In vitro and in vivo phase II metabolism of combretastatin A-4: evidence for the formation of a sulphate conjugate metabolite.

1. Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4), is a natural compound with a potent tubulin polymerization and cell growth inhibitor properties. For these reasons CA-4 is one of the most potent anti-vascular agents that shows strong cytotoxicity against a variety of human cancer cells, including multi-drug-resistant cancer cell lines. In order to complete the knowledge of metabolic fate of CA-4, the in vitro and in vivo phase II metabolism was investigated. 2. Both in incubation with rat and human liver S9 preparation in the presence of 39-phosphoadenosine-5 -phosphosulfate (PAPS) as a cofactor the formation of a previously no reported sulphate metabolite was demonstrated through liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) data and comparison with a synthetic reference sample. 3. In incubation of CA-4 using rat and human liver microsomes, the formation of CA-4 glucuronide was observed and chromatographic and mass spectral properties of the metabolite were achieved and compared with those of a synthetic reference sample. 4. Incubation of CA-4 with rat and human liver S9 preparation in the presence of uridine-5 -diphosphoglucuronic acid trisodium salt (UDPGA) and an beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (NADPH)-regenerating system as cofactors resulted in the formation of glucuronides arising from phase I CA-4 metabolites. 5. When CA-4 was administered intraperitoneally to rat at a dose of 30 mg kg(-1), both glucuronide and sulphate metabolites were observed in LC-ESI-MS-MS chromatograms and their mass spectral data were identical to those obtained from synthetic standards.

Identification of 2,3-diaminophenazine and of o-benzoquinone dioxime as the major in vitro metabolites of benzofuroxan.

1. The results of an in vitro study of the metabolism of benzofuroxan using either cytosolic or microsomal fractions obtained from rat liver are reported. 2. Benzofuroxan was incubated with an appropriate volume of cytosol or microsomal suspension; control incubations were performed without the beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate-generating system or, alternatively, by using the subcellular fractions inactivated by heating. Incubation mixtures were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Two principal metabolites (M1, M2) were identified in the cytosolic fraction only. The dependence of M2 formation on thiol cofactors, incubation time and protein concentration was examined. 3. The two metabolites were isolated and characterized by their 1H-, 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and mass spectra. The structures of o-benzoquinonedioxime (2) and 2,3-diaminopleuozuc (3), were arranged to M1 and M2 respectively. The proposed structures were confirmed by the identity of the metabolites with authentic samples obtained by synthesis. X-ray analysis showed that the dioxime metabolite had an amphy configuration. 4. A metabolic scheme for the formation of the two products is proposed.

Nitroanilines are the reduction products of benzofuroxan system by oxyhemoglobin (HbO2 2+).

Benzofuroxans are interesting compounds which display several biochemical and pharmacological properties. Recent studies from our laboratory demonstrate that they are reduced by ferrous salts at room temperature and that the principal reaction products are o-nitroanilines. This paper shows that simple benzofuroxan derivatives are also able to oxidise HbO2 2+ to methemoglobin (MetHb3+) (UV detection) and to form o-nitroanilines (HPLC detection). From a toxicological point of view this reaction is interesting, since it indicates that the blood is a site for metabolism of these compounds with consequent methemoglobinemia and formation of toxic compounds.

2,3-Oxidosqualene cyclase: from azasqualenes to new site-directed inhibitors.

2,3-Oxidosqualene cyclases (OSC) are enzymes which convert 2,3-oxidosqualene (OS) into polycyclic triterpenoids such as lanosterol, cycloartenol, and alpha- and beta-amyrin. Our interest in the study of OSC is the development of new OSC inhibitors for potential use as hypocholesterolemic, antifungal, or phytotoxic drugs. In particular, we describe the biological activity and the mechanism of a series of acyclic azasqualene derivatives mimicking the C-2, C-8, and C-20 carbonium ions formed during OS cyclization. Some of these carbonium ion analogues are very promising as specific hypocholesterolemic agents. The toxicity, the biodistribution, and the pharmacokinetics of different azasqualene derivatives in mice are also presented. In order to obtain new, site-directed irreversible inhibitors of OSC, a series of squalene derivatives containing functional groups that can link covalently to an active-site thiol group was designed. Among these compounds, squalene maleimide was the most active toward mammalian OSC, whereas squalene Ellman behaved as an irreversible inhibitor of OSC from yeast.

