 0.011 a.u.) as compared to background (0.081 ± 0.04 a.u., where P ≤ 0.03). This work demonstrates the potential of utilizing established fluorophores towards PAI and utilizing PAI as a modality in the distinction of bacterial infection from sites of sterile inflammation.

High yielding preparation of dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes using a silver(I) mediated dehydrogenative alkyne-insertion reaction.

The synthesis of 1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes (ortho-carboranes) is often low yielding which is a critical issue given the increasing use of boron clusters in material science and medicinal chemistry. To address this barrier, a series of Cu, Ag, and Au salts were screened to identify compounds that would enhance the yields of ortho-caboranes produced when treating alkynes with B10H12(CH3CN)2. Using a variety of functionalized ligands including mono- and polyfunctional internal and terminal alkynes, significant increases in yield were observed when AgNO3 was used in catalytic amounts. AgNO3 appears to prevent unwanted reduction/hydroboration of the alkyne prior to carborane formation, and the process is compatible with aryl, halo, hydroxy, nitrile, carbamate, and carbonyl functionalized alkynes.

Labeled Undecahydro-closo-dodecaborates Based on Azo Dyes for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy: Synthesis, Characterization, and Visualization in Cells.

A general approach to the synthesis of novel boronated azo dyes derived from undecahydro-closo-dodecaborates as a convenient preparation of dye labeled for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is described. The method focused on the synthesis of two classes of dye-labeled dodecaborate anions. One is the reaction of (CH3)4NB12H11NH3- with NaNO2 in acetonitrile/water to give its diazonium salt which consequently reacted with substituted phenols to produce boronated azo-dyes (B12H11-N=N-Ar-, Ar = 4-HOC6H5, 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, 2,3-(HO)2C6H4, 3-MeO-4-HOC6H4, 2-HO-5-MeOC6H4, and 4-Me2N-C6H4). The second is the reaction of aryldiazonium salt as couplers with disodium salt of dodecaborates (B12H11X2-, X = SH or OH) to yield substituted dodecaborate azo-dyes (HXB12H10-N=N-Ar-, Ar = para-bromo, para-nitro, para-carboxy, meta-carboxy, para-sulfonamide, and para-sulfonic acid). The results show the expected effect of the various substituents on the efficiency of the coupling reactions. Extension of similar strategies to tyrosine and 5-(para-aminophenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin diazonium salt, we succeeded to get dodecaborate anion containing amino acid or porphyrin as candidates for BNCT, respectively. Dye-labeled dodecaborates were obtained in acceptable yields. The proposed methodology provides not only a convenient way to synthesize libraries of boron cluster modified azo dyes for various applications but also for the visualization of boron clusters in cells.

Amphiphilic allylation of arylidene-1,3-oxazol-5(4H)-one using bis-π-allylpalladium complexes: an approach to synthesis of cyclohexyl and cyclohexenyl α-amino acids.

An efficient method for synthesis of cyclohexyl and cyclohexenyl α-amino acids via palladium-catalyzed three-component assemblies followed by ring-closing metathesis (RCM) is described. The present catalytic reaction is successfully extended to substituted benzylidene azlactones 2a-j RCH=(1,3-oxazole): R = alkyl or aryl. The amphiphilic bis-allylation of these substrates has been achieved by replacing toxic allylstannanes with allyltrifluoroborate and the reaction proceeded smoothly to afford the corresponding 1,7-diene derivatives 3a-j in acceptable to good yields. RCM of the resulting octadienes using the first generation Grubbs catalyst gave easy access to stereodefined substituted cyclohexene derivatives 7-11 in high yields. Acid hydrolysis of the oxazolone ring of 7-10 gave protected amino acids 12-16. Debenzoylation of 13 and 15 afforded 1-amino-6-aryl-cyclohex-3-enecarboxylic acids 17 and 18 in excellent yields, respectively. Moreover, catalytic reduction of 13 gave the corresponding cyclohexane derivative 19 which could be debenzoylated to give 1-amino-2-phenylcyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid (20). The structures of compounds 9, 12 and 13 were confirmed by X-ray structural analysis. It is an excellent method for creating a wide range of cyclic α,α-disubstituted α-amino acids.

