Compounds and methods for reducing undesired toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents

Abstract

Novel compositions and formulations are disclosed that have use as toxicity-reducing agents for various chemotherapeutic agents and as treatment for certain diseases and conditions. The compositions of matter are amino acid and peptide heteroconjugated disulfides of 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate sodium.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to novel compositions of matter, namely certain short-chain peptides, and short chain peptides conjugated with a thioalkane sulfonate or phosphonate salt. The compositions, when administered to patients also receiving chemotherapy for cancer or other diseases, are useful as protective agents to mitigate or eliminate the undesired toxic effects of the chemotherapeutic agent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Since the discovery of the antineoplastic properties of the nitrogen mustards more than 50 years ago, cancer chemotherapy has been an expanding area of scientific endeavor, and has been a critical component of cancer treatment along with surgery and radiation therapy. Where chemotherapy was once accepted only as a means to extend survival time for those patients diagnosed as incurable by surgery and/or radiation therapy, it is now a recognized modality of treatment in nearly all of the more than two thousand variations of cancer.

Modern cancer chemotherapy typically involves a combination of two or three different drugs, and the advances in technology and medical knowledge have greatly improved a patient's chances of recovery in many forms of cancer. The role of antineoplastic agents in cancer therapy varies widely depending upon the form of cancer. For example, chemotherapy is often the primary course of therapy in cancers of the ovary, testis, breast, bladder, and others, in leukemias and lymphomas, and is generally employed in combination with radiation therapy in the treatment of a large number of sarcomas, melanomas, myelomas, and others. In contrast, chemotherapy is often used only as a last resort or as a palliative treatment for most solid tumors, such as carcinomas of the pancreas and lung. There are exceptions within each class of tumor or other neoplasm.

Chemotherapeutic agents, which are commonly referred to throughout this specification as “antineoplastic agents” are classified into a number of diverse groups. The vast majority of these agents act as cytotoxic drugs, and each member of a specific group is postulated to typically exert its cytotoxic effects through a similar biological mechanism. However, it is important to note that a complete understanding of the biological and biochemical mechanisms of action of antineoplastic drugs is not fully known. The mechanisms of action recited in this specification are based upon the current state of the art, and each of these postulated mechanisms may or may not be important to the mechanism of actual cytotoxicity of the drug, or the manner in which the protective agents allay the toxic incidences recited herein.

Unfortunately, nearly all of the antineoplastic agents in use today have the potential to produce significant toxic effects on normal healthy cells apart from the desired killing effects on cancer cells. Drug toxicity can be severe enough to create life-threatening situations, which requires the coadministration of other drugs, the reduction and/or discontinuation of the antineoplastic drug, or the performance of other prophylactic maneuvers, any of which may impact negatively on the patient's treatment and/or the quality of life. Many times, the failure to achieve control of a patient's disease is due to the measures that must be taken to reduce the unwanted toxicity of the antineoplastic agent on healthy cells.

As of January 2003, more than eighty commercial antineoplastic agents have been approved for use in the United States. Even more antineoplastic agents are approved for usage overseas. There are also over two hundred investigational new drugs which are undergoing evaluation as antineoplastic agents in clinical trials in the United States and overseas. In addition, thousands of newly discovered compounds are evaluated every year as potential antineoplastic agents.

Mesna (Sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate; Mesnex®) is an internationally approved drug for use in conjunction with ifosfamide, to reduce the bladder toxicity commonly associated with therewith. The mechanism of action of mesna has been postulated to be its ability to react with acrolein, a metabolite of ifosfamide. Previous teachings taught that mesna was auto-oxidized in the mildly basic environment of blood plasma, and was reduced back to mesna in the acidic environment present in the kidneys and bladder.

Our investigations into the pharmacokinetics of mesna suggest that, in the human bloodstream, mesna reacts with various mercapto-containing amino acids, such as cysteine, homocysteine and glutathione to form disulfides of a heteroconjugate variety. Previously, disulfides of mesna, both the homoconjugate and the disulfide heteroconjugates were thought to be inactive, and that reduction to mesna was required for the drug to work.

