Chemical analysis of snus products from the United States and northern Europe.

INTRODUCTION: Snus is an oral tobacco product that originated in Sweden. Snus products are available as fine-cut loose tobacco or in pre-portioned porous "pouches." Some snus products undergo tobacco pasteurization during manufacturing, a process that removes or reduces nitrite-forming microbes, resulting in less tobacco-specific nitrosamine content in the product. Some tobacco companies and researchers have suggested that snus is potentially less harmful than traditional tobacco and thus a potential smoking cessation aid or an alternative to continued cigarette consumption. Although snus is available in various countries, limited information exists on snus variants from different manufacturers. METHODS: Moisture, pH, nicotine, and tobacco-specific N'-nitrosamines (TSNAs) were quantified in 64 snus products made by 10 manufacturers in the United States and Northern Europe (NE). Reported means, standard errors, and differences are least-square (LS) estimates from bootstrapped mixed effects models, which accounted for correlation among repeated measurements. Minor alkaloids and select flavors were also measured. RESULTS: Among all product types, moisture (27.4%-59.5%), pH (pH 5.87-9.10), total nicotine (6.81-20.6 mg/g, wet), unprotonated nicotine (0.083-15.7 mg/g), and total TSNAs (390-4,910 ng/g) varied widely. The LS-mean unprotonated nicotine concentration of NE portion (7.72 mg/g, SE = 0.963) and NE loose (5.06 mg/g, SE = 1.26) snus were each significantly higher than US portion snus (1.00 mg/g, SE = 1.56). Concentrations of minor alkaloids varied most among products with the highest total nicotine levels. The LS-mean NNN+NNK were higher in snus sold in the US (1360 ng/g, SE = 207) than in NE (836 ng/g, SE = 132) countries. The most abundant flavor compounds detected were pulegone, eucalyptol, and menthol. CONCLUSION: Physical and chemical characteristics of US and NE products labeled as snus can vary considerably and should not be considered "equivalent". Our findings could inform public health and policy decisions pertaining to snus exposure and potential adverse health effects associated with snus.

Surveillance of Nicotine and pH in Cigarette and Cigar Filler.

OBJECTIVE: We examined differences between nicotine concentrations and pH in cigarette and cigar tobacco filler. METHODS: Nicotine and pH levels for 50 cigarette and 75 cigar brands were measured. Non-mentholated and mentholated cigarette products were included in the analysis along with several cigar types as identified by the manufacturer: large cigars, pipe tobacco cigars, cigarillos, mini cigarillos, and little cigars. RESULTS: There were significant differences found between pH and nicotine for cigarette and cigar tobacco products. Mean nicotine concentrations in cigarettes (19.2 mg/g) and large cigars (15.4 mg/g) were higher than the other cigars types, especially the pipe tobacco cigars (8.79 mg/g). The mean pH for cigarettes was pH 5.46. Large cigars had the highest mean pH value (pH 6.10) and pipe tobacco cigars had the lowest (pH 5.05). CONCLUSIONS: Although cigarettes are the most common combustible tobacco product used worldwide, cigar use remains popular. Our research provides a means to investigate the possibility of distinguishing the 2 tobacco product types and offers information on nicotine and pH across a wide range of cigarette and cigar varieties that may be beneficial to help establish tobacco policies and regulations across product types.

Development of a Cigarette Tobacco Filler Standard Reference Material.

A new tobacco filler Standard Reference Material (SRM) has been issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in September 2016 with certified and reference mass fraction values for nicotine, N-nitrosonornicotine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone, and volatiles. The constituents have been determined by multiple analytical methods with measurements at NIST and at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and with confirmatory measurements by commercial laboratories. This effort highlights the development of the first SRM for reduced nicotine and reduced tobacco-specific nitrosamines with certified values for composition.

Caffeine Concentrations in Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, and Energy Drink Flavored E-liquids.

