Synthesis and hypoxia selective radiosensitization potential of beta-2-FAZA and beta-3-FAZL: fluorinated azomycin beta-nucleosides.

(18)F-Labelled fluoroazomycin arabinoside ([(18)F]FAZA) is a 2-nitroimidazole (azomycin) based PET tracer used extensively in cancer clinics to diagnose tumour hypoxia. The hypoxia-specific uptake and rapid blood clearance kinetics of FAZA contribute to good tumor-to-background ratios (T/B ratios) and high image contrast. However, FAZA, an alpha-configuration nucleoside, is not transported by cellular nucleoside transporters. It enters cells only via diffusion, therefore not achieving the high uptake and T/B ratios characteristic of actively transported radiopharmaceuticals. The present work describes the synthesis, physicochemical properties and preliminary assessment of the radiosensitization properties of two novel azomycin nucleosides, 1-beta-D-(2-deoxy-2-fluoroarabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (beta-2-FAZA) and 1-beta-D-(3-deoxy-3-fluorolyxofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (beta-3-FAZL) (fluorination yields 60% and 55%, respectively). The tosylated precursors required to synthesize the corresponding F-18 labeled radiopharmaceuticals are also reported. The partition coefficients (P) for beta-2-FAZA (1.0) and beta-3-FAZL (0.95) were marginally lower than reported for FAZA (1.1). The radiosensitization properties of both these compounds are similar to that of FAZA, with sensitizer enhancement ratios (SER) of approximately 1.8 for HCT-116 cells.

In vivo evaluation of the uptake of [(123)I]FIAU, [(123)I]IVFRU and [(123)I]IVFAU by normal mouse brain: potential for noninvasive assessment of HSV-1 thymidine kinase gene expression in gliomas.

Radioiodinated 5-iodo-1-(2-fluoro-2-deoxy-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)uracil (F *IAU) is most commonly used for noninvasive assessment of herpes simplex virus type 1 thymidine kinase (HSV-1-tk) gene expression. However, it does not permeate the intact blood-brain barrier (BBB) because of its moderate lipophilicity. In this work, three iodo-nucleosides, FIAU, IVFRU, and IVFAU, were radiolabeled with iodine-123 and tested for permeation of the BBB in mice and for potential measurement of HSV-1-tk gene expression in gliomas. The results demonstrate that brain uptake and retention of these nucleosides is not directly related to their lipophilicity. The low brain uptake of IVFAU, in conjunction with its higher and constant brain/blood ratio, may reflect greater stability against hydrolysis of the N-glycosidic bond. In vivo PET evaluations of [(124)I]IVFRU and [(124)I]IVFAU in tumor-bearing mice are warranted.

Preparation of the hypoxia imaging PET tracer [18F]FAZA: reaction parameters and automation.

18F-labeling of the nitroimidazole nucleoside analogue 1-(5-fluoro-5-deoxy-alpha-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (FAZA) was developed to use this tracer in PET for detection of hypoxia. Parameters for labeling and hydrolysis were optimized with regard to amount of precursor, temperature and time. Labeling yields reached a maximum of 62+/-4% at 100 degrees C within 5 min using 5 mg of precursor. Hydrolysis was best performed with 1 mL of 0.1 N NaOH at 20 degrees C for 2 min. Transfer of these conditions to an automated synthesizer resulted in an overall radiochemical yield of 20.7+/-3.5%. Absolute yields at EOS were 9.8+/-2.3 GBq of [18F]FAZA ready for injection (n=21; 50 min after EOB; irradiation parameters: 35 microA, 60 min). Thus, a convenient approach suitable for large-scale production of [18F]FAZA was developed by an automated process.

The cytostatic activity of 5-(1-azidovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (AzVDU) against herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase gene-transfected FM3A cells is due to inhibition of thymidylate synthase and enhanced by UV light (lambda = 254 nm) exposure.

5-(1-Azidovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (AzVDU) and a series of 5-[1-azido-2-halogenoethyl]-derivatives of beta-D-arabinofuranosyluracil (AU) proved markedly inhibitory to the replication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and varicella zoster virus (VZV), but not thymidine kinase (TK)-deficient HSV-1 and VZV strains. None of the compounds were cytostatic. However, AzVDU, but not the 5-[1-azido-2-halogenoethyl]-AU derivatives became highly cytostatic against HSV-1 and HSV-2 TK gene-transfected FM3A tumor cells. The molecular target for the cytostatic effect of AzVDU proved to be thymidylate synthase. Short exposure of AzVDU-treated FM3A TK-/HSV-1 TK+ cells to irradiation at lambda = 254 nm enhanced the cytostatic activity of AzVDU by 5-fold.

