Potential inhibitors of L-asparagine biosynthesis. 3. Aromatic sulfonyl fluoride analogs of L-asparagine and L-glutamine.

The N-[p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzyl] derivatives of L-asparagine and L-glutamine (1a,b) were synthesized as potential inhibitors of L-asparagine synthetase (ASase). Condensation of p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzylamine (2) with the suitably protected amino acid in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide, followed by deblocking, afforded 1a and 1b. Derivatives 1a and 1b at 10 mM inhibit ASase isolated from Novikoff hepatoma (rats) by 60 and 46%, respectively. Preliminary results on inhibition of Jensen sarcoma (L-asparaginase sensitive) and JA-1 sarcoma (L-asparaginase resistant) tissue cultures by 0.3 mM 1a (139,90%) and 1b (101, 103%), respectively, are discussed.

Potential inhibitors of L-asparagine biosynthesis. 4. Substituted sulfonamide and sulfonylhydrazide analogues of L-asparagine.

Several N-substituted sulfonamides and N'-substituted sulfonylhydrazides have been prepared as sulfur analogues of L-asparagine with the potential of acting as inhibitors of L-asparagine synthetase (ASase, from Novikoff hepatoma). L-Cysteine was converted in known steps to N-carboxy-3-(sulfonylchloro)-L-alanine dibenzyl ester (1). Condensation of 1 with O-benzylhydroxylamine, p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzylamine, or monoethyl fumarylhydrazide (9), followed by deblocking with HF, gave 3-(hydroxysulfamoyl)-L-alanine (3a), 3-[p-(fluorosulfonylbenzyl)]sulfamoyl-L-alanine (3c), and 3-sulfo-L-alanine S-[2-[(E)-3-(ethoxycarbonyl)acryloyl]hydrazide] (3e), respectively. Similarly, 1 with 2-chloroethylamine and deblocking with H2-Pd gave 3-[(2-chloroethyl)sulfamoyl]-L-alanine (3b). tert-Butyl carbazate was allowed to react with 1 and the tert-butyl group was removed with HCl. The resulting sulfonylhydrazide 7 was condensed with p-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl chloride and then deblocked with HF to give 3-sulfo-L-alanine S-[2-[P-(fluorosulfonyl)benzoyl]hydrazide] (3d). The inhibition of ASase by 3a-e at 2 mM was 97, 0, 30, 43, and 37%, respectively, and 3a was competitive with L-aspartic acid. Neither 3a nor 3e was effective in increasing the life span of mice bearing P-388 lymphocytic leukemia.

Ferrocenyl polyamines as agents for the chemoimmunotherapy of cancer.

A series of ferrocenyl polyamines, compounds intended to bind to the tumor cell surface nucleic acid and elicit an immune response, was synthesized and screened for antitumor activity. Target ferrocenyl polyamines 1a,b,2, and 3, bearing 2-, 3-, and 4-amino groups, respectively, were readily obtained in yields of 31-58% from their corresponding ferrocenyl polyamides (5a-d) by reduction with diborane in THF; lithium aluminum hydride was not an effective reducing agent in this case. Although the target compounds failed to prolong the life ofmice with P-388 lymphocytic leukemia, three of the intermediate amides (5b-d) did exhibit low but significant activity (T/C = 123, 132, and 120%, respectively).

Potential antitumor agents via inhibitors of L-asparagine synthetase: substituted sulfonamides and sulfonyl hydrazides related to glutamine.

A series of 4-(substituted aminosulfonyl)- and 4-(substituted hydrazinosulfonyl)-2-aminobutanoic acids, compounds structurally related to glutamine, was synthesized as potential inhibitors of L-asparagine synthetase and subjected to screening as antitumor agents. Target amino acids were obtained by condensation of a blocked reactive sulfonyl chloride with the appropriate amine or hydrazide, followed by deblocking with hydrogen--palladium or liquid hydrogen fluoride--anisole. Neither the target compounds nor their protected precursors inhibited the enzyme from L5178Y/AR or prolonged the life of mice with P-388 lymphocytic leukemia. However, DL-4,4'-dithiobis[2-(benzyloxycarbonylamino)butanoic acid], an intermediate in the synthesis of the target amino acids, exhibited 90% inhibition of L-asparagine synthetase at 10 mM.

The human food safety evaluation of new animal drugs.

The pre-approval risk assessment process for new animal drugs is described in this article. The toxicological and residue chemistry data needed by the FDA for the human food safety evaluation of a new animal drug is also discussed.

The regulatory status of xylazine for use in food-producing animals in the United States.

Xylazine is commonly used in veterinary medicine as a tranquillizer or adjunct to surgical anaesthesia. Although its use is approved in companion animals and certain species of deer, xylazine remains unapproved for use in food-producing animals in the United States. This paper reviews existing toxicological and residue chemistry information on xylazine in food animals, particularly cattle, and discusses the regulatory status of the drug in the US, as well as the conclusions reached by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives in its recent evaluation of xylazine.

Dietary intake estimates as a means to the harmonization of maximum residue levels for veterinary drugs. I. Concept.

The harmonization of standards and procedures for establishing tolerances or maximum residue levels (MRLs) for veterinary drug residues in edible animal products is a major goal of the international veterinary drug community. Such harmonization would contribute to easing trade barriers. This paper proposes use of the toxicologically determined acceptable daily intake (ADI) for the drug as the safety standard for reaching conclusions on the acceptability of residues in meat for human consumption. Specifically, the 'equivalence' of different MRLs for the same veterinary drug would be determined by considering whether they are likely to result in dietary residues that exceed another country's ADI for the drug. Two methods of estimating dietary intake are described, and estimates are made for the veterinary drugs albendazole and ivermectin. Based on these estimates, the US and JECFA MRLs for each drug would be considered 'equivalent' for trade purposes.

Dietary intake estimates as a means to the harmonization of maximum residue levels for veterinary drugs. II. Proposed application to the Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Canada.

The Free Trade Agreement between the United States and Canada (FTA) went into effect January 1, 1989. To implement certain provisions of the agreement on technical regulations and standards, the United States Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine, Health and Welfare Canada's Bureau of Veterinary Drugs, and Agriculture Canada established the Working Group on Veterinary Drug Tolerances. The progress of the working group and its continuing efforts to harmonize tolerances for approximately 15 veterinary drugs are discussed. This paper proposes use of the toxicologically determined acceptable daily intake (ADI) for the drug as the safety standard for reaching conclusions on the acceptability of residues in meat for human consumption. Specifically, the "equivalence" of different MRLs for the same veterinary drug would be determined by considering whether they are likely to result in dietary residues that exceed the other country's ADI for the drug. Estimates are made for the veterinary drugs lasalocid, fenbendazole, morantel tartrate, halofuginone, and tilmicosin. Based on these estimates, the U.S. and Canadian MRLs for each drug would be considered equivalent for trade purposes.