COMPOUNDS FOR THE TREATMENT OF CANCERS ASSOCIATED WITH HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the pyrrolidine substituted with flavone
derivatives, represented by the compounds of Formula (I) (as described herein) or
pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers or diastereoisomers
thereof for use in the treatment of cancers associated with human papillomavirus
(HPV). The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions containing
the compounds of Formula (I) for use in the treatment of cancers associated with
human papillomavirus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a circular, non-enveloped dsDNA virus that
infects squamous epithelial cells. HPV enters the body, usually through a break in
the skin, and then infects the cells in the layers of the skin. HPV is transmitted by
skin-to-skin contact. HPV infections can be acquired through a cut or through sexual
activity with an infected person. This includes kissing or touching the skin of the
infected areas and having intercourse. A mother with a genital HPV infection may
also transmit the virus to the infant during labour.
HPVs are a group of more than 1 0 related viruses, 33% of which are known
to infect genital tract (Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 2004, 68 (2):362-
372). Certain types of human papillomavirus are able to transform normal cells into
abnormal ones which can go on to form cancer. Accordingly, these viruses are
classified as high-risk types and low-risk types. High-risk HPVs are associated with
cancers. Genital HPV infections are very common and can lead to anogenital
cancers. Persistent infections with high-risk HPVs are the primary cause of cervical
cancer. HPV infections also cause anal cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer and
penile cancer (Int. J. Cancer, 2006, 118(1 2): 3030-44). The high risk subtypes are
HPV 16, 18, 3 1 , 33, 35, 39, 45, 5 1, 52, 56, 58, 59, 66 and 68, the most common
being HPV 16, 18, 3 1, 33 and 45. Further, several types of HPVs, particularly type
16, have been found to be associated with HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer, a
form of head and neck cancer (N. Engl. J. Med., 2007, 356(1 9):1 944-56).
High risk HPVs produce two oncoproteins, E6 and E7, which are necessary
for viral replication. During the HPV infection in humans, the HPV E6 protein binds
and promotes the degradation of tumor suppressor p53 by an ubiquitin-mediated
pathway diminishing the ability of the cell to undergo apoptosis. The HPV E7 protein
binds and degrades the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), preventing it from inhibiting the
transcription factor E2F, resulting in loss of cell cycle control.
It has been estimated that HPV accounts for approximately 5 % of all cancers
worldwide {Int. J. Cancer, 2006, 118(12):3030-3044).
Cancer of the cervix uteri is the second most common cancer among women
worldwide. About 86% of the cases occur in developing countries. Cervical cancer
accounts to 13% of the cancers occurring in females (World: Human Pappilomavirus
and related cancers, summary report, November 201 0).
Persistent Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are now recognized as the
cause of essentially all cervical cancers. According to the American Cancer Society,
in 201 0, about 12,000 women in the United States would be diagnosed with this type
of cancer and more than 4,000 would die from it. Cervical cancer is diagnosed in
nearly half a million women each year worldwide, claiming a quarter of a million lives
annually.
Vulvar and Vaginal cancers account to about 3 to 5 % and 1-2 % respectively
of all gynecologic cancers and penile cancers accounts to about 0.2 % of all cancers
in the United States. Despite their infrequency, vulvar, vaginal and penile cancers
remain important diseases, because of their significant impact on sexuality. Though
there is no single etiologic factor, there is a strong association with HPV infection.
HPV is thought to be responsible for about 40% of penile cancers. Many studies
have shown the presence of HPV types 16 and 18 in penile carcinoma (Hum.
Pathol., 1991 , 22:908-913). HPV is also responsible for about 65% of vaginal
(International Journal of Cancer, 2009, 124(7): 1626-1 636) and 50 % of vulvar
cancers ( Vaccine, 2006, 24(suppl 3): S 1 1-S25) and HPV-1 6 accounted for most
HPV positive cases for both the cancers (Obstet. Gynecol., 2009, 113(4):917-24).
HPV infection is also associated with anal cancer. It is estimated that about
1,600 new cases of HPV-associated anal cancers are diagnosed in women and
about 900 are diagnosed in men each year in the United States. In general, HPV is
thought to be responsible for about 90% of anal cancers (International Journal of
Cancer, 2009, 124(7):1 626-1 636). Notably HPV 16 seems to be responsible for
most of the anal cancer. According to a study HPV 16, was detected in 84 percent of
anal cancer specimens examined (New England Journal of Medicine, 1997,
337(1 9):1 350-8).
Cancer of head and neck typically refers to squamous cell carcinomas of the
head and neck. Head and neck cancers account for approximately 3 percent of all
cancers in the United States (A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 2010, 60(5): 277-300).
Head and neck cancers are identified by the area in which they begin. They are
typically classified as: cancers of oral cavity, salivary gland, paranasal sinuses, nasal
cavity, pharynx, nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx and lymph nodes in
the upper part of the neck. Cancer of the oral cavity (the front two-thirds of the
tongue, the gingiva, the buccal mucosa, the floor of the mouth under the tongue, the
hard palate, and the small area behind the wisdom teeth) and cancer of the
oropharynx (the soft palate, the base of the tongue, and the tonsils) are the most
common types of cancer caused by HPV. Studies have shown that about 60% of
oropharyngeal cancers are caused by HPV (Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and
Prevention, 2005, 14(2):467-475), in particular HPV1 6, is a causal factor for some
head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
HPV has also been associated with lung carcinomas. According to the
published articles the incidence of HPV in lung cancer was 24.5% (Lung Cancer,
2009, 65: 13-18). A study conducted in China revealed that the risk of lung
squamous cell carcinomas was 3.5 times higher among HPV-positive population
compared with the HPV- negative population and 16.9 times higher for patients with
positive HPV-16 than negative HPV-16 (Oncol. Rep., 2009, 2 1(6):1 627-32).
A role for human papillomaviruses has also been proposed in a diverse range
of other malignancies, particularly, non-melanoma skin cancer the commonest
malignancy in fair-skinned populations worldwide. Skin cancer is rarely fatal and is
responsible for less than 1% of all cancer deaths. However its impact on the public
health is nevertheless considerable. The involvement of HPV in human skin cancer
was first demonstrated in patients with the rare hereditary disease
epidermodysplasia verruciformis (Journal of National Cancer Institute Monographs,
2003, No. 31).
HPV is also associated with intraepithelial neoplasia of the conjunctiva (0-
80%) and in 62-1 00% of invasive carcinomas of the conjunctiva, eyelid and lacrimal
sac (IARC Monographs, 64:130). There is a strong association between HPV and
conjunctival papillomas. HPV type 6/1 1 is the most common HPV type in conjunctival
papilloma {Br. J. Ophthalmol., 2001 , 85:785-787).