Contrary to the prior teachings that suggested its inactive nature, BNP7787 (Disodium 2,2′-dithiobis ethane sulfonate; Tavocept™), the homoconjugated disulfide of mesna, is currently in late-stage human clinical trials in the United States, Europe and Japan as a toxicity-reducing agent when used in conjunction with cisplatin, carboplatin, paclitaxel, and combination regimens thereof. BNP7787 has also been disclosed in a number of United States and international patents as an effective toxicity-reducing agent for a number of other chemotherapeutic drugs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention discloses compounds that are heteroconjugates of mesna, which are useful as toxicity-reducing agents when used in combination with various chemotherapeutic agents. The compounds possess the following formula I: (I) X—S—S—R₁-R₂, wherein:

• • R₁ is lower alkylene, optionally substituted by aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, mercapto, alkylthio or arylthio for a corresponding hydrogen atom;
  • R₂ is sulfonate or phosphonate;
  • X is a sulfur-containing amino acid or a peptide consisting of 2-10 amino acids, optionally substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, mercapto, alkylthio or hydroxy for a corresponding hydrogen atom; and
  • pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

This invention also provides for pharmaceutical formulations containing a formula I compound as the active agent, combined with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, fillers, diluents or additives to form a pharmaceutically elegant formulation suitable for administration to human patients.

This invention also provides for methods of reducing the toxicity of treatment regimens that include administration of one or more chemotherapeutic agents. The methods of use involve administering an effective, or toxicity-reducing amount of formula I compound to a patient undergoing chemotherapy for cancer or other disease.

It is a principle object of this invention to provide for novel and useful compounds that reduce or eliminate the undesirable toxicities associated with chemotherapy treatments.

Another object is to provide for pharmaceutical formulations of the novel compounds that may be administered safely and efficiently.

Another object is to provide methods for reducing or eliminating the undesirable toxicities commonly associated with chemotherapy.

Other objects will become apparent upon a reading of the following description and claims.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments herein described are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. They are chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention, and its application and practical use to thereby enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

DEFINITIONS

“Lower alkylene” means a bridging moiety formed of one to six ‘—CH₂—’ groups.

“Aryl” means an aromatic ring or ring system consisting of one or more rings, preferably one to three rings, fused or unfused, with the ring atoms consisting entirely of carbon atoms.

“Lower alkyl” means a straight or branched-chain aliphatic hydrocarbon containing one to six carbon atoms.

“Lower alkenyl” and “lower alkynyl” means a straight or branched chain hydrocarbon containing one to six carbon atoms, and with at least one double bond (alkenyl) or triple bond (alkynyl) between two of the carbon atoms.

This invention comprises novel compounds having the formula: (I) X—S—S—R₁-R₂, wherein:

• • R₁ is lower alkylene, optionally substituted by aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, mercapto, alkylthio or arylthio for a corresponding hydrogen atom;
  • R₂ is sulfonate or phosphonate;
  • X is a sulfur-containing amino acid or a peptide consisting of 2-10 amino acids, optionally substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, mercapto, alkylthio or hydroxy for a corresponding hydrogen atom; and
  • pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.

The invention also comprises pharmaceutical formulations that include a formula I compound as active ingredient, and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, diluents, additives, fillers, etc., wherein the formulation is adapted for administration to mammalian patients.

The invention also includes methods of reducing the toxicity of various antineoplastic and other drugs by administering effective amounts of the formula I compound (or a formulation thereof) to the patient in conjunction with the antineoplastic drug.

The formula I compounds are heteroconjugated disulfides of mesna (2-mercaptoethane sulfonate sodium). The preferred method of synthesizing a formula I compound is shown below in Schemes 1 and 2.

Scheme 1 illustrates a preferred synthesis of the resin-bound mesna intermediates. The resin, preferably polystyrene microspheres of 200-400 mesh size, is functionalized with an appropriate linker, shown in Scheme 1 as sodium sulfinate. The functionalization of the resin is preferably carried out in a two-step process as shown. First, the resin is combined with a halogenated reactant to form an intermediate sulfinyl chloride linked resin, then a substitution reaction forms the sulfinate-linked resin.

2-mercaptoethane sulfonate sodium is then functionalized with an appropriate leaving group, preferably a nitric oxide moiety, and then reacted with the functionalized polystyrene to form the intermediate polymer bound mesna.

Scheme 2 illustrates the synthesis of the formula I compounds of this invention where R₁ is ethyl and R₂ is sulfonate. As shown, the synthetic process is a one-step, single pot process in which the polymer bound mesna is reacted with a sulfur-containing amino acid, preferably cysteine, homocysteine or glutathione; or by a short-chain peptide having 2-10 amino acids, at least one of which is a sulfur-containing amino acid. Configuration of the reactant amino acid(s) may be pure L-enantiomer, pure D-enantiomer, or a racemic mixture of the D and L stereoisomers.

After separation of the resin by conventional methods, virtually pure formula I compound is obtained in high yields. The polymer bound sulfinate can be used again in the same or similar reactions.