INTRODUCTION: Most electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain a solution of propylene glycol/glycerin and nicotine, as well as flavors. E-cigarettes and their associated e-liquids are available in numerous flavor varieties. A subset of the flavor varieties include coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drink, which, in beverage form, are commonly recognized sources of caffeine. Recently, some manufacturers have begun marketing e-liquid products as energy enhancers that contain caffeine as an additive. METHODS: A Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) method for the quantitation of caffeine in e-liquids was developed, optimized and validated. The method was then applied to assess caffeine concentrations in 44 flavored e-liquids from cartridges, disposables, and refill solutions. Products chosen were flavors traditionally associated with caffeine (ie, coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drink), marketed as energy boosters, or labeled as caffeine-containing by the manufacturer. RESULTS: Caffeine was detected in 42% of coffee-flavored products, 66% of tea-flavored products, and 50% of chocolate-flavored e-liquids (limit of detection [LOD] - 0.04 µg/g). Detectable caffeine concentrations ranged from 3.3 µg/g to 703 µg/g. Energy drink-flavored products did not contain detectable concentrations of caffeine. Eleven of 12 products marketed as energy enhancers contained caffeine, though in widely varying concentrations (31.7 µg/g to 9290 µg/g). CONCLUSIONS: E-liquid flavors commonly associated with caffeine content like coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drink often contained caffeine, but at concentrations significantly lower than their dietary counterparts. Estimated daily exposures from all e-cigarette products containing caffeine were much less than ingestion of traditional caffeinated beverages like coffee. IMPLICATIONS: This study presents an optimized and validated method for the measurement of caffeine in e-liquids. The method is applicable to all e-liquid matrices and could potentially be used to ensure regulatory compliance for those geographic regions that forbid caffeine in e-cigarette products. The application of the method shows that caffeine concentrations and estimated total caffeine exposure from e-cigarette products is significantly lower than oral intake from beverages. However, because very little is known about the effects of caffeine inhalation, e-cigarette users should proceed with caution when using caffeine containing e-cigarette products. Further research is necessary to determine associated effects from inhaling caffeine.

Discovery of Clinical Candidate CEP-37440, a Selective Inhibitor of Focal Adhesion Kinase (FAK) and Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK).

Analogues structurally related to anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor 1 were optimized for metabolic stability. The results from this endeavor not only led to improved metabolic stability, pharmacokinetic parameters, and in vitro activity against clinically derived resistance mutations but also led to the incorporation of activity for focal adhesion kinase (FAK). FAK activation, via amplification and/or overexpression, is characteristic of multiple invasive solid tumors and metastasis. The discovery of the clinical stage, dual FAK/ALK inhibitor 27b, including details surrounding SAR, in vitro/in vivo pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics, is reported herein.

Characterization of SPECTRUM Variable Nicotine Research Cigarettes.

OBJECTIVE: To provide researchers an extensive characterization of the SPECTRUM variable nicotine research cigarettes. METHODS: Data on cigarette physical properties, nicotine content, harmful and potentially harmful constituents in the tobacco filler was compiled. RESULTS: Data on physical properties, concentrations of menthol, nicotine and minor alkaloids, tobacco-specific nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, ammonia, and toxic metals in the filler tobacco for all available varieties of Spectrum research cigarettes are provided. The similarity in the chemistry and physical properties of SPECTRUM cigarettes to commercial cigarettes renders them acceptable for use in behavioral studies. Baseline information on harmful and potentially harmful constituents in research tobacco products, particularly constituent levels such as minor alkaloids that fall outside typical ranges reported for commercial, provide researchers with the opportunity to monitor smoking behavior and to identify biomarkers that will inform efforts to understand the role of nicotine in creating and sustaining addiction. CONCLUSIONS: Well characterized research cigarettes suitable for human consumption are an important tool in clinical studies for investigating the physiological impacts of cigarettes delivering various levels of nicotine, the impact of reduced nicotine cigarettes on nicotine addiction, and the relationship between nicotine dose and smoking behavior.

Menthol Content in US Marketed Cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION: In 2011 menthol cigarettes accounted for 32 percent of the market in the United States, but there are few literature reports that provide measured menthol data for commercial cigarettes. To assess current menthol application levels in the US cigarette market, menthol levels in cigarettes labeled or not labeled to contain menthol was determined for a variety of contemporary domestic cigarette products. METHOD: We measured the menthol content of 45 whole cigarettes using a validated gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method. RESULTS: In 23 cigarette brands labeled as menthol products, the menthol levels of the whole cigarette ranged from 2.9 to 19.6mg/cigarette, with three products having higher levels of menthol relative to the other menthol products. The menthol levels for 22 cigarette products not labeled to contain menthol ranged from 0.002 to 0.07mg/cigarette. The type of packaging (soft vs. hard pack) for a given cigarette product does not appear to affect menthol levels based on the current limited data. CONCLUSIONS: Menthol levels in cigarette products labeled as containing menthol are approximately 50- to 5000-fold higher than those in cigarette products not labeled as containing menthol. In general, menthol content appears to occur within discrete ranges for both mentholated and nonmentholated cigarettes. IMPLICATIONS: This study shows that menthol may be present in non-mentholated cigarettes and adds to the understanding of how menthol may be used in cigarette products. It is the first systematic study from the same laboratory which will readily enable comparison among menthol and non-menthol cigarettes.

