EP0850057A1 - Pharmaceutical compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides novel cryptophycin compounds which can be useful for disrupting the microtubulin system, as antineoplastic agents, antifungal, and for the treatment of cancer. The invention further provides a formulation for administering the novel cryptophycin compounds.

Description

T i t l e

PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOUNDS

Field Of The Invention

This invention relates to the fields of pharmaceutical and organic chemistry and provides novel cryptophycin compounds useful as anti-microtubule agents.

Background Of The Invention

Neoplastic diseases, characterized by the proliferation of cells not subject to the normal control of cell growth, are a major cause of death in humans and other mammals. Clinical experience in cancer chemotherapy has demonstrated that new and more effective drugs are desirable to treat these diseases. Such clinical experience has also demonstrated that drugs which disrupt the microtubule system of the cytoskeleton can be effective in inhibiting the proliferation of neoplastic cells. The microtubule system of eucaryotic cells is a major component of the cytoskeleton and is a dynamic assembly and disassembly. Thus heterodimers of tubulin are polymerized and form microtubule. Microtubules play a key role in the regulation of cell architecture, metabolism, and division. The dynamic state of microtubules is critical to their normal function. With respect to cell division, tubulin is polymerized into microtubles that form the mitotic spindle. The microtubules are then depolymerized when the mitotic spindle's use has been fulfilled. Accordingly, agents which disrupt the polymerization or depolymerization of microtubules, and thereby inhibit mitosis, comprise, some of the most effective cancer chemotherapeutic agents in clinical use.

Additionally, the compounds claimed herein possess fungicidal properties. Further, such agents having the ability to disrupt the microtubule system can be useful for research purposes.

Certain cryptophycin compounds are known in the literature; however, cryptophycin compounds having even greater solubility, robust potency are desired for most pharmaceutical uses and a broader library of cryptophycin compounds could provide additional treatment options.

Applicants have now discovered novel compounds providing such desired solubility as well compounds having the ability to disrupt the microtubule system. Such compounds can be prepared using total synthetic methods and are therefore well suited for development as pharmaceutically useful agents.

Summary Of The Invention

The presently claimed invention provides novel cryptophycin compounds of Formula I

wherein

Ar is phenyl or any simple unsubstituted or substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group, C_-C_₂ alkyl, C_-C_₂ alkyne; R¹ is halogen, SH, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, trialkylammonium, alkylthio, dialkylsulfonium, sulfate, or phosphate; R² is OH or SH; or R¹ and R² may be taken together to form an epoxide ring, an aziridine ring, an episulfide ring, a sulfate ring, a cyclopropyl ring, or monoalkylphosphate ring; or R¹ and R² may be taken together to form a second bond between Cis and C₁₉; R³ is a lower alkyl group; R⁴ is H; R⁵ is H;

R⁴ and R⁵ may be taken together to form a second bond between Ci₃ and Ci₄,- R⁶ is a substituent selected from the group consisting of B- ring heteroaromatic, substituted heteroaromatic, B-ring (C_-C₆)alkyl, (C₃-C₈) cycloalkyl, substituted C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, substituted (C_-C₆) alkyl, a group of the formula III":

d a group of the formula III ' ' :

R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of NR⁵¹R⁵², _R ⁵³ _NR ⁵l_R52 OR⁵³, H and a lower alkyl group; R⁵¹ and R⁵² are independently selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₃ alkyl; R⁵³ is C₁-C₃ alkyl; R⁸ is H or a lower alkyl group;

R⁷ and R⁸ can optionally form a cyclopropyl ring; R⁹ is selected from the group consisting of H, a lower alkyl group, unsaturated lower alkyl, and lower alkyl-C₃-C5 cycloalkyl;

R¹⁰ is H or a lower alkyl group; R⁹ and R¹⁰ together optionally form a cyclopropyl ring;

R¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, simple alkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl, benzyl, and substituted benzyl;

R¹⁴ is H or a lower alkyl group; R¹⁵, R¹⁶, and R¹⁷ are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, (C_-C₆)alkyl, OR¹⁸, halo,

NR¹⁸'R¹⁹', N0₂, OPO₄H2, OR¹⁹phenyl, SCH₂phenyl, CONH₂, C0₂H,

PO₃H₂, and SO₂R²³, and ZZ;

R¹⁸ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, aryl, and C_-C₆ alkyl;

R¹⁸' is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and

(Ci-Cβ)alkyl;

R¹⁹ is C1-C6 alkyl;

R¹⁹' is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (Ci-Cβ)alkyl;

R²³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (C_-

C₃)alkyl;

R³⁰ is hydrogen or Ci-Cβ alkyl; n is 0, 1, or 2 p is 0, 1, or 2 . m is 0, 1, or 2 .

X is selected from the group consisting of 0, NH and alkylamino;

Y is selected from the group consisting of 0, NH, and alkylamino;

Z is selected from the group consisting of -(CH₂)_n ^_,

-⁽CH₂ ⁾ _p-0-{CH2)m- and ⁽C3-C5⁾ cycloalkyl;

ZZ is selected from the group consisting of an aromatic group and a substituted aromatic group; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; provided that when R⁶ is a group of Formula III" and n is 1, then at least one of the group consisting of R¹⁵, R^lβ and R¹⁷ ust be a non-hydrogen group and if only one of R¹⁵, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ is OH or OR²⁹ and one of the group consisting of R¹⁵, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ is halo then the remaining member of the group consisting of R¹⁵, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ must not be hydrogen or halo; R²⁹ is (C₁-C₅)alkyl; further provided that the compound is not a cryptophycin selected from the group consisting of cryptophycins:

B-2

B-7

C-1

C-2

C-3

C-6

CRYPTOPHYCIN-52

CRYPTO PHYCIN-210

CRYPTOPHYCIN-190

CRYPTOPHYCIN-189

CRYPTOPHYCIN- 115

CRYPTO PHYCIN-110

Cryptophycin-215

Cryptophycin-214

Cryptophycin-213

Cryptophycin-211 and

D-2

The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulations, a method for disrupting a microtubulin system using an effective amount of a compound of Formula I, a method for inhibiting the proliferation of mammalian cells comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula I, and a method for treating neoplasia in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula I.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As used herein, the term "simple alkyl" shall refer to C₁-C₇ alkyl wherein the alkyl may be saturated, unsaturated, branched, or straight chain. Exampleε include, but are in no way limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso¬ propyl, n-butyl, propenyl, sec-butyl, n-pentyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, methylated butyl groups, pentyl, tert pentyl, sec-pentyl, methylated pentyl groups and the like. As used herein, the term "B-ring Cχ-C₆ alkyl" refers to saturated, unsaturated, branched and straight chain alkyl wherein the B-ring C -Cgalkyl group may include up to three (3) non-carbon substituents. Such non-carbon substituents are most preferredly selected from the group consisting of OH, SCH phenyl, NH₂, CO, CONH₂, CO₂H, PO₃H₂, SO₂R²¹ wherein R²¹ is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₃ alkyl;

As used herein, the term "substituted phenyl" shall refer to a phenyl group with from one to three non- hydrocarbon substituents which may be independently selected from the group consisting of simple alkyl, Cl, Br, F, and I. As used herein, the term "substituted benzyl" shall refer to a benzyl group with from one to three non- hydrocarbon substitutents which may be independently selected from the group consisting of simple alkyl, Cl, Br, F, and I wherein such substituents may be attached at any available carbon atom.

As used herein "B-ring heteroaromatic group" refers to aromatic rings which contain one or more non-carbon substituent selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. Especially preferred B-ring heterocyclic groups are selected from, but not limited to, the group consisting of

wherein R²⁰ is selected from hydrogen and C_-C₆ alkyl. It is especially preferred that "B-ring heteroaromatic group" refers to a substituent selected from the group consisting of:

As used herein "cycloalkyl" refers to a saturated Ci-Cs cycloalkyl group wherein such group may include from zero to three substituents selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₃ alkyl, halo, and OR²² wherein R²² is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₃ alkyl. Such substituents may be attached at any available carbon atom. It is especially preferred that cycloalkyl refers to substituted or unsubstituted cyclohexyl.

As used herein "Lower alkoxy1 group" means any alkyl group of one to five carbon atoms bonded to an oxygen atom. As used herein "lower alkyl group" means an alkyl group of one to five carbons and includes linear and non- linear hydrocarbon chains, including for example, but not limited to, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, methylated butyl groups, pentyl, tert pentyl, sec-pentyl, and methylated pentyl groups. As used herein "allylically substituted alkene" means any alkene having from one to seven carbon atoms which contains an alkyl substitution on it. As used herein the term "unsaturated lower alkyl" means a lower alkyl group as defined supra , wherein from one to two double bonds are present in the unsaturated lower alkyl substituent. A preferred unsaturated lower alkyl is -CH₂-CH=CH₂- The term

"lower alkyl-C₃~C₅ cycloalkyl" refers to C-C alkyl substituted with a C₃-C₅cycloalkyl group. A preferred lower alkyl-C₃-C₅ cycloalkyl group is -CH₂-cyclopropyl; wherein the group is attached to the cryptophycin core structure at R⁹ via the CH₂. As used herein "epoxide ring" means a three- membered ring whose backbone consists of two carbons and an oxygen atom. As used herein, "aziridine ring" means a three- membered ring whose backbone consists of two carbon atoms and a nitrogen atom. As used herein "sulfide ring" means a three-membered ring whose backbone consists of two carbon atoms and a sulfur atom. As used herein "episulfide ring" means a three-membered ring whose backbone consists of two carbon atoms and a sulfur atom. As used herein "sulfate group" means a five membered ring consisting of a carbon- carbon-oxygen-sulfur-oxygen backbone with two additional oxygen atoms connected to the sulfur atom. As used herein "cyclopropyl ring" meanε a three member ring whose backbone consists of three carbon atoms. As used herein, "monoalkylphosphate ring" means a five membered ring consisting of a carbon-carbon-oxygen-phosphorous-oxygen backbone with two additional oxygen atoms, one of which bears a lower alkyl group, connected to the phosphorous atom.

