Isoprinosine and NPT 15392: immunomodulation and cancer.

These data demonstrate that both Isoprinosine and NPT 15392 are active nontoxic biological response modifiers that qualify for studies in cancer patients. Because of their immunomodulating properties, these agents are expected to be most appropriate in the treatment of immunosuppressed patients who are prone to infection or recurrence following cytoreductive therapy.

Isoprinosine: an overview.

Isoprinosine appears to have a relatively low degree of both acute and chronic toxicity in both rodent and nonrodent species. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that isoprinosine can inhibit the growth of both DNA and RNA viruses as well as potentiate cell-mediated immune response both in vitro and in vivo. Clinical studies with rhinovirus, herpesvirus, and influenza virus infections in man demonstrated that isoprinosine treatment reduced clinical symptoms and enhanced certain cell-mediated immune responses compared to placebo-treated controls.

Effect of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine 5'-monophosphate on genital lesions and encephalitis induced by Herpesvirus hominis type 2 in female mice.

9-beta-D-Arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine 5'-monophosphate, administered orally or topically, increased the number of survivors and mean day of death in mice inoculated intravaginally with Herpesvirus hominis type 2. Topical application of the drug in ointment significantly reduced the severity of genital lesions. Orally administered drug did not appreciably reduce genital lesions, but it did cause significant increases in the number of survivors and mean day of death, even when administration was started as late as three days after inoculation of virus. Drug applied both topically and orally was more effective than drug applied by either route along. For topical application an ointment was found to be a better vehicle than polyvinyl alcohol or dimethysulfoxide. In some circumstances the vehicle of drug administration itself had some efficacy.

Synthesis of some 1, 8- and 2, 8-disubstituted derivatives of adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate and their interaction with some enzymes of cAMP metabolism.

1, 8-Disubstituted derivatives of adenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate (cAMP) were synthesized by N-oxidation or N-methylation of previously reported 8-substituted cAMP derivatives to yield 8-bromoadenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate 1-oxide and 8-(benzylthio)-1-methyladenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate. Substituents were introduced into the 8 position of 2-methyladenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate and 2-butyladenosine cyclic 3', 5'-phosphate by bromination, followed by treatment with sodium benzylmercaptide, sodium p-chlorothiophenolate, or, in the former case, sodium azide. Each of the 1,8- and 2,8-disubstituted derivatives of cAMP was tested as activators of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and as substrates for the inhibitors of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. Depending on the substitutions, examples were found where the disubstituted derivatives were either more active, equally as active or less active than the monosubstituted parent compounds as protein kinase activators. For the compounds reported, 8-substitution completely or substantially eliminated the ability of 1- or 2-substituted derivatives of cAMP to serve as substrates for phosphodiesterase and diminished the ability of these latter derivatives to inhibit cAMP hydrolysis.

Synthesis and enzymic activity of some novel xanthine oxidase inhibitors. 3-Substituted 5,7-dihydroxypyrazolo(1,5-alpha)pyrimidines.

A series of 3-substituted 5,7-dihydroxypyrazolo[1,5-alpha]pyrimidines containing various aromatic [phenyl- (3e), 3-pyridyl- (3f), p-bromophenyl- (3g), p-chlorophenyl- (3h), p-acetamidophenyl- (3i), p-tolyl- (3j), m-tolyl- (3k), 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl- (3m), or naphthyl- (3n)] or nonaromatic [hydrogen- (3a), nitro- (3b), bromo- (3c), or chloro- (3d)] substituents in the 3 position was synthesized and tested as inhibitors of xanthine oxidase. The compounds (3a-m) were synthesized by condensation of the appropriate 3-amino-4-substituted pyrazole with diethyl malonate in alcoholic sodium methoxide and neutralization of the resulting enol sodium salts. As inhibitors of xanthine oxidase, 3e-n greater than 3a,c,d congruent to allopurinol greater than 3b. The 3-aryl-substituted compounds 3e-n were 30-160 times better xanthine oxidase inhibitors than allopurinol using hypoxanthine as substrate and 10-80 times better using xanthine as substrate, as evidenced by a comparison of Ki values. The inhibition by all compounds (3a-n) was totally reversible and of the noncompetitive or mixed type. A study of the pH dependence of xanthine oxidase inhibition by 3a,e,g and allopurinol indicated that the 3-aryl substituents facilitated binding to the enzyme. These and the above results show that the compounds reported here inhibit xanthine oxidase by a mechanism which is significantly different from that of allopurinol.

Inhibition of experimental deoxyribonucleic acid virus-induced encephalitis by 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine 5'-monophosphate.