HPV 6, 11 and 13 are typically labeled as low-risk, because the infection with
these types has low oncogenic potential and usually results in the formation of
benign lesions such as genital warts (technically known as condylomata acuminata)
and mild dysplasia of the cervix, HPV 6 and 11 are also associated with conjunctival
papilloma.
Despite the high incidence of genital HPV infection and its association with
malignant diseases, there is no effective antiviral therapy for HPV infection.
Gardasil® and Cervarix® are the two vaccines currently on the market against two of
the most common high risk HPVs (HPV 16 and 18). However, they are only of
prophylactic type and do not treat the existing HPV associated cancer. Moreover, the
high cost, issues with social acceptance, and limitations in health care systems
through which the vaccine can be provided, limits the availability of this vaccine to
women, particularly in developing countries where HPV-associated anogenital
cancers (relating to the anus and the genitals) are most commonly found.
Consequently there remains a need to identify other, less expensive and more
universally available approaches for preventing and/or treating HPV associated
cancers.
The inventors have surprisingly found that pyrrolidine substituted with flavone
derivatives are effective against cancers associated with HPV.
The invention described herein provides pyrrolidine substituted with flavone
derivatives represented by Formula (I) (as described herein) for the treatment of
human papllomavirus associated cancers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided use of a compound
of Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a
diastereoisomer thereof for the treatment of a cancer associated with human
papillomavirus.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided use of a
compound of Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a
stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof for the treatment of a cancer associated
with HPV wherein the cancer is anal cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, penile
cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer such as oropharyngeal cancer and
cancer of the oral cavity, lung cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer or cancer of the
conjunctiva.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided use of a
compound of Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a
stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof for the treatment of cervical cancer.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for
the treatment of human papillomavirus associated cancers, comprising administering
to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of
Formula (I) a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a
diastereoisomer thereof.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for
the treatment of a cancer associated with HPV wherein the cancer is selected from
anal cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer, cervical cancer, head and
neck cancer such as oropharyngeal cancer and cancer of the oral cavity, lung
cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer or cancer of the conjunctiva in a subject,
comprising administering to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective
amount of a compound of Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate,
a stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method
for the treatment of cervical cancer, comprising administering to the subject in need
thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I), a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer
thereof.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a
pharmaceutical composition, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a
compound of Formula (I) a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a
stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof in association with a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier for the treatment of a cancer associated with HPV.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for
the manufacture of medicaments, comprising a compound of Formula (I), a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer
thereof which are useful for the treatment of a cancer associated with HPV.
Other aspects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description to follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A depicts the reproductions of Western blots showing significant
upregulation of p53 in the cells treated with compound A and compound B.
FIG. 1B depicts the reproductions of Western blots showing significant
downregulation of expression of E6 and E7 in SiHa cells treated with compound A
and compound B.
FIG. 2 depicts the reproductions of RT-PCR showing significant
downregulation of expression of E6 and E7 in SiHa and HeLa cells treated with
compound A and compound B at the transcription level.
FIG. 3A is a graphical representation of p53 - EGFP nuclear translocation in
SiHa cells.
FIG. 3 B is a graphical representation of p53 - EGFP nuclear translocation in
HeLa cells.
FIG. 4 is a graphical representation of tumor growth profile in SiHa xenograft
animals after administration of Compound A.
FIG. 5 is a graphical representation of tumor growth profile in SiHa xenograft
animals after administration of Compound B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The general terms used hereinbefore and hereinafter preferably have within
the context of this disclosure the following meanings, unless otherwise indicated.
Thus, the definitions of the general terms as used in the context of the present
invention are provided herein below:
The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural reference unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise.
It will be understood that "substitution" or "substituted with" includes the
implicit proviso that such substitution is in accordance with permitted valence of the
substituted atom and the substituent, as well as represents a stable compound,
which does not readily undergo transformation such as rearrangement, cyclization,
elimination, etc.
The term "CrC 4alkyl" refers to the radical of saturated aliphatic groups,
including straight or branched-chain containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples
of alkyl groups include but are not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isopropyl,
isobutyl, sec-butyl, -butyl and the like.
The term "CrC 4alkoxy" refers to an alkyl group as defined above attached via
oxygen linkage to the rest of the molecule. Examples of alkoxy include, but are not
limited to methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, tert-butoxy and the like.
The term "halogen" refers to fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.
The term "hydroxy" or "hydroxyl" as used herein, refers to -OH group.
The term "therapeutically effective amount", as used herein refers to the
amount of a compound represented by Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable
salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof, that, when administered
to a subject in need of such treatment, is sufficient to inhibit the activity of human
papillomavirus (HPV) such that the disease mediated by HPV is reduced, treated or
alleviated.
The term "HPV" or "Human papillomavirus" as used herein refers to a member
of the papillomavirus family of viruses that is capable of infecting mammals. The
term includes both high-risk type and low risk type HPVs unless otherwise indicated.
The term "subject" as used herein, refers to an animal, preferably a mammal,
most preferably a human, who is in the need of treatment of diseases mediated by
HPV. The term subject may be interchangeably used with the term patient in the
context of the present invention.
The term "mammal" as used herein is intended to encompass humans, as
well as non-human mammals which are susceptible to infection by human
papillomavirus. Non-human mammals include but are not limited to domestic
animals, such as cows, pigs, horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, rats and mice, and nondomestic
animals.
The term "treat" or "treatment" or "treated" with reference to HPV associated
cancer in a subject, preferably a mammal, more preferably a human include: (i)
inhibition of cancer i.e., arresting the development of the cancer; (ii) reduction in the
regression of the cancer or slowing down of the cancer; (iii) amelioration of the
cancer i.e., reducing the severity of the symptoms associated with the cancer (iv)
relief, to some extent, of one or more symptoms associated with cancer.
As used herein the term "pharmaceutically acceptable" is meant that the
carrier, diluent, excipients, and/or salt must be compatible with the other ingredients
of the formulation, and not deleterious to the recipient thereof. "Pharmaceutically
acceptable" also means that the compositions or dosage forms are within the scope
of sound medical judgment, suitable for use for an animal or human without
excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem or complication,
commensurate with a reasonable benefit/risk ratio.
