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Biomedical subjects

J Balzarini

Publications and source records attributed to J Balzarini.

At least 523 records · Page 29Linked to original sources

Synthesis of 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2,4-difluoro-5-substituted-benzene thymidine mimics, some related alpha-anomers, and their evaluation as antiviral and anticancer agents.

A group of unnatural 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2,4-difluorobenzenes having a variety of C-5 substituents (H, Me, F, Cl, Br, I, CF3, CN, NO2, NH2), designed as thymidine mimics, were synthesized for evaluation as anticancer and antiviral agents. The coupling reaction of 3,5-bis-O-(p-chlorobenzoyl)-2-deoxy-alpha-D-ribofuranosyl chloride with an organocadmium reagent [(2,4-difluorophenyl)2Cd] afforded a mixture of the alpha- and beta-anomeric products (alpha:beta = 3:1 to 10:1 ratio). Treatment of the alpha-anomer with BF3.Et2O in nitroethane at 110-120 degrees C for 30 min was developed as an efficient method for epimerization of the major alpha-anomer to the desired beta-anomer. The 5-substituted (H, Me, Cl, I, NH2) beta-anomers exhibited negligible cytotoxicity in a MTT assay (CC50 = 10(-3)-10(-4) M range), relative to thymidine (CC50 = 10(-3)-10(-5) M range), against a variety of cancer cell lines. In contrast, the 5-NO2 derivative was more cytotoxic (CC50 = 10(-5)-10(-6) M range). A number of 5-substituted beta-anomers, and some related alpha-anomers, that were evaluated using a wide variety of antiviral assay systems [HSV-1, HSV-2, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human immunodeficiency (HIV-1, HIV-2) viruses], showed that this class of unnatural C-aryl nucleoside mimics are inactive antiviral agents.

Animals↗

Synthesis of 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2,4-difluoro-5-substituted-benzenes: "thymine replacement" analogs of thymidine for evaluation as anticancer and antiviral agents.

A group of unnatural 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-2,4-difluorobenzenes having a variety of C-5 two-carbon substituents [-C...C-X, X = I, Br; -C...CH; (E)-CH=CH-X, X = I, Br; -CH=CH2; -CH2CH3; -CH(N3) CH2Br], designed as nucleoside mimics, were synthesized for evaluation as anticancer and antiviral agents. The 5-substituted (E)-CH=CH-I and -CH2CH3 compounds exhibited negligible cytotoxicity in a MTT assay (CC50 = 10(-3) to 10(-4)M range), relative to thymidine (CC50 = 10(-3) to 10(-5)M range), against a variety of cancer cell lines. In contrast, the C-5 substituted -C...C-I and -CH(N3)CH2Br compounds were more cytotoxic (CC50 = 10(-5) to 10(-6)M range). The -C...C-I and -CH2CH3 compounds exhibited similar cytotoxicity against non-transfected (KBALB, 143B) and HSV-1 TK+ gene transfected (KBALB-STK, 143B-LTK) cancer cell lines expressing the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) thymidine kinase gene (TK+). This observation indicates that expression of the viral TK enzyme did not provide a gene therapeutic effect. The parent group of 5-substituted compounds, that were evaluated using a wide variety of antiviral assay systems [HSV-1, HSV-2, varicella-zoster virus (VZV), vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and human immunodeficiency (HIV-1, HIV-2) viruses], showed that this class of unnatural C-aryl nucleoside mimics are inactive and/or weakly active antiviral agents.

Animals↗

Acyclic/carbocyclic guanosine analogues as anti-herpesvirus agents.

Several guanosine analogues, i.e. acyclovir (and its oral prodrug valaciclovir), penciclovir (in its oral prodrug form, famciclovir) and ganciclovir, are widely used for the treatment of herpesvirus [i.e. herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and type 2 (HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and/or human cytomegalovirus (HCMV)] infections. In recent years, several new guanosine analogues have been developed, including the 3-membered cyclopropylmethyl and -methenyl derivatives (A-5021 and synguanol) and the 6-membered D- and L-cyclohexenyl derivatives. The activity of the acyclic/carbocyclic guanosine analogues has been determined against a wide spectrum of viruses, including the HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, HCMV, and also human herpesviruses type 6 (HHV-6), type 7 (HHV-7) and type 8 (HHV-8), and hepatitis B virus (HBV). The new guanosine analogues (i.e. A-5021 and D- and L-cyclohexenyl G) were found to be particularly active against those viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV) that encode for a specific thymidine kinase (TK), suggesting that their antiviral activity (at least partially) depends on phosphorylation by the virus-induced TK. Marked antiviral activity was also noted with A-5021 against HHV-6 and with D- and L-cyclohexenyl G against HCMV and HBV. The antiviral activity of the acyclic/carbocyclic nucleoside analogues could be markedly potentiated by mycophenolic acid, a potent inhibitor of inosine 5'-monophosphate (IMP) dehydrogenase. The new carbocyclic guanosine analogues (i.e. A-5021 and D- and L-cyclohexenyl G) hold great promise, not only as antiviral agents for the treatment of herpesvirus infections, but also an antitumor agents for the combined gene therapy/chemotherapy of cancer, provided that (part of) the tumor cells have been transduced by the viral (HSV-1, VZV) TK gene.