Novel approaches for designing 5'-O-ester prodrugs of 3'-azido-2', 3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT).

3'-Azido-2',3'-dideoxythymidine (AZT, 1, zidovudine, RetrovirTM) is used to treat patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. AZT, after conversion to AZT-5'-triphosphate (AZT-TP) by cellular enzymes, inhibits HIV-reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT). The major clinical limitations of AZT are due to clinical toxicities that include bone marrow suppression, hepatic abnormalities and myopathy, absolute dependence on host cell kinase-mediated activation which leads to low activity, limited brain uptake, a short half-life of about one hour in plasma that dictates frequent administration to maintain therapeutic drug levels, low potential for metabolic activation and/or high susceptibility to catabolism, and the rapid development of resistance by HIV-1. These limitations have prompted the development of strategies for designing prodrugs of AZT. A variety of 5'-O-substituted prodrugs of AZT constitute the subject of this review. The drug-design rationale on which these approaches are based is that the ester conjugate will be converted by hydrolysis and/or enzymatic cleavage to AZT or its 5′-monophosphate (AZT-MP). Most prodrug derivatives of AZT have been prepared by derivatization of AZT at its 5'-O position to provide two prominent classes of compounds that encompass: A) 5'-O-carboxylic esters derived from 1) cyclic 5'-O-carboxylic acids such as steroidal 17b-carboxylic acids, 1-adamantanecarboxylic acid, bicyclam carboxylic acid derivatives, O-acetylsalicylic acid, and carbohydrate derivatives, 2) amino acids, 3) 1, 4-dihydro-1-methyl-3-pyridinylcarboxylic acid, 4) aliphatic fatty acid analogs such as myristic acid containing a heteroatom, or without a heteroatom such as stearic acid, and 5) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid analogs such as retinoic acid, and B) masked phosphates such as 1) phosphodiesters that include monoalkyl or monoaryl phosphate, carbohydrate, ether lipid, ester lipid, and foscarnet derivatives, 2) a variety of phosphotriesters that include dialkylphosphotriesters, diarylphosphotriesters, glycolate and lactate phosphotriesters, phosphotriester approaches using simultaneous enzymatic and chemical hydrolysis of bis(4-acyloxybenzyl) esters, bis(S-acyl-2-thioethyl) (SATE) esters, cyclosaligenyl prodrugs, glycosyl phosphotriesters, and steroidal phosphotriesters, 3) phosphoramidate derivatives, 4) dinucleoside phosphate derivatives that possess a second anti-HIV moiety such as AZT-P-ddA, AZT-P-ddI, AZTP2AZT, AZTP2ACV), and 5) 5'-hydrogen phosphonate and 5'-methylene phosphonate derivatives of AZT. In these prodrugs, the conjugating moiety is linked to AZT via a 5'-O-ester or 5'-O-phosphate group. 5'-O-Substituted AZT prodrugs have been designed with the objectives of improving anti-HIV activity, enhancing blood-brain barrier penetration, modifying pharmacokinetic properties to increase plasma half-life and improving drug delivery with respect to site-specific targeting or drug localization. Bypassing the first phosphorylation step, regulating transport and conferring sustained release of AZT prolong its duration of action, decrease toxicity and improve patient acceptability. The properties of these prodrugs and their anti-HIV activities are now reviewed.

Enzyme-targeted, nucleoside-based radiopharmaceuticals for scintigraphic monitoring of gene transfer and expression.