As used herein, "simple unsubstituted aromatic group" refers to common aromatic rings having 4n→-2 electrons in a monocyclic conjugated system, for example, but not limited to: furyl, pyrrolyl, thienyl, pyridyl and the like, or a bicyclic conjugated system, for example but not limited to indolyl or naphthyl.

As used herein "simple substituted aromatic group" refers to a phenyl group substituted with a single group selected from the group consisting of halogen and lower alkyl group.

Aε used herein, "heteroaromatic group" refers to aromatic rings which contain one or more non-carbon substituent selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur. As used herein, "halogen" or "halo" refers to those members of the group on the periodic table historically known aε halogens. Methods of halogenation include, but are not limited to, the addition of hydrogen halides, substitution at high temperature, photohalogenation, etc., and such methods are known to the skilled artisan.

As used herein, the term "mammal" shall refer to the Mammalia class of higher vertebrates. The term "mammal" includes, but is not limited to, a human. The term "treating" as used herein includes prophylaxis of the named condition or amelioration or elimination of the condition once it has been established. The cryptophycin compounds claimed herein can be useful for veterinary health purposes as well as for the treatment of a human patient.

Some preferred characteristics of this invention are set forth in the following tabular form wherein the features may be independently selected to provide preferred embodiments of this invention. The invention iε in no way limited to the featureε deεcribed below:

A) R⁸ iε ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or isopentyl;

B) R⁷ is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, or isopentyl;

C) R⁷ is H, R⁸ is methyl, R³ is methyl, and X and Y are not both O; D) R³ is ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl or isopentyl;

E) R⁹ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, or isopentyl;

F) R¹⁰ is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, or iεopentyl;

G) a cryptophycin compound wherein at least one of the groups selected from the group consisting of C- 3, C-6, C-7, C-10, C-16, C-17, and C-18 has R stereochemistry (numbering as set forth in Formula I supra . ) ;

H) a cryptophycin compound wherein at least one of the groups selected from the group consisting of C- 3, C-6, C-7, C-10, C-16, C-17, and C-18 has S stereochemiεtry (numbering aε set forth in Formula I supra . ) ;

I) Ar is phenyl with a subεtituent selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, and simple alkyl; J) a compound wherein Y is 0; K) a compound wherein Y is 0, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, and R¹⁰ are each hydrogen; and R¹ and R² form an epoxide; L) R⁷, R⁸ are each hydrogen;

M) R⁷ and R⁸ are each selected from hydrogen and CH₃; N) Y is O;

0) R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, and phenyl; P) R¹ and R² form an epoxide ring;

Q) both X and Y are 0;

R) R⁴ and R⁵ form a double bond;

S) n is 0; R⁶ is substituted benzyl wherein one substituent is a halogen and one is an OR¹² group wherein R¹² is lower alkyl;

T) a compound of Formula I is used for disruption of a microtubulin syεtem;

U) a compound of Formula I is used as an anti- neoplastic agent;

V) a compound of Formula I is used for the treatment of cancer in a mammal;

W) a compound of Formula I is used as an antifungal agent; X) R⁶ is Formula III' and is para hydroxy substituted;

_Y) R6 is εelected from the group consisting of

Z) Z is -(CH2)_n- wherein n is 0; AA) Z is -(CH2)_n- wherein n is 2; BB) Z is -(CH2)_n- wherein n is 1; CC) R⁶ is Formula III';

DD) R⁶ is Formula III'¹; EE) R⁶ is C₃-C₆ cycloalkyl;

FF) R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of fi¬ ring heteroaromatic, substituted heteroaromatic, B-ring alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, Formula III' and Formula III ' ' ;

GG) at least one of R¹⁵, R^lβ, and R¹⁷ is selected from the group consisting of SCH₂phenyl, NH₂, CO, CONH₂, CO₂H, PO₃H₂, and SO₂R²¹ _' ^" wherein R²¹ is selected from hydrogen and C₁-C₃ alkyl;

HH) Ar is phenyl;

II) Ar iε phenyl substituted with one or two from the group consisting of OH, OCH₃, halo, and methyl; and JJ) Ar is naphthyl; KK) R⁶ has a Z wherein the first carbon of the Z

group is with respect to the point of attachment to the cryptophycin molecule;

LL) R⁶ iε a heteroaromatic ring; MM) R⁷ is selected from the group consisting of N⁽CH₃ ⁾ ₂, CH₂N⁽CH₃ ⁾2; NN) R⁷ is CH₂OCH₃;

OO) R⁷ iε cyclopropyl;

PP) R⁹ is CH₂cyclopropyl;

QQ) R⁹ is CH₂CH=CH₂.

To further illustrate, but to no way limit, the compounds contemplated herein, the following table of especially preferred compounds is provided:

A compound wherein R³ is CH₃; R⁴ and R⁵ together form a second bond; R¹⁴ is hydrogen; R³⁰ is hydrogen; R⁷ and R⁸ are each methyl; R¹⁰ is hydrogen; R⁹ is -CH₂CH(CH3)₂; X and Y are each O; Ar is phenyl; and Ri R²- R-6

together form a double bond

together form an epoxide

together form an epoxide

together form a double bond

together form a double bond

together form an epoxide

together form a double bond

together form a double bond

together form an epoxide

Additional preferred compounds are those named above except

that Ar is instead of phenyl.

Further preferred compounds are those named above except that

The present invention provides a method of alleviating a pathological condition caused by hyperproliferating mammalian cells comprising administering to a subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical or veterinary composition discloεed herein to inhibit proliferation of the cells. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the method further comprises administering to the subject at least one additional therapy directed to alleviating the pathological condition. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pathological condition is characterized by the formation of neoplasmε. In a further preferred embodiment of the preεent invention, the neoplasms are selected from the group consiεting of mammary, small-cell lung, non-small-cell lung, colorectal, leukemia, melanoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, central nervous system (CNS) , ovarian, prostate, sarcoma of soft tissue or bone, head and neck, gastric which includes pancreatic and esophageal, stomach, myeloma, bladder, renal, neuroendocrine which includes thyroid and non-Hodgkin's disease and Hodgkin's disease neoplasms.

As used herein "neoplastic" refers to a neoplasm, which is an abnormal growth, such growth occurring because of a proliferation of cells not εubject to the uεual limitations of growth. As used herein, "anti-neoplaεtic agent" iε any compound, compo i ion, admixture, co-mixture, or blend which inhibitε, eliminateε, retardε, or reverses the neoplastic phenotype of a cell.

Anti-mitotic agents may be classified into three groups on the basiε of their molecular mechaniεm of action. The first group consistε of agents, including colchicine and colcemid, which inhibit the formation of microtubules by sequestering tubulin. The second group consistε of agents, including vinblastine and vincristine, which induce the formation of paracryεtalline aggregateε of tubulin. Vinblastine and vincristine are well known anticancer drugs: their action of diεrupting mitotic εpindle microtubuleε preferentially inhibitε hyperproliferative cells. The third group consists of agents, including taxol, which promote the polymerization of tubulin and thus stabilizes microtubules. The exhibition of drug resiεtance and multiple-drug resistance phenotype by many tumor cells and the clinically proven mode of action of anti-microtubule agents against neoplastic cells necesεitates the development of anti- microtubule agents cytotoxic to non-drug reεiεtant neoplastic cells as well as cytotoxic to neoplastic cells with a drug resistant phenotype. Chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therpy, therapy