Animals↗

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel anti-varicella-zoster virus (VZV) nucleosides.

A series of alkyl-aryl, -phenoxy, and -thiophenoxy bicyclic furo pyrimidine nucleosides have been successfully synthesised by Pd-coupling of 5-iodo-2'-deoxyuridine (IDU) with terminal alkynes, followed by in situ copper-cyclisation. Synthesised compounds (4a-i) showed an anti-VZV activity at low microM concentration, comparable to that of current treatment acyclovir.

Antiviral Agents↗

"Second generation" of TSAO compounds directed against HIV-1 TSAO-resistant strains.

A "second generation" of TSAO molecules directed against TSAO-resistant strains have been prepared. The presence of two neighboring carbonyl groups at the 4" position of the 3'-spiro moiety seems to be important for the anti-HIV-1 activity against both wild type and TSAO-resistant strains. NMR conformational studies in solution and theoretical calculations of the novel compounds have also been carried out.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

4"-H-TSAO-T, a novel prototype in the HIV-1 specific TSAO family.

The first TSAO derivative that lacks the amino group at the 3'-spiro moiety has been prepared. This molecule retained its HIV-1 specificity (NNRTI characteristic) but did not select for any of the classical NNRTI-specific mutations in the NNRTI binding pocket, including 138-Lys (TSAO resistant strain).

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyridin-2-one nucleosides.

The synthesis of 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyridin-2-one-3-carboxylic acid and the 3-carboxamide as well as a short series of 3N-carboxamides, prepared by TPTU/HOBt coupling of primary amines with 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyridin-2-one-3-carboxylic acid, and their evaluation as anti-infective agents is described.

Amides↗

Bicyclic nucleoside inhibitors of varicella-zoster virus (VZV): effect of terminal unsaturation in the side-chain.

As part of an ongoing research program, we have prepared novel bicyclic nucleoside inhibitors bearing long alkyl side-chains for evaluation against VZV. In particular, we report the synthesis of analogues with terminal unsaturation in the side-chain. Terminal alkenyl derivatives were found to be potent antivirals whereas the terminal alkynyls displayed poor activity.

Antiviral Agents↗

Benzyl-functionalized cycloSal-d4T monophosphates.

Synthetic routes to benzyl-functionalized cycloSal-d4T monophosphates (7CH2X-cycloSal-d4TMP) have been developed. Their hydrolytic behavior in basic aqueous solution (pH = 7.3) was studied and their hydrolysis half-lives were determined. It turned out that two different degradation pathways are leading to different products: beside the formation of the expected d4TMP and a styrene type derivative, a phenyl-d4T-phosphodiester was obtained as well. The product distribution was specified.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Bicyclic furo pyrimidine nucleosides with aryloxyphenyl and halophenyl substituted side chains as potent and selective varicella-zoster virus inhibitors.

The discovery of potent and selective inhibitors of VZV based on unusual bicyclic alkyl furo pyrimidine nucleosides has been recently reported. Modifications to the side-chain by addition of a phenyl group were found to further enhance the antiviral potency of these compounds. A series of alkoxyphenyl compounds (5a-5g) and two halophenyl derivatives (5h and 5i) were successfully synthesised and displayed anti-VZV activity at low microM concentrations.

Antiviral Agents↗

Study of different substituted cyclic and acyclic benzylpronucleotides of d4T relative to their hydrolytic stability and antiviral activity.

CycloSal-d4TMP and two different bis(benzyl) phosphate triesters of the antivirally active nucleoside analog d4T were studied with regard to their chemical hydrolysis behavior at pH 7.3, in CEM/0 cell extracts, and their anti-HIV activity. In contrast to triesters 2-4, bis-(o-AB)-d4TMP 1 was found to be chemically exquisitely stable. All compounds led to the formation of d4TMP in cell extracts and all triesters achieved the TK-bypass.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

Novel nucleotide analogues as potential substrates for TMPK, a key enzyme in the metabolism of AZT.

Novel cyclic and acyclic analogues of dTMP and AZTMP were synthesized from the corresponding cycloSal-phosphotriesters. This method yielded the nucleotides in good yields with a simple work-up. Investigation of the substrate properties of the modified nucleotides towards TmpK showed, that they are very poor substrates for this key enzyme in the bioactivation of AZT.

Biotransformation↗

d4TMP delivery from 7-substituted cycloSal-d4TMPs.

Benzyl-substituted cycloSal-d4T monophosphates were prepared and evaluated for their ability to release d4TMP selectively. In contrast to previously reported derivatives, two of the new compounds release d4TMP as the sole product while two others gave the expected benzyl phosphate diesters. However, these diesters were surprisingly stable against degradation to release d4TMP.

Dideoxynucleotides↗