Solubilization and identification of essential functional groups of Candida albicans oxidosqualene cyclase.

The enzyme properties and location of essential functional groups of solubilized oxidosqualene cyclase of Candida albicans have been studied. We show that the C. albicans enzyme is much more heat-labile compared with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and rat liver cyclases, requires a histidyl residue for enzyme activity, contains an essential thiol residue either close to or in the active site and exhibits a carbocationic mechanism for catalysis, as the enzyme-bound substrate protects the enzyme from inactivation by a site-directed inactivator.

Metabolism of 4-(3-cyclohexylpropionyl)-1-(2-ethoxyphenyl) piperazine (D-16120) by rat liver microsomes.

The metabolic fate of central analgesic 4-(3-cyclohexylpropionyl)-1-(2-ethoxyphenyl) piperazine (D-16120), was studied in vitro with phenobarbital 3-methylcholanthrene and clofibrate induced rat liver microsomal fractions. The presence of four metabolites was directly or indirectly established. Biotransformation products were isolated by TLC and HPLC techniques and, when possible, the structures were confirmed through comparison with synthetic samples. The metabolic pathways involved are oxidative dealkylation, aromatic and alicyclic hydroxylation.

2,3,4,5-tetrahydroxy-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)valeric acid: a new cleavable monofunctional reagent for monoclonal antibody labeling.

The synthesis and preliminary biological assays of a new monofunctional reagent to reversible derivatize monoclonal antibodies is described. This compound, comprising a 1,4-polyiol moiety, is cleavable by means of sodium periodate in mild conditions; moreover it also contains a phenolic residue suitable for 125I labelling and a carboxylic group for reaction with epsilon-lysyl amino group of antibodies. These features are suitable to study the monoclonal antibodies cell-internalization process and antigen expression on cell surface. The 125I labelled reagent has been coupled to the monoclonal antibody AR-3, an IgG1 directed toward the CAR-3 antigen widely expressed on human ovarian and colorectal adenocarcinomas. The cleavage capability is tested in different conditions both on reagent and on derivatized MAb. Cell labelling experiments are performed both on target and untarget cell lines.

Pharmacokinetics of an antibody-ricin conjugate administered intraperitoneally to mice.

Immunotoxins have been extensively studied for the treatment of neoplasias; their intracavitary administration could be useful for the therapy of tumors confined to the pleural or peritoneum spaces. To study the feasibility of this "locoregional" treatment, a pharmacokinetic study of immunotoxins delivery is necessary. Ricin, a plant toxin extracted from the seeds of Ricinus communis, has often been used in immunoconjugates for its high activity; nevertheless, appropriate strategies have been necessary to limit the aspecific toxicity. We previously prepared a AR-3-ricin immunotoxin lacking the ability to bind galactosidic cell surface residues, a so-called sterically blocked immunotoxin. The monoclonal antibody AR-3, an IgG1 specific to the CAR-3 antigen, was able to recognize human colorectal adenocarcinomas. Preclinical trials in nude mice, intraperitoneally grafted with the target neoplasia, showed that this immunotoxin suppressed tumor growth without showing any undesirable ricin toxicity. In the present work we report the pharmacokinetic properties of this immunotoxin, showing the in vivo stability and a relatively long blood survival. With a biodistribution study in tumor-bearing mice, we demonstrate that in tumor-invaded tissues, the concentration of the specific AR-3-ricin immunotoxin was higher and progressively increased in a multiple-dose regimen. In contrast, an irrelevant immunotoxin behaved differently because it did not show specific tumor uptake. Moreover the pharmacokinetic data reported in this work improve the potential for "locoregional" treatment of malignancy with blocked immunotoxins.

A new approach in the synthesis of immunotoxins: ribosome inactivating protein noncovalently bound to monoclonal antibody.