'with biological response modifiers, and immunotherapy are currently used in the treatment of cancer. Each mode of therapy has specific indicationε which are known to thoεe of ordinary skill in the art, and one or all may be employed in an attempt to achieve total destruction of neoplastic cells. Moreover, combination chemotherapy, chemotherapy utilizing compounds of Formula I in combination with other neoplastic agents, iε alεo provided by the subject invention as combination therapy is generally more effective than the use of a single anti-neoplastic agent. Thus, a further aspect of the present invention provides compositionε containing a therapeutically effective amount of at leaεt one compound of Formula I, including the non-toxic addition salts thereof, which serve to provide the above recited benefits. Such compositions can also be provided together with physiologically tolerable liquid, gel, or solid carriers, diluents, adjuvants and excipients. Such carriers, adjuvants, and excipients may be found in the U.S. Pharmacopeia, Vol. XXII and National Formulary vol XVII, U.S. Pharmacopeia Convention. Inc. Rockville, MD (1989) . Additional modes of treatment are provided in AHFS Druσ Information, 1993 e. by the American Hospital Formulary Service, pp. 522-660. Each of these references are well known and readily available to the skilled artisan. The present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition used to treat neoplastic disease containing at least one compound of Formula I and at least one additional anti-neoplastic agent. Anti-neoplastic agents which may be utilized in combination with Formula I compounds include those provided in the Merck Index 11, pp 16-17, Merck & Co., Inc. (1989) . The Merck Index is widely recognized and readily available to the skilled artisan. In a further embodiment of this invention, antineoplastic agents may be antimetabolites which may include but are in no way limited to those selected from the group consisting of methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, 6- mercaptopurine, cytosine, arabinoside, hydroxyurea, and 2- chlorodeoxyadenoεine. In another embodiment of the present invention, the anti-neoplastic agents contemplated are alkylating agents which may include but are in no way limited to those εelected from the group consisting of cyclophoεphamide, mephalan, busulfan, paraplatin, chlorambucil, and nitrogen mustard. In a further embodiment, the anti-neoplastic agents are plant alkaloids which may include but are in no way limited to those selected from the group consisting of vincristine, vinblastine, taxol, and etoposide. In a further embodiment, the anti-neoplastic agents contemplated are antibioticε which may include, but are in no way limited to thoεe εelected from the group consisting of doxorubicin, daunorubicin, mitomycin C, and bleomycin. In a further embodiment, the anti-neoplastic agents contemplated are hormones which may include, but are in no way limited to those selected from the group consisting of calusterone, diomostavolone, propionate, epitiostanol, mepitiostane, testolactone, tamoxifen, polyestradiol phosphate, megesterol acetate, flutamide, nilutamide, and trilotane.

In a further embodiment, the anti-neoplastic agents contemplated include enzymes which may include, but are in no way limited to thoεe εelected from the group conεiεting of L- Aεparginaεe and aminoacridine derivativeε εuch as, but not limited to, amsacrine. Additional anti-neoplastic agents include those provided by Skeel, Roland T., "Antineoplastic Drugs and Biologic Response Modifier: Classification, Use and Toxicity of Clinically Useful Agents" Handbook of Cancer Chemotheranv (3rd ed. ) , Little Brown & Co. (1991) . These compounds and compositions can be administered to mammals for veterinary use. For example, domestic animals can be treated in much the same way aε a human clinical patient. In general, the dosage required for therapeutic effect will vary according to the type of use, mode of administration, as well as the particularized requirements of the individual hosts. Typically, dosages will range from about 0.001 to 1000 mg/kg, and more usually 0.01 to 10 mg/kg of the host body weight. Alternatively, dosages within these ranges can be administered by constant infusion over an extended period of time, usually exceeding 24 hours, until the desired therapeutic benefits are obtained. Indeed, drug dosage, as well as route of administration, must be selected on the basis of relative effectivenesε, relative toxicity, growth characteristics of tumor and effect of Formula I compound on cell cycle, drug pharmacokinetics, age, sex, physical condition of the patient and prior treatment, which can be determined by the skilled artisan.

The compound of Formula I, with or without additional anti-neoplastic agents, may be formulated into therapeutic compositions as natural or salt forms. Pharmaceutically acceptable non-toxic salts include base addition salts which may be derived from inorganic bases such as for example, εodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, or ferric hydroxides, and such organic baseε aε isopropylamine, trimethylamine, 2-ethylamino ethanol, histidine, procaine, and the like. Such salts may also be formed as acid addition salts with any free cationic groups and will generally be formed with inorganic acids such as for example, hydrochloric or phosphoric acids or organic acids such as acetic, oxalic, tartaric, mandelic, and the like. Additional excipients which further the invention are provided to the skilled artisan for example in the U.S. Pharmacopeia .

The εuitability of particular carrierε for incluεion in a given therapeutic composition depends on the preferred route of administration. For example, anti- neoplastic compositions may be formulated for oral administration. Such compositions are typically prepared as liquid solution or suspenεions or in solid forms. Oral formulation usually include such additives as binders, fillers, carriers, preservatives, stabilizing agents, emulsifiers, buffers, mannitol, lactose, starch, magnesium stearate, sodium saccharin, cellulose, magnesium carbonate, and the like. These compositions may take the form of solutionε, suspensionε, tabletε, pills, capsules, εuεtained relsease formulations, or powders, and typically contain 1% to 95% of active ingedient. More preferably, the composition contains from about 2% to about 70% active ingredient. Compositions of the present invention may be prepared as injectables, either as liquid solutions, suspensions, or emulsionε; εolid formε suitable for solution in or suspension in liquid prior to injection. Such injectables may be administered subcutaneously, intravenously, intraperitoneally, intramuscularly, intrathecally, or intrapleurally. The active ingredient or ingredients are often mixed with diluents, carriers, or excipients which are physiologically tolerable and compatible with the active ingredient (s) . Suitable diluentε and excipients are for example, water, saline, dextrose, glycerol, or the like and combinations thereof. In addition, if desired, the compositions may contain minor amounts of auxilary εubstances such as wetting or emulsifying agents, stabilizing or pH buffering agents. The invention further provides methods for using

Formula I compounds to inhibit the proliferation of mammalian cells by contacting these cellε with a Formula I compound in an amount εufficient to inhibit the proliferation of the mammalian cell. A preferred embodiment iε a method to inhibit the proliferation of hyperproliferative mammalian cellε. For purposes of thiε invention "hyperproliferative mammalian cells" are mammalian cells which are not subject to the characteristic limitations of growth (programmed cell death for example) . A further preferred embodiment is when the mammalian cell is human. The invention further provides contacting the mammalian cell with at least one Formula I compound and at least one anti-neoplastic agent. The types of anti-neoplaεtic agents contemplated are discussed supra .

The invention further provides methods for using a compound of Formula I to inhibit the proliferation of hyperproliferative cellε with drug-resistant phenotypes, including those with multiple drug-resiεtant phenotypes, by contacting said cell with a compound of Formula I in an amount sufficient to inhibit the proliferation of a hyperproliferative mammalian cell. A preferred embodiment is when the mammalian cell is human. The invention further provides contacting a Formula I compound and at least one additional anti-neoplastic agent, discussed supra .

The invention provides a method for alleviating pathological conditions caused by hyperproliferating mammalian cells for example, neoplasia, by administering to a subject an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition containing Formula I compound to inhibit the proliferation of the hyperproliferating cellε. As used herein "pathological condition" refers to any pathology arising from the proliferation of mammalian cells that are not subject to the normal limitations of growth. Such proliferation of cells may be due to neoplasms as discussed supra .

In a further preferred embodiment the neoplastic cells are human. The present invention provides methods of alleviating εuch pathological conditions utilizing a compound of Formula I in combination with other therapies, as well as other anti-neoplastic agents.

The effectiveness of the claimed compounds can be asεessed uεing standard methods known to the skilled artisan. Examples of such methods are as follows:

Compounds of this invention have been found to be uεeful againεt pathogenic fungi. For example, the uεefulness for treating Cryptococcus neoformans can be illustrated with test resultε againεt Cryptococcus neoformans employing yeaεt nitrogen baεe detrose agar medium. In carrying out the assay, a compound of this invention iε solubilized in dimethyl sulfoxide supplemented with Tween 20. Twofold dilutionε are made with sterile distilled water/10 percent DMSO to obtain final drug concentrations in the agar dilution assay plates ranging from 0.008 μg/ml to 16.0 μg/ml against an expanded panel of 84 Cryptococcus neoformans strains. The minimum inhibitory concentration against the panel of 84

Cryptococcus neoformans isolates is determined to illustrate the desired antifungal activity.

The compounds are screened for minimum inhibitory concentrations against KB, a human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line, LoVo, a human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line using The Corbett assay, see Corbett, T.H. et al. Cvtotoxic Anticancer Druσs: Models and Concepts for Druσ Discovery and Developmen . pp 35-87, Kluwer Academic Publisherε: Norwell, 1992. see also, Valeriote, et al. Discovery and Development of Anticancer Agents; Kluwer Academic Publisherε, Norwell, 1993 iε used for the evaluation of compounds.

The most active compounds are further evaluated for cytotoxicity against four different cell types, for example a murine leukemia, a murine solid tumor, a human solid tumor, and a low malignancy fibroblast using the Corbett assay.

The compounds are further evaluated against a broad spectrum of murine and human tumors implanted in mice, including drug resiεtant tumors.