Nicotine delivery and pharmacologic response from Verve, an oral nicotine delivery product.

Verve, an oral nicotine delivery product (ONDP), was introduced by Nu Mark (Altria Client Group, Richmond VA) for smokers to use in places where smoking is prohibited. This study assessed the effect of this ONDP on plasma nicotine levels, heart rate, product satisfaction, and ability to suppress smoking urge and cigarette cravings. Thirteen daily cigarette smokers [8 men and 5 women; average age 33.4years] attended two laboratory sessions, one occurred after overnight tobacco abstinence. Plasma samples were collected before and after ONDP use and measured for nicotine. In non-abstinent smokers, mean plasma nicotine levels increased from 18.3 to 21.0ng/mL. In abstinent smokers, average nicotine levels increased from 3.1 to 4.5ng/mL. After overnight tobacco abstinence, ONDP use significantly (p<0.01) increased heart rate from 69beats per minute (bpm) to 75bpm; while urge to smoke decreased significantly (p<0.01) from a score of 8.6 to 4.9. Participants indicated moderate product satisfaction that was not changed by tobacco abstinence. Analysis of unused ONDP revealed total nicotine levels of 1.68±0.09mg/disc. Spent ONDP discs were also analyzed to determine % nicotine liberated during chewing; results were 80% in the non-abstinent and 82% in the abstinent conditions (ns). Our study results indicate that ONDP use can increase plasma nicotine levels and heart rate and reduce cigarette cravings in abstinent smokers.

Comprehensive chemical characterization of Rapé tobacco products: Nicotine, un-ionized nicotine, tobacco-specific N'-nitrosamines, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and flavor constituents.

Rapé, a diverse group of smokeless tobacco products indigenous to South America, is generally used as a nasal snuff and contains substantial amount of plant material with or without tobacco. Previously uncharacterized, rapé contains addictive and harmful chemicals that may have public health implications for users. Here we report % moisture, pH, and the levels of total nicotine, un-ionized nicotine, flavor-related compounds, tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for manufactured and hand-made rapé. Most rapé products were mildly acidic (pH 5.17-6.23) with total nicotine ranging from 6.32 to 47.6 milligram per gram of sample (mg/g). Calculated un-ionized nicotine ranged from 0.03 to 18.5 mg/g with the highest values associated with hand-made rapés (pH 9.75-10.2), which contain alkaline ashes. In tobacco-containing rapés, minor alkaloid levels and Fourier transform infrared spectra were used to confirm the presence of Nicotiana rustica, a high nicotine tobacco species. There was a wide concentration range of TSNAs and PAHs among the rapés analyzed. Several TSNAs and PAHs identified in the products are known or probable carcinogens according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Milligram quantities of some non-tobacco constituents, such as camphor, coumarin, and eugenol, warrant additional evaluation.

Chemical Composition and Evaluation of Nicotine, Tobacco Alkaloids, pH, and Selected Flavors in E-Cigarette Cartridges and Refill Solutions.