The present invention furthermore includes all solvates of the compounds of
the formula (I), for example hydrates, and the solvates formed with other solvents of
crystallization, such as alcohols, ethers, ethyl acetate, dioxane, dimethylformamide
or a lower alkyl ketone, such as acetone, or mixtures thereof. Certain compounds of
the present invention can exist in unsolvated forms as well as solvated forms,
including hydrated forms. Certain compounds of the present invention may exist in
multiple crystalline or amorphous forms. In general, all physical forms are equivalent
for the uses contemplated by the present invention and are intended to be within the
scope of the present invention.
The term "p53" refers to a nuclear phosphoprotein which acts as a tumor
suppressor.
The term "pRb" or "retinoblastoma protein" refers to a tumor suppressor
protein that is dysfunctional in many types of cancer.
The term "downregulation" refers to reducing, partially or totally, the indicated
activity or expression. In the context of the present invention the term
"downregulation of the oncoproteins E6 and E7" refers to the decrease in the
expression level of E6 and E7 respectively. The level may be determined by any
suitable method in the art, including Western blot assay.
The term "upregulation of p53" refers to increase in the expression level of the
tumor suppressor protein 53.
The term "senescence" refers to the stage in which the cells lose their ability
to divide.
The term "apoptosis" refers to the natural process of programmed cell death.
It is a process of self-destruction, in which the cell uses specialized cellular
machinery to kill itself. The cells disintegrate into membrane-bound particles that are
then eliminated by phagocytosis. Apoptosis is a mechanism that enables metazoans
to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten the animal's survival.
The term "transcription" refers to a process of creating a complementary RNA
copy of a sequence of DNA.
The term "cell cycle arrest" refers to a regulatory process that halts the
progression through the cell cycle during one of the normal phases (G1 , S, G2, M).
The compound with anti-cancer activity refers to a substance which is capable
of inhibiting cell proliferation or is capable of inducing cell death. Non-limiting
examples of anti-cancer agent suitable for use in the compositions of the invention
include (i) microtubule disrupting agents such as taxanes and paclitaxel (ii) kinase
inhibitors such as imatinib, erlotinib and BAY-43-9006, (iii) mTOR inhibitors such as
rapamycin (iv) antineoplastic agents such as carboplatin, cisplatin, oxaliplatin,
etoposide and Dacarbazine and (xvi) topoisomerase inhibitors such as topotecan
and irinotecan (vi) antimetabolites such as cytarabine, fluorouracil, gemcitabine,
topotecan, Hidroxyurea, Thioguanine, Methotrexate (vii) antibiotics such cytotoxic
agents doxorubicin, bleomycin and dactinomycin.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
compound of Formula (I),
Formula (I)
wherein Ar is a phenyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3
identical or different substituents selected from: halogen, nitro, cyano, Ci-C4-alkyl,
trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl or C C4-alkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a
solvate, a stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof, for use in the treatment of a
cancer associated with HPV.
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a (+)-trans isomer
of the compound of Formula (I), ula (IA) below,
Formula (IA)
wherein Ar is a phenyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3
identical or different substituents selected from halogen, nitro, cyano, Ci-C4-alkyl,
trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl or C C4-alkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt
thereof or a solvate thereof for use in the treatment of a cancer associated with HPV.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of
Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a
diastereoisomer thereof, wherein Ar is phenyl group substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical
or different substituents selected from chlorine, bromine, fluorine, iodine, Ci-C4-alkyl
or trifluoromethyl, for use in the treatment of a cancer associated with HPV.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of
Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a
diastereoisomer thereof, wherein Ar is phenyl group substituted by 1, 2, or 3 identical
or different halogens selected from chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine, for use in
the treatment of a cancer associated with HPV.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of
Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a
diastereoisomer thereof, wherein Ar is phenyl group substituted by chlorine, for use
in the treatment of a cancer associated with HPV.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of
Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a
diastereoisomer thereof, wherein Ar is phenyl group substituted by chlorine and
trifluromethyl, for use in the treatment of a cancer associated with HPV.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the compounds of Formula
(I) contain at least two chiral centres and hence, exists in the form of two different
optical isomers (i.e., (+) or (-) enantiomers), two different geometric isomers (cis and
trans) and 4 different diasteroisomers. All such enantiomers, geometric isomers,
diasteroisomers and mixtures thereof including racemic mixtures are included within
the scope of the invention. The enantiomers of the compound of Formula (I) can be
obtained by methods disclosed in PCT Application Publication Nos. WO2004004632,
WO20071481 58 and WO2008007169 incorporated herein by reference or the
enantiomers of the compound of Formula (I) can also be obtained by methods well
known in the art, such as chiral HPLC and enzymatic resolution. Alternatively, the
enantiomers of the compounds of Formula (I) can be synthesized by using optically
active starting materials.
The manufacture of the compounds of Formula (I), which may be in the form
of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, and the manufacture of pharmaceutical
composition suitable for oral, rectal and/or parenteral administration containing the
above compounds are generally disclosed in PCT Application Publication No.
WO2004004632, which is incorporated herein by reference.
As indicated herein above the compound of Formula (I) may be used in the
form of their salts. Preferred salt of compounds of Formula (I) include acetates,
alginates, ascorbates, aspartates, benzoates, benzenesulfonates, bisulfates,
borates, cinnamates, citrates, ethanesulfonates, fumarates, glucuronates,
glutamates, glycolates, hydrochlorides, hydrobromides, hydrofluorides,
ketoglutarates, lactates, maleates, malonates, mesylate, nitrates, oxalates,
palmoates, perchlorates, phosphates, picrates, salicylates, succinates, sulfamate,
sulfates, tartrates, tosylate, trifluoroacetic acid salt and other acid addition salts
known to the person skilled in the art.
Accordingly, an aspect of the invention, the compound of Formula (IA) for use
in the treatment of HPV associated cancer is selected from (+)-frans-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-
5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy-methyl-1 -methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one
hydrochloride (referred to herein as compound A) or (+)-trans-3-[2[(2-Chloro-4-
trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1 -methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-
chromen-4-one hydrochloride (referred to herein as compound B). Compounds A
and B are disclosed in WO20071481 58 and specifically as Example 10 and Example
44, respectively.
The compound of Formula (IA) for use in the treatment of HPV associated
cancer can be (+)-irans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy-methyl-1 -
methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one hydrochloride (compound A).
The compound of Formula (IA) for use in the treatment of HPV associated
cancer can be (+)-irans-3-[2[(2-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-
hydroxymethyl-1 -methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one hydrochloride (compound B).
The cancer associated with HPV is selected from the group consisting of anal
cancer, vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck
cancer such as oropharyngeal cancer and cancer of the oral cavity, lung cancer,
non-melanoma skin cancer and cancer of the conjunctiva.