Tumor burden (T/C) (mean tumor burden in treated animals versus mean tumor burden in untreated animals) are used as a further asεessment. T/C values that are less than 42% are considered to be active by National Cancer Institute Standards; T/C values less than 10% are considered to have excellent activity and potential clinical activity by National Cancer Institute standards. Materials

Vinblastine, cytochalasin B, tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC) -phalloidin, sulforhodamine B (SRB) and antibodies against β-tubulin and vimentin are commercially available from recognized commercial vendors. Basal Medium Eagle containing Earle ' s salts (BME) and Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) are also commercially available. Cell Lines

The Jurkat T cell leukemia line and A-10 rat aortic smooth muscle cells are obtained from the American Type Culture Collection and are cultured in BME containing 10% FBS and 50μg/mL gentamycin sulfate. Human ovarian carcinoma cellε (SKOV3) and a sub-line which has been selected fro reεiεtance to vinblaεtine (SKVLBl) were a generouε gift from Dr. Victor Ling of the Ontario Cancer Institute. Both cell lines are maintained in BME containing 10% FBS and 50μg/mL gentamycin sulfate. Vinblastine is added to a final concentration of lμg/mL to SKVLBl cells 24 hours after pasεage to maintain selection pressure for P-glycoprotein- overexpressing cells.

Cell Proliferation and Cvcle Arrest Assays

Cell proliferation asεayε are performed as described by Skehan et al . For Jurkat cells, cultures are treated with the indicated drugs as described in Skehan and total cell numbers are determined by counting the cells in a hemacytometer. The percentage of cells in mitosis are determined by staining with 0.4% Giemsa in PBS followed by rapid waεheε with PBS. At least 1000 cells per treatment are scored for the presence of mitotic figures and the mitotic index is calculated as the ration of the cells with mitotic figures to the total number of cells counted.

Immuno luorescence Assays

A-10 cells are grown to near-confluency on glass coverslips in BME/10% FBS. Compounds in PBS are added to the indicated final concentrations and cells are incubated for an additional 24 hours. For the staining of microtubules and intermediate filaments, the cells are fixed with cold methanol and incubated with PBS containing 10% calf serum to block nonspecific binding sites. Cells are then incubated at 37"C for 60 min. with either monoclonal anti-β-tubulin or with monoclonal anti-vimentin at dilutions recommended by the manufacturer. Bound primary antibodies are subsequently visualized by a 45-minute incubation with fluorescein- conjugated rabbit antimouse IgG. The coverslips are mounted on microscope slides and the fluorescence patterns are examined and photographed using a Zeiss Photomicroscope 111 equipped with epifluorescence optics for fluoreεcein. For staining of microfilaments, cells are fixed with 3% paraformaldehyde, permeabilized with 0.2% Triton X-100 and chemically reduced with sodium borohydride (Img/ML) . PBS containing lOOnM TRITC-phalloidin is then added and the mixture is allowed to incubate for 45 min. at 37 'C. The cells are washed rapidly with PBS before the coverslips are mounted and immediately photographed aε deεcribed above.

Effects of cryptophvcinε and vinblaεtine on Jurkat cell proliferation and cell cvcle

Dose-reεponεe curveε for the effectε of cryptophycin compounds and vinblastine on cell proliferation and the percentage of cells in mitosis are determined.

Effects of cvtochalasin B. vinblastine and crvptophvcins on the cytoskeleton

Aortic smooth muscle (A-10) cells are grown on glass coverslipε and treated with PBS, 2μM cytochalaεin B, lOOnM vinblaεtine or lOnM cryptophycin compounds . After 24 hours, microtubules and vimentin intermediate filaments are visualized by indirect immunofluorescence and microfilaments are stained using TRITC - phalloidin. The morphological effects of each drug is examined. Untreated cells displayed extensive microtubule networks complete with perinuclear microtubule organizing centers. Vimentin intermediate filaments were also evenly distributed throughout the cytoplasm, while bundles of microfilaments were concentrated along the major axis of the cell. Cytochalasin B cauεed complete depolymerization of microfilaments along with the accumulation of paracrystalline remnants. This compound did not affect the distribution of either microtubules or intermediate filaments. The cryptophycin treated microtubules and vimentin intermediates are observed for depletion of microtubules, and collapse of rimentin intermediate filaments.

Effects of crvptophvcins and vinblastine on taxol-εtabilized microtubules

A-10 cells are treated for 3 hours with 0 or 10μM taxol before the addition of PBS, lOOnM vinblastine or lOnM cryptophycin compound. After 24 hourε, microtubule organization iε examined by immunofluorescence as described above. Compared with those in control cellε, microtubuleε in taxol-treated cellε were extensively bundled, especially in the cell polar regions. As before, vinblastine caused complete depolymerization of microtubules non-pretreated cells. However, pretreatment with taxol prevented microtubule depolymerization in responεe to vinblastine. Similarly, microtubules pretreated with taxol are observed with cryptophycin treatment.

Reversibility of microtubule depolvmerization bv vinblastine and cryptophycin

A-10 cells are treated with either lOOnM vinblastine or lOnM cryptophycins for 24 hr., reεulting in complete microtubule depolymerization. The cellε are then waεhed and incubated in drug-free medium for periodε of 1 hour or 24 hourε. Microtubuleε repolymerized rapidly after the removal of vinblaεtine, εhowing significant levels of microtubules after 1 hour and complete morphological recovery by 24 hour. Cells are visualized for microtubule state after treatment with a cryptophycin compound of this invention at either 1 hour or 24 hours after removal of the cryptophycin compounds.

Effects of combinations of vinblastine and crvptophvcins on cell proliferation

SKOV3 cells are treated with combinations of cryptophycins and vinblastine for 48 hours. The percentages of surviving cells are then determined and the IC₅₀S for each combination is calculated.

Toxicity of cryptophycins, vinblastine and taxol toward SKOV3 and SKVLBl cells

SKVLBl cells are resistant to natural product anticancer drugs because of their over expression of P-glycoprotein. The abilities of taxol, vinblastine and cryptophycin compounds to inhibit the growth of SKOV3 and SKVLBl cells are observed. Taxol caused dose-dependent inhibition of the proliferation of both cell lines with IC₅₀S for SKOV3 and SKVLBl cells of 1 and 8000nM, respectively. Vinblastine also inhibited the growth of both cell lines, with IC₅₀S of 0.35 and 4200nM for SKOV3 and SKVLBl cells, reεpectively. Cryptophycinε compounds of this invention demonstrate activity with an IC₅₀S of from about 1 to about 1000pm for SKOV3 and SKVLBl cellε.

Thus it can be demonstrated that the present invention provides novel cryptophycin compounds which are potent inhibitors of cell proliferation, acting by disruption of the microtubule network and inhibition of mitosis. These studieε can illustrate that cryptophycin compounds disrupt microtubule organization and thus normal cellular functions, including those of mitosiε. Claεsic anti-microtubule agents, such as colchicine and

Vinca alkaloids, arrest cell division at mitosiε. It seems appropriate to compare the effect of one of these agentε on cell proliferation with the cryptophycin compounds. For this purpose, the Vinca alkaloid vinblastine was selected as representative of the classic anti-microtubule agents. Accordingly, the effect of cryptophycin compounds and vinblastine on the proliferation and cell cycle progression of the Jurkat T-cell leukemia cell line is compared.

Since antimitotic effects are commonly mediated by disruption of microtubules in the mitotic spindles, the effects of cryptophycin compounds on cytoεkeletal structureε are characterized by fluorescence microscopy. Immunofluoreεcence εtaining of cellε treated with either a cryptophycin compound or vinblaεtine demonεtrate that both compounds cause the complete loss of microtubules. Similar studies with SKOV3 cells can show that the anti-microtubule effects of cryptophycin compounds are not unique to the smooth muscle cell line.

GC3 human Colon Carcinoma Screen

Selected wells of a 96 well plate were seeded with GC3 human colon carcinoma cells (1x10 cells in lOOμl asεay medium/well) twenty four hourε prior to test compound addition. Cell free assay medium was added to other select wells of the 96 well plate. The assay medium (RPMI-1640 was the medium used; however, any medium that will allow the cells to survive would be acceptable) was supplemented with 10% dialyzed fetal bovine serum and 25 mM HEPES buffer.

The test compound was stored in an amber bottle prior to testing. Fresh dimethylsulfoxide stock solution (200μg/ml) was prepared immediately prior to preparation of test sample dilutions in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) . A dilution of 1:20 dimethylsulfoxide solution in PBS was prepared such that the final concentration was 10 μg/ml. Serial 1:3 dilutions using PBS (.5ml previous sample of 1ml PBS) were prepared. Falcon 2054 tubes were used for the assay.

A lOul sample of each dilution of test compound was added in triplicate to wells of GC3 plates. The plates were incubated for 72 hours at about 37 C. A 10 μl sample of stock 3- [4, 5-dimethyl-2-yl] -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide salt ("MTT" 5 mg/ml in PBS) was added to each well. The plates were incubated for about an hour at 37 C. The plates were centrifuged, media was decanted from the wells and lOOμl acid-isopropanol (0.04 N HCl in iεopropanol) was added to each well. The plate was read within one hour using a teεt wavelength of 570nm (SpectraMax reader) .

Evaluation of compoundε of Formula I εuggest that the compounds can be useful in the treatment methods claimed herein. Further, the compounds will be useful for disrupting the microtubule system.

Compounds of Formula I can be prepared using a compound of the formula II

π

wherein

Ar, R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰ have the meanings set for supra in Formula I.