Enzymes, the expression products of transferred or native genes, offer unique windows of opportunity for clinical diagnosis and therapy. Although some expression products can be monitored in plasma, nuclear medicine imaging (SPECT and PET) offers the unique ability to selectively measure the intensity and regional/spatial distribution of gene expression both in vivo, in situ. Importantly, the superior sensitivity and moderate spatial resolution of the nuclear techniques also enable in vivo kinetic characterization of enzyme-substrate interaction. Indeed, the non-invasive, whole-body assessment of gene expression can only be achieved through imaging techniques. Given today's technology, nuclear imaging techniques uniquely provide the necessary sensitivity required to evaluate the success of the gene delivery and expression (transcription and translation), and to detect unwanted expression by non-target tissues. Enzymes are a special class of proteinacious gene expression products that selectively bind specific substrates for the purpose of molecular biotransformation rather than for signal transduction. In general, enzymes have received much less attention for imaging than receptors and antibodies, despite the enzymes' high substrate specificity and the potential for kinetic evaluation. Enzymes are attractive targets for diagnostic imaging and radioisotope radiotherapy because they convert multiple molecular copies of the substrate (radiotracer) per molecule of enzyme, thereby greatly increasing the ultimate sensitivity relative to the sensitivity offered by receptors that bind with 1:1 stoichiometry. Not surprisingly, enzymes have been the preferred molecular targets to date for scintigraphic imaging of gene therapy. This overview describes opportunities and advances in the utilization of radiolabelled nucleosides and nucleoside bases for imaging in gene therapy, with emphasis on the exploitation of enzyme systems for scintigraphic imaging of gene expression in gene therapy of cancer. Herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase and bacterial/fungal cytosine deaminase are discussed within the context of gene therapy issues such as gene vectors for targeting and delivery, the bystander effect, and radionucleoside delivery. The utilization of nucleosides as markers of tissue proliferation is discussed with respect to selected enzyme targets.

Targeted radiotherapy of multicell neuroblastoma spheroids with high specific activity [125I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine.

PURPOSE: Iodine-125 induces cell death by a mechanism similar to that of high linear energy transfer (high-LET) radiation. This study investigates the cytotoxicity of high-specific-activity [125I]meta-iodobenzylguanidine (125I-mIBG) in human SK-N-MC neuroblastoma cells grown as three-dimensional multicellular spheroids. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spheroids were incubated with high-specific-activity 125I-mIBG (6 mCi/microg, 1000 times that of the conventional specific activity used for autoradiography). Cytotoxicity was assessed by fluorescence viability markers and confocal microscopy for intact spheroids, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and clonogenic assay, and clonogenic assays for dispersed whole spheroids. Distribution of radioactive mIBG was determined by quantitative light-microscope autoradiography of spheroid cryostat sections. Dose estimation was based on temporal knowledge of the retained radioactivity inside spheroids, and of the radiolabel's emission characteristics. Findings were compared with those of spheroids treated under the same conditions with 131I-mIBG, cold mIBG, and free iodine-125. RESULTS: 125I-mIBG exerted significant cell killing. Complete spheroids were eradicated when they were treated with 500 microCi of 125I-mIBG, while those treated with 500 microCi or 1000 microCi of 131I-mIBG were not. The observed difference in cytotoxicity between treatments with 125I- and 131I-mIBG could not be accounted for by the absorbed dose of spheroid alone. The peripheral, proliferating cell layer of the spheroids remained viable at the moderate radioactivity of 100 microCi for both isotopes. Cytotoxicity induced by 125I-mIBG was quantitatively comparable by the peripheral rim thickness to that of 131I-mIBG at the dose of 100 microCi. The peripheral rim thickness decreased most significantly in the first 17 hours after initial treatment. There was no statistical decrease in the rim thickness identified afterwards for the second, third, and fourth days of incubation. CONCLUSION: The cytotoxic effect of high-specific-activity 125I-mIBG appears to be comparable to, if not more efficient than that of conventionally used 131I-mIBG at the same level of total radioactivity. 125I-mIBG may improve the therapeutic index over that of 131I-mIBG in the clinical management of metastatic neuroblastoma due to the short range of Auger electrons.

Synthesis and antiviral activity of novel 5-(1-azido-2-haloethyl) and 5-(1-azido-, amino-, or methoxyethyl) analogs of 2'-deoxyuridine.

