Abstract: The invention provides nitroaniline derivatives represented by general formula (1) where the nitro group is substituted at any one of the available benzene positions 2-6; where R and A separately represent the groups NO.sub.2, CN,COOR.sup.1, CONR.sup.1 R.sup.2, CSNR.sup.1 R.sup.2 or SO.sub.2 NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 and A is substituted at any one of the available benzene positions 2-6; where B represents N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 halogen).sub.2 or N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OSO.sub.2 R.sup.3).sub.2 substituted at any one of the available benzene positions; and where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 separately represent H, or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl, ether, carboxy or amino functions, including cyclic structures, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the nitrogen form a heterocyclic structure, and pharmaceutical preparations containing them. These compounds have activity as hypoxia-selective cytotoxins, reductively-activated prodrugs for cytotoxins, hypoxic cell radiosensitisers, and anticancer agents.

Abstract: A compound which comprises a prodrug of a protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor (PTKi) linked to a protecting group which is capable of being cleaved from the compound to release the PTKi, said PTKi prodrugs including tyrphostins, of formula (I), ##STR1## where X represents C, N or a group N.fwdarw.O, n is 1 to 3; each group R.sup.1, which may be the same or different is H, OH, mercapto, carboxy, formyl, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, C.sub.2-4 alkenyl, C.sub.1-4 alkoxy, C.sub.1-4 alkylthio, carboxyC.sub.1-4 alkyl, carboxyC.sub.2-4 alkenyl, C.sub.1-4 alkylsulphoxy, halo, nitro, amino, C.sub.1-4 alkylamino, or C.sub.1-4 dialkylamino, or when n is 2 or 3 two R.sup.1 groups may together form a methylenedioxy or ethylenedioxy group; R.sup.2 is H, OH, C.sub.1-4 alkyl or together with position 2 of the ring to which the group(s) R.sup.1 is (are) attached forms a 5 or 6 membered aliphatic or heterocyclic ring, optionally containing a ketone group; and R.sup.3 is cyano, carboxy, carbamoyl, thiocarbamoyl, C(O)HNCH.sub.2 CN, C(NH.sub.

Abstract: Nitrogen mustard pro-drugs of the formula ##STR1## are disclosed where R is the residue of an .alpha.-amino acid RNH.sub.2 and M is a disubstituted amino "mustard" group, useful in antibody directed enzyme pro-drug therapy in the treatment of cancer.

Abstract: Prodrugs, of generic formula I, are disclosed for use in antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT). The prodrugs are substrates for carboxypeptidase G2 (CPG2) and yield more active cytotoxic drugs than known products of CPG2 catalysed reactions.

Abstract: A focal magnetic resonance imaging system (20) for generating images of neural structures such as nerves. The system (20) includes a control and analysis system (22), a polarizing system (24), and splint-coil assembly (26). The splint-coil assembly (26) includes a splint (28) and various magnetic and electromagnetic coils (32,40,42) incorporated within the splint (28). The splint (28) conforms snugly to a patient's body part, e.g., limb, so that the coils (32,40,42) are fixed with respect to the patient's body part. The splint-coil assembly (26) can be positioned independently of a main field generated by the polarizing system (24), and a stabilization apparatus (156) is included for adjustably securing the position of the splint-coil assembly (26) during imaging. A focal magnet assembly (60) that can serve as the polarizing system (24) is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a nitroreductase, obtainable from a bacterium having the following characteristics as exemplified by examples isolated from Escherichia coli B and Bacillus amyloliquifaciens: 1) it is flavoprotein having a molecular weight in the range of 20-60 Kilodaltons; 2) it requires either NADH or NAD(P)H or analogues thereof as a cofactor; 3) it has a Km for NADH or NAD(P)H in the range of 1-100 .mu.M; and 4) it is capable of reducing either or both nitro groups of CB1954 and analogues thereof to a cytotoxic form e.g. the hydroxylamine. The sequence of one such nitroreductase is shown in Seq. ID No. 1. The nitroreductase may be conjugated to a tumor targeting agent such as a monoclonal antibody and used to convert prodrugs into active antitumor agents. Such prodrugs and drugs are also provided.

Abstract: Prodrugs, of generic formula I, are disclosed for use in antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT).

Abstract: The invention provides nitroaniline derivatives represented by general formula (I) where the nitro group is substituted at any one of the available benzene positions 2-6; where R and A separately represent the groups NO.sub.2, CN, COOR.sup.1, CONR.sup.1 R.sup.2, CSNR.sup.1 R.sup.2 or SO.sub.2 NR.sup.1 R.sup.2 and A is substituted at any one of the available benzene positions 2-6; where B represents N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 halogen).sub.2 or N(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OSO.sub.2 R.sup.3).sub.2 substituted at any one of the available benzene positions; and where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 separately represent H, or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl, ether, carboxy or amino functions, including cyclic structures, or R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together with the nitrogen form a heterocyclic structure, and pharmaceutical preparations containing them. These compounds have activity as hypoxia-selective cytotoxins, reductively-activated prodrugs for cytotoxins, hypoxic cell radiosensitisers, and anticancer agents.