INTRODUCTION: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is increasing dramatically in developed countries, but little is known about these rapidly evolving products. This study analyzed and evaluated the chemical composition including nicotine, tobacco alkaloids, pH, and flavors in 36 e-liquids brands from 4 manufacturers. METHODS: We determined the concentrations of nicotine, alkaloids, and select flavors and measured pH in solutions used in e-cigarettes. E-cigarette products were chosen based upon favorable consumer approval ratings from online review websites. Quantitative analyses were performed using strict quality assurance/quality control validated methods previously established by our lab for the measurement of nicotine, alkaloids, pH, and flavors. RESULTS: Three-quarters of the products contained lower measured nicotine levels than the stated label values (6%-42% by concentration). The pH for e-liquids ranged from 5.1-9.1. Minor tobacco alkaloids were found in all samples containing nicotine, and their relative concentrations varied widely among manufacturers. A number of common flavor compounds were analyzed in all e-liquids. CONCLUSIONS: Free nicotine levels calculated from the measurement of pH correlated with total nicotine content. The direct correlation between the total nicotine concentration and pH suggests that the alkalinity of nicotine drives the pH of e-cigarette solutions. A higher percentage of nicotine exists in the more absorbable free form as total nicotine concentration increases. A number of products contained tobacco alkaloids at concentrations that exceed U.S. pharmacopeia limits for impurities in nicotine used in pharmaceutical and food products.

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of sulfonyl acrylonitriles as novel inhibitors of cancer metastasis and spread.

The spread of intra-abdominal cancers is a vexing clinical problem for which there is no widely effective treatment. We discovered previously that (2E)-3-[(4-tert-butylphenyl)sulfonyl]acrylonitrile (1) induced cancer cell apoptosis during adhesion to normal mesothelial cells which line the peritoneum. We recently demonstrated that the sulfonylacrylonitrile portion of 1 and hydrophobic aryl substitution were essential for pro-apoptotic activity in cancer cells. Here we synthesized a diverse series of analogues of 1 in order to improve the efficacy and pharmaceutical properties. Analogues and 1 were compared in their ability to cause cancer cell death during adhesion to normal mesothelial cell monolayers. Potent analogues identified in the in vitro assay were validated and found to exhibit improved inhibition of intra-abdominal cancer in two clinically relevant murine models of ovarian and pancreatic cancer spread and metastasis, highlighting their potential clinical use as an adjunct to surgical resection of cancers.

Quantitation of Ten Flavor Compounds in Unburned Tobacco Products.

Most research on unburned tobacco has focused on the harmful chemicals associated with the tobacco itself. However, certain flavor additives in tobacco products can pose additional health risks. Flavors like camphor, coumarin, pulegone, eugenol, methyl salicylate, menthol and diphenyl ether have exhibited biological activity and/or toxicity in both lab animals and humans. This publication presents a new GC/MS method for the quantitation of ten flavor compounds (eucalyptol, camphor, menthol, pulegone, ethyl salicylate, methyl salicylate, cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, diphenyl ether and coumarin) in a variety of tobacco products, including smokeless products and cigar filler. Excellent linearity (>0.997), accuracy (93.9% - 106.6%) and precision (C.V., 0.5% - 3.0%) were achieved for all flavor analytes measured. A summary of the concentrations of these flavors in selected international smokeless tobacco (SLT) products including zarda, quiwam, gutkha, and khaini varieties from Southeast Asia and snuff, clove cigarette filler and flavored cigar filler from the United States is reported. High concentrations of eugenol (2110 µg/g), coumarin (439 µg/g), camphor (1060 µg/g) and diphenyl ether (4840 µg/g) were found in selected products. Accurate identification and quantitation of potentially hazardous flavor compounds is important because they can exist in relatively high levels in some tobacco products, including international SLT products. We outline a versatile method which can be used to quantitate flavor compounds in multiple types of tobacco products.

Application of GC-MS/MS for the analysis of tobacco alkaloids in cigarette filler and various tobacco species.

This publication reports the first known use of gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry for the quantitation of five minor tobacco alkaloids (nornicotine, myosmine, anabasine, anatabine, and isonicoteine) in various tobacco samples. A summary of the concentrations of these minor alkaloid levels in the filler from 50 popular cigarette brands were found to be 659-986 µg/g nornicotine, 8.64-17.3 µg/g myosmine, 127-185 µg/g anabasine, 927-1390 µg/g anatabine, and 23.4-45.5 µg/g isonicoteine. Levels of minor alkaloids found in reference cigarettes (1R5F, 2R4F, 3R4F, CM4, and CM6) as well as burley, flue-cured, oriental, reconstituted, and Nicotiana rustica and Nicotiana glauca tobacco types are also reported. Quantitation of the minor tobacco alkaloids is important because the alkaloids have been shown to be precursors of carcinogenic tobacco specific N'-nitrosamines.