This study describes the synthesis of a new generation of immunotoxins made by a noncovalent interaction between a monoclonal antibody derivatized with a dichlorotriazinic dye and the ribosomal inhibitor protein gelonin. The scheme of preparation has several advantages with respect to the traditional methods, which used heterobifunctional cross-linkers, such as a higher overall yield of production and the homogeneity of the obtained conjugate. Moreover, because no chemical derivatization of the gelonin was required, the unconjugated ribosome inactivating protein was recovered unaltered and therefore can be reused in other synthetic processes. This immunoconjugate was stable when tested in mouse serum and showed an interesting slow elimination rate when administered intravenously in mice. Although a high dye derivatization degree induced a modification of the specificity of the monoclonal antibody, the native specificity was restored after conjugation with gelonin. Furthermore the noncovalent linkage did not affect the gelonin inhibitory activity; in fact, the specific cytotoxic activity seemed to be similar to that of other disulfide-linked immunotoxins previously prepared in our laboratories.

3-Carboxy-4-nitrophenyl-dithio-1,1',2-trisnorsqualene: a site-directed inactivator of yeast oxidosqualene cyclase.

The role and location of essential thiol groups in 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was examined (i) by comparing inactivation properties of two known thiol reagents, 5,5'-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) and 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic acid (NTCB), with 3-carboxy-4-nitrophenyl-dithio-1,1',2-trisnorsqualene (CNDT-squalene), a new thiol reagent designed as a site-directed inactivator of oxidosqualene cyclase and (ii) by testing the ability of the substrate to protect the enzyme against inactivation by the reagents. All reagents gave a time-dependent inactivation following pseudo-first order kinetics. DTNB and CNDT-squalene showed comparable inactivation ability (Ki = 0.67 and 1.21 mM), whereas NTCB was less effective (Ki = 15.6 mM). Strong differences between the two most active inhibitors, DTNB and CNDT-squalene, were observed when the enzyme was saturated with substrate prior to incubation with the thiol reagent. While substrate did not protect the enzyme against the inactivation caused by DTNB, a reduction in the inactivation ability of CNDT-squalene was observed under protection conditions. The data suggest that the squalene-like inactivator modifies a thiol group located at the active site of the enzyme.

Toxin-targeted design for anticancer therapy. II: Preparation and biological comparison of different chemically linked gelonin-antibody conjugates.

To obtain more potent immunotoxins for anticancer therapy a gelonin-AR3 antibody immunoconjugate was prepared with different new linkers and coupling procedures. The gelonin was derivatized with the heterobifunctional thioimidate linkers ethyl-acetyl-3-mercaptopropionthioimidate (AMPT) and 3-(4-carboxamidophenyldithio)propionthioimidate (CDPT), and with the succinimidyl type reagents N-succinimidyl-3-(4-carboxamidophenyldithio)propionate (SCDP) and N-succinimidyl-S-acetyl thiolacetate (SATA). The biological activity of gelonin modified with different linkers (AMPT, CDPT, SCDP, SATA) was determined by a rabbit reticulocyte assay. We found that AMPT was the molecule of choice to derivatize the toxin, confirming the preferability of thioimidate linkers. The monoclonal antibody Mab was derivatized with CDPT and SCDP. Then the following immunoconjugates were prepared with different procedures: Mab-CDPT with gelonin-AMPT; Mab-CDPT with gelonin-CDPT; Mab-SCDP with gelonin-SATA. To verify whether selection of the most suitable coupling procedure could affect the antitumoral activity of the gelonin-AR3 immunoconjugate, the three immunotoxins were tested on target HT-29 human colon carcinoma cells versus nontarget MeWo cells. The gelonin immunoconjugate linked via the AMPT-CDPT thioimidate reagents showed highest antitumoral activity as well as best selectivity for the target cells.

In vitro metabolism of 1,3-dioxane, 1,3-oxathiolane, and 1,3-dithiane derivatives of theophylline: a structure-metabolism correlation study.

Correlation between structure and metabolism was studied within a series of cyclic acetal and thioacetal theophylline derivatives. All the compounds showed marked regioselectivity in in vitro metabolism, the metabolites arising only from 7-cycloalkyl side chain transformation. The 1,3-dioxane derivative, besides N-dealkylation to theophylline, underwent enzymatic ring cleavage, through the oxidation of the acetal carbon and subsequent rearrangement. Thus the acetal group was converted enzymatically to an ester. A similar transformation, catalyzed by cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenases, was previously found for the 1,3-dioxolane ring of doxophylline. The cyclic thioacetal derivatives (i.e. 1,3-oxathiolane and 1,3-dithiane) were not cleaved during oxidative metabolism. The metabolites arise only from the oxidation of the sulfur atom, the major nucleophilic center in the molecule. No N-dealkylation to theophylline was observed. Enzymatic sulfoxidation proceeded diastereoselectively in both the 1,3-oxathiolane and 1,3-dithiane rings, the trans isomers being the major ones with a ratio trans: cis 75:25 and 60:40 respectively. The sulfoxides were stable to hydrolysis and were not further metabolized. Neither disulfoxides nor sulfones were detected in the incubations.

