Long-Acting Injectable Aqueous Suspensions-Summary From an AAPS Workshop.

Through many years of clinical application of long-acting injectables, there is clear proof that this type of formulation does not just provide the patient with convenience, but more importantly a more effective treatment of the medication provided. The formulation approach therefore contains huge untapped potential to improve the quality of life of many patients with a variety of different diseases. This review provides a summary of some of the central talks provided at the workshop with focus on aqueous suspensions and their use as a long-acting injectable. Elements as formulation, manufacturing, in vitro dissolution methods, in vitro and in vivo correlation, in silico modelling provide an insight into some of the current understandings, learnings, and not least gaps in the field.

Fibrillar pharmacology of functionalized nanocellulose.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) are linear organic nanomaterials derived from an abundant naturally occurring biopolymer resource. Strategic modification of the primary and secondary hydroxyl groups on the CNC introduces amine and iodine group substitution, respectively. The amine groups (0.285 mmol of amine per gram of functionalized CNC (fCNC)) are further reacted with radiometal loaded-chelates or fluorescent dyes as tracers to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile of the fCNC in vivo. In this way, these nanoscale macromolecules can be covalently functionalized and yield water-soluble and biocompatible fibrillar nanoplatforms for gene, drug and radionuclide delivery in vivo. Transmission electron microscopy of fCNC reveals a length of 162.4 ± 16.3 nm, diameter of 11.2 ± 1.52 nm and aspect ratio of 16.4 ± 1.94 per particle (mean ± SEM) and is confirmed using atomic force microscopy. Size exclusion chromatography of macromolecular fCNC describes a fibrillar molecular behavior as evidenced by retention times typical of late eluting small molecules and functionalized carbon nanotubes. In vivo, greater than 50% of intravenously injected radiolabeled fCNC is excreted in the urine within 1 h post administration and is consistent with the pharmacological profile observed for other rigid, high aspect ratio macromolecules. Tissue distribution of fCNC shows accumulation in kidneys, liver, and spleen (14.6 ± 6.0; 6.1 ± 2.6; and 7.7 ± 1.4% of the injected activity per gram of tissue, respectively) at 72 h post-administration. Confocal fluorescence microscopy reveals cell-specific accumulation in these target tissue sinks. In summary, our findings suggest that functionalized nanocellulose can be used as a potential drug delivery platform for the kidneys.

A Genomic Profile of Local Immunity in the Melanoma Microenvironment Following Treatment with α Particle-Emitting Ultrasmall Silica Nanoparticles.

An α particle-emitting nanodrug that is a potent and specific antitumor agent and also prompts significant remodeling of local immunity in the tumor microenvironment (TME) has been developed and may impact the treatment of melanoma. Biocompatible ultrasmall fluorescent core-shell silica nanoparticles (C' dots, diameter ∼6.0 nm) have been engineered to target the melanocortin-1 receptor expressed on melanoma through α melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides attached to the C' dot surface. Actinium-225 is also bound to the nanoparticle to deliver a densely ionizing dose of high-energy α particles to cancer. Nanodrug pharmacokinetic properties are optimal for targeted radionuclide therapy as they exhibit rapid blood clearance, tumor-specific accumulation, minimal off-target localization, and renal elimination. Potent and specific tumor control, arising from the α particles, was observed in a syngeneic animal model of melanoma. Surprisingly, the C' dot component of this drug initiates a favorable pseudopathogenic response in the TME generating distinct changes in the fractions of naive and activated CD8 T cells, Th1 and regulatory T cells, immature dendritic cells, monocytes, MΦ and M1 macrophages, and activated natural killer cells. Concomitant upregulation of the inflammatory cytokine genome and adaptive immune pathways each describes a macrophage-initiated pseudoresponse to a viral-shaped pathogen. This study suggests that therapeutic α-particle irradiation of melanoma using ultrasmall functionalized core-shell silica nanoparticles potently kills tumor cells, and at the same time initiates a distinct immune response in the TME.