Undecahydro-closo-dodecaborates as good leaving groups in organic synthesis: generation of substituted styrenes via elimination of arylethyl dodecaborates.

New functionalized arylethyl undecahydro-closo-dodecaborates (S,S-disubstituted B(12)H(11)SH(2-), N,N-disubstituted B(12)H(11)NH(3)(-) and O-substituted B(12)H(11)OH(2-)) are prepared by a simple one-step reaction. Moderate to good yields are obtained in the presence of various functional aryl groups. The synthesis of functionalized styrene derivatives can be readily achieved by treating arylethyl undecahydro-closo-dodecaborates with various bases. The scope and limitations of this procedure are demonstrated by investigating an array of alkylated dodecaborates. Based on an E2 elimination reaction, we identify the mechanistic pathway for dealkylation of arylethyl dodecaborates. Mechanistic studies indicate the following essential requirements to promote the elimination reaction: (i) the presence of alpha-CH acidity of the phenethyl group; (ii) steric hindrance; (iii) a substituted heteroatom on the closo-B(12)H(11)(2-) cage and (iv) the presence of an electron-withdrawing group on the aromatic ring.

Correction: A 99mTc-Labelled Tetrazine for Bioorthogonal Chemistry. Synthesis and Biodistribution Studies with Small Molecule trans-Cyclooctene Derivatives.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0167425.].

Preparation and Evaluation of Radiolabeled Antibody Recruiting Small Molecules That Target Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen for Combined Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy.

The feasibility of developing a single agent that can deliver radioactive iodine and also direct cellular immune function by engaging endogenous antibodies as an antibody-recruiting small molecule (ARM) was determined. A library of new prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-binding ligands that contained antibody-recruiting 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) groups and iodine were synthesized and screened in vitro and in vivo. A lead compound (9b) showed high affinity for PSMA and the ability to bind anti-DNP antibodies. Biodistribution studies of the iodine-125 analogue showed 3% ID/g in LNCaP xenograft tumors at 1 h postinjection with tumor-to-blood and tumor-to-muscle ratios of 10:1 and 44:1, respectively. The radiolabeled analogue was bound and internalized by LNCaP cells, with both functions blocked using a known PSMA inhibitor. A second candidate showed high tumor uptake (>10% ID/g) but had minimal binding to anti-DNP antibodies. The compounds reported represent the first examples of small molecules developed specifically for combination immunotherapy and radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Automated synthesis of [(18)F]DCFPyL via direct radiofluorination and validation in preclinical prostate cancer models.

BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is frequently overexpressed and upregulated in prostate cancer. To date, various (18)F- and (68)Ga-labeled urea-based radiotracers for PET imaging of PSMA have been developed and entered clinical trials. Here, we describe an automated synthesis of [(18)F]DCFPyL via direct radiofluorination and validation in preclinical models of prostate cancer. METHODS: [(18)F]DCFPyL was synthesized via direct nucleophilic heteroaromatic substitution reaction in a single reactor TRACERlab FXFN automated synthesis unit. Radiopharmacological evaluation of [(18)F]DCFPyL involved internalization experiments, dynamic PET imaging in LNCaP (PSMA+) and PC3 (PSMA-) tumor-bearing BALB/c nude mice, biodistribution studies, and metabolic profiling. In addition, reversible two-tissue compartmental model analysis was used to quantify pharmacokinetics of [(18)F]DCFPyL in LNCaP and PC3 tumor models. RESULTS: Automated radiosynthesis afforded radiotracer [(18)F]DCFPyL in decay-corrected radiochemical yields of 23 ± 5 % (n = 10) within 55 min, including HPLC purification. Dynamic PET analysis revealed rapid and high uptake of radioactivity (SUV5min 0.95) in LNCaP tumors which increased over time (SUV60min 1.1). Radioactivity uptake in LNCaP tumors was blocked in the presence of nonradioactive DCFPyL (SUV60min 0.22). The muscle as reference tissue showed rapid and continuous clearance over time (SUV60min 0.06). Fast blood clearance of radioactivity resulted in tumor-blood ratios of 1.0 after 10 min and 8.3 after 60 min. PC3 tumors also showed continuous clearance of radioactivity over time (SUV60min 0.11). Kinetic analysis of PET data revealed the two-tissue compartmental model as best fit with K 1 = 0.12, k 2 = 0.18, k 3 = 0.08, and k 4 = 0.004 min(-1), confirming molecular trapping of [(18)F]DCFPyL in PSMA+ LNCaP cells. CONCLUSIONS: [(18)F]DCFPyL can be prepared for clinical applications simply and in good radiochemical yields via a direct radiofluorination synthesis route in a single reactor automated synthesis unit. Radiopharmacological evaluation of [(18)F]DCFPyL confirmed high PSMA-mediated tumor uptake combined with superior clearance parameters. Compartmental model analysis points to a two-step molecular trapping mechanism based on PSMA binding and subsequent internalization leading to retention of radioactivity in PSMA+ LNCaP tumors.