Toxin-targeted design for anticancer therapy. I: Synthesis and biological evaluation of new thioimidate heterobifunctional reagents.

In an effort to obtain a more potent and specific immunotoxin for cancer therapy, we designed a series of heterobifunctional linkers characterized by a thioimidate group linked to a S-acetyl thiol (4, 5) or substituted aryldithio group (6-10). These ligands were synthesized by a Pinner-type process from the corresponding nitrile derivatives obtained by thiol-disulphide exchange reaction, reaction with substituted benzene-sulphenyl chloride, or other known procedures. To check the reagent of choice for immunoconjugate preparation, we studied thioldisulphide exchange kinetics between the intermediate nitrile derivatives and cysteine. Among the tested aryldithio derivatives (6-10), we selected ethyl 3-(4-carboxamido-phenyldithio)propionthioimidate (CDPT, 9) for further studies. By analyzing the rate of incorporation of the linkers 4, 5, and 9 in a model immunoglobulin G protein, we found similar results with CDPT 9 and ethyl S-acetyl 3-mercaptopropionthioimidate ester hydrochloride (AMPT, 5) because both reagents showed a linear correlation between the number of introduced thiol groups and factors such as time and protein and reagent concentrations. Comparison of the two acetylthio-derivative ligands 4 and 5 showed that AMPT 5 was more stable toward deacetylation than ethyl S-acetyl 2-mercaptopropionthioimidate ester hydrochloride (AMAT, 4). By comparing the kinetic and biological parameters of seven new thioimidate linkers, we found that two of these (CDPT and AMPT) could be superior ligands for protein-protein conjugation. They offer advantages over the commercially available compounds, such as minimal perturbation of the protein structure, controlled reactivity, and good stability.

A new 'solid phase' procedure to synthesize immunotoxins (antibody-ribosome inactivating protein conjugates).

A method to produce immunotoxins (conjugates comprising of a monoclonal antibody and toxin) using ribosome inactivating protein anchored on an affinity gel derivatized with triazinic dye is described. The adsorbed toxins were activated with 2-imino-thiolane and then conjugated to monoclonal antibody activated by SPDP. The "heterogeneous phase" system offered several advantages, reducing the usually required purification steps and opening a way to automatize the conjugation procedure.

Metabolism of 7-(1,3-thiazolidin-2-ylmethyl)theophylline by rat liver microsomes. Evidence for a monooxygenase-dependent step in 1,3-thiazolidine ring cleavage.

Metabolic transformation of the mucoregulator and bronchodilator 7-(1,3-thiazolidin-2-ylmethyl)theophylline was studied in vitro with a rat liver microsomal preparation containing a NADPH-generating system. The only metabolite observed was 7-theophyllinacetaldehyde. In contrast to previous literature pointing out the chemical nature of 2-substituted thiazolidine ring cleavage, the formation of 7-theophyllinacetaldehyde was mediated by monooxygenase-dependent oxidation. Possibly an unstable sulfoxide was the first metabolic product, rapidly converted to 7-theophyllinacetaldehyde by hydrolysis. The sulfoxidation was apparently catalyzed mainly by flavin-containing monooxygenases, as selective thermal inactivation and methymazole significantly reduced the rate of formation of the metabolite. No N7-dealkylation pathway producing theophylline was detected, indicating a high regioselectivity in in vitro metabolism, due to the nucleophilicity of the sulfur atom.

2,3-Epoxy-10-aza-10,11-dihydrosqualene, a high-energy intermediate analogue inhibitor of 2,3-oxidosqualene cyclase.