A compound of Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a
stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof can be used for the treatment of cervical
cancer.
A method for the treatment of human papillomavirus associated cancer,
comprising administering to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective
amount of a compound of Formula (I) a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate,
a stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof is described.
HPV associated cancers selected from the group consisting of anal cancer,
vulvar cancer, vaginal cancer, penile cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer
such as oropharyngeal cancer and cancer of the oral cavity, lung cancer, nonmelanoma
skin cancer and cancer of the conjunctiva in a subject, can be treated by
administering to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a
compound of Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a
stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof.
Cervical cancer can be treated by administering to the subject in need thereof
a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula (I), a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof.
The invention provides a method of inhibiting HPV associated cancer;
comprising contacting the HPV infected cells with a compound of Formula (I).
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a method of
inhibiting high risk HPV selected from HPV 16, 18, 3 1, 33, 35, 39, 45, 5 1, 52, 56, 58,
59, 66 and 68, comprising contacting the HPV infected cells with a compound of
Formula (I).
In an embodiment there is provided a method of inhibiting HPV 16, 18 and 3 1,
comprising contacting the HPV infected cells with a compound of Formula (I).
According to this invention, the oncoproteins on HPV can be downregulated.
The oncoproteins may be the oncoproteins E6 and E7 on HPV. The downregulation
can be carried out by, administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount
of a compound of Formula (I). Inhibiting oncoproteins E6 and E7 on HPV is a means
of inducing cell cycle arrest, senescence or apoptosis.
The oncoproteins E6 and E7 on HPV can be downregulated at transcriptional
level.
The phosphoprotein p53 can be activated by administering a therapeutically
effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) to the subject in need thereof.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention there is
provided a method of treatment of a cancer associated with HPV 16 comprising
administering to the subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of a
compound of Formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a
stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for
the manufacture of medicaments, comprising a compound of Formula (I), a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer
thereof which are useful for the treatment of a cancer associated with HPV.
There is provided a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a
therapeutically effective amount of compound of Formula (I), a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer, or a diastereoisomer thereof in
association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition can include
at least one further pharmaceutically active compound, wherein the further
pharmaceutically active compound has anticancer activity. The pharmaceutically
active compound can be selected from, but not limited to, bleomycin, cispaltin,
topotecan hydrochloride, imiquimod, podofilox, trichloroacetic acid and the like.
The pharmaceutical preparations may contain about 1 to 99 %, for example,
about 5 to 70%, or from about 5 to about 30 % by weight of the compound of the
Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The amount of the active
ingredient of the Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the
pharmaceutical preparations normally is from about 1 to 1000 mg.
The compound of Formula (I) may be administered orally, intravaginally,
vulvovaginal^, rectally, topically or parenterally (including intravenous,
subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravascular or infusion). The compound of Formula
(I) may have to be administered by any route appropriate to the condition to be
treated. It will be appreciated that the preferred route may vary with the condition of
the patient.
Compositions intended for pharmaceutical use may be prepared according to
any method known in the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions,
e.g. Remington - The Science and Practice of Pharmacy (21st Edition) (2005),
Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics ( 11th Edition)
(2006) and Ansel's Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms and Drug Delivery Systems (9th
Edition), edited by Allen et al., Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, (201 1) , Solid-State
Chemistry of Drugs (2nd Edition)( 1999), each of which is hereby incorporated by
reference."
The compositions described herein may be in a form suitable for oral
administration, for example as a tablet or capsule; for parenteral injection (including
intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravascular or infusion) for example as
a sterile solution, suspension or emulsion; for topical administration for example as
an ointment, cream, gel, lotions or collodion; for rectal, vaginal or vulvovaginal
administration for example as a suppository, tampons, pessaries, creams, gels,
paste, foam or vaginal ring. The composition can be administered topically to
external surfaces of skin surface, such as vulva and/or to surrounding areas of skin.
In addition or alternatively, the composition can be administered intravaginally.
For oral use, the compound of Formula (I) may be administered, for example,
in the form of tablets or capsules, powders, dispersible granules, or cachets, or as
aqueous solutions or suspensions. In the case of tablets for oral use, carriers which
are commonly used include lactose, corn starch, magnesium carbonate, talc, and
sugar, and lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate are commonly added. For
oral administration in capsule form, useful carriers include lactose, corn starch,
magnesium carbonate, talc and sugar.
For intramuscular, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous and intravenous use, sterile
solutions of compound of Formula (I) are usually employed, and the pH of the
solutions should be suitably adjusted and buffered.
For ointments, creams, the compound of Formula (I) is formulated in oil-inwater
or water-in-oil base. A vaginal cream can be administered to contact a
mucosal surface in the vaginal cavity.
For rectal or vaginal use, the compound of Formula (I) can be administered in
the form of suppositories. A suppository comprises of compound of Formula (I), a
suitable suppository base and additives such as preservatives, antioxidants,
emulsifiers and the like. Suitable suppository bases include natural or synthetic
triglycerides or paraffin hydrocarbons. The vaginal use the compound of Formula (I)
can also be administered in the form of vaginal cream.
Compositions for oral delivery may be in the form of tablets, lozenges,
aqueous or oily suspensions, granules, powders, emulsions, capsules, syrups, or
elixirs. Orally administered compositions may contain one or more optional agents,
for example, sweetening agents such as fructose, aspartame or saccharin; flavoring
agents such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen, or cherry; coloring agents; and
preserving agents, to provide a pharmaceutically palatable preparation. Selectively
permeable membranes surrounding an osmotically active driving compound are also
suitable for oral administration of compounds of present invention. Oral compositions
can include standard vehicles such as mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium
stearate, sodium saccharine, cellulose, magnesium carbonate, etc. Such vehicles
are preferably of pharmaceutical grade.
Further, the effect of the compounds of the present invention contained in the
pharmaceutical composition may be delayed or prolonged by proper formulation. For
example, a slowly soluble pellet of the compound may be prepared and incorporated
in a tablet or capsule. The technique may be improved by making pellets of several
different dissolution rates and filling capsules with a mixture of the pellets. Tablets or
capsules may be coated with a film which resists dissolution for a predictable period
of time. Even the parenteral preparations may be made long-acting, by dissolving or
suspending the compound in oily or emulsified vehicles which allow it to disperse
only slowly in the serum.