A Bone-Seeking trans-Cyclooctene for Pretargeting and Bioorthogonal Chemistry: A Proof of Concept Study Using 99mTc- and 177Lu-Labeled Tetrazines.

A high yield synthesis of a novel, small molecule, bisphosphonate-modified trans-cyclooctene (TCO-BP, 2) that binds to regions of active bone metabolism and captures functionalized tetrazines in vivo, via the bioorthogonal inverse electron demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) cycloaddition, was developed. A 99mTc-labeled derivative of 2 demonstrated selective localization to shoulder and knee joints in a biodistribution study in normal mice. Compound 2 reacted rapidly with a 177Lu-labeled tetrazine in vitro, and pretargeting experiments in mice, using 2 and the 177Lu-labeled tetrazine, yielded high activity concentrations in shoulder and knee joints, with minimal uptake in other tissues. Pretargeting experiments with 2 and a novel 99mTc-labeled tetrazine also produced high activity concentrations in the knees and shoulders. Critically, both radiolabeled tetrazines showed negligible uptake in the skeleton and joints when administered in the absence of 2. Compound 2 can be utilized to target functionalized tetrazines to bone and represents a convenient reagent to test novel tetrazines for use with in vivo bioorthogonal pretargeting strategies.

A 99mTc-Labelled Tetrazine for Bioorthogonal Chemistry. Synthesis and Biodistribution Studies with Small Molecule trans-Cyclooctene Derivatives.

A convenient strategy to radiolabel a hydrazinonicotonic acid (HYNIC)-derived tetrazine with 99mTc was developed, and its utility for creating probes to image bone metabolism and bacterial infection using both active and pretargeting strategies was demonstrated. The 99mTc-labelled HYNIC-tetrazine was synthesized in 75% yield and exhibited high stability in vitro and in vivo. A trans-cyclooctene (TCO)-labelled bisphosphonate (TCO-BP) that binds to regions of active calcium metabolism was used to evaluate the utility of the labelled tetrazine for bioorthogonal chemistry. The pretargeting approach, with 99mTc-HYNIC-tetrazine administered to mice one hour after TCO-BP, showed significant uptake of radioactivity in regions of active bone metabolism (knees and shoulders) at 6 hours post-injection. For comparison, TCO-BP was reacted with 99mTc-HYNIC-tetrazine before injection and this active targeting also showed high specific uptake in the knees and shoulders, whereas control 99mTc-HYNIC-tetrazine alone did not. A TCO-vancomycin derivative was similarly employed for targeting Staphylococcus aureus infection in vitro and in vivo. Pretargeting and active targeting strategies showed 2.5- and 3-fold uptake, respectively, at the sites of a calf-muscle infection in a murine model, compared to the contralateral control muscle. These results demonstrate the utility of the 99mTc-HYNIC-tetrazine for preparing new technetium radiopharmaceuticals, including those based on small molecule targeting constructs containing TCO, using either active or pretargeting strategies.

New functionalized mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate derivatives for potential application in boron neutron capture therapy: synthesis, characterization and dynamic visualization in cells.