Carbon nanotubes exhibit fibrillar pharmacology in primates.

Nanomedicine rests at the nexus of medicine, bioengineering, and biology with great potential for improving health through innovation and development of new drugs and devices. Carbon nanotubes are an example of a fibrillar nanomaterial poised to translate into medical practice. The leading candidate material in this class is ammonium-functionalized carbon nanotubes (fCNT) that exhibits unexpected pharmacological behavior in vivo with important biotechnology applications. Here, we provide a multi-organ evaluation of the distribution, uptake and processing of fCNT in nonhuman primates using quantitative whole body positron emission tomography (PET), compartmental modeling of pharmacokinetic data, serum biomarkers and ex vivo pathology investigation. Kidney and liver are the two major organ systems that accumulate and excrete [86Y]fCNT in nonhuman primates and accumulation is cell specific as described by compartmental modeling analyses of the quantitative PET data. A serial two-compartment model explains renal processing of tracer-labeled fCNT; hepatic data fits a parallel two-compartment model. These modeling data also reveal significant elimination of the injected activity (>99.8%) from the primate within 3 days (t1/2 = 11.9 hours). These favorable results in nonhuman primates provide important insight to the fate of fCNT in vivo and pave the way to further engineering design considerations for sophisticated nanomedicines to aid late stage development and clinical use in man.

Deconvoluting hepatic processing of carbon nanotubes.

Single-wall carbon nanotubes present unique opportunities for drug delivery, but have not advanced into the clinic. Differential nanotube accretion and clearance from critical organs have been observed, but the mechanism not fully elucidated. The liver has a complex cellular composition that regulates a range of metabolic functions and coincidently accumulates most particulate drugs. Here we provide the unexpected details of hepatic processing of covalently functionalized nanotubes including receptor-mediated endocytosis, cellular trafficking and biliary elimination. Ammonium-functionalized fibrillar nanocarbon is found to preferentially localize in the fenestrated sinusoidal endothelium of the liver but not resident macrophages. Stabilin receptors mediate the endocytic clearance of nanotubes. Biocompatibility is evidenced by the absence of cell death and no immune cell infiltration. Towards clinical application of this platform, nanotubes were evaluated for the first time in non-human primates. The pharmacologic profile in cynomolgus monkeys is equivalent to what was reported in mice and suggests that nanotubes should behave similarly in humans.

Targeted fibrillar nanocarbon RNAi treatment of acute kidney injury.

RNA interference has tremendous yet unrealized potential to treat a wide range of illnesses. Innovative solutions are needed to protect and selectively deliver small interfering RNA (siRNA) cargo to and within a target cell to fully exploit siRNA as a therapeutic tool in vivo. Herein, we describe ammonium-functionalized carbon nanotube (fCNT)-mediated transport of siRNA selectively and with high efficiency to renal proximal tubule cells in animal models of acute kidney injury (AKI). fCNT enhanced siRNA delivery to tubule cells compared to siRNA alone and effectively knocked down the expression of several target genes, includingTrp53,Mep1b,Ctr1, andEGFP A clinically relevant cisplatin-induced murine model of AKI was used to evaluate the therapeutic potential of fCNT-targeted siRNA to effectively halt the pathogenesis of renal injury. Prophylactic treatment with a combination of fCNT/siMep1band fCNT/siTrp53significantly improved progression-free survival compared to controls via a mechanism that required concurrent reduction of meprin-1ß and p53 expression. The fCNT/siRNA was well tolerated, and no toxicological consequences were observed in murine models. Toward clinical application of this platform, fCNTs were evaluated for the first time in nonhuman primates. The rapid and kidney-specific pharmacokinetic profile of fCNT in primates was comparable to what was observed in mice and suggests that this approach is amenable for use in humans. The nanocarbon-mediated delivery of siRNA provides a therapeutic means for the prevention of AKI to safely overcome the persistent barrier of nephrotoxicity during medical intervention.

