Synthesis, σ1, σ2-receptors binding affinity and antiproliferative action of new C1-substituted adamantanes.

The synthesis of N-{4-[a-(1-adamantyl)benzyl]phenyl}piperazines 2a-e is described. The in vitro antiproliferative activity of most compounds against main cancer cell lines is significant. The σ(1), σ(2)-receptors and sodium channels binding affinity of compounds 2 were investigated. One of the most active analogs, 2a, had an interesting in vivo anticancer profile against the BxPC-3 and Mia-Paca-2 pancreas cancer cell lines with caspase-3 activation, which was associated with an anagelsic activity against the neuropathic pain.

New adamantane phenylalkylamines with σ-receptor binding affinity and anticancer activity, associated with putative antagonism of neuropathic pain.

The synthesis of the adamantane phenylalkylamines 2a-d, 3a-c, and 4a-e is described. These compounds exhibited significant antiproliferative activity, in vitro, against eight cancer cell lines tested. The σ(1), σ(2), and sodium channel binding affinities of compounds 2a, 3a, 4a, and 4c-e were investigated. The most interesting analogue, 4a, exhibited significant in vivo anticancer profile on pancreas, prostate, leukemia, and ovarian cancer cell line xenografts together with apoptosis and caspase-3 activation. Inhibition of the cancer cells cycle at the sub-G1 level was also obtained with 4a. Finally, encouraging results were observed with 4a in vivo on mice, suggesting putative antimetastatic and analgesic activities of this compound.

New adamantane derivatives with sigma affinity and antiproliferative activity.

The synthesis of 4-(1-adamantyl)-4,4-diarylbutylamines 1, 5-(1-adamantyl)-5,5-diarylpentylamines 2 and 6-(1-adamantyl)-6,6-diarylhexylamines 3 is described and the σ1, σ2-receptors and sodium channels binding affinity of compounds 1 were investigated. The in vitro activity of compounds 1, 2 and 3 against main cancer cell lines is significant. One of the most active analogs, 1a, had an interesting in vivo anticancer profile against the ovarian cancer cell line IGROV-1, which was associated with an anagelsic activity against the neuropathic pain induced by the main anticancer drugs.

Prediction of an HLA-DR-binding peptide derived from Wilms' tumour 1 protein and demonstration of in vitro immunogenicity of WT1(124-138)-pulsed dendritic cells generated according to an optimised protocol.

The Wilms' tumour 1 (WT1) protein is over-expressed in several types of cancer including leukaemias and might therefore constitute a novel target for immunotherapy. Recently, human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I-binding WT1 peptides have been identified and shown to stimulate CD8(+) T cells in vitro. For maximal CD8 cell efficacy, CD4(+) helper T cells responding to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-binding epitopes are required. Here, we report that scanning the WT1 protein sequence using an evidence-based predictive computer algorithm (SYFPEITHI) yielded a peptide WT1(124-138) predicted to bind the HLA-DRB1*0401 molecule with high affinity. Moreover, synthetic WT1(124-138)-peptide-pulsed dendritic cells (DC), generated according to a protocol optimised in the present study, sensitised T cells in vitro to proliferate and secrete interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) when rechallenged with specific peptide-pulsed DC, but not with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). These results suggest that the WT1 protein may yield epitopes immunogenic to CD4 as well as CD8 T cells, and therefore constitute a novel potential target for specific immunotherapy.