R¹³ is selected from the group consiεting of t-butylcarbamate (BOC) ; R²⁴ is selected from the group consiεting of

(N-hydroxyεuccinimide, herein "NHS"), N- hydroxysulfosuccinimide and salts thereof, 2-nitrophenyl, 4- nitrophenyl, and 2, 4-dichlorophenyl; X iε O, NH or alkylamino; Y is 0, NH, or alkylamino.

Compounds of Formula III

wherein the R groups and various substituents are aε defined hereinbefore and throughout the εpecification; can be prepared by contacting a compound of the formula IV

R²⁵ is an active ester substituent; with an acid of the formula

R²⁷ is εelected from the group consisting of H, C_-C_2 alkyl, and aryl; and a silylating agent. Bis N,0-trimethylsilyl acetamide (BSA) iε an eεpecially preferred silylating agent.

As used with regard to R²⁵ the phrase "active ester substituent" refers to a subεtituent which makes the OR²⁴ subεtituent a good leaving group. Appropriate εubstituents can be selected with guidance from standard reference guides, for example, "Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry", Plenum Press, (London and New York, 1973); Greene, T.W. "Protecting Groupε in Organic Synthesis", Wiley (New York, 1981). An especially preferred R²⁵ group is N-hydroxy-succinimide. (NHS)

The processes described herein are most preferably completed in the presence of a solvent. The artisan can select an appropriate solvent for the above described process. Inert organic solvents are particularly preferred; however, under certain conditions an aqueous solvent can be appropriate. For example, if R²⁷ is hydrogen and and R¹³ is BOC an aqueous base as εolvent will be effective. When the desired R⁶ substituent in the compound of

Formula I contains an amine, then the amine substituent of the R⁶ group must be protected using an amino protecting group. The artisan can readily select an appropriate amino protecting group using guidance from standard works, including, for example, "Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry", Plenum Press, (London and New York, 1973); Greene, T.W. "Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis", Wiley (New York, 1981) .

R²⁷ should be a group that allows for the removal of the -CO₂R²⁷ substituent using acidic, neutral, or mild basic conditions. Preferred R²⁷ groups include, but are in no way limited to, hydrogen, C_-C₆ alkyl, tricholoromethyl, trichloroethyl, and methylthiomethyl. It is especially preferred that R²⁷ is hydrogen. To provide further guidance for the artisan, the following schemes are provided:

Scheme I '

As uεed in Scheme I ' and throughout the specification, R¹' is halogen, SH, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, trialkylammonium, alkylthio, dialkylsulfonium, sulfate, phosphate or a protected OH or protected SH group; R² is OH or SH; R²⁶ iε an alcohol protecting group introduced during a portion of the εynthetic proceεε to protect an alcohol group which might otherwiεe react in the course of chemical manipulations, and is then removed at a later stage of the synthesis. Numerous reactions for the formation and removal of such a protecting groups are described in a number of standard works, including, for example, "Protective Groups in Organic Chemistry", Plenum Press, (London and New York, 1973); Greene, T.W. "Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis", Wiley (New York, 1981) . The skilled artisan can select an appropriate alcohol protecting group particularly with guidance provided from such works. One particularly useful alcohol protecting group is tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBS) .

R⁶ has the meaning def ined supra .

The product of the schemes provided herein can be further derivatized using standard methods to provide further cryptophycin compounds.

The artisan can utilize appropriate starting materials and reagents to prepare desired compounds using the guidance of the previous schemes and following examples.

The ester starting material can be prepared, for example, as follows:

Step l

HEW TMG

Step 2

DIBAL

Step 3

SAE

Step 6

TBS-OTf Et₃N

Step 8

DBU/ACN

Step 9

KCN

Step 10

DIBAL; HEW

R⁶ has the meaning def ined supra . The εcheme for preparing the ester is further explained by the Preparation Section herein which provides one specific application of the scheme for the convenience of the skilled artisan. The Scheme for preparing the ester is applicable to the Ar substituents claimed herein. The scheme illustration is not intended to limited the synthesis scheme only to the phenyl ring illustrated. Rather, the artisan can broadly apply this process to provide desired starting materials for the compounds claimed herein.

The necessary reaction time is related to the starting materials and operating temperature. The optimum reaction time for a given process is, as always, a compromise which is determined by considering the competing goals of throughput, which is favored by εhort reaction times, and maximum yield, which is favored by long reaction times.

To further illustrate the invention the following examples are provided. The scope of the invention is in no way to be construed as limited to or by the following examples.

Preparation 1

Step 1. Methyl 5-Phenylpent-2 ( E) -enoate. A solution of trimethyl phosphonoacetate (376 g, 417 mL, 2.07 mol) in THF (750 mL) was stirred at 0 °C in a 3L 3-neck round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and N2 inlet. To the chilled solution, neat tetramethyl guanidine (239 g, 260 mL, 2.07 mol) was added dropwise via an addition funnel. The chilled clear pale yellow solution was stirred for 25 minuteε at 0 °C. A εolution of hydrocinnamaldehyde (90%, 253 g, 248 mL, 1.9 mol) in THF (125 mL) waε added dropwise to the reaction solution slowly. Upon completion of addition, the reaction was stirred for 10 h rising to room temperature. GC indicated a 95:5 ratio of product to starting material. 500ml of water was added to the reaction vessel and the reaction stirred overnight separating into two layerε. The organic layer was isolated and the aqueous layer was extracted with t-BuOMe. The organic layers were combined and dried over MgSθ4, then concentrated in vacuo to yield an orange oil. The crude product was distilled at 129 °C/0.3mm Hg yielding 360.5g, 91.7% yield, of a clear slightly yellow oil.

EIMS m/z 190(13; M+) , 159(410, 158(39), 131(90), 130(62), 117(22), 104(12) , 95(57), 91(100), 77(21) , 65(59); HREIMS m/z 190.0998 (C12H14O2 D -0.4 mnu) ; UV lmax (e) 210 (8400), 260 (230) nm; IR nmax 3027, 2949, 1723, 1658, 1454, 1319, 1203, 978, 700 cm^"1; ^ NMR d (CDCI₃) 7.15-7.3 (Ph-H5;bm), 7.00

(3-H;dt, 15.6/6.6), 5.84 (2-H;dt, 15.6/1.2), 3.70 (OMe;s), 2.76 (5-H2;t, 7.2), 2.51 (4-H2; bdt, 6.6/7.2); ¹³C NMR d

(CDCI₃) 166.9 (1) , 148.3(3), 140.6 (Ph-1 ' ) , 128.4/128.2 (Ph2'/3'/5'6' ) , 126.1 (Ph 4'), 121.4 (2) . 51.3 (OMe), 34.2/33.8 (4/5) .

Step 2. 5-phenyl-pent-2-en-l-ol. To a 12L 4-neck round bottom flask equipped with a thermocouple, mechanical stirrer and N2 inlet, a solution of enoate eεter (310.5 g, 1.5 mol) in THF (1.5 L) was charged and chilled to -71 °C via a i- PrOH/Cθ2 bath. To the reaction vessel, was added dropwise DIBAL (2.5 L, 1.5 M in toluene, 3.75 mol) at a rate to maintain the reaction temperature < -50 °C. Upon complete addition, the reaction was stirred overnight with the reaction temperature < -50 °C. TLC (3:1 Hexaneε:EtOAc, Siθ2) indicated absence of starting material after 16 h. The reaction temperature was allowed to raise to -15°C. The reaction was quenched slowly withlN HCl (150 mL) . At this point the reaction setup into a gelatinous solid. A spatula was employed to breakup the the semi-εolid and IN HCl (200 mL) was added making the mixture more fluid. Concentrated HCl (625 mL) was charged to form a two phase system. The layers were separated and the product extracted with t-BuOMe. The organic layer was dried over MgS04 and concentrated in vacuo to yield a clear pale yellow oil, 247.8g. The crude product was distilled at 145 °C/0.25mm Hg yielding 209.7g, 86.2%.

EIMS m/z 162 (1:M+) 144 (16), 129 (7), 117 (9) 108 (6), 92 (17), 91 (100), 75 (5), 65 (12), HREIMS m/z 162, 1049 (CnHi4θ, D -0.4 mmu) ; UV lmax (e) 206 (9900), 260 (360); IR nmax 3356, 2924, 1603, 1496, 1454, 970, 746, 700 cm-¹; NMR d 7.15-7.3 (Ph-H5;m), 5.70 (3-H;dt, 15.6/6.0), 5.61 (2-H;dt, 15.6/4.8), 4.02 (1-H2;d 4.8) , 2.68 (5-H2; t, 7.2), 2.40 (OH;bε), 2.36(4-H2; dt, 6.0/7.2); ¹³C NMR dl41.6 (Ph i¹), 131.8(3), 129.5 (2), 128.3/128.2 (Ph 273 576'), 125.7 (Ph 4' ) , 63.3 (1) , 35.4/33.8 (4/5) .