2,3-Epoxy-10-aza-10,11-dihydrosqualene, a high-energy intermediate analogue inhibitor of 2,3-oxidosqualene (SO) cyclase was obtained by total synthesis. This involved the preparation of three main building blocks: (1) C17 squalenoid N-methylamine, (2) 3-(diphenylphosphinoyl)propanal, and (3) 5,6-epoxy-6-methylheptan-2-one. The final stages of the reconstruction of the 6E double bond were obtained by a Wittig-Horner reaction which was modified for poorly reactive systems. This compound was designed to mimic the C-8 carbonium ion formed during SO cyclization. Its inhibitory activity on various SO cyclases was evaluated and compared with the 6 Z isomer which has an unfavorable geometry. Only isomer 6 E, the carbocation analogue, was active on SO cyclases from rat liver, pig liver, S. cerevisiae, and C. albicans microsomes, with an I50 varying from 3 to 5 microM. Both E and Z isomers were inactive on squalene epoxidase at the higher concentrations tested.

The metabolic fate of the anti-parkinsonian drug budipine in rats.

The metabolic fate of the anti-Parkinsonian drug budipine was studied in rats after oral administration. The presence of an aromatic hydroxylation product, metabolite M1, and its O-sulphate conjugate was confirmed. Three new minor metabolites, budipine N-oxide, metabolite M1 N-oxide and a secondary metabolite derived from M1 via hydroxylation of a methyl of the tert-butyl group, were isolated and identified in rat urine. The presence of a metabolite M1-glucuronic acid conjugate, was also established through different enzymatic treatments of the rat urine.

Metabolism of 7-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylmethyl)-1,3-dimethylxanthine by rat liver microsomes. Diastereoselective metabolism of the 1,3-dithiolane ring.

The metabolic transformation of the antibronchospastic compound ABC-99 [7-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylmethyl)-1,3-dimethylxanthine] was studied in vitro with a rat liver microsomal preparation containing an NADPH-generating system. Thirty percent of the ABC-99 was metabolized and the only metabolic pathway observed as the oxidation of the 1,3-dithiolane ring. Two distinct sulfoxides were formed diastereoselectively, the trans isomer being the major product in the ratio 7:3. In contrast to the 1,3-dioxolane ring of doxophylline, the 1,3-dithiolane ring of ABC-99 did not undergo oxidative opening through acetal carbon oxidation. Furthermore no N-dealkylation to theophylline was observed. This high regioselectivity in in vitro metabolism was most likely due to the nucleophilicity of the sulfur atom. The diastereoselective sulfoxidation was apparently catalyzed by flavin-dependent monooxygenases, as no effect was observed with CO treatment, whereas selective thermal inactivation significantly reduced the rate of sulfoxidation.

Metabolism of 1,1-dichloro-cis-diphenylcyclopropane by rat liver microsomes.

The metabolic fate of the anti-estrogen 1,1-dichloro-cis-diphenylcyclopropane (Analog II), was studied in vitro with phenobarbital-induced rat liver microsomal fractions. The presence of five metabolites was directly or indirectly established. Biotransformation products were isolated by TLC and HPLC techniques and, when possible, the structures were confirmed through comparison with synthetic samples. The presence of an allyl chloride, highly reactive, metabolic intermediate was stated.

Kinetic and metabolic studies of 7-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylmethyl)-1,3-dimethylxanthine in the rat.

The kinetics (absorption, tissue distribution and excretion) of 7-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylmethyl)-1, 3-dimethylxanthine(ABC 99) were studied in the rat. ABC 99 was administered orally at doses of 10, 30 and 100 mg/kg for the serum kinetic studies. Only the 30 mg/kg dose was used for the tissue distribution and excretion kinetic studies. ABC 99 is rapidly absorbed, metabolized in the liver and partially excreted in the urine. It is equally distributed in the tissues, including the brain, although in much lower amounts than those absorbed. Three metabolites were identified: theophylline, which forms in very small quantities, and two isomers (cis and trans) of the sulfoxide. The latter two compounds form in larger amounts with respect to theophylline, and the trans-isomer predominates. The metabolites are distributed to the tissues, but do not accumulate. Elimination is virtually complete at 24 h. The pharmacological activity of ABC 99 (antibronchospastic, mucoregulatory and anti-inflammatory) can be attributed the compound, which is absorbed in its original form. Similar activity of the two sulfoxides (met 1 and 2) cannot be excluded at present as they have a structure analogous to ABC 99.