Synthesis, pharmacokinetics, and biological use of lysine-modified single-walled carbon nanotubes.

We aimed to create a more robust and more accessible standard for amine-modifying single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). A 1,3-cycloaddition was developed using an azomethine ylide, generated by reacting paraformaldehyde and a side-chain-Boc (tert-Butyloxycarbonyl)-protected, lysine-derived alpha-amino acid, H-Lys(Boc)-OH, with purified SWCNT or C60. This cycloaddition and its lysine adduct provides the benefits of dense, covalent modification, ease of purification, commercial availability of reagents, and pH-dependent solubility of the product. Subsequently, SWCNTs functionalized with lysine amine handles were covalently conjugated to a radiometalated chelator, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA). The (111)In-labeled construct showed rapid renal clearance in a murine model and a favorable biodistribution, permitting utility in biomedical applications. Functionalized SWCNTs strongly wrapped small interfering RNA (siRNA). In the first disclosed deployment of thermophoresis with carbon nanotubes, the lysine-modified tubes showed a desirable, weak SWCNT-albumin binding constant. Thus, lysine-modified nanotubes are a favorable candidate for medicinal work.

Sodium phosphaethynolate as a building block for heterocycles.

Phosphorus-containing heterocycles have evolved from laboratory curiosities to functional components, such as ligands in catalytically active metal complexes or molecular constituents in electronic devices. The straightforward synthesis of functionalized heterocycles on a larger scale remains a challenge. Herein, we report the use of the phosphaethynolate (OCP)(-) anion as a building block for various sterically unprotected and functionalized hydroxy substituted phosphorus heterocycles. Because the resulting heterocycles are themselves anions, they are building blocks in their own right and allow further facile functionalization. This property may be of interest in coordination chemistry and material science.

Carbon nanotubes as vaccine scaffolds.

Carbon nanotubes display characteristics that are potentially useful in their development as scaffolds for vaccine compositions. These features include stability in vivo, lack of intrinsic immunogenicity, low toxicity, and the ability to be appended with multiple copies of antigens. In addition, the particulate nature of carbon nanotubes and their unusual properties of rapid entry into antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells, make them especially useful as carriers of antigens. Early attempts demonstrating carbon nanotube-based vaccines can be used in both infectious disease settings and cancer are promising.

Deploying RNA and DNA with Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes.

Carbon nanotubes internalize into cells and are potential molecular platforms for siRNA and DNA delivery. A comprehensive understanding of the identity and stability of ammoniumfunctionalized carbon nanotube (f-CNT)-based nucleic acid constructs is critical to deploying them in vivo as gene delivery vehicles. This work explored the capability of f-CNT to bind single- and double-strand oligonucleotides by determining the thermodynamics and kinetics of assembly and the stoichiometric composition in aqueous solution. Surprisingly, the binding affinity of f-CNT and short oligonucleotide sequences was in the nanomolar range, kinetics of complexation were extremely rapid, and from one to five sequences were loaded per nanotube platform. Mechanistic evidence for an assembly process that involved electrostatic, hydrogen-bonding and π-stacking bonding interactions was obtained by varying nanotube functionalities, oligonucleotides, and reaction conditions. 31P-NMR and spectrophotometric fluorescence emission data described the conditions required to assemble and stably bind a DNA or RNA cargo for delivery in vivo and the amount of oligonucleotide that could be transported. The soluble oligonucleic acid-f-CNT supramolecular assemblies were suitable for use in vivo. Importantly, key evidence in support of an elegant mechanism by which the bound nucleic acid material can be 'off-loaded' from the f-CNT was discovered.

Synthesis and characterization of terminal [Re(XCO)(CO)2(triphos)] (X=N, P): isocyanate versus phosphaethynolate complexes.