Step 3. (2S, 3S) -2, 3-Epoxy-5-phenyl-1-pentanol . To a IL 3 neck round bottom flaεk equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple and nitrogen inlet was added CH₂CI₂ (350 mL) , dried 4 A molecular sieves (30 g) and L- (+) -diethyl tartrate (7.62 g, 0.037 mol) . The resulting mixture was cooled to -20 °C and treated with Ti(0-i-Pr)₄ (9.2 mL, 0.031 mol), followed by the addition of t-butylhydroperoxide (4.0 M in CH₂CI₂, 182 mL, 0.78 mol) at a rate to maintain the temperature < -20 °C. Upon complete addition, the reaction mixture was stirred for another 30 min, and then treated with a solution of the allylic alcohol (50 g, 0.31 mol) in CH₂CI₂ (30 mL) at a rate to maintain the temperature < -20 °C. The reaction was stirred at the same temperature for 5 h, then filtered into a solution of ferrous sulfate heptahydrate (132 g) and tartaric acid (40 g) in water (400 mL) at 0 °C. The mixture was stirred for 20 min, then transferred to a separatory funnel and extracted with t-BuOMe (2x200 mL) . The combined organic phase was stirred with 30% NaOH solution containing NaCl, for 1 h at 0 °C. The layers were again separated, and the aqueous phase extracted with t-BuOMe. The combined organic phase was washed with brine, dried over MgS0₄ and concentrated to yield 52.8 g as an amber oil.

Step 4. ( 2R, 3R ) -2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-phenylpentan-l- ol . To a 5L 3 neck round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, thermocouple and nitrogen inlet was added hexanes (IL) and cooled to 0 °C. A 2.0M solution of Me₃Al in hexaneε (800 mL, 1.6 mol) waε added, followed by a solution of the epoxide (120 g, 0.677 mol) in hexanes (250 mL) /CH₂C1₂ (50 mL) maintaining the temperature below 20 °C. Upon complete addition, the cloudy reaction mixture was stirred at 5 °C for 35 min, whereupon a solution of 10% HCl (300 mL) was added dropwiεe, followed by the addition of coned HCl (350 mL) . The layers were separated, and the organic phase was washed with brine and dried over MgSθ₄. After removal of the volatileε in vacuo, 122.1 gram of an oil was obtained. Step 5. ( 2R, 3R ) -2-hydroxy-3-methyl-5-phenylpent-l-yl Tosylate. To a 2L 3 neck round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer and nitrogen inlet was added the diol (58 g, 0.30 mol), dibutyltin oxide (1.5 g, 0.006 mol, 2 mol%), toluenesulfonyl chloride (57.5 g, 0.30 mol), CH₂C1₂ (580 mL) and triethylamine (42.0 mL, 0.30 mol). The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h (although the reaction was complete within 1 h) , filtered, washed with water and dried over MgSθ₄. Concentration of the volatiles in vacuo afforded 104.1 gram of a slightly amber oil. Step 6. ( 2R, 3R ) -2- [ ( tert-Butyldimethylsilyl) oxy] -3- methyl-5-phenylpent-1-yl Tosylate. A solution of the tosylate (100 g, 0.29 mol) and triethylamine (81.0 mL, 0.58 mol) in CH₂Cl₂ (1200 mL) was treated with neat TBS-OTf (99 mL, 0.43 mol) dropwise with continued stirring for another 20 min. The reaction was washed twice with brine, dried over

MgSθ₄ and concentrated to dryneεε. The oil waε diεεolved in a minimal amount of hexanes and filtered over a silica pad, eluting with hexanes:EtOAc (9:1) to yield a slightly amber oil, 134 g. Step 7. ( 2R_f 3R , 5RS) -2-[( tert- Butyldimethylsilyl ) oxy] -3-methyl-5-bromo-5-phenylpent- 1-yl Tosylate. To a 5L 3 neck round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser and nitrogen inlet waε added CC1 (1680 mL) , TBS Ts (140 g, 0.30 mol), NBS (65g, 0.365 mol) and AIBN (16.5 g, 0.10 mol) . The mixture was degassed by evacuation under full vacuum with stirring, and backfilling with nitrogen (3x) . The reaction mixture was then heated to reflux, whereupon the color became dark brown. After 15 min at vigorous reflux, the reaction mixture became light yellow, and chromatographic analysis indicated the reaction was complete. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction was filtered and the filtrate concentrated to drynesε. The reεidue waε redissolved in hexanes and filtered again, and concentrated to drynesε to afford 170.3 gram as an amber oil. Step 8. ( 2R, 3R ) -2- [ ( ert-Butyldimethylsilyl)oxy] -3- methyl-5-phenylpent-4 (JE7) -en-l-yl Tosylate. To a 2L 3 neck round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser and nitrogen inlet was added a solution of the bromide (100 g, 0.186 mol) in acetonitrile (700 mL) . DBU (83.6 mL, 0.557 mol) was added and the resulting dark brown solution was stirred at reflux for 15 min. After cooling to room temperature, the solvent was removed in vacuo, and the residue digested in CH₂CI₂ (200 mL) and filtered through a silica pad. The volatiles were again evaporated, and the residue dissolved in EtOAc and washed with water, brine and dried over MgS0₄ and concentrated to dryneεs. Preparative mplc (Prep 500) chromatography afforded the desired unsaturated compound (50.3 g, 60% yield over 4 steps) . Step 9. (35, 4J?) -3- [( tert-Butyldimethylsilyl) oxy] -4- methyl-6-phenylhex-5 ( E) -en-1-nitrile . The tosylate (50 g, 0.11 mol) was dissolved in DMSO (1 L) and treated with KCN (14.2 g, 0.22 mol) and water (25 mL) , and the reεulting mixture was stirred at 60 °C under nitrogen for 18 h. After cooling to room temperature, the reaction mixture was partitioned between EtOAc (1 L) and water (I D . The aqueous phase was extracted with EtOAc (500 mL) , and the combined organic phase was washed with brine and dried over a₂Sθ₄. Flash chromatography over silica with CH₂CI₂ afforded the desired nitrile in 92% yield. Step 10. Methyl ( 5S, 6R ) -5- [ ( tert- Butyldi ethylsilyl ) oxy] -6-methyl-8-phenylocta-

2(B) , 7 (E) -dienoate. The nitrile (14.67 g, 46.5 mmol) was dissolved in toluene (200 mL) and cooled to -78 °C under nitrogen. A 1.5M εolution of DIBAL in toluene (37.2 mL, 55.8 mmol) waε added dropwise with vigorous stirring. Upon complete addition, the cooling bath was removed and the reaction was stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The reaction mixture was carefully poured into IN HCl and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 30 min. The layers were separated, and the organic phase was washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium potasεium tartrate (2x) , brine and dried over Na₂Sθ₄. The volatiles were removed in vacuo, and the crude pale yellow oil was used directly in the subsequent condensation.

The crude aldehyde from above was disεolved in THF (90 mL) and treated with trimethyl phosphonoacetate (9.03 mL, 55.8 mmol) and tetramethylguanidine (7.0 mL, 55.8 mmol) at room temperature under nitrogen. The reaction mixture was stirred for 16 h, then partitioned between EtOAc (200 mL) and water (100 mL) . The aqueous phase was back extracted with EtOAc (100 mL) , and the combined organic phase was washed with water, brine and dried over Na2Sθ₄. The volatiles were removed in vacuo, and the crude yellow oil (17.0 g) was chromatographed over silica gel with CH₂CI₂ : cyclohexane (1 : 1 to 2 : 1) to afford 13.67 grams of the desired ester, 78.5%.

Methyl ester (2.673 mmol) was disεolved in acetone and then IN aqueous LiOH (26mL) added at room temperature. The cloudy mixture was further diluted with acetone (20mL) and the reεulting yellow mixture stirred at room temperature for 23.5h. The reaction was diluted with diethylether (400mL) and the organics washed with IN HCl (120mL) , brine (200mL) and H₂O (160mL) . The organics were dried and concentrated i n vacuo to leave a yellow oil which was purified by column chromatography (gradient: 5% AcOH + 20%-40% EtOAc/Hexanes ) to give carboxylic acid as a yellow oil (960mg, 100%) . ⁱH NMR (CDC1₃) d 7.38-7.19 (m,PhH₅), 7.09 (ddd,J=15.2, 7.6 and7.9 Hz,3-H), 6.38 (d,J=16 Hz,8-H), 6.16 (dd,J=16 and8 Hz, 7-H) , 5.85 (d,J=15.8Hz,2-H) ,3.81-3.75 (m,5-H), 2.49-2.37 (m,6-H,4-CH₂) , 1.12 (d,J=6.7Hz, 6-Me) , 0.91 (s,SiCMe₃) , 0.065 (s,SiMe), 0.068 (s,SiMe) ppm;

IR u (CHCI₃) 2957,2930,2858,1697,1258,1098,838 cm^-1; MS (FD) 360.2 (M⁺,100);

[a]_D+87.6° (c 10.5, CHCI₃);

Anal, calcd. for C21H32O3 requires: C, 69.95; H,8.95%. Found: C, 69.19; H,8.39%.

