The Scripps Research Institute

Institute for Diagnostic Research Gmbh of the Free University of Berlin

Wolfgang Wrasidlo

Rodney K Guy

Emmanuel Pitsinos

K C Nicolaou

Kyriacos Costa Nicolaou

Kai Licha

Wolfhard Semmler

The invention relates to acid-labile and enzymatically divisible compounds for in-vivo and in-vitro diagnosis by means of near infrared radiation (NIR-radiation), the use of said compounds as optic diagnostic and therapeutic agents, and the diagnostic agents containing said compounds.

Acid-labile and enzymatically divisible dye compounds for diagnosis with near infrared light and for therapy

Onium salts of taxo-diterpenoid-C,,2-O-aza-arenes form water soluble self-assembling nanostructures above a critical aggregation concentration. The onium salt of aza-arene includes a delocalized charge which renders derivatized taxo-diterpenoids amphoteric, enhances their solubility in water, and promotes self-assembly of water soluble nanostructures, e.g., helical fibular structures and spherical micellular structures. These same onium salts of taxo-diterpenoid-C,,2-O-aza-arenes are employed as water soluble prodrugs. For example, taxol-2&prime;-methylpyridinium tosylate (MPT) is characterized by an elevated aqueous solubility, rapid activation by serum protein, good stability in most other aqueous solutions, formation of a protein:taxol intermediate and good retention within the circulatory system. The toxicity of the activated form is comparable or greater than underivatized taxol. Furthermore, taxol-2&prime;-MPT can be synthesized by a simple one step reaction between taxol and 2-fluoro-1-MPT. The invention is applicable to taxol and taxol memetics having hydroxyls that are reactive with onium salts of 2-halogenated-aza-arenes. For example, taxol, C-2 substituted taxol and Taxotere each have reactive hydroxyls at the 2&prime; and 7 positions. The invention is also applicable to a wide array of 2-halogenated-aza-arenes.

Self-assembled taxo-diterpenoid nanostructures

Cyclic chemical switching method is employed for solubilizing and desolubilizing taxo-diterpenoids with respect to aqueous solvents. 2-Halogenated onium salts of aza-arenes are employed to derivatize taxo-diterpenoids so as to alter their solubility in aqueous solvents. The onium salt of aza-arene includes a delocalized charge which imparts polarity and aqueous solubility to taxo-diterpenoid derivatives. Solubilization is achieved in a one step derivatization with the onium salt of 2-halogenated aza-arenes. Desolubilization is achieved by contacting onium salts of taxo-diterpenoid-C,,2-O-aza-arenes with serum protein to displace the 2-O-aza-arene and form a soluble protein:taxo-diterpenoid intermediate. This protein:taxo-diterpenoid intermediate then dissociates over time to provide a bioactive taxo-diterpenoid. These same onium salts of taxo-diterpenoid-C,,2-O-aza-arenes are employed as water soluble prodrugs. The toxicity of the activated form is comparable or greater than underivatized taxol. The invention is applicable to taxol and taxol memetics having hydroxyls that are reactive with onium salts of 2-halogenated-aza-arenes.

Chemical switching of taxo-diterpenoids between low solubility active forms and high solubility inactive forms

Water soluble onium salt of taxo-diterpenoid

C-2'-methylpyridinium acetates (MPA)-taxol and C-2'-methylpyridinium acetates (MPA)-taxotere are prodrugs having good aqueous solubility, low toxiticity and high anti-minor activity. These prodrugs are administered to patients for treating minors. Adminstration may be by injection or infusion.

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Berlin, Germany

Wolfgang Wrasidlo