Compositions for rectal administration or vaginal administration are
suppositories. Suppositories are solid bodies for insertion into the rectum or vagina
which melt or soften at body temperature releasing one or more pharmacologically or
therapeutically active ingredients. Pharmaceutically acceptable substances utilized in
rectal suppositories are bases or vehicles and agents to raise the melting point.
Examples of bases include cocoa butter (theobroma oil), glycerin-gelatin, carbowax
(polyoxyethylene glycol) and appropriate mixtures of mono-, di- and triglycerides of
fatty acids. Combinations of the various bases may be used. Agents to raise the
melting point of suppositories include spermaceti and wax. Suppositories may be
prepared either by the compressed method or by molding.
Effective dose of the compound of Formula (I) depends at least on the nature
of the condition being treated, the mode of delivery, and the pharmaceutical
formulation, and will be determined by the clinician using conventional dose
escalation studies. It can be expected to be from about 0.1 to about 100 mg/kg body
weight per day; particularly, from about 0.1 to about 10 mg/kg body weight per day;
more particularly, from about 0.1 to about 5 mg/kg body weight per day.
Compounds of Formula (I) may be prepared according to the methods
disclosed in PCT Patent Publication No. WO2004004632 and PCT Patent
Publication No. WO2007148158 which are incorporated herein by reference.
The general process for the preparation of compounds of Formula (I), or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, comprises the following steps:
(a) treating the resolved enantiomerically pure (-)-trans enantiomer of the
intermediate compound of Formu
VIA
with acetic anhydride in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst to obtain a resolved
acetylated compound of Formula VIIA,
V IIA
(b) reacting the resolved acetylated compound of Formula VIIA with an acid of
Formula ArCOOH or an acid chloride of Formula ArCOCI or an acid anhydride of
Formula (ArCO)20 or an ester of Formula ArCOOCH 3, wherein Ar is as defined
hereinabove in reference to the compound of Formula (I), in the presence of a base
and a solvent to obtain a resolved compound of Formula VIIIA;
(c) treating the resolved compound of Formula VIIIA with a base in a suitable solvent
to obtain the corresponding resolved -diketone compound of Formula IXA;
IXA
wherein Ar is as defined above;
(d) treating the resolved -diketone compound of Formula IXA with an acid such as
hydrochloric acid to obtain the corresponding cyclized compound of Formula XA,
XA
(e) subjecting the compound of Formula XA to dealkylation by heating it with a
dealkylating agent at a temperature ranging from 120-1 80 ° to obtain the {+)-trans
enantiomer of the compound of Formula (I) and, optionally, converting the subject
compound into its pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
The Lewis acid catalyst utilized in the step (a) above may be selected from:
BF3, Et20, zinc chloride, aluminium chloride and titanium chloride.
The base utilized in the process step (b) may be selected from triethylamine,
pyridine and a DCC-DMAP combination (combination of N, N'-dicyclohexyl
carbodiimide and 4-dimethylaminopyridine).
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the rearrangement of the
compound of Formula VINA to the corresponding -diketone compound of Formula
IXA is known as a Baker-Venkataraman rearrangement (J. Chem. Soc, 1933, 1381
and Curr. Sci., 1933, 4, 214).
The base used in the process step (c) may be selected from: lithium
hexamethyl disilazide, sodium hexamethyldisilazide, potassium
hexamethyldisilazide, sodium hydride and potassium hydride. A preferred base is
lithium hexamethyl disilazide.
The dealkylating agent used in process step (e) for the dealkylation of the
compound of Formula IXA may be selected from: pyridine hydrochloride, boron
tribromide, boron trifluoride etherate and aluminium trichloride. A preferred
dealkylating agent is pyridine hydrochloride.
Preparation of the starting compound of Formula VIA involves reacting 1-
methyl-4-piperidone with a solution of 1,3,5-trimethoxybenzene in glacial acetic acid,
to yield 1-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-1 ,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine, which is
reacted with boron trifluoride diethyl etherate, sodium borohydride and
tetrahydrofuran to yield 1-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)piperidin-3-ol.
Conversion of 1-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)piperidin-3-ol to the compound of
Formula VIA involves converting the hydroxyl group present on the piperidine ring of
the compound, 1-methyl-4-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl) piperidin-3-ol to a leaving group
such as tosyl, mesyl, triflate or halide by treatment with an appropriate reagent such
as p-toluenesulfonylchloride, methanesulfonylchloride, triflic anhydride or
phosphorous pentachloride in the presence of oxygen nucleophiles such as
triethylamine, pyridine, potassium carbonate or sodium carbonate , followed by ring
contraction in the presence of oxygen nucleophiles such as sodium acetate or
potassium acetate in an alcoholic solvent such as isopropanol, ethanol or propanol.
It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative
variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary.
Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated,
all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of ingredients used in the
specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by
the term "about".
Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set
forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may
vary depending upon the desired properties to be obtained by the present invention.
At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of
equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be
construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying
ordinary rounding techniques.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that several variations are possible
within the scope and spirit of this invention. The invention will now be described in
greater detail by reference to the following non-limiting examples. The following
examples further illustrate the invention but, of course, should not be construed as in
any way limiting its scope.
EXEMPLIFICATION
In the following examples and elsewhere, abbreviations have the following
meanings:
List of abbreviations
ATCC American Type Cell - microlitre
Culture
bp Base pairs mg milligram
BF3 boron trifluoride mL milliliter
C0 2 carbon dioxide mm millimetre
cDNA complementary DNA mmol or mM millimolar
DMEM Dulbecco's Modified mpk milligram per kilogram
Eagle Medium
DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide MgCI2 magnesium Chloride
DNA deoxyribonucleic acid MMLV-RT Moloney Murine Leukemia
virus Reverse Transcriptase
dsDNA double stranded Na2C0 3 sodium carbonate
Deoxyribonucleic Acid
dNTPs Deoxynucleotide ng nanogram
Triphosphates
e.e enantiomeric excess NP-40 nonyl
phenoxypolyethoxylethanol
EGFP enhanced green NaF sodium fluoride
fluorescent protein
List of abbreviations
Et20 diethyl ether Na3V0 4 sodium orthovanadate
FBS fetal bovine serum NaCI sodium chloride
Gram nm Nanometers
H hour(s) pmol Picomolar
HCI hydrochloric acid PCR polymerase chain reaction
HPLC high performance liquid p.o per oral
chromatography
HRP horseradish peroxidase RNA ribonucleic Acid
ip intraperitoneal^ RT-PCR Reverse transcription
polymerase chain reaction
IPA isopropyl alcohol SDS-PAGE sodium dodecyl sulfate
polyacrylamide gel
electrophoresis
MeOH Methanol TFA trifluoroacetic acid
Microgram UV Ultraviolet
EXAMPLE 1
A) Preparation of (+)-trans-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-5, 7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-
methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one hydrochloride (Compound A)
Molten pyridine hydrochloride (4.1 g, 35.6 mmol) was added to (+)-trans-2-(2-
chloro-phenyl)-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-
4-one (0.4 g, 0.9 mmol) and heated at 180 °C for 1.5 h. The reaction mixture was
cooled to 25 °C, diluted with MeOH ( 10 mL) and basified using Na2C0 3 to pH 10.