Preparation

To a stirred solution of carboxylic acid (2mmol) in dry dimethylformamide (5.50mL) waε added l-ethyl-3- (3- dimethyaminopropyl)carbodiimide (2.4mmol) and N- hydroxysuccinimide (2.6mmol) at room temperature. The mixture was stirred for 28h and then diluted with EtOAc (lOOmL) and washed with IN aqueous HCl (2x50mL) , H₂0 (75mL) , dried and concentrated in vacuo to leave an oil. Crude product was purified by column chromatography (gradient: 5-30%

EtOAc/Hexanes) to give active ester as a pale yellow oil

(724mg,80%) . ⁱH NMR (CDC1₃) d 7.36-7.20 (m,PhH₅,3-H) , 6.38 (d,J=16Hz, 8-H) , 6.14 (dd,J=16.1 and 8.0 Hz,7-H) . 6.03 (d,J=16Hz,2-H) , 3.79

(q,J=4.3Hz,5-H) , 2.94 (brs,CH₂CH₂) , 2.58-2.42 (m, 6-H, 4-CH₂) ,

1.10 (d,J=6.8Hz, 6-Me) , 0.90 (s,SiCMe₃), 0.05 (s,SiMe₂) ppm;

IR u (CHCI₃)

2957,2931,2858,1772,1741,1648,1364,1254,1092,1069,838 cm^"1; MS (FD) 457 (M⁺,100);

[a]_D +71.3° (c 10.1, CHCI₃);

Anal, calcd. for C₂₅H₃₅NO₅ requires: C, 65.61;H, 7.71;N, 3.06%.

Found: C, 65.51;H,7.56; N, 3.02%.

Preparation

To a stirred solution of silyl ether (2.50g, 5.47mmol) in CH₃CN (130mL) was added 48% aqueous HF (15mL) at OC. The solution was stirred at 0 C for 0.75h and then at room temperature for 4h. The reaction was diluted with diethylether (300mL) and washed with H₂O until the wash was ~pH7. Organics were dried (MgS0₄) and concentrated in vacuo to give a yellow reεidue which waε recrystallized from Et20 to give alcohol as white crystalε (1.46g,78%). ^lH NMR (CDCI₃) d 7.41-7.20 (m,PhH₅, 3-H) , 6.48 (d,J=16Hz, 8-H) , 6.15-6.07 (m,7-H,2-H), 3.71-3.65 (m,5-H), 2.83 (brε,CH₂CH₂) , 2.60-2.33 (m,6-H,4-CH₂) ,1.95 (brε, 5-OH) , 1.14 (d,J=6.8Hz, 6- Me) ppm; IR u (KBr)

3457,1804,1773,1735,1724,1209,1099,1067,1049,975,744,694 cirT

UV (EtOH) l_max 250 (e =20535) nm; MS (FD) 343.2 (M⁺,100); [a]_D -57.8° (c 10.56, CHCI₃);

Anal, calcd. for C₁₉H₂₁NO₅S requires: C, 66.46;H, 6.16;N, 4.08%. Found: C, 66.49; H,6.16; N, 4.07%.

Example 1

To a εuspension of carboxylic acid (1.28g, 3.87mmol), in dry dichloromethane (6mL) waε added EDC (742mg, 3.87mmol) and DMAP (73mg, 0.60mmol) and the mixture stirred at room temperature for 0.5h. A solution of alcohol (1.02g, 2.97mmol) in dichlormethane (5.5mL) was added to the reaction mixture and εtirred for a further 0.3h.The reaction waε diluted with CH₂CI₂ (200mL) and waεhed with IN aq. HCl

(2x 50mL) , sat. aq. NaHC0₃ (2x 50mL) , H₂0 (50mL) . The organics were dried (MgS0₄) and concentrated in vacuo to leave an oily residue, which was purified by column chromatography

(gradient: 10-30% EtOAc/Hexanes) to give the desired ester as a yellow solid (1.68g,79%) . ^lH NMR (CDCI₃) unit A d 7.35-7.20 (m,PhH₅, 3-H) , 6.43

(d,J=15.8Hz,8-H) , 6.12 (d,J=15.9Hz, 2H) , 5.99 (dd,J=8.5 andl5.8 Hz,7-H) , 5.06-5.08 (m,5-H), 2.85 (brs,CH₂CH₂) , 2.68- 2.61 (m,6-H,4-CH₂) , 1.13 (d,J=6.8Hz, 6-Me) ; unit C d 5.31 (brt,NH) ,3.28-3.25 (m,3-CH₂) , 1.43 (ε,CMe₃), 1.21 (ε,2-Me), 1.19 (s,2-Me); unit D d 4.95 (dd,J=9.8 and 3.8Hz,2-H) , 1.73- 1.64 (m,3-H,4-H), 1.59-1.49 (m,3-H'), 0.85 (d,J=6.4Hz, 5-Me) , 0.82 (d,J=6.4,4-Me) ppm;

IR u (KBr) 3400, 2975,1743,1367,1206,1126,1145,1068 cm"¹; MS (FD) 657 (M⁺,100); [a]_D+39.5° (c 10.38, CHCI₃);

Anal, calcd. for C₃₅H₄₈N₂O₁₀ requires: C, 64.01;H,7.37;N, 4.27%. Found: C, 64.19;H,7.27; N,4.52 %.

Example 2 A

To a stirred solution of active ester (150mg, 0.229mmol) in dry DMF (2.5mL) was added N,O-Bis- (trimethylsilyl)acetamide (282uL, 1.143mmol) followed by D-Hydroxy-phenylglycine (57mg, 0.343mmmol) . The mixture was heated in a sealed tube under ₂ at 55 C for 2Oh. Reaction solution was diluted with EtOAc (180mL) and washed with IN aq. HCl (50mL) ,H₂θ (50mL) , brine (50mL) , dried (MgS04) and concentrated in vacuo to give a yellow solid. Purification of the crude solid by column chromatography (gradient: 5-20% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) provided amide (122mg,75%). H NMR (CD₃OD/CDCI3) Unit A d 7.27-7.20 (m,PhH₅), 6.75-6.69 (m,3-H), 6.43 (d,J=15.9Hz,8-H) , 5.96 (d,J=15.7Hz,7-H) , 5.93 (d,J=15.6Hz,2-H) , 4.95-4.93 (m,5-H), 2.56-2.49 (m, 6-H,4-CH₂) , 1.04 (d,J=6.8Hz,6-Me) ; Unit B d 7.16 (d,J=8.3Hz,ArH₂) , 6.66 (d,J=8.2Hz,ArH₂) , 5.62 (brt,NH)5.19-5.18 (m,2-H); Unit C d 3.15 (d,J=6.3Hz,3-CH₂) , 1.36 (ε,CMe₃), 1.11 (s,2-Me), 1.08 (ε,2-Me); Unit D d 4.85 (dd,J=9.6 and 3.3Hz,2-H), 1.64-1.57 (m,3-H,4-H), 1.55-1.47 (m,3-H'), 0.76 (d, J=6.3Hz,5-Me) , 0.73 (d,J=6.3Hz,4-Me) ppm ; IR u (KBr) 3400,2972,1728,1672,1614,1515,1450,1416,1171,1147 cm"¹;

MS (FAB) 610.6 ( [MH₂-Boc]⁺,100) ; [a]_D -19.9° (c 6.53, MeOH) .

Example 3

Boc amine as prepared by Example 2 (109mg,0.154mmol) was disεolved in trfluoracetic acid (5mL,5mM) and εtirred at room temperature for 2h.The reaction was concentrated in vacuo and dried under high vacuum to give the trifluoroacetate salt of amine as a light brown foam. Crude amine salt (max. 0.154mmol) was dissolved in dry DMF (31mL) and dusopropylethylamine (80uL, 0.462mmol) , followed by pentafluorophenyl diphenyl -phosphinate (77mg, 0.2mmol) added. The resulting solution was stirred at room temperature under dry N₂ for 15h, concentrated in vacuo and the residue purified by column chromatography (gradient: 1-4% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) to provide cryptophycin as a tan solid (54mg,59%). ^lH NMR (CDC1₃) Unit A d 7.36-7.15 (m,PhH₅), 6.79-6.69 (m,3-H), 6.54 (d,J=15.8,8-H) , 5.98 (dd,J= 15.8 and 8.8 Hz,7-H) , 5.06- 5.0 (m,5-H), 2.61-2.49 (m,6-H,4-H), 2.39-2.30 (m,3-H'), 1.10 (d,J=6.8Hz,6-Me) ; Unit B d 7.90 (dd,J=10 and 1.68Hz,OH), 7.65 (d,J=6.3Hz,NH) , 7.10 (d,J=8.5,ArH₂) , 6.71 (d,J=8.4,ArH₂) , 5.28 (d,J=6.5Hz,2-H) , ; Unit C d 3.55-3.47 (dd,J=13.3 and 10.lHz,3-CH₂) , 3.00 (d,J=13.4Hz,NH) 1.19 (s,2-Me), 1.16 (s,2- Me); Unit D d 4.90 (dd,J=10 and 3.5Hz,2-H), 1.66-1.54 (m,3- H,4-H), 1.32-1.25 (m,3-H'), 0.67 (apparent t,J=7.1Hz, 5-Me, 4- Me) ppm;

IR u (KBr)

3418,3340,2960,1740,1713,16711514,1271,1198,1155,972 cm^"1; MS (FD) 590 (M⁺,100); [a]_D+15.35° (c 3.91, CHCI₃) .