The terminal rhenium(I) phosphaethynolate complex [Re(PCO)(CO)(2)(triphos)] has been prepared in a salt metathesis reaction from Na(OCP) and [Re(OTf)(CO)(2)(triphos)]. The analogous isocyanato complex [Re(NCO)(CO)(2)(triphos)] has been likewise prepared for comparison. The structure of both complexes was elucidated by X-ray diffraction studies. While the isocyanato complex is linear, the phosphaethynolate complex is strongly bent around the pnictogen center. Computations including natural bond orbital (NBO) theory, natural resonance theory (NRT), and natural population analysis (NPA) indicate that the isocyanato complex can be viewed as a classic Werner-type complex, that is, with an electrostatic interaction between the Re(I) and the NCO group. The phosphaethynolate complex [Re(P=C=O)(CO)(2)(triphos)] is best described as a metallaphosphaketene with a Re(I)-phosphorus bond of highly covalent character.

Synthesis and characterization of the copper(II) complexes of new N2S2-donor macrocyclic ligands: synthesis and in vivo evaluation of the (64)Cu complexes.

The aim of this work was to prepare a novel class of (64)Cu(II) labeled complexes with the new macrocyclic ligands 1,10-dithia-4,7-diazacyclododecane-3,8-dicarboxylic acid (NEC-SE, 1), 1,10-dithia-4,7-diazacyclotridecane-3,8-dicarboxylic acid (NEC-SP, 2) and 1,10-dithia-4,7-diazacyclotetradecane-3,8-dicarboxylic acid, (NEC-SB, 3 ) to evaluate the usefulness of these macrocycles for potential utility as (64)Cu(II) chelators. The corresponding non-radioactive complexes [Cu(NEC-SE)] x 3H(2)O (4), [Cu(NEC-SP)] x 3H(2)O (5) and [Cu(NEC-SB)] (6) were prepared and their (64)Cu-analogs, [(64)Cu(NEC-SE)] (7) and [(64)Cu(NEC-SP)] (8) and [(64)Cu(NEC-SB)] (9) were produced in >98% radiochemical purity. Rats were injected with complex 7, 8 or 9 and were euthanized at 1, 4 and 24 h. All three complexes are cleared from the blood over the first hour following injection but there is poor clearance of this activity over 24 h. A similar pattern of retention was noted in the liver where the levels of activity in this tissue at 1 h are not statistically different from those at 24 h. Molecular mechanics and DFT studies were performed on the complexes in order to gain insight into the lower stability.

Synthesis, in vitro and in vivo characterization of (64)Cu(I) complexes derived from hydrophilic tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphane and 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane ligands.

Four novel (64)Cu complexes ([(64)Cu(thp)(4)](+) (1), [(64)Cu(TPA)(4)](+) (2), [HC(CO(2))(pz(Me2))(2) (64)Cu(thp)(2)] (3) and [HC(CO(2))(tz)(2) (64)Cu(thp)(2)] (4), [where thp is tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine, TPA is 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphaadamantane, pz(Me2) is 3,5-dimethylpyrazole and tz is 1,2,4-triazole] were successfully synthesized and characterized. The complexes were produced in high radiochemical purity and yield (more than 98%) without the need for further purification. Their logP values and serum stabilities were measured and in vitro behavior was observed in cultured EMT-6 cells. The logP values (+/- standard deviation) obtained were -2.26 +/- 0.04 (1), 0.01 +/- 0.01 (2), -1.24 +/- 0.03 (3) and -2.06 +/- 0.03 (4). Complex 3 demonstrated the highest serum stability, with approximately 33% of the complex still intact after 1-h incubation. Complex 2 showed a rapid cell-association with EMT-6 cells, with more than 8.5% association at 2 h. This association was significantly higher (P < 0.001) than for the other three compounds after a 2-h incubation (1, 1.21%; 3, 0.63%; 4, 2.75%). Biodistribution and small-animal positron emission tomography/computed tomography was undertaken with 1 in mice bearing EMT-6 tumors. EMT-6 tumor uptake was high at 1 h (7.71 +/- 2.17 %ID/g) and decreased slowly over 24 h (4 h, 4.90 +/- 0.78 %ID/g; 24 h, 3.74 +/- 0.73 %ID/g). The PET/CT images show that the EMT-6 tumors can be visualized at all time points. In this proof-of-concept study, we have successfully synthesized and characterized a novel series of versatile water-soluble Cu(I) complexes containing monophosphine ligands. We also report the use of 1 as a building block for new radiopharmaceuticals, perhaps the first time such a method has been used in the production of copper radiopharmaceuticals.