The mixture was filtered and the organic layer was concentrated. The residue was
suspended in water (5 mL), stirred for 30 minutes filtered and dried to obtain the
compound, (+)-trans-2-(2-chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1 -methylpyrrolidin-
3-yl)-chromen-4-one.
Yield: 0.25 g (70 %);
IR (KBr): 3422, 3 135, 1664, 1623, 1559 cm 1 ;
1H NMR (CDCI3, 300MHz): 7.56 (d, 1H), 7.36 (m, 3H), 6.36 (s, 1H), 6.20 (s, 1H),
4.02 (m, 1H), 3.70 (m, 2H), 3.15 (m, 2H), 2.88 (m, 1H), 2.58 (s, 3H), 2.35 (m, 1H),
1.88 (m, 1H); MS (ES+): m/z 402 (M+1);
Analysis: C21 H20CINO5; C, 62.24 (62.71); H, 5.07 (4.97); N, 3.60 (3.48); CI, 9.01
(8.83).
The compound (0.2 g, 0.48 mmol) as obtained above was suspended in IPA
(5 mL) and 3.5 % HCI (25 mL) was added. The suspension was heated to get a clear
solution. The solution was cooled and filtered to obtain the compound,
(+)-trans-2-(2-Chlorophenyl)-57-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin
yl)chromen-4-one hydrochloride.
Yield: 0.21 g (97 %); mp: 188 - 192 C ; [a] D25 = +21 .3° (c = 0. 2, methanol);
1H NMR (CD3OD, 300MHz): 7.80 (d, 1H), 7.60 (m, 3H), 6.53 (s, 1H), 6.37 (s, 1H),
4.23 (m, 1H), 3.89 (m, 2H), 3.63 (m, 1H), 3.59 (dd, 1H), 3.38 (m, 1H), 2.90 (s, 3H),
2.45 (m, 1H), 2.35 (m, 1H); MS (ES+): m/z 402 (M + 1)( free base).
This compound was subjected to chiral HPLC. Chiral HPLC was done using
column Chiralcel OD-H (250 x 4.6 mm) and solvent system haxane:ethanol (92:08)
with TFA (0.4%). The results are recorded at 264nm with solvent flow rate of
1mL/minute The chiral HPLC showed 100% e.e of the compound, (+)-trans-2-(2-
chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy-methyl-1 -methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-
4-one hydrochloride.
B) Preparation of (+)-trans-2-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-
hydroxymethyl-1-methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one hydrochloride (Compound B)
A mixture of the compound, (+)-trans-2-(2-Chloro-4-trifluoromethylphenyl)-8-
(2-hydroxymethyl-1 -methyl pyrrolidin-3-yl)-5,7-dimethoxy-chromen-4-one (0.25 g, 0.5
mmol), pyridine hydrochloride (0.25 g, 2.16 mmol) and a catalytic amount of
quinoline was heated at 180 °C for a period of 2.5 h. The reaction mixture was
diluted with methanol (25 ml.) and basified with solid Na2C0 3 to pH 10. The reaction
mixture was filtered, and washed with methanol. The organic layer was concentrated
and the residue purified by column chromatography using 0.1 % ammonia and 4.5 %
MeOH in chloroform as eluent to yield the compound, (+)-trans-2-(2-chloro-4-
trifluoromethylphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy-methyl-1-methylpyrrolidin-3-yl)-
chromen-4-one, as a yellow solid.
Yield: 0.1 5 g (63.7 %);
1H NMR (CDCI3, 300MHz): 7.99 (m, 2H), 7.83 (d, 1H), 6.65 (s, 1H), 6.41 (s, 1H),
4.24 (m, 1H), 3.90 (m, 2H), 3.70 (m, 1H), 3.60 (m, 1H), 3.41 (m, 1H), 2.99 (s, 3H),
2.54 (m, 1H), 2.28 (m, 1H); MS (ES+): m/z 470 (M+1 ) .
The compound (0.1 g, 0.2 mmol) as obtained above was suspended in
methanol (2 ml.) and treated with ethereal HCI and the organic solvent evaporated to
yield the compound,
(+)-trans-2-(2-chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxymethyl-1 -
methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one hydrochloride.
Yield: 0.1 g (92.8 %);
1H NMR (CDCI3, 300MHz): 8.02 (d, 2H), 7.83 (d, 1H), 6.64 (s, 1H), 6.41 (s, 1H),
4.23 (m, 1H), 3.73 (m, 2H), 3.68 (m, 1H), 3.51 (m, 1H), 3.39 (m, 1H), 2.99 (s, 3H),
2.54 (m, 1H), 2.31 (m, 1H).
In Vitro Studies
Materials and Methods: Two cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and HeLa (ATCC),
positive for HPV genome were used for evaluation of Compound A and Compound
B. The cell lines were transfected with a plasmid vector expressing p53 protein fused
with a fluorescent protein EGFP using lipofectamine (Invitrogen, CA, USA). After 48
h of transfection the cells were maintained for 30-45 days in DMEM (Sigma Aldrich,
catalogue no. D5546) supplemented with 10% FBS and 800 g/mL Geneticin (Gibco
BRL Life Technologies, Inc) for 30-45 days. The stably expressing cells were
expanded and evaluated for the presence of fusion construct under fluorescent
microscopy. After 24 h of transfection, the cells were treated separately with
Compound A and Compound B (henceforth referred to as treated cells) for 24 h.
Cells were harvested and were used for analysis of status of E6, E7, p53 by western
blot and by RT-PCR. Cells not treated with the Compound A and Compound B
(henceforth referred to as untreated cells) were used as controls. HPV negative
C33A cell was used as negative control.
The terms fresh medium and culture medium refer to DMEM (catalogue no. D5546).