A new class of 5-(1-azido-2-haloethyl)-2'-deoxyuridines 3a-c was synthesized by the regiospecific addition of XN3 (X = I, Br, Cl) to the vinyl substituent of 5-vinyl-2'-deoxyuridine. Treatment of the 5-(1-azido-2-iodoethyl) compound (3a) with H2 and 10% Pd/C yielded the 5-(1-azidoethyl) (4) and 5-(1-aminoethyl) (5) derivatives of 2'-deoxyuridine. A similar hydrogenation of 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (1f) afforded the 5-(1-methoxyethyl) analog 6. The 5-(1-azido-2-haloethyl)-2'-deoxyuridines 3a-c exhibited in vitro antiviral activity against HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, and EBV, but they were inactive against HCMV. In this group of compounds, the activity order was Cl > or = I > Br against HSV-1 and Br > or = Cl > I against HSV-2. A halogen atom in the 5-(1-azido-2-haloethyl) moiety 3a-c is an essential requirement since the 5-(1-azidoethyl) analog 4 was inactive, except for weak antiviral activity against VZV. Although the 5-(1-aminoethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine.HI (5) was inactive against HSV-1 and HSV-2, the 5-(1-methoxyethyl) compound 6 was equiactive to 5-ethyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EDU) against both HSV-1 and HSV-2 and 7-fold and 12-fold less active against HCMV relative to EDU and ganciclovir, respectively. All compounds investigated (3-6) exhibited low host cell cytotoxicity (IC50 > 118 microM) and inhibited cell proliferation only at high concentrations (IC50 > 76 microM).

Synthesis, in vitro biological stability, and anti-HIV activity of 5-halo-6-alkoxy(or azido)-5,6-dihydro-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine diastereomers as potential prodrugs to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT).

A new class of 5-halo-6-alkoxy(or azido)-5,6-dihydro-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidines was investigated as potential anti-AIDS drugs. These 5,6-dihydro derivatives, which are also potential prodrugs to 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT), were designed in an effort to enhance the duration of action, lipophilicity, and cephalic delivery to the central nervous system. The 5-halo-6-alkoxy(or azido)-5,6-dihydro-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidines, which differ in configuration at the C-5 and C-6 positions, were synthesized by the regiospecific addition of XR (X = Br, Cl, I; R = alkoxy, azido) to the 5,6-olefinic bond of AZT. The 5-halo-6-methoxy-5,6-dihydro derivatives of AZT are more lipophilic (P = 3.3-18.8 range) than the parent compound AZT (P = 1.29). These 5-halo-6-methoxy-5,6-dihydro compounds, like AZT, did not undergo glycosidic bond cleavage upon incubation with Escherichia coli thymidine phosphorylase. Regeneration of the 5,6-olefinic bond to give AZT, upon incubation of the 5-halo-6-methoxy-5,6-dihydro compounds with glutathione, mouse blood, or mouse liver homogenate, was dependent upon the nature of the 5-halo substituent (I > Br). No 5,6-olefinic bond regeneration was observed for the 5-chloro analogs. The ability of these 5-halo-6-alkoxy (or azido)-5,6-dihydro-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidines to protect CEM cells against HIV-induced cytopathogenicity was evaluated. Structure-activity studies showed that the C-5 substituent (I, Br, Cl) was a determinant of anti-HIV-1 activity where the potency order was I > or = Br > Cl. In the 5-bromo series of compounds, the C-6 substituent was also a determinant of activity where 6-OMe and 6-OEt substituents exhibited a greater potency than the corresponding 6-i-PrO, 6-(1-octyloxy), 6-(1-hexadecyloxy), and 6-azido analogs. All of the 5-chloro-6-substituted-5,6-dihydro compounds were inactive, except for the approximately equipotent 6-OMe and 6-azido diastereomeric mixtures which were 2-3 log units less active than the reference drug AZT. The configuration at the C-5 and C-6 positions also influenced potency where the activity of the 5R,6R-diastereomer was generally greater than that of the corresponding 5S,6S-diastereomer.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Synthesis and tumor uptake of 5-halo-1-(2'-fluoro-2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)[2-14C]uracils.

A synthesis of 5-chloro- and 5-fluoro-1-(2'-fluoro-2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil (4a and 4b) and their 2-14C analogues has been developed. The tissue distribution of these radiolabeled compounds in BDF1 mice bearing Lewis lung tumors has been investigated. Compounds 4a and 4b undergo rapid blood clearance and urinary excretion. Selective retention of radioactivity was observed in tumor tissue, spleen, and intestine and with compound 4b also in the bone. Maximum tumor to blood ratios of 4.2 for the 5-chloro compound 4a and 10.3 for the 5-fluoro compound 4b were observed at 4h. These compounds were resistant to phosphorylytic cleavage and dehalogenation as indicated by the metabolic products observed in the urine and the absence of radioactivity in the liver. The interaction of 4b with the mouse erythrocyte transporter system was compared with physiological nucleosides in respect to ability to effect zero-trans influx of thymidine. The results show a competitive inhibition between 4b and the natural nucleoside. Evidence is presented for the direct metabolic defluorination of 5-fluorouracil to form uracil.