Silver(I)-organophosphane complexes of electron withdrawing CF3- or NO2-substituted scorpionate ligands.

New silver(I) complexes have been synthesized from the reaction of AgNO(3), monodentate tertiary phosphanes PR(3) (PR(3) = P(C(6)H(5))(3), P(o-C(6)H(4)CH(3))(3), P(m-C(6)H(4)CH(3))(3), P(p-C(6)H(4)CH(3))(3), PCH(3)(C(6)H(5))(2)) and two novel electron withdrawing ligands: potassium dihydrobis(3-nitropyrazol-1-yl)borate and potassium dihydrobis(3-trifluoromethylpyrazol-1-yl)borate. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ESI-MS and multinuclear ((1)H, (19)F and (31)P) NMR spectroscopy. Solid state structures of the potassium salts K[H(2)B(3-(NO(2))pz)(2)] and K[H(2)B(3-(CF(3))pz)(2)] have been reported. They form polymeric networks due to intermolecular contacts of various types between the potassium ion and atoms of the neighboring molecules. The silver adducts [H(2)B(3-(NO(2))pz)(2)]Ag[P(C(6)H(5))(3)](2) and [H(2)B(3-(NO(2))pz)(2)]Ag[P(p-C(6)H(4)CH(3))(3)] have pseudo tetrahedral and trigonal planar silver sites, respectively. The bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligand acts as a kappa(2)-N(2) donor. The nitro-substituents are coplanar with the pyrazolyl rings in all these adducts indicating efficient electron delocalization between the two units. The [H(2)B(3-(CF(3))pz)(2)]Ag[P(C(6)H(5))(3)] complex has been obtained from re-crystallization of {[H(2)B(3-(CF(3))pz)(2)]Ag[P(C(6)H(5))(3)](2)} in a dichloromethane-diethyl ether solution; it is a three-coordinate, trigonal planar silver complex.

Small scorpionate ligands: silver(I)-organophosphane complexes of 5-CF(3)-substituted scorpionate ligand combining a B-H...Ag coordination motif.

The first 5-substituted trihydro(azolyl)borate system, the sodium trihydro(5-CF3-pyrazol-1-yl)borate, Na[H3B(5-(CF3)pz)], has been synthesized by the reaction of 3-trifuoromethyl-pyrazole with NaBH4 in high yield. Na[H3B(5-(CF3)pz)] reacts with AgNO3 in the presence of monodentate tertiary phosphanes PR3 (PR3=P(C6H5)3, P(p-C6H4CH3)3, P(m-C6H4CH3)3, P(o-C6H4CH3)3, or PCH3(C6H5)2) to afford silver(I) bis(phosphane) adducts. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR, ESI-MS, and multinuclear (1H, 19F, and 31P) NMR spectroscopy. Solid-state structures of {[H3B(5-(CF3)pz)]Ag[P(C6H5)3]2} and {[H3B(5-(CF3)pz)]Ag[P(p-C6H4CH3)3]2} are also reported. They feature kappa2-N,H-bonded trihydro(pyrazolyl)borate ligands and pseudo-tetrahedral silver atoms.

Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro antitumor properties of tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine copper(I) complexes containing the new bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)acetate ligand.