EXAMPLE 2: Analysis of status of E6, E7, p53 by western blot
To prepare whole cell extracts for Western blot, the treated cells were lysed in
lysis buffer (50 mM Tris-HCI (pH 7.4), 1% NP-40, 40 mM NaF, 10 mM NaCI, 10 mM
Na3V0 4, 1 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, and 10 mM dithiothreitol and 1 g/ml
each of leupeptin and aprotinin). The cell lysates (50 g) were resolved by SDSPAGE
and the separated proteins (E6, E7 and p53) were transferred to
polyvinylidene difluoride membrane (PVDF) by wet transfer method using Bio-Rad
electro-transfer apparatus. After blocking with 10% non-fat milk in Tris buffered
saline containing 0.2% Tween-20, the membrane was incubated with the primary
antibody, followed by HRP-conjugated secondary antibody. Proteins were visualized
by 3, 3'-Di amino benzidine (DAB) method. Similar procedure was followed for
untreated cells.
The following antibodies were used for western blot with the indicated
dilutions.
Primary antibodies
Secondary antibodies
Results: It was observed that cells treated with Compound A and Compound
B showed increased expression of p53 protein in a dose dependant manner in both
SiHa and HeLa cells. However no expression was observed in untreated cells. The
expression of E6 was down regulated in SiHa cells by both the compounds at the
concentration of 50 g/mL. Similarly the complete down regulation of E7 was seen in
cells treated with 25 g/mL of Compound A and also complete down regulation of E7
was seen in cells treated with 25 g/mL of Compound B compared to control (FIG.1 A
and FIG. 1B).
EXAMPLE 3: Analysis of status of E6, E7, p53 by RT-PCR
The expression status for gene E6 and E7 at the transcription level was
detected by Reverse Transcriptase PCR (RT- PCR). The RNA was isolated from the
treated and untreated cells using Qiagen AHPrep DNA/RNA Mini Kit (Cat. No.80204).
The RNA integrity was checked by visualization under UV after agarose gel
electrophoresis. The quantity and purity of RNA was analysed by Nano Drop
(Thermo Scientific). The 500 ng of RNA was converted into cDNA using 0.1 g of
Oligo dT (Promega), MMLV-RT, dNTPs, RNA guard and RT buffer (Promega) and
incubated at 37 C for 1 h. The reaction was terminated by heating the reaction
mixture at 90 C for 3 minutes and used for PCR amplification of E6 and E7 genes.
The PCR was conducted as follows:
The sequence of the primers are shown below
Results: RT-PCR quantification revealed significant inhibition of transcripts
for both E6 and E7 in both SiHa and HeLa cells treated with 50 g/mL of either
Compound A or Compound B. The -actin was used as a house keeping gene to
normalize the data in RT-PCR assay. The specificity of gene specific PCR was
determined using C33A cells which are negative for E6 and E7 genes (FIG. 2).
EXAMPLE 4: p53 Nuclear Translocation Assay
Materials and methods: Two cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and HeLa
(ATCC), positive for HPV genome were used. The cell lines were transfected with
the expression vector containing p53-EGFP using lipofectamine (Invitrogen, CA,
USA). After 48 h of transfection the cells were maintained for 30-45 days in DMEM
(Sigma Aldrich, catalogue no. D5546) supplemented with 10% FBS and 80C^g/ml_
Gen eticin (Gibco BRL Life Technologies, Inc) for 30-45 days. The stably expressing
cells were used for the p53 Nuclear Translocation Assay.
Biological Studies: The stably expressing cells were seeded on 96 well
imaging plates (Becton Dickinson, USA) and allowed to grow for 48 h in a humidified
C0 2 incubator at 37 C . The cell nucleus were stained with vital fluorescent nuclear
dye Hoechst 22334 (0.5 g ml.) for 5 minutes followed by fresh medium
replacement. A stock solution of 50 mg/mL was prepared in DMSO and further
dilutions were made to obtain the concentration of 2-50 g/mL were made in the
culture medium containing 5% FBS. Cells were treated separately with different
concentrations (2-50 g mL) of Compound A and Compound B. The imaging was
carried out at every 12 h using pathway Bio imager (BD, USA) using 20x objective.
The cells were segmented based on the nuclear channel and number of cells
positive for nuclear - EGFP were calculated to score activity. Alternatively the cells
were also imaged with Nikon Ti inverted fluorescent microscope equipped with CCD
camera Retiga Exi and NIS element software. The bright field images were also
collected.
Results: Microscopic imaging for nuclear translocation of EGFP linked p53
protein demonstrated that addition of Compound A and Compound B resulted in
increased nuclear translocation of EGFP-p53 protein in both HeLa and SiHa cells.
Further it was also noticed that nuclear translocation was initiated at 12 h post
treatment and increased up to 24 h at 25 and 50 g/mL concentration of Compound
A as well as Compound B. The representative graph showing the percentage p53
EGFP nuclear positive cell for each drug for the different concentration of drug is
shown in (FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B).
EXAMPLE 5: Senescence Assay
This assay was performed to detect senescence associated -galactosidase
staining to check the senescence status in the treated cells.
Materials and methods: Two cervical cancer cell lines SiHa and HeLa
(ATCC), positive for HPV genome were used. The cell lines were transfected with
the expression vector containing p53-EGFP using lipofectamine (Invitrogen, CA,
USA). After 48 h of transfection the cells were maintained for 30-45 days in DMEM
(Sigma Aldrich, catalogue no. D5546) supplemented with 10% FBS and 800 g/mL
Geneticin (Gibco BRL Life Technologies, Inc) for 30-45 days. The stably expressing
cells were used for the Senescence assay.
Biological Studies: The stably expressing cells were treated with Compound A
and Compound B separately and fixed for 5 minutes in 3% formaldehyde, washed,
and incubated at 37°C with 5-bromo-4-chloro- 3-indolyl -D-galactopyranoside
solution ( 1 mg/ml), (prepared by dissolving in a solution containing 40 mM citric acid
(pH 6.5), 5 mM potassium ferrocyanide, 5 mM potassium ferricyanide, 150 mM NaCI,
and 2 mM MgCI2) . After overnight incubation at 37 C, tissues or cells were visualized
by microscopy. The intense blue staining in the cytosol indicated the induction of
senescent like features in the cells.
EXAMPLE 6: In vivo assay
All experiments were carried out in accordance with the guidelines of
Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals
(CPCSEA) and with the approval of Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC) in
Piramal Healthcare Limited, Goregoan, Mumbai, India.
In vivo efficacy of the compounds of the present invention for the treatment of
HPV associated cancer was studied by using SiHa (HPV 16 positive cervical cancer)
cell line.
