Thermal, X-ray Structural, and Dissolution Characteristics of Solid Forms Derived from the Anticancer Agents 2-Methoxyestradiol and 2-Methoxyestradiol-3,17-O,O-Bis-Sulfamate

2-Difluoromethoxy-Substituted Estratriene Sulfamates: Synthesis, Antiproliferative SAR, Antitubulin Activity, and Steroid Sulfatase Inhibition

2-Difluoromethoxyestratriene derivatives were designed to improve potency and in vivo stability of the drug candidate 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME2). Compound evaluation in vitro against the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA MB-231 breast cancer cells, as inhibitors of tubulin polymerisation and also steroid sulfatase (STS) both in cell lysates and in whole cells, showed promising activities. In antiproliferative assays 2-difluoromethoxyestradiol was less potent than 2ME2, but its sulfamates were often more potent than their corresponding non-fluorinated analogues. The fluorinated bis-sulfamate is a promising antiproliferative agent in MCF-7 cells (GI50 0.28 μM) vs the known 2-methoxyestradiol-3,17-O,O-bissulfamate (STX140, GI50 0.52 μM), confirming the utility of our approach. Compounds were also evaluated in the NCI 60-cell line panel and the fluorinated bis-sulfamate derivative displayed very good overall activities with a sub-micromolar average GI50 . It was a very potent STS inhibitor in whole JEG-3 cells (IC50 3.7 nM) similar to STX140 (4.2 nM) and additionally interferes with tubulin assembly in vitro and colchicine binding to tubulin. An X-ray study of 2-difluoromethoxy-3-benzyloxyestra-1,3,5(10)-trien-17-one examined conformational aspects of the fluorinated substituent. The known related derivative 2-difluoromethyl-3-sulfamoyloxyestrone was evaluated for STS inhibition in whole JEG-3 cells and showed an excellent IC50 of 55 pM.

A New, More Stable Polymorphic Form of Otilonium Bromide: Solubility, Crystal Structure, and Phase Transformation

A new polymorphic form of otilonium bromide is presented (Form I), and a thorough analysis of its crystal and molecular structure is performed. The compound suffers a temperature-driven first-order phase transition at about 396 K, which transforms it into the polymorph reported by Dapporto P and Sega A (Acta Cryst. 1986;C42:474-478) (Form II). Through thermal analysis and solubility experiments the relative stability of both crystal modifications were determined, confirming that at room temperature this new Form I is the more stable one, Form II existing just in a metastable state.

Inclusion complexes of 2-methoxyestradiol with dimethylated and permethylated β-cyclodextrins: models for cyclodextrin-steroid interaction

The interaction between the potent anticancer agent 2-methoxyestradiol (2ME) and a series of cyclodextrins (CDs) was investigated in the solid state using thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction, while the possibility of enhancing its poor aqueous solubility with CDs was probed by means of equilibrium solubility and dissolution rate measurements. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the inclusion complexes between 2ME and the derivatised cyclodextrins heptakis(2,6-di-O-methyl)-β-CD (DIMEB) and heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-CD (TRIMEB) revealed for the first time the nature of the encapsulation of a bioactive steroid by representative CD host molecules. Inclusion complexation invariably involves insertion of the D-ring of 2ME from the secondary side of each CD molecule, with the 17-OH group generally hydrogen bonding to a host glycosidic oxygen atom within the CD cavity, while the A-ring and part of the B-ring of 2ME protrude from the secondary side. In the case of the TRIMEB·2ME complex, there is evidence that complexation proceeds with mutual conformational adaptation of host and guest molecules. The aqueous solubility of 2ME was significantly enhanced by CDs, with DIMEB, TRIMEB, randomly methylated β-CD and hydroxypropyl-β-CD being the most effective hosts. The 2:1 host–guest β-CD inclusion complex, prepared by two methods, yielded very rapid dissolution in water at 37 °C relative to untreated 2ME, attaining complete dissolution within 15 minutes (co-precipitated complex) and 45 minutes (complex from kneading).