Synthesis and antiviral (HIV-1, HBV) activities of 5-halo-6-methoxy(or azido)-5,6-dihydro-3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine diastereomers. Potential prodrugs to 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine.

A new class of 5-halo-6-methoxy(or azido)-5,6-dihydro-3'-fluoro-3'- deoxythymidines (4-13) were investigated as potential anti-AIDS drugs. These 5,6-dihydro derivatives, which are also potential prodrugs to 3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine (FLT), were designed to have properties which would enhance their duration of action, lipophilicity, and cephalic delivery to the central nervous system. The 5-halo-6-methoxy(or azido)-5,6-dihydro-3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidines, which differ in configuration at the C-5 and C-6 positions, were synthesized by the regiospecific addition of XR (X = Br, Cl, I; R = OMe, N3) to the 5,6-olefinic bond of FLT. These 5-halo-6-methoxy-5,6-dihydro derivatives are more lipophilic (P = 1.5-5.15 range) than the parent compound FLT (P = 0.5). Regeneration of the 5,6-olefinic bond to give FLT, upon incubation of the 5-halo-6-methoxy-5,6-dihydro compounds with glutathione, was dependent on the nature of the 5-halo substituent (I > Br > Cl). The ability of these 5-halo-6-methoxy(or azido)-5,6- dihydro compounds (4-13) to protect CEM cells against HIV-induced cytopathogenicity was evaluated. The C-5 halo substituent was a determinant of anti-HIV-1 activity where the approximately equipotent 5-iodo and 5-bromo were generally more potent than the 5-chloro derivatives of FLT. Compounds having the (5S,6S)-configuration were more potent than the corresponding (5R,6R)-diastereomer. The most potent anti-HIV-1 agents, which included the (5R,6R)-5-Br,6-OMe (4), (5S,6S)-5-Br,6-OMe (5), and (5S,6S)-5-I,6-OMe (10) derivatives of FLT, exhibited comparable activities to the reference drugs AZT and FLT. Although (5R,6R)-5-bromo-6-methoxy-5,6-dihydro-3'-fluoro-3'-deoxythymidine (4) inhibited hepatitis B virus replication at a 5-6-fold higher concentration (EC50) than the reference drug 2',3'-dideoxycytidine (DDC), it was 3-5-fold less cytotoxic (CC50) than DDC.

Synthesis and tumor uptake of 5-82Br- and 5-131I-labeled 5-halo-1-(2-fluoro-2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)uracils.

A synthesis of 5-bromo- and 5-iodo-1-(2-fluoro-2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil (3 and 4) and their 5-82Br and 5-131I analogues has been developed. The tissue distribution of the radiolabeled compounds in BDF1 mice bearing Lewis lung tumors has been investigated. After injection of the radiolabeled analogues of compounds 3 and 4 there was a rapid initial excretion of activity. Compound 3 was excreted unchanged in the urine. Residual activity in mice after 4 h showed a distribution characteristic of bromide (Br-). Compound 4 was excreted mainly as unchanged starting material with increasing amounts of iodide (I-) detected at later time periods, in addition to 5-iodouridine and unidentified metabolites at shorter time periods. Both 3 and 4 demonstrated a remarkable in vivo stability relative to related 5-substituted nucleosides that do not contain the 2'-fluoro group. The tumor uptake was minimal, with only the 5-bromo analogue demonstrating a slight elevation in tumor to blood ratios relative to other tissues. Compounds 3 and 4 were shown to compete with thymidine for the same binding site in the transport of nucleosides across the cell membrane in mouse erythrocytes. The inhibition constants (Ki) show that the compounds were weak competitors of thymidine binding to pyrimidine nucleoside transporter compared to physiological nucleosides. Other evidence indicates that compounds 3 and 4 are not substrates for mammalian kinase enzymes.

Synthesis and cellular uptake of 2'-substituted analogues of (E)-5-(2-[125I]iodovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine in tumor cells transduced with the herpes simplex type-1 thymidine kinase gene. Evaluation as probes for monitoring gene therapy.