SiHa human cervical cancer xenograft mouse model
Animals used: Nude Nu/J, Homozygous for FOXnl (Nu) male mice, 4 to 6
weeks old, weighing 22 to 25 g (Harlan Laboratories, US). Animals were housed in
animal isolator under specified pathogen-free conditions maintained at 22 to 25 °C
and 55 to 75% humidity, with a 12- hour light/12- hour dark cycle. The mice were
acclimatized for a period of seven days before experimentation. Animals were
handled in a laminar flow hood. All food and water was autoclaved.
Generation of subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice
Step 1: Preparation of a single-cell suspension for injection into nude mice
The adherent SiHa cells (SiHa cell line - ATCC - HBT 35) were harvested using
Trypsin-EDTA solution and suspension was centrifuged at 800 rpm for 5 minutes.
The supernatant was removed and the cell pellet was re-suspended in 1 ml serumfree
MEM medium. The cell count was obtained using 1:100 dilution. The cells were
diluted to obtain 5 x 106 cells per 0.2 ml of suspension.
Step 2: Generation of subcutaneous xenograft tumors in nude mice
On the day of tumor cell injection, cell suspension of step 1 was stored on ice in the
laminar airflow hood. Each nude mouse was injected with 0.2 ml of the cell
suspension subcutaneously on the right flank. The animals were observed after 5
days for tumor growth by palpation around the injection site.
Conditions for storage of the compounds and Dose preparation
Compound A: 3.5 mg/mL; vehicle: dextrose (5%) prepared in water.
Topotecan Hydrochloride (used as standard): 0.2 mg/mL; vehicle: methyl cellulose
(0.25%).
Compound B: 20 mg/mL; vehicle: methyl cellulose (0.25%).
Cisplatin (used as standard): 0.6 mg/mL; vehicle: methyl cellulose (0.25%).
All the compounds including the standard were stored at 4 °C to 8 °C.
Dosing
Nude mice were housed in a group of 8 per cage (filter-top cages) with autoclaved
husk bedding and free access to food and water was provided. Animals were
handled as per the standard guidelines. Treatment was initiated when tumor size
volume was about 100 mm3. The tumor-bearing mice were randomized (n= 8) in the
following groups of treatment:
i) Group 1: Control group: Tumor-bearing mice administered with vehicle.
ii) Group 2: Tumor-bearing mice administered once daily with 35 mg/kg of
compound A intraperitoneally.
iii) Group 3: Tumor-bearing mice were administered with a single dose of 2 mg/kg of
Topotecan (standard) intraperitoneally.
iv) Group 4: Tumor-bearing mice were administered once daily with 200 mg/kg of
Compound B p.o.
v) Group 5: Tumor-bearing mice were administered with a single dose of 6 mg/kg of
Cisplatin (standard) intraperitoneally.
Treatment
Nude mice of Group 1, Group 2 and Group 4 were treated on days 1-6 and 12-17.
Group 3 and Group 5 mice were treated on day 1. On the 23rd day animals from all
groups were scarified and samples were harvested for further analysis.
The volume administered to all the above Groups was 10 mL/kg.
Observations and measurement
Following parameters were observed during treatment:
1. Gross animal health was observed everyday
2. Body weight was observed everyday
3. Tumor was measured 2-3 days apart, using vernier caliper.
Tumor volume in mm3 was calculated using the formula for a prolate ellipsoid:
Tumor volume (mm3) = Length (mm) x [Breadth (mm)2] x 0.5
assuming specific gravity of tumor as 1 and as 3
Treated to control ratio (AT/AC %) on a given day was calculated using the
formula:
Tumor size Compound Day x - Tumor size CompoundDay o
/AC% on Day X = X 100
Tumor size control Day x - Tumor size control Day o
Growth inhibition (Gl) was calculated using the formula
Gl on Day X = 100 - AT/AC% on Day X
Tumor growth inhibition results are given in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5.
Conclusion: Compound A and Compound B showed significant tumor growth
inhibition in HPV mediated cervical cancer xenograft model.
WE CLAIM
1. A compound of Formula (I); or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a solvate,
a stereoisomer or a diastereois
Formula (I)
wherein Ar is a phenyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3
identical or different substituents selected from: halogen; nitro, cyano, Ci-C 4-alkyl,
trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl and Ci-C 4-alkoxy; for the use in the treatment of human
papillomavirus (HPV) associated cancer.
2. The compound of formula (I) for the use according to claim 1, wherein Ar is a
phenyl group substituted by 1, 2 or 3 identical or different substituents selected from
chlorine, bromine, fluorine, iodine, Ci-C 4-alkyl and trifluoromethyl.
3. The compound of formula (I) for the use according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Ar
is a phenyl group substituted by chlorine.
4. The compound of formula (I) for the use according to claim 1 or 2 wherein Ar
is a phenyl group substituted by chlorine and trifluoromethyl.
5. The compound of formula (I) for the use according to claim 1, wherein the
compound of Formula (I) is a (+)-trans isomer represented by Formula (IA), or a
pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a solvate thereof;
Formula (IA)
wherein Ar is a phenyl group, which is unsubstituted or substituted by 1, 2, or 3
identical or different substituents selected from halogen, nitro, cyano, Ci-C 4-alkyl,
trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl or Ci-C 4-alkoxy.
6. The compound of formula (IA) for the use according to claim 5, wherein the
compound of Formula (IA) is (+)-frans-2-(2-Chloro-phenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-8-(2-
hydroxy-methyl-1 -methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one hydrochloride (compound
A).
7. The compound of formula (IA) for the use according to claim 5, wherein the
compound of Formula (IA) is (+)-trans-3-[2[(2-Chloro-4-trifluoromethyl-phenyl)-5,7-
dihydroxy-8-(2-hydroxy-methyl-1 -methyl-pyrrolidin-3-yl)-chromen-4-one
hydrochloride (compound B).
8. The compound of formula (I) for the use according to any one of the claims 1
to 7, wherein the HPV associated cancer is selected from anal cancer, vulvar cancer,
vaginal cancer, penile cancer, cervical cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, cancer of the
oral cavity, lung cancer, non-melanoma skin cancer and cancer of the conjunctiva.
9. The compound of formula (I) for the use according to claim 8, wherein the
HPV associated cancer is cervical cancer.
10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount
of the compound according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, or a pharmaceutically
acceptable salt, a solvate, a stereoisomer or a diastereoisomer thereof and a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier; for the use in the treatment of HPV associated
cancer.
11. The pharmaceutical composition for the use according to claim 10, further
comprising at least one further pharmaceutically active compound, wherein the said
pharmaceutically active compound has anticancer activity.