Preferred compounds of formula I include those compounds where X is selected from the group consisting of: cysteine (cys); homocysteine (h-cys); glutathione (GSH); glutamic acid (glu); and short-chain peptides including cyteinyl glycine (cys-gly); glycinyl cysteine (gly-cys); glu-cys; cys-glu; glu-gly; and gly-glu. As stated above, the optical configuration of the amino acids can be the levorotatory (L) configuration, the dextrorotatory (D) configuration, or a racemic mixture thereof. Most preferred is the more active, naturally-occurring L-isomer in each case. Detailed examples of the synthesis of certain formula I compounds are set forth below.

The invention also includes pharmaceutical formulations that comprise a formula I compound and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable solvents, excipients, diluents, fillers or additives, to construct a pharmaceutically elegant formulation suitable for administration to mammalian patients.

The compounds of the present invention are preferably formulated prior to administration. Therefore, another aspect of the present invention is a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of formula I and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, or excipient. The present pharmaceutical formulations are prepared by known procedures using well-known and readily available ingredients. In making the compositions of the present invention, the active ingredient will usually be mixed with a carrier; or dissolved or suspended in a solvent; or enclosed within a carrier, which may be in the form of a capsule, sachet, paper, or other container. The compositions can be in the form of tablets, pills, powders, lozenges, sachets, cachets, elixirs, suspensions, emulsions, solutions, syrups, aerosols, ointments containing, for example up to 10% by weight of active compound, soft and hard gelatin capsules, suppositories, sterile injectable solutions, and sterile packaged powders.

Some examples of suitable carriers, excipients, and diluents include lactose, dextrose, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, starches, gum, acacia, calcium phosphate, alginates, tragacanth, gelatin, calcium silicate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), dimethylacetamide (DMA), dimethylisosorbide (DMI), N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP), cellulose, water syrup, methyl cellulose, methyl and propyl hydroxybenzoates, talc, magnesium stearate and mineral oil. The formulations can additionally include lubricating agents, wetting agents, emulsifying and suspending agents, preserving agents, sweetening agents, or flavoring agents. Compositions of the inventions may be formulated so as to provide quick, sustained, or delayed release of the active ingredient after administration to the patient by employing procedures well known in the art.

The compositions are preferably formulated in a unit dosage form, each dosage containing from about 5 mg to about 50,000 mg, more preferably about 25 to about 30,000 mg of the active ingredient. The most preferred unit dosage form contains about 10,000 mg of the active ingredient. The term “unit dosage form” refers to a physically discrete unit suitable as unitary dosages for human subjects and other mammals, each unit containing a predetermined quantity of active material calculated to produce the desired therapeutic effect, in association with a suitable pharmaceutical carrier. The following formulation examples are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Formulation 1

Hard gelatin capsules are prepared using the following ingredients:

Ingredient         Amount
Active Ingredient  1000 mg
Dried Starch       800 mg
Magnesium Stearate 20 mg

Formulation 2

A tablet is prepared using the ingredients below:

Ingredient                 Amount
Active Ingredient          1000 mg
Microcrystalline Cellulose 600 mg
Silicon Dioxide, Fumed     10 mg
Stearic Acid               10 mg

The components are blended and compressed to form tablets.

Formulation 3

Tablets each containing formula I compound as an active ingredient are made as follows:

Ingredient                 Amount
Active Ingredient          1000 mg
Starch                     600 mg
Microcrystalline Cellulose 300 mg
PVP                        2 mg
Magnesium Stearate         2 mg

The active ingredient, starch and cellulose are passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed thoroughly. The solution of PVP is mixed with the resultant powders, which are then passed through a No. 14 mesh U.S. sieve. The granules so produced are dried at 50° C. and passed through a No. 18 mesh U.S. sieve. The sodium carboxymethyl starch, magnesium stearate and talc, previously passed through a No. 60 mesh U.S. sieve, are then added to the granules which, after mixing, are compressed on a tablet machine to yield tablets each weighing about 2 g.

Formulation 4

Suspensions each containing 4,000 mg of medicament per 80 mL dose are made as follows:

	Ingredient	Amount
	Active Ingredient	4,000	mg
	Distilled Water	80	mL
	Syrup	3	mL
	Benzoic Acid Solution	1.0	mL
	Artificial Flavor	q.v.
	Artificial Color	q.v.
	Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose	400	mg

The medicament is passed through a No. 45 mesh U.S. sieve and mixed with the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and syrup to form a smooth paste. The benzoic acid solution, flavor and color are diluted with some of the water and added, with stirring. Sufficient water is then added to produce the required volume.