9-beta-d-Arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine 5'-monophosphate (ara-HxMP) significantly controlled the development of encephalitis produced by deoxyribonucleic acid viruses in mice. In most experiments the activities of ara-HxMP and 9-beta-d-arabinofuranosyladenine (ara-A) were determined simultaneously. In the intracerebral (target organ) and intravenous therapy experiments, ara-HxMP had a pronounced advantage over ara-A since the water solubility of ara-HxMP enabled it to be used in much higher concentrations. In experiments where the two drugs were administered intraperitoneally or orally they exhibited similar activity. In several intraperitoneal therapy experiments ara-HxMP was tested alone, using various treatment schedules and dosages. In these experiments, efficacy was observed in groups that had treatments initiated as late as 72 h after virus inoculation.

Efficacy of 9-beta-D-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine 5'-monophosphate in therapy of equine abortion virus-induced hepatitis in hamsters.

Equine abortion virus (EAV)-induced hepatitis in hamsters presents an interesting animal model for the evaluation of drugs possessing anti-deoxyribonucleic acid virus activity. These experiments demonstrate that 9-beta-d-arabinofuranosylhypoxanthine 5'-monophosphate (ara-HxMP), a new synthetic, water-soluble, antiviral agent, effectively controls this disease in hamsters with a therapeutic index of approximately 60. Ara-HxMP prevented hepatitis-associated deaths in hamsters, reduced the titer of EAV developing in hamsters, and inhibited the increase of serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase in EAV-infected hamsters.

2-substituted derivatives of adenosine and inosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate. Synthesis, enzymic activity, and analysis of the structural requirements of the binding locale of the 2-substituent on bovine brain protein kinase.

A number of 2-substituted cyclic nucleotide derivatives were synthesized and investigated as activators of cAMP-dependent protein kinase and as substrates for and inhibitors of cAMP phosphodiesterase. Ring closure of 5-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylimidazol-4-carboxamide cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (1) with various aldehydes according to a new procedure (Meyer, R. B., Jr., Shuman, D.A., and Robins, R. K. (1974), J. Am. Chem. Soc. 96, 4962) gave new derivatives of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate with the following 2-substituents: n-propyl, n-hexl, n-octyl, n-decyl, styryl, o-methoxyphenyl, and 2-thienyl. Alkylation of 2-mercaptoadenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate (20, Meyer et al., 1974) gave new cAMP derivatives with the following 2-substituent: ethylthio, n-propylthio, isopropylthio, allylthio, n-decylthio, and benzylthio. Deamination of 2-methyl-,2-n-butyl-, and 2-ethylthioadenosine cyclic 3',5'-phosphate. Using multiple regression analysis, a striking relationship was found between the relative potency of the compounds as activators of bovine brain cAMP-dependent protein kinase and parameters describing the hydrophobic, steric, and electronic character of the substituents on these compounds. All compounds were substrates for a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase preparation from rabbit kidney. Additionally, the compounds were as a group, good inhibitors of the hydrolysis of cAMP by phosphodiesterase preparations from rabbit lung, beef heart, and dog heart.

Adenosine cyclic 3',5',-monophosphate phosphodiesterasr inhibitors. 2.3-Substituted 5,7-dialkylpyrazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidines.

A number of 3-bromo-, 3-nitro-, and 3-ethoxycarbonyl-5,7-dialkylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines were synthesized and screened as in vitro cAMP phosphodiesterase inhibitors. The condensation of 3-aminopyrazole with symmetrical beta-diketones (acetylacetone, heptane-3,5-dione, etc.) afforded symmetrical dialkylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines (5). The reaction of 3-aminopyrazole with unsymmetrical beta-diketones (hexane-2,4-dione, heptane-3,5-dione, etc.) gave a mixture of 5-methyl-7-alkylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (3) and 5-alkyl-7-methylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines (4). The technique for the separation of 3 from 4 is described. The inhibition constants, alpha (the ratio of the molar I50 of theophylline to the molar I50 of the test compounds), were subjected to a Hansch correlation analysis. The results indicated that PDE isolated from beef heart tissue was most sensitive to changes in the length of the alkyl group in the 5 position of the pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ring, whereas the PDE isolated from rabbit lung tissue was more sensitive to changes in the length of the 7-alkyl group. Experimentally and theoretically, the n-propyl group was found to approximate the ideal size for the alkyl group in both the 5 and 7 positions;5,7-di-n-propyl-3-ethoxycarbonylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (5e) was the most potent inhibitor of both lung and heart PDE.

Synthesis and enzymic activity of 8-acyl and 8-alkyl derivatives of guanosine 3, 5-cyclic phosphate.