A series of mercaptoundecahydrododecaborate (B12H11SH(2-), BSH) bearing mono- and dicarboxyalkyl derivatives was prepared, characterized, and their reactivity towards amidation and esterification in DMF was evaluated. Symmetrical alkylation of BSH was achieved by treatment with primary haloalkyl carboxylic acids in aqueous acetonitrile to produce S,S-bis(carboxyalkyl)sulfonium-undecahydro-closo-dodecaborate tetramethylammonium salts. Unsymmetrically substituted sulfonium salts were obtained through a similar treatment of cyanoethylthioether-undecahydro-closo-dodecaborate tetramethylammonium salt with haloalkyl carboxylic acid. Selective removal of the remaining cyanoethyl group upon treatment with tetramethylammonium hydroxide yielded S-carboxyalkyl-thioether-undecahydro-closo-dodecaborate ditetramethylammonium salts. N,N'-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) activated amidation of S,S-bis(carboxyalkyl)sulfonium-undecahydro-closo-dodecaborate or S-carboxyalkyl-thioether-undecahydro-closo-dodecaborate tetramethylammonium salts with propargylamine provided the opportunity to install terminal acetylene groups for further conjugation. These compounds acted as powerful building blocks for the synthesis of a broad range of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole products in high yields, utilizing the Cu(I)-mediated click cycloaddition reaction. The synthesis of BSH-lipid with a two-tailed moiety was also achieved, by esterification of S,S-bis(carboxyethyl)sulfoniumundecahydro-closo-dodecaborate(1-) tetramethylammonium salt with 1,2-O-distearoyl-sn-3-glycerol, which may prove useful in the liposomal boron delivery system. The bio-compatibility of the azide-alkyne click reaction was then utilized by performing this reaction in cell culture. The distribution of BSH in HeLa cells could be visualized by treating the cells first with a BSH-alkyne compound and then with Alexa Fluor 488(®) azide dye. The BSH-dye conjugate, which did not wash out, revealed the distribution of boron in the HeLa cells. Cytotoxicity assays of these BSH derivatives revealed that the synthesized BSH-conjugated triazoles possessed low cytotoxicity in HeLa cancer cells. Of these compounds, BSH conjugated triazole 15 induced a significant increase in the level of boron accumulation in HeLa cells.

Preparation and evaluation of carborane-derived inhibitors of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA).

A series of C-hydroxy carborane derivatives of (S)-2-(3-((S)-5-amino-1-carboxypentyl)ureido)-pentanedioic acid were prepared as a new class of boron rich inhibitors of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which is overexpressed on prostate cancer tumours and metastases. Closo-, nido- and iodo-carborane conjugates were prepared and screened in vitro where the water soluble iodinated cluster had the highest affinity with an IC50 value (73.2 nM) that was comparable to a known PSMA inhibitor 2-(phosphonomethyl)-pentanedioic acid (PMPA, 63.9 nM). The radiolabeled analogue was prepared using (123)I and the biodistribution determined in a prostate cancer model derived from a PSMA positive cell line (LNCaP) at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h post injection (n = 4 per time point). The results showed good initial tumour uptake of 4.17% at 1 h, which remained at that level only decreasing somewhat at 6 h (3.59%). At the latter time point tumour-to-blood and tumour-to-muscle ratios peaked at 3.47 at 25.52 respectively. There was significant off-target binding particularly in the liver and gall bladder and a surprising amount of deiodination in vivo. Notwithstanding, this work demonstrates that carboranes can be used to prepare potent ligands for PSMA creating the opportunity to develop a new class of BNCT agents for prostate cancer.

Promising carboranylquinazolines for boron neutron capture therapy: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro toxicity evaluation.