A useful synthetic methodology was developed to synthesize and radiolabel a series of (E)-5-(2-[125I]iodovinyl)uracil nucleoside substrates for herpes simplex virus type-1 thymidine kinase (HSV-1 TK). (E)-5-(2-[125I]Iodovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine ([125I]IVDU, 10), (E)-5-(2-[125I]iodovinyl)-2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine ([125I]IVFRU, 11), (E)-5-(2-[125I]iodovinyl)-2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyarabinouridine ([125I]IVFAU, 12), and (E)-5-(2-[125I]iodovinyl)arabinouridine ([125I]IVAU, 13) were synthesized in 63-83% radiochemical yield by reaction of the unprotected (E)-5-(2-(trimethylsilyl)vinyl) precursors (6-9) with [125I]ICl. Cellular uptake of these labeled compounds (10-13) was evaluated in vitro. All compounds showed minimal uptake in the KBALB cell line. However, increased uptake was observed for all compounds in KBALB-STK cells which are transduced with a replication incompetent Moloney murine leukemia virus vector encoding the HSV-1 TK gene. The results indicate that uptake of these compounds in KBALB-STK cells is variable and highly dependent on the nature of the sugar 2'-substituent. When a fluoro (12) or a hydroxy (13) substituent is present in the arabinofuranosyl (up) configuration at the 2'-position, there is diminished cellular uptake in KBALB-STK cells relative to hydrogen (10) or fluorine (11) in the ribofuranosyl (down) configuration at the 2'-position. Our results indicate that radiolabeled IVFRU (11) is most promising for further in vivo studies.

Synthesis of 5-[1-hydroxy(or methoxy)-2-bromo(or chloro)ethyl]-2'-deoxyuridines and related halohydrin analogues with antiviral and cytotoxic activity.

A series of new 5-(1-hydroxy-2-haloethyl)-2'-deoxyuridines (3, 6, 8) were synthesized in 60-70% yields by addition of HOX (X = Br, Cl, I) to the vinyl substituent of the respective 5-vinyl-2'-deoxyuridines (2, 5, 7). Treatment of 3a,b with methanolic sulfuric acid afforded the corresponding 5-(1-methoxy-2-haloethyl)-2'-(deoxyuridines (4a,b). The 5-(1-hydroxy-2-chloroethyl) (3b), 5-(1-methoxy-2-bromoethyl) (4a), 5-(1-hydroxy-2-bromo-2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl) (6a), and 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodo-2-(ethoxycarbonyl)ethyl) (6b) derivatives exhibited in vitro antiviral activity (ID50 = 0.1-1 microgram/mL range) against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). 5-(1-Hydroxy-2-bromo-2-(ethoxycarbonyl)-ethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (6a) was the most active cytotoxic agent in the in vitro L1210 screen exhibiting an ED50 of 11 micrograms/mL relative to melphalan (ED50 = 0.15 micrograms/mL).

In vivo biodistribution, pharmacokinetic parameters, and brain uptake of 5-halo-y-methoxy(or ethoxy)-5,6-dihydro-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine diastereomers as potential prodrugs of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine.

A new class of 5-halo-6-alkoxy-5,6-dihydro-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine diastereomers (5-x-6-OR -5,6-dihydro-AZTs; X = I, Br, Cl; R = Me, Et) were evaluated as potential anti-AIDS prodrugs of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythimidine (AZT). In vivo regeneration of AZT from these 5-X-6-OR-5,6-dihydro-AZTs was examined in Balb/c mice after intravenous tail vein injection. The (5R,6R)- and (5S,6S)-5-bromo(or iodo)-6-methoxy-5,6-dihydro derivatives of AZT (BMAZT, IMAZT) were rapidly converted to AZT, resulting in AZT plasma concentrations after a 144 micromol/kg dose similar to those after an equivalent dose (144 microg/kg, 38.5 mg/kg) of AZT, whereas AZT was not detectable by HPLC after the same dose of the chloro diastereomer (5R,6R)-CMAZT. The interaction of AZT and the 5-X-6-methoxy-5,6dihydro-AZT diastereomers with the 6-[(4-nitrobenzyl)thio]-9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurine equilibrative-sensitive nucleoside transporter in murine erythrocytes was also studied. The (5R,6R)- and (5S,6S)-5-X-6-OMe-5,6-dihydro-AZT diastereomers demonstrated a high affinity (K(i) = 0.2-0.5 mM) for the transporter relative to AZT (K(i) = 1.3 mM), with the exception of (5S,6R)-5-chloro-6-methoxy-5,6-dihydro-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (CMAZT) which has a K(i) value larger than 1.5 mM. [2-(14)C]-Labeled (5R,6R)- and (5S,6S)-5-bromo-6-methoxy(or ethoxy)- 5,6-dihydro-3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidines were synthesized by the regiospecific addition of methyl hypobromite or ethyl hypobromite to the 5,6-olefinic bond of [2-(14)C]-AZT in high radiochemical yield [(5R,6R)-BMAZT, 48%, and (5S,6S)-BMAZT, 33%; (5R,6R)-BEAZT, 61%, and (5S,6S)-BEAZT, 15%), high radiochemical purity (>98%), and high specific activity (56mCi/mmol)]. The amounts of radioactivity in mouse brain after iv injection of [2-(14))C]-labeled (5R,6R)-BMAZT, (5S,6S)-BMAZT, or (5R,6R)-BEAZT were 2-4 fold higher that that for [2-(14)C]-AZT (P < 0.05). The radioactivity remaining in blood after dosing with these 5-bromo-6-alkoxy-5,6-dihydro-AZTs was up to 20-fold higher than after injection of [2-(14)C]-AZT at longer time intervals after injection. The amounts of radioactivity present in femoral bone following injection of [2(-14)C]-AZT, or these 5-bromo-6-alkoxy-5,6-dihydro-AZTs, were similar. Subcellular and regional distributions of [2-(14)C]-labeled AZT, (5R,6R)-BMAZT, or (5R,6R)-BEAZT in mouse brain after jugular vein injection did not show preferential concentration in any particular subcellular fraction nor a marked preferential regional localization for either AZT or these 5,6-dihydro prodrugs of AZT.

