Antitumor anthracyclines: recent developments

Molecular dynamics simulations of doxorubicin in sphingomyelin-based lipid membranes

Doxorubicin (DOX) is one of the most efficient antitumor drugs employed in numerous cancer therapies. Its incorporation into lipid-based nanocarriers, such as liposomes, improves the drug targeting into tumor cells and reduces drug side effects. The carriers' lipid composition is expected to affect the interactions of DOX and its partitioning into liposomal membranes. To get a rational insight into this aspect and determine promising lipid compositions, we use numerical simulations, which provide unique information on DOX-membrane interactions at the atomic level of resolution. In particular, we combine classical molecular dynamics simulations and free energy calculations to elucidate the mechanism of penetration of a protonated Doxorubicin molecule (DOX⁺) into potential liposome membranes, here modeled as lipid bilayers based on mixtures of phosphatidylcholine (PC), sphingomyelin (SM) and cholesterol lipid molecules, of different compositions and lipid phases. Moreover, we analyze DOX⁺ partitioning into relevant regions of SM-based lipid bilayer systems using a combination of free energy methods. Our results show that DOX⁺ penetration and partitioning are facilitated into less tightly packed SM-based membranes and are dependent on lipid composition. This work paves the way to further investigations of optimal formulations for lipid-based carriers, such as those associated with pH-responsive membranes.

A glance over doxorubicin based-nanotherapeutics: From proof-of-concept studies to solutions in the market

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and, as such, efforts are being done to find new chemotherapeutic drugs or, alternatively, novel approaches for the delivery of old ones. In this scope, when used as vehicles for drugs, nanomaterials may potentially maximize the efficacy of the treatment and reduce its side effects, for example by a change in drug's pharmacokinetics, cell targeting and/or specific stimuli-responsiveness. This is the case of doxorubicin (DOX) that presents a broad spectrum of activity and is one of the most widely used chemotherapeutic drugs as first-line treatment. Indeed, DOX is a very interesting example of a drug for which several nanosized delivery systems have been developed over the years. While it is true that some of these systems are already in the market, it is also true that research on this subject remains very active and that there is a continuing search for new solutions. In this sense, this review takes the example of doxorubicin, not so much with the focus on the drug itself, but rather as a case study around which very diverse and imaginative nanotechnology approaches have emerged.

Synthesis of (±)-Idarubicinone via Global Functionalization of Tetracene

Anthracyclines are archetypal representatives of the tetracyclic type II polyketide natural products that are widely used in cancer chemotherapy. Although the synthesis of this class of compounds has been a subject of several investigations, all known approaches are based on annulations, relying on the union of properly prefunctionalized building blocks. Herein, we describe a conceptually different approach using a polynuclear arene as a starting template, ideally requiring only functional decorations to reach the desired target molecule. Specifically, tetracene was converted to (±)-idarubicinone, the aglycone of the FDA approved anthracycline idarubicin, through the judicious orchestration of Co- and Ru-catalyzed arene oxidation and arenophile-mediated dearomative hydroboration. Such a global functionalization strategy, the combination of site-selective arene and dearomative functionalization, provided the key anthracycline framework in five operations and enabled rapid and controlled access to (±)-idarubicinone.

Rhodomycin analogues from Streptomyces purpurascens: isolation, characterization and biological activities

During a screening program for bioactive natural products, a potential Streptomyces sp was isolated from soil. On the basis of biochemical, cultural, physiological and 16S rRNA gene analysis, it was identified as Streptomyces purpurascens. The isolate was grown in liquid medium and the crude antibiotic complex was obtained by ethyl acetate extraction. Seven purified fractions were obtained by preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Acid hydrolysis of each fraction and subsequent TLC led to the identification of aglycones and sugars indicating these compounds to be Rhodomycin and its analogues. The identity of these compounds was established on the basis of UV-visible and FT-IR spectra and comparison with published data. The compounds were active against Gram-positive bacteria. Compound E, identified as Rhodomycin B, was found to be the most potent compound with an MIC of 2 μg/ml against Bacillus subtilis. Compounds A and F identified as α2-Rhodomycin II and Obelmycin respectively, and Compound E exhibited an IC50 of 8.8 μg/ml against HeLa cell line but no cytotoxicity was found against L929.

Spectrophotometric determination of the acidity constants of calcon in water and mixed water-organic solvents

The acid-base properties of calcon (1-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylazo)-2- -naphthol-4-sulfonic acid) in water and mixed water-organic solvents at 25 ?C at an ionic strength of 0.10 M are studied by a multiwavelength spectrophotometric method. The organic solvents used were the amphiprotic (methanol), dipolar aprotic (dimethylsulfoxide), and low basic aprotic (acetonitrile). To evaluate the pH absorbance data, a resolution method based on the combination of soft- and hard-modeling was applied. The acidity constants of all related equilibria were estimated using the whole spectral fitting of the collected data to an established factor analysis model. The data analysis program Datan was applied for determination of the acidity constants. The corresponding pKa values were determined in water and mixed water-organic solvents. Linear relationship between the acidity constants and the mole fraction of the different solvents in the mixtures exist. The effect of solvent properties on acid-base behavior is discussed.

