Pharmacokinetics of 2'-deoxycoformycin, an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, in the rat.

The distribution of the potent inhibitor of adenosine deaminase (ADA), 2'-deoxycoformycin (DCF), in the brain of the rat and its inhibition of ADA in brain and gut was determined. The accumulation of [3H]DCF in brain was maximal 2 hr after intraperitoneal injection and elimination was best described by a two compartment model having t1/2 phases of about 1-5 hr and 50 hr. The activity of ADA in gut exhibited dose-related inhibition at 1.9, 3.7 and 18.6 mumol/kg (i.p.) and returned to normal by 16 days. In brain, ADA was inhibited by about 95% at all three of these doses of DCF 2 hr after injection and activity returned to control levels by 30 days with the two smaller doses, but remained at 66% of control levels at 50 days with 18.6 mumol/kg. The t1/2 of the recovery of the activity of ADA in both brain and gut was found to be dose-dependent. The failure of the activity of ADA in brain to recover after treatment with 18.6 mumol/kg suggests either long-term down-regulation of the expression of ADA or irreversible damage to ADA-containing neurons.

Design and synthesis of the first potent, selective, and cell penetrating adenosine 5'-monophosphate deaminase inhibitors.

A major milestone in purine metabolism research has been achieved with the discovery of these potent and selective AMPDA inhibitors. These inhibitors of AMPDA are based on carboxypentyl substitution on N-3 of the coformycin aglycon. They are simpler than coformycin ribose 5'-monophosphate, more stable, selective against other AMP binding enzymes as well as ADA and have good cell penetration and good oral bioavailability. These compounds and their more potent analogs are the first compounds with suitable characteristics to allow a definitive analysis of the role of AMPDA in cellular metabolism and AMPDA as a therapeutic target.

Design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationships of the first highly potent, selective, and bioavailable adenosine 5'-monophosphate deaminase inhibitors.

Structure-activity studies have been performed to optimize the potency of this novel series of AMPDA inhibitors. Conformational rigidification of the N-3 sidechain resulted in substantial effect on the potency. Addition of the hydrophobic groups provided further benefit. The most potent compound identified, 4g (Ki = 3 nM), bears little structural resemblance to AMP and exhibits a remarkable improvement (10(3) and 10(5)) in binding affinity relative to the original lead and AMP, respectively. The application of prodrug strategy achieved a large improvement (benzyl ester 5d) in oral bioavailability, resulting in compounds that should be useful in evaluating the role of AMPDA in normo- and pathophysiological states.

Direct measurement of local and global contributions in the binding of coformycin to bovine adenosine deaminase.

A general method is outlined that determines quantitatively the extent to which tight ligand binding to an enzyme active site is facilitated by the adoption of a stabler macromolecular conformation in the complex. The method therefore rejects the general assumption that competitive inhibitor binding to enzyme active sites involves only local (active site) interactions. The procedure involves comparing the unfolding transition state free energies of the free and complexed enzyme from physiological conditions. For the interaction of the transition state analog coformycin with bovine adenosine deaminase we observed that the binding free energy by the physiological enzyme was approximately 92% due to the assumption of a stabler enzyme conformation in the complex. The significance of these findings in terms of general enzyme catalysis is discussed.

2'-Deoxycoformycin (pentostatin) for lymphoid malignancies. Rational development of an active new drug.

A new antimetabolite, 2'-deoxycoformycin (pentostatin), has striking antitumor activity in several lymphoid neoplasms. Isolated from cultured soil organisms, this purine analogue is a potent inhibitor of adenosine deaminase (ADA), and is thus selectively toxic to lymphocytes. Early clinical trials showed that high doses of pentostatin caused severe and unpredictable toxicity, but responses in refractory lymphoid malignancies were encouraging. Careful pharmacologic studies led to the definition of a safe and effective low weekly dose, at which protracted ADA inhibition occurs in neoplastic cells. The most sensitive tumor identified is hairy cell leukemia, in which durable remissions are achieved in more than 90% of patients with a relatively brief course of treatment. Other responsive diseases include chronic lymphocytic leukemia, prolymphocytic leukemia, mycosis fungoides, and acute T-cell lymphoma or leukemia. Response has been seen in acute lymphocytic leukemia, but the higher doses required are substantially more toxic. Pentostatin is valuable for treatment of indolent lymphoid malignancies and may be useful in non-cancer-related lymphocyte research.