Formulation 5

An intravenous formulation may be prepared as follows:

	Ingredient	Amount
	Active Ingredient	10	g
	Purified Water	250	mL
	Mannitol	100	mg
	1 N Sodium Hydroxide	1	mL

The following examples illustrate one preferred synthesis of some of the formula I compounds. These examples are disclosed for illustrative purposes only, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLE 1

Preparation Of Resin Bound Mesna Intermediate From Sodium 2-Mercaptoethane Sulfonate

A mixture of polystyrene resin (5.0 g, Fluka, 200-400 mesh, 1% divinylbenzene) and chlorosulfonic acid (100 g) in 300 mL dichloromethane was stirred at room temperature under argon for approximately four hours, and then heated to reflux overnight. The resin was isolated by filtration while the reaction was allowed to cool to room temperature. Once the reaction temperature had cooled to room temperature, it was washed with dichloromethane (100 mL), acetonitrile (100 mL), and cold water (200 mL) sequentially. The pale brown-colored resin was then dried under high vacuum to give 9.04 g poly(styrene p-sulfonyl chloride) with 93% yield.

Poly(styrene p-sulfonyl chloride) resin (9.04 g) was suspended in 200 mL aqueous solution of sodium sulfite (60 g) and stirred at 60° C. for approximately 24 hours, isolated by filtration, washed with 200 mL water, and dried to give 8.4 gram product of mono sodium, polystyrene p-sulfinate with 99% yield.

To a solution of hydrochloric acid (2 N, 40 mL) bubbled with argon was added sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate (6.56 g). The reaction solution was cooled to 0° C. in an ice bath. 20 mL aqueous solution of sodium nitrite (2.76 g) was added slowly. The reaction solution turned red and was stirred for approximately 40 minutes after the addition. The mono sodium, polystyrene p-sulfinate (3.8 g) was added and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for approximately 16 hours. The resulting polystyrene p-sulfmate bound 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid sodium salt was isolated by filtration, rinsed with water and dried to give 3.9 g of the title intermediate.

EXAMPLE 2

L-Cysteine-Mesna Disulfide

L-Cysteine (0.50 g, 4.1 mmol) was dissolved in 50 mL de-ionized water bubbled with argon. Excessive polystyrene p-sulfinate bound 2- mercaptoethane sulfonic acid sodium salt (about 17 fold) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred under argon for approximately 4 days until all starting material of L-cysteine was consumed. The resin was removed by filtration and was recycled to prepare more disulfides. The pH of the filtrate was adjusted to neutral and lyophilized to give 0.842 g L-Cysteine-Mesna disulfide, with 72% yield.

¹H NMR (D₂O, 300 MHz) δ 3.05-3.14 (m, 3H), 3.27-3.35 (m, 3H), 3.97-4.01 (dd, 1H, J=8.1 & 4.2 Hz) ¹³C NMR (D₂O, 75 MHz) δ 31.5, 39.0, 50.4, 53.8, 174.4. HRMS Calcd. for C₅H₁₀NO₅S₃ Na₂ (M+Na): 305.9516; Found: 305.9495.

EXAMPLE 3

DL-Homocysteine-Mesna Disulfide

DL-Cysteine (0.42 g, 3.1 mmol) was dissolved in 25 mL de-ionized water bubbled with argon. Excessive polystyrene p-sulfinate bound 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid sodium salt (about 8.5 fold) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred under argon for approximately 4 days until all starting material of DL-Homocysteine was consumed. The resin was removed by filtration and was recycled to prepare more disulfides. The pH of filtrate was adjusted to neutral and lyophilized. The lyophilized wet cake was then recrystallized from minimum required quantity of water to give 0.293 g (32%) DL-Homocysteine-Mesna disulfide

¹H NMR (D₂O, 300 MHz) 2.27-2.43 (m, 2H), 2.85-2.9 (m, 2H), 3.01-3.07 (m, 2H), 3.26-3.31 (m, 2H), 4.11 (t, 1H, J=6.3 Hz,). ¹³C NMR (D₂O, 75 MHz) 29.4, 31.7, 32.5, 50.4, 52.1, 172.4. HRMS Calcd. for C₆H₁₄NO₅S₃ (M−Na+2H): 276.0034; Found: 276.0029.