Interspecies DNA microarray analysis identifies WblA as a pleiotropic down-regulator of antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces

Using Streptomyces coelicolor microarrays to discover regulators of gene expression in other Streptomyces species, we identified wblA, a whiB-like gene encoding a putative transcription factor, as a down-regulator of doxorubicin biosynthesis in Streptomyces peucetius. Further analysis revealed that wblA functions pleiotropically to control antibiotic production and morphological differentiation in streptomycetes. Our results reveal a novel biological role for wblA and show the utility of interspecies microarray analysis for the investigation of streptomycete gene expression.

Structure elucidation and antifungal activity of an anthracycline antibiotic, daunomycin, isolated from Actinomadura roseola

The actinomycete strain Ao108 producing antifungal metabolites active against some plant pathogenic fungi was identified as Actinomadura roseola, based on the analyses of morphological and physiological characteristics. The antibiotic Da2B that showed a strong antifungal activity was isolated from the culture broth and mycelial mats of A. roseola strain Ao108 using various chromatographic procedures. On the basis of (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, and 2-D NMR correlation data, the antibiotic Da2B was confirmed to have the structure of an anthracycline antibiotic, daunomycin. In vitro antimicrobial spectrum tests showed that the antibiotic Da2B had substantial inhibitory activity (10 microg mL(-)(1) of MICs) against mycelial growth of Phytophthora capsici and Rhizoctonia solani. The antibiotic also showed antiyeast activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, but the growth of Candida albicans was not affected. Antibacterial activity was found only against Gram-positive bacteria. In the further evaluation of in vivo efficacy, application of the antibiotic Da2B effectively inhibited the development of Phytophthora blight in pepper plants. However, the control efficacy of the antibiotic against Phytophthora infection was somewhat less than that of metalaxyl. The antibiotic Da2B did not show any phytotoxicity on pepper plants even at 500 microg mL(-)(1).

An efficient synthesis of peri-hydroxy aromatic compounds via a strong-base-induced

An efficient synthesis of peri-hydroxy aromatic compounds has been accomplished via a strong-base-induced [4+2] cycloaddition of homophthalic anhydrides with alpha-sulfinyl-substituted derivatives of enolizable enones. The unsubstituted enones did not undergo an efficient [4+2] cycloaddition reaction with homophthalic anhydrides, presumably due to their enolization under the basic reaction conditions. The sulfinyl group not only promotes the cycloaddition reaction but also undergoes in situ elimination under the reaction conditions to afford the peri-hydroxy aromatic compounds in a single step. The application of this methodology for the synthesis of a key intermediate of antitumor antibiotic fredericamycin A is described. PM3 calculations of various 2-substituted cyclopentenones as well as the mechanism of the cycloaddition are also discussed.

Isolation and characterization of a gene from Streptomyces sp. strain C5 that confers the ability to convert daunomycin to doxorubicin on Streptomyces lividans TK24

DNA sequence analysis of a region of the Streptomyces sp. strain C5 daunomycin biosynthesis gene cluster, located between the daunomycin polyketide biosynthesis gene cluster and a dnrI (transcriptional activator) homolog, revealed the presence of a gene encoding a P-450-like enzyme with a deduced Mr of 46,096. Expression of this gene, named herein doxA, in Streptomyces lividans TY24 resulted in in vivo bioconversion of daunomycin to doxorubicin. DoxA showed specificity for only daunomycin and 13-dihydrodaunomycin, both of which were converted to doxorubicin. Daunomycinone (daunomycin aglycone), carminomycin, 13-dihydrocarminomycin, idarubicin, and aklavin were not apparent substrates for DoxA. In vector controls or in vectors in which doxA was poorly expressed, S. lividans catalyzed the reduction of daunomycin and other 13-oxo-anthracyclines and -anthracyclinones to their 13-dihydro homologs.

Partitional and motional properties of a spin-labeled daunomycin in lipid bilayers. An ESR study

The partition coefficient of a spin-labeled daunomycin (DAU-SL) in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine membrane has been determined using the electron spin resonance (ESR) method. The experiment was carried out as a function of temperature between 5 degrees C and 35 degrees C, giving partition coefficients between 2 and 6 without abrupt change at the phase transition. The thermodynamic parameters on transferring the DAU-SL from the aqueous phase to the lipid bilayer were also calculated. The calculated values are: delta H = 6.11 kcal/mol and delta S = 23 cal/K mol. The partitioning of the DAU-SL and its motion in the membrane were investigated in a wide range of pH (4-10.3). The data show that pH has no effect on partitioning of the DAU-SL which suggest that the drug exists in the uncharged form in the bilayer.

The peculiar binding properties of 4'-deoxy,4'-iododoxorubicin to isolated DNA and 175 bp nucleosomes

The thermodynamic parameters governing the interaction of 4'-deoxy,4'-iododoxorubicin (4'-IAM) to double stranded DNA or 175 bp nucleosomes have been evaluated at different ionic strength and temperature conditions by means of fluorescence techniques. The iodo-anthracycline exhibits quite different characteristics from the parent compounds adriamycin (AM) and daunomycin (DM) and other second generation derivatives. In fact, the contribution of electrostatic interactions to the total free energy of binding is rather poor and the changes in enthalpy, usually high and negative, are low and eventually positive. Unlike other members of its family, 4'-IAM exhibits preference for the nucleosomal structure. In addition, its binding to isolated DNA is remarkably cooperative. Circular dichroism studies show changes in the geometry of the intercalation complex when the drug binds to nucleosomes. The possibility for the iodo-sugar moiety to act as an alkylating or free-radical producing species was also considered as an alternative mechanism of action. However, no evidence was obtained to support these hypotheses. Thus the major differences observed in DNA-binding in comparison to parent anthracyclines appear to be mostly related to the lower pKa and higher lipophilicity exhibited by 4'-IAM.

Effect of amrinone on anthracycline-induced lethal and cardiac toxicity in mice and rats

The protective role of amrinone against toxicity of anthracyclines was examined in both mice and rats. These two anthracyclines were selected since they are characterized by different patterns of toxicity. In contrast to doxorubicin, the 4'-deoxy derivative did not cause delayed mortality. The results of this investigation indicate that amrinone is an effective protective agent against acute lethal events induced by both anthracyclines. However, the inotropic agent did not reduce the delayed mortality produced by doxorubicin. This parallels the apparent lack of prevention of doxorubicin-induced myocardial toxicity in CD rats, as determined by ECG changes and by morphologic alterations following multiple drug administrations. The administration of amrinone did not interfere with the antitumor activity of 4'-deoxy-doxorubicin against C-26 colon tumor.

Inclusion complexation of doxorubicin and daunorubicin with cyclodextrins

The interaction of alpha-, beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins with the anthracycline antibiotics doxorubicin and daunorubicin was investigated by LC, circular dichroism (CD) and absorption spectroscopy. All studies were performed in aqueous media at different temperatures and pH values. The anthracyclines complex only with gamma-cyclodextrin. Lineweaver-Burk and Scott's plots were used to calculate the stability constants of the anthracycline-gamma-cyclodextrin inclusion complexes.

Microbial transformation of semisynthetic derivatives of daunomycinone modified in ring A

Semisynthetic derivatives of daunomycinone with 7,9-isopropylacetal, 7-O-methyl, 7-O-(4-penten-2-yl), and 7-O-(2-hydroxyethyl) substituents were converted by Streptomyces peucetius var. caesius (an adriamycin-blocked mutant) into 7-deoxy-13-dihydrodaunomycinone, while daunomycinone was transformed into 13-dihydrodaunomycinone (predominantly) and 7-deoxy-13-dihydrodaunomycinone. S. coeruleorubidus mutants 24-74 (accumulating aclavinone derivatives instead of daunomycin and related compounds) and 96-85 (producing no anthracycline substances), and S. aureofaciens B-96 (a tetracycline-blocked mutant) transformed the above substrates into the corresponding 13-dihydro derivatives, with the exception of 7,9-isopropylacetal daunomycinone which remained intact. 7-O-Propyn-1-yl daunomycinone was not transformed by any of the strains used under the conditions.

The role of reductive and oxidative metabolism in the toxicity of mitoxantrone, adriamycin and menadione in human liver derived Hep G2 hepatoma cells

The cytotoxic properties of quinones, such as menadione, are mediated through one electron reduction to yield semi-quinone radicals which can subsequently enter redox cycles with molecular oxygen leading to the formation of reactive oxygen radicals. In this study the role of reduction and oxidation in the toxicity of mitoxantrone was studied and its toxicity compared with that of adriamycin and menadione. The acute toxicity of mitoxantrone was not mediated through one-electron reduction, since inhibition of the enzymes glutathione reductase and catalase, responsible for protecting the cells against oxidative damage, did not affect its toxicity. Adriamycin was the most potent inhibitor of protein and RNA synthesis of the three quinones. Menadione, at concentrations up to 25 microM, did not inhibit either protein or RNA synthesis unless dicoumarol, an inhibitor of DT-diaphorase, was also present. The two-electron reduction of menadione by DT-diaphorase is therefore a protective mechanism in the cell. This enzyme also protected against the toxicity of high concentrations (100 microM) of mitoxantrone. The inhibitory effect of mitoxantrone, but not of menadione or adriamycin, on cell growth was prevented by inhibiting the activity of cytochrome P450-dependent mixed function oxidase (MFO) system using metyrapone. This suggests that mitoxantrone is oxidised to a toxic intermediate by the MFO system.

Streptomycetes producing daunomycin and related compounds: do we know enough about them after 25 years?

The growing need of highly potent anticancer agents has stimulated the investigation of streptomycetes producing daunomycin-type anthracyclines. This review compares the features of production strains and their mutants and emphasizes the necessity of application of biochemical and biophysical analytical methods for better understanding these microorganisms and, above all, their further improving and practical usage.

The toxicity of menadione and mitozantrone in human liver-derived Hep G2 hepatoma cells

The cytotoxic properties of quinone drugs such as menadione and adriamycin are thought to be mediated through one-electron reduction to semiquinone free radicals. Redox cycling of the semiquinones results in the generation of reactive oxygen species and in oxidative damage. In this study the toxicity of mitozantrone, a novel quinone anticancer drug, was compared with that of menadione in human Hep G2 hepatoma cells. Mitozantrone toxicity in these cells was not mediated by the one-electron reduction pathway. In support of this, inhibition of the enzymes glutathione reductase and catalase, responsible for protecting the cells from oxidative damage, did not affect the response of the Hep G2 cells to mitozantrone, whereas it exacerbated menadione toxicity. In addition, the toxicity of menadione was preceded by depletion of reduced glutathione which was probably due to oxidation of the glutathione. Mitozantrone did not cause glutathione depletion prior to cell death. DT-diaphorase activity and intracellular glutathione were found to protect the cells from the toxicity of both quinones. Inhibition of epoxide hydrolase potentiated mitozantrone toxicity but did not affect that of menadione. Our experiments indicate that mitozantrone toxicity may involve activation to an epoxide intermediate. Both quinone drugs inhibited cytochrome P-450-dependent mixed-function oxidase activity, although menadione was more potent in this respect.

Free radical formation by antitumor quinones

Quinones are among the most frequently used drugs to treat human cancer. All of the antitumor quinones can undergo reversible enzymatic reduction and oxidation, and form semiquinone and oxygen radicals. For several antitumor quinones enzymatic reduction also leads to formation of alkylating species but whether this involves reduction to the semiquinone or the hydroquinone is not always clear. The antitumor activity of quinones is frequently linked to DNA damage caused by alkylating species or oxygen radicals. Some other effects of the antitumor quinones, such as cardiotoxicity and skin toxicity, may also be related to oxygen radical formation. The evidence for a relationship between radical formation and the biological activity of the antitumor quinones is evaluated.

Immobilization of a primary amine-containing drug, adriamycin. Coupling to crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol and mechanistic comparison of hydrolytic stability

Literature reports have described the covalent coupling of the primary amine-containing anticancer drug, adriamycin, to polymeric supports through the amine group on the drug. These reports also have described drug mechanism studies with the immobilized adriamycin, where the release of the drug would undermine the validity of the conclusions. In the present paper, detailed experimental conditions are given for preparation of nonwater-soluble particles of polyvinyl alcohol by crosslinking water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol with 1,4-benzenedicarboxaldehyde, and for activation with cyanuric chloride and covalent attachment of adriamycin. The expected stability of this drug-support linkage against hydrolytic cleavage is compared mechanistically to that expected for less stable coupling through a carbamate linkage or for less stable coupling via an azomethine link.

Effect of cyclodextrins on anthracycline stability in acidic aqueous media

The effect of cyclodextrins on the stability of six anthracyclines in acidic medium at 50 degrees C has been investigated using a stability-indicating high pressure liquid chromatographic method. The influences of various parameters, such as the structure of cyclodextrins (alpha-cyclodextrin, beta-cyclodextrin, dimethyl-beta-cyclodextrin and gamma-cyclodextrin) and anthracyclines, cyclodextrin concentration, the pH and the presence of a co-solvent, are investigated. Lineweaver-Burk plots were used to calculate the stability constants of the various inclusion complexes as well as the rate constants for degradation of the anthracycline guest molecules in the complexes with the host cyclodextrins. Anthracyclines complexate only with gamma-cyclodextrin to a substantial extent. On complexation the stability of the guest molecule increases, however, the degradation pattern does not alter. The influence of the pH on the degradation of the included molecule is identical to that of the free drug. Addition of co-solvents, such as acetonitrile, causes decomposition of the complex.