Discovery of an orally efficacious inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cancer, supported by considerable favorable preclinical and clinical activities over the past several years and culminating in the recent FDA approval of the ALK inhibitor crizotinib. Through a series of targeted modifications on an ALK inhibitor diaminopyrimidine scaffold, our research group has driven improvements in ALK potency, kinase selectivity, and overall pharmaceutical properties. Optimization of this scaffold has led to the identification of a potent and efficacious inhibitor of ALK, 25b. A striking feature of 25b over previously described ALK inhibitors is its >600-fold selectivity over insulin receptor (IR), a closely related kinase family member. Most importantly, 25b exhibited dose proportional escalation in rat compared to compound 3 which suffered dose limiting absorption preventing further advancement. Compound 25b exhibited significant in vivo antitumor efficacy when dosed orally in an ALK-positive ALCL tumor xenograft model in SCID mice, warranting further assessment in advanced preclinical models.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of sulfonyl acrylonitriles as novel inhibitors to peritoneal carcinomatosis.

The vast majority of cancer patients die from metastasis, the process by which cancer cells spread to secondary tissues through body fluids. Peritoneal carcinomatosis is a type of metastasis in which cancer cells gain access to the intra-abdominal cavity and then implant in the peritoneum, the thin tissue that lines the abdominal wall and internal organs. Unfortunately, peritoneal carcinomatosis can occur following surgical resection of intra-abdominal malignancies. We previously reported proapoptotic activity of (2E)-3-[[4-(1,1-dimethylethyl)phenyl]sulfonyl]-2-propenenitrile (BAY 11-7085, 1) on colon and pancreatic cancer cells during adhesion and demonstrated that this compound could significantly inhibit peritoneal carcinomatosis in mice.(1,2) In order to determine the chemical basis of the anti-metastatic properties of BAY 11-7085, a series of analogs were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to induce apoptosis in pancreatic and ovarian cancer cells during adhesion to mesothelial cells, which line the surface of the peritoneum. The co-culture assay results were validated using a murine peritoneal carcinomatosis model. These analogs may greatly benefit patients undergoing surgical resections of colorectal, pancreatic, and ovarian cancers depending on their tolerability.

2,7-Pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazines as JAK2 inhibitors: modification of target structure to minimize reactive metabolite formation.

The JAK2/STAT pathway has important roles in hematopoiesis. With the discovery of the JAK2 V617F mutation and its presence in many patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms, research in the JAK2 inhibitor arena has dramatically increased. We report a novel series of potent JAK2 inhibitors containing a 2,7-pyrrolotriazine core. To minimize potential drug-induced toxicity, targets were analyzed for the ability to form a glutathione adduct. Glutathione adduct formation was decreased by modification of the aniline substituent at C2.

2,7-disubstituted-pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazines: new variant of an old template and application to the discovery of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitors with in vivo antitumor activity.

A novel 2,7-disubstituted-pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine scaffold has been designed as a new kinase inhibitor platform mimicking the bioactive conformation of the well-known diaminopyrimidine motif. The design, synthesis, and validation of this new pyrrolo[2,1-f][1,2,4]triazine scaffold will be described for inhibitors of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). Importantly, incorporation of appropriate potency and selectivity determinants has led to the discovery of several advanced leads that were orally efficacious in animal models of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL). A lead inhibitor (30) displaying superior efficacy was identified and in depth in vitro/in vivo characterization will be presented.

Fused bicyclic derivatives of 2,4-diaminopyrimidine as c-Met inhibitors.

The HGF-c-Met signaling axis is an important paracrine mediator of epithelial-mesenchymal cell interactions involving the regulation of multiple cellular activities including cell motility, mitogenesis, morphogenesis, and angiogenesis. Dysregulation of c-Met signaling (e.g., overexpression or increased activation) is associated with the development of a wide range of tumor types; thus, inhibiting the HGF-c-Met pathway is predicted to lead to anti-tumor effects in many cancers. Elaboration of a 2-arylaminopyrimidine scaffold led to a series of potent c-Met inhibitors bearing a C4-2-amino-N-methylbenzamide group. Specifically, a series of C2-benzazepinone analogs demonstrated potent inhibition of c-Met in enzymatic and cellular assays. Kinase selectivity could be tuned by varying the nature of the alkyl group on the benzazepinone nitrogen.