Synthesis and antiviral and cytotoxic activity of iodohydrin and iodomethoxy derivatives of 5-vinyl-2'-deoxyuridines, 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine, and uridine.

A series of new 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine and uridine compounds (11, 16) was synthesized by the regiospecific addition of HOI to the vinyl substituent of 5-vinyl-2'-deoxyuridine (10a), 5-vinyl-2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (10b), 5-vinyluridine (10c), and (E)-5-(2-iodovinyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (4b). Treatment of the iodohydrins 11a-c with methanolic sulfuric acid afforded the corresponding 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl) derivatives (12a-c). In contrast, reaction of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (11a) with sodium carbonate in methanol afforded a mixture of 5-(1-hydroxy-2-methoxyethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (13) and 2,3-dihydro-3-hydroxy-5-(2'-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)- furano[2,3-d]pyrimidin-6(5H)-one (14). The most active compound, 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl)-2'-deoxyuridine (12a, ID50 = 0.1 micrograms/mL), which exhibited antiviral activity (HSV-1) 100-fold higher than that of the 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl) analogue (11a), was less active than IVDU or acyclovir (ID50 = 0.01-0.1 micrograms/mL range). The C-5 substituent in the 2'-deoxyuridine series was a determinant of cytotoxic activity, as determined in the in vitro L1210 screen, where the relative activity order was CH(OH)CHI2 (16) greater than CH(OMe)CH2I (12a) greater than CH(OH)CH2I (11a) congruent to CH(OH)CH2OMe (13). The 2'-substituent was also a determinant of cytotoxic activity in the 5-(1-hydroxy-2-iodoethyl) (11a-c) and 5-(1-methoxy-2-iodoethyl) series of compounds, where the relative activity profile was 2'-deoxyuridine greater than 2'-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine greater than uridine (11a greater than 11b greater than or equal to 11c; 12a greater than 12b greater than 12c). The most active cytotoxic agent (16), possessing a 5-(1-hydroxy-2,2-diiodoethyl) substituent (ED50 = 0.77 micrograms/mL), exhibited an activity approaching that of melphalan (ED50 = 0.15 micrograms/mL). All compounds tested, except for 13 and 14, exhibited high affinity (Ki = 0.035-0.22 mM range relative to deoxyuridine, Ki = 0.125) for the murine NBMPR-sensitive erythrocyte nucleoside transport system, suggesting that these iodohydrins are good permeants of cell membranes.

High specific activity [samarium-153] EDTA for imaging of experimental tumor models.