Several new 8-alkyl and 8-acyl derivatives of quanosie 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cGMP) and inosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cGMP) were prepared by direct alkylation or acylation of the parent cyclic nucleotide via free radicals generated in situ. These compounds have been examined for their ability to stimulate a cGMP-dependent protein kinase, and several of the cGMP derivatives were as active in this regard as cGMP. These compounds proved to be quite ineffective when tested for their ability to activate an adenosine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (cAMP) dependent protein kinase. In addition, these 8-substituted cGMP derivatives are not substrates for a phosphodiesterase preparation from rabbit kidney, but do show inhibition of the hydrolysis of cAMP by crude phosphodiesterase preparations from rabbit lung and beef heart.

In vitro and in vivo effect of 1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide (ribavirin) on types 1 and 3 parainfulenza virus infections.

1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-1,2,4-triazole-3-carboxamide (ribavirin) had significant in vitro activity against type 1 parainfluenza (Sendai) and type 3 parainogenic (HA-1) viruses. Activity was manifested as inhibition of both viral cytopathogenic effect and of recoverable virus or viral hemagglutinin titer. The minimum Sendai virus inhibitory concentration was determined to be approximately 3.2 mug/ml. Previous studies had determined the minimum concentration inhibiting HA-1 virus was approximately 1-10 mug/ml. The effect of time of addition of ribavirin to virus-infected cells was determined; maximal activity was seen when the drug added just prior to either virus or within 4-8 h after each virus, although anti-Senadi viral effects were still apparent when ribavirin was added as late as 24 h after the virus. Ribavirin had no effect on adsorption of HA-1 or Sendai virus to cells. Lethal Sendai virus infections of mice were significantly inhibited by multiple intraperitoneal ribavirin treatment, starting either 4 h before or up to 24 h after virus inoculation. Therapy starting 48, 72 or 96 h after virus exposure had a moderate degree of efficacy. Treatment using an aerosol chamber also was of moderate effectiveness, although the procedure was considered traumatic to the animals. A nonlethal, principally upper respiratory tract infection of hamsters induced by the HA-1 virus was inhibited by ribavirin therapy. Treatment administered intraperitoneally, per os or by aerosol chamber resulted in reduced 23-day antibody titers to the virus, presumably because of reduction of virus in the animal. In a separate experiment, intraperitoneal ribavirin therapy resulted in a 1 log10 or less reduction in virus titer in nasal washings from HA-1 virus-infected hamsters, whereas, when the drug was administered intranasally in a dry powder aerosol spray, nasal virus titers were reduced up to 2 log10 and a moderate virus-induced lung consolidation was completely inhibited.

Induction of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase in vivo by derivatives of cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate.

A number of 8- and N6-SUBSTITUTED DERIVATIVES OF CYCLIC ADENOSINE 3':5'-MONOPHOSPHATE-DEPENDENT PROTEIN KINASE, AND AS SUBSTRATES FOR RAT LIVER CYCLIC NUCLEOTIDE PHOSPHODIESTERASE. All of the analogs tested were able to induce the transaminase. The induction by the analogs was shown to be the result of an actual increase in the amount of enzyme, and the mechanism of induction was an increase in the rate of synthesis of the transaminase. The induced enzyme appeared to be immunologically similar to the non-induced enzyme. A good correlation was found to exist between the dose that produced 50% of maximal induction and a combination of the activation constant for cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate-dependent protein kinase by the analog and its susceptibility to hydrolysis by cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. These data suggest that the phosphorylation of some site is involved in the mechanism by which cyclic adenosine 3':5'-monophosphate affects the rate of synthesis of tyrosine aminotransferase.

In vitro antiviral activity of 6-substituted 9-beta-D-ribofuranosylpurine 3', 5'-cyclic phosphates.

A series of twelve recently synthesized 6-substituted derivatives of 9-beta-d-ribofuranosylpurine 3',5'-cyclic phosphate (RPcMP) were evaluated for in vitro antiviral activity, using inhibition of viral cytopathogenic effect as the primary parameter for evaluation. Inhibition of the development of intra- and extracellular virus titer was used as a secondary criterion with certain viruses. Five derivatives were considered to have significant antiviral activity. 6-Hydroxylamino-RPcMP was active against type 1 herpes simplex, cytomegalo-, and vaccinia viruses. 6-Thio-RPcMP was inhibitory to types 1 and 2 herpes simplex, cytomegalo-, vaccinia, and type 3 parainfluenza viruses. The 6-methylthio derivative was active against types 1 and 2 herpes simplex, cytomegalo-, and vaccinia viruses, and types 1A, 2, 8, and 13 rhinoviruses; alteration of this 6-substitution to 6-ethylthio or to 6-benzylthio weakened the herpes- and vaccinia virus activity of the compound, but each continued to have significant antirhinovirus activity. The effect of time of addition of 6-methylthio-RPcMP to type 1 herpes simplex virus-infected cells was determined; the compound was most active when added prior to the virus. Early removal of the compound from the infected cells markedly reduced its antiviral effectiveness.