Example 4

Styrene prepared as described by Example 3 (42mg, 0.0712mmol) was suspended in dry dichloromethane (2.2mL, 0.035mM) and mCPBA (49mg, 0.285mmol) added in one portion at room temperature. Dry tetrahydrofuran (0.3mL) was added to produce a homogeneous solution. The reaction was stirred under N at room temperture for 21h and then diluted with further CH₂CI₂ (15mL) . Organics were washed with 10% aq. Na₂S₂θs (lOmL), sat. aq. NaHCθ3 (lOmL) , H₂O (lOmL) , dried (MgS0₄) and concentrated in vacuo to give a yellow solid. Crude product was initially purified by column chromatography (gradient: 1-5% MeOH/ CH₂CI₂) to give a 1: 1.15 mixture of a:b C7-C8 epoxides as a white solid (23mg, 54%) .Reverse phase HPLC (column: 4.6x250mm Kromsil C18; Eluent: 60% CH₃CN/ H₂O; Flow: l.OmL/min; UV:

220nm) εeparation of the a:b mixture provided a-epoxide (2.3mg, t=13.7min) and β-epoxide (5.8mg, t=12.1min) aε white solids.

Example 5

The above illustrated compound was prepared substantially as described above using the procedures of Examples 1-4 α-Epoxide:

^XH NMR (CDCI₃)

Example 6

The above illustrated compound was prepared substantially as described above using the procedures of Examples 1-4

β-Epoxide: ^lH NMR (CDC1₃) Unit A d 7.36-716 (m,PhH₅), 6.70-6.79 (m,3-H),

5.91 (dd,J=15.5 and 5.18Hz,2-H) 5.23-5.18 (m,5-H), 3.75

(d,J=1.67Hz,8-H) , 2.96 (dd,J=7.4 and 2.OHz,7-H) , 2.72-2.67

(m,4-H), 2.44-2.39 (m,4-H'), 1.81-1.88 (m, 6-H) , 1.13

(d,J=6.9,6-Me) ; Unit B d 7.66 (s,NH) , 7.13 (d,J=8.5Hz,ArH₂) , 6.74 (d,J=8.5Hz,ArH₂) , 5.27 (s,2-H); Unit C d 7.66 (s,NH),

3.49 (dd,J=13.6 and 10Hz,3-CH₂), 1.20 (s,2-Me) ,1.18 (ε,2-

Me); Unit D d 4.93 (dd,J=10 and 3.2Hz,2-H), 1.69-1.59 (m,3-

H,4-H), 1.30-1.22 (m,3-H'), 0.79 (d,J=6.2Hz,5-Me) , 0.78

(d,J=6.3Hz,4-Me) ppm.

Claims

We Claim:

1. A compound of Formula I

wherein

Ar is phenyl or any simple unsubstituted or substituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group, C_-C_₂ alkyl, C_-C_₂ alkyne; R¹ is halogen, SH, amino, monoalkylamino, dialkylamino, trialkylammonium, alkylthio, dialkylsulfonium, sulfate, or phosphate; R² iε OH or SH; or R¹ and R² may be taken together to form an epoxide ring, an aziridine ring, an episulfide ring, a sulfate ring, a cyclopropyl ring, or monoalkylphosphate ring; or R¹ and R² may be taken together to form a εecond bond between C_8 and C_g; R³ is a lower alkyl group; R⁴ is H; R⁵ is H;

R⁴ and R⁵ may be taken together to form a second bond between C_₃ and C₁₄; R⁶ is a substituent selected from the group consiεting of fi¬ ring heteroaromatic, substituted heteroaromatic, B-ring (Ci-Cβ)alkyl, (C₃-C₈) cycloalkyl, subεtituted C₃-C₈ cycloalkyl, substituted (Ci-Cε) alkyl, a group of the formula III': and a group of the formula III ¹ '

R⁷ iε selected from the group consiεting of NR⁵¹R⁵², R⁵³NR⁵¹R⁵², OR⁵³, H and a lower alkyl group; R⁵¹ and R⁵² are independently εelected from the group consisting of C₁-C₃ alkyl; R⁵³ is C₁-C₃ alkyl; R⁸ is H or a lower alkyl group;

R⁷ and R⁸ can optionally form a cyclopropyl ring; R⁹ is selected from the group conεiεting of H, a lower alkyl group, unsaturated lower alkyl, and lower alkyl-C₃-C₅ cycloalkyl;

R¹⁰ is H or a lower alkyl group;

R⁹ and R¹⁰ together optionally form a cyclopropyl ring;

R¹¹ is selected from the group consisting of H, OH, simple alkyl, phenyl, εubεtituted phenyl, benzyl, and εubstituted benzyl;

R¹⁴ is H or a lower alkyl group;

R¹⁵, R¹⁶, and R¹⁷ are each independently selected from the group consiεting of hydrogen, (C_-C₆)alkyl, OR¹⁸, halo, NR¹⁸'R¹⁹', N0₂, OPO₄H₂, OR¹⁹phenyl, SCH₂phenyl, CONH₂, C0₂H,

PO3H2, and S0₂R²³, and ZZ;

R¹⁸ is selected from the group consiεting of hydrogen, aryl, and Cχ-C₆ alkyl;

R¹⁸' iε εelected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (C_-C₆)alkyl;

R¹⁹ is Ci-Cβ alkyl;

R¹⁹' is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and

(C_!-C₆)alkyl; R²³ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and (C_- C₃)alkyl;

R³⁰ is hydrogen or C_-C₆ alkyl; n iε 0, 1, or 2; p is 0, 1, or 2; m is 0, 1, or 2 X is selected from the group consisting of 0, NH and alkylamino;

Y is selected from the group conεiεting of 0, NH, and alkylamino;

Z is selected from the group consisting of -(CH2)_n- -(CH₂)p-0-(CH₂)_m- and (C3-C5) cycloalkyl;

ZZ is selected from the group consisting of an aromatic group and a substituted aromatic group; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof; provided that when R⁶ is a group of Formula III" and n is 1, then at least one of the group consisting of R¹⁵, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ must be a non-hydrogen group and if only one of R¹⁵, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ is OH or OR²⁹ and one of the group consisting of R¹⁵, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ is halo then the remaining member of the group consisting of R¹⁵, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ must not be hydrogen or halo; R²⁹ is (Cι-C₅)alkyl; further provided that the compound is not a cryptophycin selected from the group consisting of cryptophycins:

B-2

B-7

C-1

C-2

C-3

C-6

CRYPTOPHYCIN-52

CRYPTOPHYCIN-210

CRYPTO PHYCIN-190

CRYPTO PHYCIN- 189

CRYPTOPHYCIN-115

CRYPTOPHYCIN-110

Cryptophycin-215

Cryptophycin-214

Cryptophycin-213

Cryptophycin-211 and

D-2

2. A compound of Claim 1 wherein Y is 0.

3. A compound of Claim 2 wherein X is 0.

4. A compound of Claim 3 wherein R⁶ is a group of the formula:

5. A compound of Claim 4 wherein R⁹ is isobutyl and R¹⁰ is hydrogen.

6. A compound of Claim 5 wherein R⁸ and R⁷ are each independently selected from the group consisting of methyl and hydrogen.

7. A compound of Claim 6 wherein R¹ and R² form an epoxide group.

8. A compound of Claim 1 wherein none of R¹⁵, R¹⁶, and R¹⁷ are C₁-C₃ alkyl.

9 . A compound of Claim 8 wherein X is 0.

10. A compound of Claim 9 wherein R⁶ is a group of the formula:

11. A compound of Claim 10 wherein R⁸ and R⁷ are each methyl.

12. A compound of Claim 11 wherein R⁹ is isobutyl and R¹⁰ is hydrogen.

13. A compound of Claim 12 wherein R¹ and R² form an epoxide group.

14. A compound of Claim 1 wherein n is 0.

15. A compound of Claim 9 wherein n is 0.

16. A compound of Claim 3 wherein n is 0.

17. A compound of Claim 1 wherein none of the group consisting of R¹⁵, R¹⁶ and R¹⁷ is halo or OCH₃.

18. A compound of Claim 17 wherein n is 0.

19. A compound of Claim 17 wherein n is 2.

20. A compound of Claim 17 wherein n is 1.

21. A compound of Claim 3 wherein R³⁰ is methyl.

22. A compound of Claim 20 wherein R³⁰ is hydrogen.

23 . A compound of Claim 3 wherein R⁶ is selected from

24. A compound of Claim 1 wherein R⁶ is selected from the group consiεting of the following eight heteroaromaticε:

25. A compound of Claim 1 wherein the compound is selected from the group consiεting of

B-3

B-5

B-6

C-4

C-7

C-8

Cryptophycin-209

Cryptophycin-208

D-3 , and

D-1

26. A method for disrupting microtubule binding in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of Claim 1.

27. A method for disrupting microtubule binding in vitro comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of Claim 1.

28. A method for treating a neoplasm in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of Claim 1 to a patient in need thereof.

29. A formulation comprising a compound of Claim 1 and one or more pharmaceutically acceptable diluents or carriers therefor.

30. A method for treating a mammal suffering from or susceptible to a fungal infection, comprising administering an effective amount of a compound of Claim 1.