Abstract: The use of the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, preferably substantially free of any other polyunsaturated fatty acids, is disclosed for making up medical preparations or compositions for the treatment of cachexia by inhibiting lipolytic activity of biologically active lipolytic agents present in body fluids and the activity of the enzyme guanidinobenzoatase, as well as for reducing abnormal cAMP levels in cells of adipose tissue in mammals, produced by lipolytic or fat mobilizing substances.

Abstract: Prodrugs, of generic formula I, are disclosed for use in antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT). The prodrugs are substrates for carboxypeptidase G2 (CPG2) and yield more active cytotoxic drugs than known products of CPG2 catalyzed reactions.

Abstract: A biologically active lipolytic factor having an average molecular weight substantially less than 5000 daltons and comprising active molecular species having molecular weights of about 3000 daltons, 1500 daltons and 700-800 daltons is disclosed. The factor can be isolated, using chromatographic methods, from cachexia-inducing tumors, cultures of tissue cells of cachexia-inducing tumors especially cultures of a MAC16 tumor cell line, or from body fluids such as serum or urine of mammals bearing cachexia-inducing tumors. Cancer diagnostic applications in relation to human individuals are described as well as uses for screening and identifying potential anti-cachetic and/or antitumor therapeutic agents.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of derivatives of hydroxymethoxy mandelic acid (HMMA) and homvanillic acid (HVA), to their use in raising antibodies, and in the production of labelled compounds, and to the use of such materials in immunoassays for HMMA and HVA.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds of the formula XX: M-Ar-CONH-R, where Ar represents an aromatic ring system, R-NH is the residue of an .alpha.-amino acid R-NH.sub.2 or oligopeptide R-NH.sub.2 and contains at least one carboxylic acid group in the form of a tertiary butyl ester and M represents a nitrogen mustard group of formula (a), where Y and L, which may be the same or different in a molecule, are leaving groups. The compounds are useful intermediates for the production of nitrogen mustard prodrugs.

Abstract: The novel class of xanthenone-4-acetic acids represented by the general formula (I) ##STR1## where R.sub.1 represents up to two of the groups lower alkyl, halogen, CF.sub.3, CN, NO.sub.2, NH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 COOH, OR.sub.2, OH, NHCOR.sub.2, NHSO.sub.2 R.sub.2, SR.sub.2, SO.sub.2 R.sub.2, CH.sub.2 CONHR.sub.2 or NHR.sub.2 (where R.sub.2 is lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxy, amino or methoxy functions), at any of the positions 1-8 which are available, R.sub.1 may also represent the substitution of an aza (--N.dbd.) group for one or two of the methine (--CH.dbd.) groups in the carbocyclic rings and two of R.sub.1 on any two available adjacent positions may also represent the grouping --CH.dbd.CH--CH.dbd.CH-- to form an additional fused benzene ring;and basic addition salts thereof, possess antitumour and antibacterial properties.

Abstract: [ 3H]-Imidazo[ 5,1-d] -1,2,3,5-tetrazin-4-one derivatives of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 represents hydrogen, or an alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group containing up to 6 carbon atoms, each such group being unsubstituted or substituted by from one to three substituents selected from halogen atoms, alkoxy, alkylthio, alkylsulphinyl and alkylsulphonyl groups containing up to 4 carbon atoms, and optionally substituted phenyl groups, or R.sup.1 represents a cycloalkyl group containing from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and R.sup.2 represents a carbamoyl group optionally N-substituted by one or two groups selected ftom alkyl and alkenyl groups containing up to 4 carbon atoms, and cycloalkyl groups containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms, are new therapeutically useful compounds possessing antineoplastic and immunomodulatory activity.

Abstract: A biologically active lipolytic factor having an average molecular weight substantially less than 5000 daltons and comprising active molecular species having molecular weights of about 3000 daltons, 1500 daltons and 700-800 daltons is disclosed. The factor can be isolated, using chromatographic methods, from cachexia-inducing tumours, cultures of tissue cells of cachexia-inducing tumours especially cultures of a MAC16 tumour cell line, or from body fluids such as serum or urine of mammals bearing cachexia-inducing tumours. Cancer diagnostic applications in relation to human individuals are described as well as uses for screening and identifying potential anti-cachetic and/or antitumour therapeutic agents.