Enriched samarium oxide (98.2% 152Sm2O3) was irradiated in low neutron flux and high neutron flux reactors to produce 153Sm with specific activities of 14.3 GBq and 22.1 TBq mmol-1 Sm, respectively, at the time of use. Formulation of 153Sm as [153Sm]EDTA, with a 1:10 molar ratio of SM:EDTA, provided a stable radiotracer in vitro and in vivo. High specific activity [153Sm]EDTA showed superior uptake in cell culture (20.8 +/- 0.9% vs. 5.5 +/- 0.1% for 6 and 600 pmol Sm per 10(6) cells, respectively) and better tumor index values (51 vs. 37 at 10.9 nmol and 1.09 mumol Sm kg-1, respectively) in the BDF1 mouse/Lewis lung tumor model. High specific activity [153Sm]EDTA scintigrams of Copenhagen x Fisher rats bearing transplanted Dunning R3327 tumors clearly delineated the tumors within 6 hr, with moderate liver and bone uptake and low soft-tissue background. The injected radiotracer underwent rapid central compartment clearance and whole-body elimination. The absence of observed adverse histopathological toxicity combines with high image quality within 6 hr, to support the clinical tumor-imaging potential of this agent. Comparative studies with [67Ga]citrate at molar-equivalent doses indicated that high specific activity [153Sm]EDTA was a superior radiotracer in these in vitro and in vivo models.

The influence of tumor stage and metastasis on the biodistribution of gallium-67 citrate in the murine Lewis lung carcinoma model.

The biodistribution of i.v. administered [67Ga]citrate was investigated in the Lewis lung carcinoma/male B6D2F1 mouse model. Tumors were implanted intramuscularly (10(5) cells or 10(6) cells in suspension) into the thigh, or subcutaneously (10(7) cells or 2 mm3 fragments) into the tail of recipient mice. Intramuscular tumors were allowed to grow for 16, 24, or 33 days; tail tumors developed for 2 wk (fragment implants) or 3 wk (10(7) cells in suspension) after which the primary tumor was amputated along with adjacent fragments of the tail tissue. Gamma camera scintigraphy and dissection/radiometric biodistribution studies indicated that: (a) tumors and metastases took up 5-6% of the injected dose/g except when large necrotic areas were present in the primary tumor; (b) blood levels of 67Ga increased in all tumor-bearing animals, with up to tenfold increases in the i.m. tumor model at later stages of the growth; (c) hepatic uptake increased as a function of tumor size/age, and (d) all tissue:blood ratios declined as the neoplastic tissues progressed. The results are discussed with respect to tumor progression and metastatic disease.

Radiolabeling with organomercury compounds: Part 2. High specific activity synthesis of iodine-125 and iodine-131-6-iodocholest-5-en-3 beta-ol and its tissue distribution in rats.

Iodine-125 (125I) and iodine-131- (131I) 6-iodocholest-5-en-3 beta-ol has been prepared directly from 6-chloromercuricholest-5-en-3 beta-ol and [125I] or [131I]sodium iodide. This method produces material of "no-carrier-added" specific activity and excellent radiochemical purity. The entire procedure is complete in 10 min and can be carried out in 95% ethanol. The biodistribution of this new high specific activity form of [131I]-6-iodocholest-5-en-3 beta-ol has been measured in rats and found to be very similar to that found for low specific activity [131I]-6-iodocholest-5-en-3 beta-ol produced by exchange labeling. The whole-body elimination curve over a 4-day period was measured and a dependence between the rate of elimination and specific activity was detected. Products of three different specific activities in addition to "no-carrier-added" material were studied.

Radioiodinated 1-(5-iodo-5-deoxy-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (iodoazomycin arabinoside: IAZA): a novel marker of tissue hypoxia.

1-(5-Iodo-5-deoxy-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (IAZA) has been synthesised and labeled with 125I. Radioiodinated IAZA was shown to undergo hypoxia-dependent binding in EMT-6 cells in vitro and to have an initial binding rate of 284 pmole/10(6) cells/hr at a substrate concentration of 30 microM. This binding rate is more than three times that of the reference compound, misonidazole (89 pmole/10(6) cells/hr). The elevated binding rate was accompanied by in vitro cytotoxicity 30-40 times greater than that observed for misonidazole. Whole-body elimination and biodistribution studies in BALB/c mice bearing implanted, subcutaneous EMT-6 tumors showed a rapid excretion (greater than 98% in 24 hr) with moderate tissue levels which, in general, declined as a function of blood clearance. Tumor-to-blood ratios of 4.6 (4 hr) and 8.7 (8 hr), with respective tumor uptake values of 2.08% and 1.22% ID/g of tissue, form a rational basis for evaluation of this and related 2-nitroimidazole analogs as radiopharmaceuticals suitable for scintigraphic evaluation of tissue (tumor) hypoxia.