The new sodium bis(1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)acetate ligand, Na[HC(CO(2))(tz)(2)], has been prepared in methanol solution by using 1,2,4-triazole, dibromoacetic acid, and NaOH. Treatment of the [Cu(CH(3)CN)(4)][PF(6)] acceptor with Na[HC(CO(2))(tz)(2)] or Na[HC(CO(2))[(pz(Me2))(2)] in the presence of the tris(hydroxymethyl)phosphine coligand in methanol/acetonitrile solutions produced unprecedented mononuclear copper(I) complexes of the [L(n)]Cu[P(CH(2)OH)(3)](2) (L(1), 2; L(2), 3) [(CH(3)CN)(2)Cu(P(CH(2)OH)(3))(2)]PF(6), 4. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, FTIR, ESI-MS, and multinuclear (1H and 31P) NMR spectral data. The new copper(I) complexes were tested for their cytotoxic properties against a panel of several human tumor cell lines. The results reported here indicate that all the complexes showed in vitro antitumor activity similar or better than that of cisplatin, the most used metal-based antitumor drug. In particular, [HC(CO(2))(pz(Me2))(2)]Cu[P(CH(2)OH)(3)](2), 3 showed IC(50) values markedly lower than the reference compound against all tumor cell lines. Chemosensitivity tests performed on cisplatin sensitive and resistant cell lines have demonstrated that all these Cu(I) complexes were able to overcome cisplatin resistance, supporting the hypothesis of a different mechanism of action compared to that exhibited by the reference drug. Flow cytometric analysis on 2008 human ovarian carcinoma cells revealed that complex 3, chosen as the best candidate, induced a marked enlargement of both cell size and granularity, and a significant increase in the fraction of G2/M cells that, differently from cisplatin, was not accompanied by the appearance of a relevant sub-G1 fraction. Besides, no evidence of caspase-3 activation was detected in cells treated with complex 3. We hypothesize that the cytotoxic activity of the new copper(I) complex may be correlated to its ability to trigger paraptosis, a nonapoptotic mechanism of cell death.

New copper(I) phosphane complexes of dihydridobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate ligand showing cytotoxic activity.

New copper(I) complexes of the type [H(2)B(tz(NO2))(2)]Cu[PR(3)](2) (1-5), [H(2)B (tz(NO2))(2)]Cu[dppe] (6) and [H(2)B(tz(NO2))(2)]Cu[PR(3)] (7, 8) have been synthesized from the reaction of CuCl, potassium dihydrobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)borate, K[H(2)B (tz(NO2))(2)], and mono- or bi-dentate tertiary phosphanes. The complexes obtained have been characterized by elemental analyses and FT-IR in the solid state, and by NMR ((1)H and (31)P{(1)H}) spectroscopy in solution. Selected complexes 1, 3 and 5 have also been tested against a panel of several human tumor cell lines in order to evaluate their cytotoxic activity. Complexes 1 and 5 showed IC(50) values appreciably lower than those exhibited by cisplatin, the most used metal-based antitumor drug. It is worth noting that all three tested Cu(I) complexes appear to be particularly effective against A549 carcinoma cells that are resistant to cisplatin treatment.

The first nitro-substituted heteroscorpionate ligand.

The new dihydridobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate ligand, [H2B(tzNO2)2]-, has been synthesized in dimethylacetamide solution, using 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazole and KBH4 through careful temperature control, and characterized as its potassium salt. The zinc(II) and cadmium(II) complexes, {M[H2B(tzNO2)2]Cl(H2O)2}, have been prepared by metathesis of [H2B(tzNO2)2]K with ZnCl2 and CdCl2, respectively. The complexes likely contain a metal core in which the ligand is coordinated to the metal ions in the K2-N,N' or K4-N,N',O,O' fashion. A single-crystal structural characterization is reported for the potassium dihydrobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate. The potassium salt is polymeric and shows several K...N and K...O interactions.