EXAMPLE 4

Glutathione-Mesna Disulfide Glutathione (0.54 g, 1.76 mmol) was dissolved in 25 mL de-ionized water bubbled with argon. Excessive polystyrene p-sulfinate bound 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid sodium salt (about 15 fold) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred under argon for 4 approximately days until all starting material of glutathione was consumed. The resin was removed by filtration and was recycled to prepare more disulfides. The pH of filtrate was adjusted to neutral and lyophilized to give 486 mg Glutathione-Mesna disulfide, with 59% yield.

¹H NMR (D₂O, 300 MHz) 2.07-2.14 (m, 2H), 2.47-2.54 (m, 2H), 2.94-3.08 (m, 3H), 3.25-3.32 (m, 3H), 3.66-3.71 (m, 1H), 3.75 (d, 2H, J=3.3 Hz), 4.71 (m, 1H). ¹³C NMR (D₂O, 75 MHz) 26.6, 31.4, 31.9 and 32.0, 38.8, 43.6, 50.6, 52.6 and 52.8, 54.3, 172.0, 174.9, 175.2, 176.5. HRMS Calcd for C₁₂H₂₂N₃O₉S₃ (M−Na+2H): 448.0518; Found: 448.0497.

EXAMPLE 5

Cysteinyl glycine-Mesna Disulfide

Cysteinyl glycine (226 mg, 1.27 mmol) was dissolved in 25 mL de-ionized water bubbled with argon. Excessive polystyrene p-sulfinate bound 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid sodium salt (about 20.5 fold) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred under argon for approximately 3 days until all starting material of cysteinyl glycine was consumed. The resin was removed by filtration and was recycled to prepare more disulfides. The pH of the filtrate was adjusted to neutral and lyophilized to give 302 mg cysteinyl glycine-Mesna disulfide, with 70% yield.

¹H NMR (D₂O, 300 MHz) 3.07-3.19 (m, 3H), 3.27-3.39 (m, 3H), 3.93-4.1 (m, 2H), 4.41 (dd, 1H , J=8.1, 5.4 Hz). ¹³C NMR (D₂O, 75 MHz) 31.8, 37.9, 43.7, 50.4, 52.4, 168.5, 176.2.

EXAMPLE 6

-Glutamylcysteine-Mesna disulfide

-Glutamyl cysteine (200 mg, 0.8 mmol) was dissolved in 25 mL de-ionized water bubbled with argon. Excessive polystyrene p-sulfinate bound 2-mercaptoethane sulfonic acid sodium salt (about 32 fold) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred under argon for approximately 3 days until all starting material of -Glutamyl cysteine was consumed. The resin was removed by filtration and was recycled to prepare more disulfides. The pH of the filtrate was adjusted to neutral and lyophilized to give 316 mg -Glutamyl cysteine-Mesna disulfide, with 96% yield.

¹H NMR (D₂O, 300 MHz) 2.1-2.2 (m, 2H), 2.47-2.53 (m, 2H), 2.95-3.08 (m, 3H), 3.22-3.3 (m, 3H), 3.76 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H), 4.47 (dd, J=9.0 & 4.2 Hz, 1H). ¹³C NMR (D₂O, 75 MHz) 31.9, 39.8, 44.0, 46.4, 50.5, 54.3, 54.8, 174.6, 177.0.

This invention also includes methods of using the formula I compounds, and formulations that include the formula I compounds. Potential uses include, but are not limited to reducing toxicity of antineoplastic and other toxic pharmaceuticals; reducing the toxicity of toxic industrial, agricultural or military chemicals; reducing toxicity of acute or chronic exposure to radiation; treatment or mitigation of symptoms of a number of diseases, including diabetic complications, inflammatory arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, septic shock, ARDS and others.

Particular methods of use include administering an effective amount of the formula I compound (or a formulation thereof) to a patient in need of treatment, or as prophylactic measures to patients in danger of exposure to one of the stated conditions. An effective amount for purposes of this application means that amount necessary to achieve the desired result. Since the formula I compounds are of extremely low toxicity, large amounts (>40 g) can be administered safely with little or no adverse effects. Dosage may be on a single dose basis, or may be carried out on a regular schedule, depending upon the needs of the patient.

Claims

1. A compound having the formula: (I) X—S—S—R1-R2, wherein:

R1 is lower alkylene, optionally substituted by aryl, hydroxy, alkoxy, aryloxy, mercapto, alkylthio or arylthio for a corresponding hydrogen atom;

R2 is sulfonate or phosphonate;

X is a sulfur-containing amino acid or a peptide consisting of 2-10 amino acids, optionally substituted by lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, aryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, mercapto, alkylthio or hydroxy for a corresponding hydrogen atom; and

pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof.