Synthesis, hydrolyses and dermal delivery of N-alkyl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl (NANAOCAM) derivatives of phenol, imide and thiol containing drugs

Macromolecular prodrug that provides the irinotecan (CPT-11) active-metabolite SN-38 with ultralong half-life, low C(max), and low glucuronide formation

We have recently reported a chemical approach for half-life extension that utilizes β-eliminative linkers to attach amine-containing drugs or prodrugs to macromolecules. The linkers release free drug or prodrug over periods ranging from a few hours to over 1 year. We adapted these linkers for use with phenol-containing drugs. Here, we prepared PEG conjugates of the irinotecan (CPT-11) active metabolite SN-38 via a phenyl ether that release the drug with predictable long half-lives. Pharmacokinetic studies in the rat indicate that, in contrast to other SN-38 prodrugs, the slowly released SN-38 shows a very low C(max), is kept above target concentrations for extended periods, and forms very little SN-38 glucuronide (the precursor of enterotoxic SN-38). The low SN-38 glucuronide is attributed to low hepatic uptake of SN-38. These macromolecular prodrugs have unique pharmacokinetic profiles that may translate to less intestinal toxicity and interpatient variability than the SN-38 prodrugs thus far studied.

Prodrug approaches to reduce hyperexcitation in the CNS

Hyperexcitation in the central nervous system is the root cause of a number of disorders of the brain ranging from acute injury to chronic and progressive diseases. The major limitation to treatment of these ailments is the miniscule, yet formidable blood-brain barrier. To deliver therapeutic agents to the site of desired action, a number of biomedical engineering strategies have been developed including prodrug formulations that allow for either passive diffusion or active transport across this barrier. In the case of prodrugs, once in the brain compartment, the active therapeutic agent is released. In this review, we discuss in some detail a number of factors related to treatment of central nervous system hyperexcitation including molecular targets, disorders, prodrug strategies, and focused case studies of a number of therapeutics that are at a variety of stages of clinical development.

Development of acetaminophen proline prodrug

In this research work, proline ester prodrug of acetaminophen (Pro-APAP) was synthesized and evaluated for its stability in PBS buffer at various pH and Caco-2 cell homogenate. The Pro-APAP is more stable at lower pH than higher pH, with half-life of 120min in PBS buffer at pH 2.0, half-life of 65min at pH 5.0, and half life of 3.5min at pH 7.4, respectively. The half-life of Pro-APAP in Caco-2 cell homogenate is about 1min, much shorter than the half-life in PBS buffer at pH 7.4, indicating enzymes in the cell homogenate contribute to the hydrolysis of the ester bond. Carboxypeptidase A was incubated with Pro-APAP at pH 7.4 with half-life of 3.8min which is very close to the half life in buffer itself. This clearly indicates carboxypeptidase A is not one of the enzymes contributing to the hydrolysis of the prodrug. Physicochemical characteristics such as melting point and stability of newly synthesized prodrug were determined by MDSC technique.

New chemistry with old functional groups: on the reaction of isonitriles with carboxylic acids--a route to various amide types

Thermolysis of isonitriles with carboxylic acids provides, in one step, N-formyl imides (see, for example, 8 + 19 --> 21). The resultant N-formyl group can be converted to N-H, NCH2OH, or NCH3. This chemistry allows for a new route for synthesizing beta-N (asparagine)-linked glycosyl amino acids.

Prodrugs: design and clinical applications

Prodrugs are bioreversible derivatives of drug molecules that undergo an enzymatic and/or chemical transformation in vivo to release the active parent drug, which can then exert the desired pharmacological effect. In both drug discovery and development, prodrugs have become an established tool for improving physicochemical, biopharmaceutical or pharmacokinetic properties of pharmacologically active agents. About 5-7% of drugs approved worldwide can be classified as prodrugs, and the implementation of a prodrug approach in the early stages of drug discovery is a growing trend. To illustrate the applicability of the prodrug strategy, this article describes the most common functional groups that are amenable to prodrug design, and highlights examples of prodrugs that are either launched or are undergoing human trials.

N-Alkyl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl (NANAOCAM) prodrugs of carboxylic acid containing drugs

Synthesis and hydrolysis in aqueous buffers of novel N-alkyl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl (NANAOCAM) and N-aryl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl (NArNAOCAM) derivatives of carboxylic acid containing drugs were carried out. The hydrolysis follows a S(N)1 type mechanism and is dependent on the nucleofugacity of the leaving group. Topical delivery of the NANAOCAM derivative of naproxen from IPM across hairless mice skin was examined in in vitro diffusion cell experiments. The prodrug was 4.5-fold less lipid soluble, 2.4-fold less water soluble and 3.6-fold less permeable than the parent drug.

Synthesis and topical delivery of N-alkyl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl prodrugs of a model phenolic drug: acetaminophen

The synthesis, physicochemical characterization and flux of a homologous series of N-alkyl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl (NANAOCAM) prodrugs of a model phenolic drug, acetaminophen (APAP), have been investigated. The most water soluble member of the series gave the highest transdermal delivery from isopropyl myristate (IPM) through hairless mouse skin. The flux of NANAOCAM prodrugs of APAP was accurately predicted by the Roberts-Sloan (RS) equation.

Topical delivery of N-alkyl-N-alkyloxycarbonylaminomethyl (NANAOCAM) prodrugs of theophylline (ThH)

N(7)-(N-Alkyl-N-alkyloxycarbonyl) aminomethyl (NANAOCAM) prodrugs of theophylline (ThH) have been synthesized and characterized by their solubilities in isopropyl myristate (S(IPM)), solubilities in water (S(AQ)), partition coefficients between IPM and pH 4.0 buffer (K(IPM:4.0)) and by their ability to penetrate hairless mouse skin from IPM (J(MIPM)). The most lipid soluble and water soluble member, N-methyl-N-ethyloxy-carbonylaminomethyltheophylline, gave the highest flux through hairless mouse skin from IPM compared to ThH. The flux of NANAOCAM prodrugs of ThH can be accurately predicted by the Roberts-Sloan (RS) equation.