Novel classes of structurally different boronated quinazolines were designed bearing 22-37% boron by weight for potential application in BNCT of tumors. Firstly, the o-carborane cage was linked to quinazoline at C-2 position via thioether linker: 2-S-(1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran(12)-1-ylmethyl)-3-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one. Secondly, the o-carborane cage connected to quinazoline moiety at C-4 position through an ether linkage: 4-O-(o-carboran-1-ylmethyl)-2-methylquinazoline. Finally, carborane moieties were also linked to the C-6 position of quinazoline: 6-[N-{3-(2-methyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran(12)-1-yl)methyl}benzylidinamino]quinazolin-4(3H)-one and 6-[N-{3,5-di(2-methyl-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaboran(12)-1-yl)methyl}benzylidinamino]quinazolin-4(3H)-one. The water solubility was achieved by the degradative conversion of the o-carboranylquinazolines to the corresponding potassium nido-carboranyl quinazolines: 2-S-(1,2-dicarba-nido-undecacarborate-1-ylmethyl)-3-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one, 4-O-(1,2-dicarba-nido-undecacarborate-1-ylmethyl)-2-methylquinazoline, 6-[N-{3-(2-methyl-1,2-dicarba-nido-undecacarborate-1-yl)methyl}benzylidinamino]quinazolin-4(3H)-one and 6-[N-{3,5-di(2-methyl-1,2-dicarba-nido-undecacarborate-1-yl)methyl}benzylidinamino]quinazolin-4(3H)-one. The products were confirmed by NMR, elemental analysis, IR, and mass spectrometry. In vitro toxicity was performed with B16 melanoma cells and showed that the connection of hydrophilic nido-carborane to quinazoline moiety decreases the compound's toxicity. This cytotoxicity effect was not observed in the nido-carborane containing two cluster units which was relatively nontoxic and did not inhibit colony formation up to concentrations of 300microg boron ml(-1). The compounds described here can be considered as new candidates for BNCT.

Azanonaboranes containing imidazole derivatives for boron neutron capture therapy: synthesis, characterization, and in vitro toxicity evaluation.

A number of azanonaboranes containing imidazole derivatives have been synthesized by a ligand-exchange reaction. The exo-NH(2)R group of the azanonaborane of the type [(RH(2)N)B(8)H(11)NHR] can be exchanged by one hetero-nitrogen atom of the imidazole ring. In the case of histamine, the exchange takes place on the aliphatic amino group, the hetero-nitrogen atom of the imidazole ring or both of them. The products were confirmed by NMR, IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and mass spectrometry. The electron-withdrawing effect of the nitro group in 2-nitroimidazole is the main hindrance to achieve the exchange reaction. In vitro experiments were performed with B16 melanoma cells. A comparison of the biological properties of the products in which the B(8)N cluster is connected to the hetero-nitrogen atom of imidazole ring or the aliphatic NH(2) group showed that incorporation of B(8)N cluster unit into primary amino group increases the compound's toxicity. In contrast, this specificity for cytotoxicity effect was not observed in the case of histamine containing two B(8)N clusters which was relatively nontoxic and did not inhibit colony formation up to concentrations of 2 mM.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel functionalized azanonaborane cluster for boron neutron capture therapy.

The reactivity of an azanonaborane cluster containing free amino groups {H2N(CH2)4H2NB8H11NH(CH2)4NH2} towards ketones and aldehydes is investigated. In a one step reaction, the reductive amination of some ketones and aldehydes (namely acetone, benzaldehyde, 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 4-nitrobenzaldehyde, 4-acetoxybenzaldehyde, and 4-acetamidobenzaldehyde) with an azanonaborane cluster in the presence of H3BNH2(CH2)4NH2 gives monoalkylamino derivatives of the azanonaborane cluster {RHN(CH2)4H2NB8H11NH(CH2)4NHR} where (R =(Me)2CH-, C6H5CH2-, 3-OHC6H4CH2-, 4-OHC6H4CH2-, 4-NO2C6H4CH2-, 4-MeOCOC6H4CH2-, or 4-NH2COC6H4CH2-). The functionalized derivatives of the {B8N} cluster can be used in boron neutron capture therapy for tumors (BNCT). Similarly, the reductive amination of 5-(4"-formylphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin with the {B8N} cluster gave a porphyrin bearing azanonaborane cluster, while a porphyrin dimer linked by an azanonaborane moiety was obtained following the same method, starting with a 2:1 molar ratio of porphyrin:{B8N} cluster. 5,10,15,20-Tetraformylphenylporphyrin gave the chance to increase the percentage of boron in the resulting boronated porphyrin, which is considered an important factor for a BNCT delivery agent. With these compounds, the cell toxicity using V79 cells was carried out to determine whether these compounds would have favorable biological properties.