EP1176957A1

EP1176957A1 - Method for treating abnormal cell proliferation in the brain

Info

Publication number: EP1176957A1
Application number: EP00931190A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Marie-Christine Bissery; Alain Renard; Michèle Besenval-Milleron
Original assignee: Aventis Pharma SA
Current assignee: Aventis Pharma SA
Priority date: 1999-05-03
Filing date: 2000-05-02
Publication date: 2002-02-06
Also published as: CA2365776A1; JP2002543127A

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for treating abnormal cell proliferation in the brain by administering a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof: in which R represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl, alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical, R1 represents a benzoyl radical or a radical R2-O-CO- wherein R2 represents an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, bicycloalkyl, phenyl or heterocyclylic radical, and Ar represents an aryl radical.

Description

METHOD FOR TREATING ABNORMAL CELL PROLIFERATION IN THE BRAIN

The present invention relates to a method for treating abnormal cell proliferation in the brain by administering a compound of general formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof :

The compounds of general formula (I) manifest a significant inhibitory activity with respect to abnormal cell proliferation of malignant and nonmalignant cells of the brain. The compounds of formula (I) also possess therapeutic properties permitting the treatment of pathological conditions associated with abnormal cell proliferation. The compounds of formula (I) exhibit these properties in particular in the brain due to their longer residence time in the brain as compared to other tissues and/or organs. The term «treatment,» as used in the present application refers both to decreasing cell proliferation and to preventing cell proliferation.

The term « abnormal cell proliferation of the brain » as used in the present application refers to brain tumor and brain metastasis, which may occur in the development of cancers of brain or other tissues.

In general formula (I), Ar represents an aryl radical, R represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl, alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical, Ri represents a benzoyl radical or a radical R₂-0-CO- in which R₂ represents :

- a straight or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkenyl radical containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkynyl radical containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl radical containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms; a cycloalkenyl radical containing 4 to 6 carbon atoms or a bicycloalkyl radical containing 7 to 11 carbon atoms, these radicals being optionally substituted by one or more substituents chosen from halogen atoms and hydroxy radicals, alkyloxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino radicals in which each alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, piperidino radicals, morpholino radicals, 1 -piperazinyl radicals (optionally substituted at position 4 by an alkyl radical containing T to 4 carbon atoms or by a phenylalkyl radical whose alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms), cycloalkyl radicals containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkenyl radicals containing 4 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl radicals, cyano radicals, carboxy radicals or alkyloxycarbonyl radicals whose alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, - or a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or more atoms or radicals chosen from halogen atoms and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkyloxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

- or a saturated or unsaturated 4- to 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclyl radical optionally substituted by one or more alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, it being understood that the cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or bicycloalkyl radicals may be optionally substituted by one or more alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Preferably, Ar represents a phenyl or α- or β-naphthyl radical optionally substituted by one or more atoms or radicals chosen from halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine, or iodine) and alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, arylthio, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, mercapto, formyl, acyl, acylamino, aroylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, dialkylcarbamoyl, cyano, nitro and trifluoromethyl radicals, it being understood that the alkyl radicals and the alkyl portions of the other radicals contain 1 to 4 carbon atoms, that the alkenyl and alkynyl radicals contain 2 to 8 carbon atoms and that the aryl radicals are phenyl or α- or β-naphthyl radicals or alternatively Ar represents a 5-membered aromatic heterocyclic radical containing one or more atoms, which are identical or different, chosen from nitrogen, oxygen or sulphur atoms, optionally substituted by one or more substituents, which are identical or different, chosen from halogen atoms (fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine) and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, aryl radicals containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, aryloxy radicals containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms, amino radicals, alkylamino radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino radicals in which each alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, acylamino radicals in which the acyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonylamino radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, acyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, arylcarbonyl radicals in which the aryl portion contains 6 to 10 carbon atoms, cyano radicals, carboxy radicals, carbamoyl radicals, alkyicarbamoyl radicals in which the alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylcarbamoyl radicals in which each alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxycarbonyl radicals in which the alkoxy portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

More particularly, Ar represents a phenyl, 2- or 3-thienyl or 2- or 3- furyl radical optionally substituted by one or more atoms or radicals, which are identical or different, chosen from halogen atoms and alkyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, acylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino and trifluoromethyl radicals.

Still more particularly, Ar represents a phenyl radical optionally substituted by a chlorine or fluorine atom or by an alkyl (methyl), alkoxy (methoxy), dialkylamino (diethylamino), acylamino (acetylamino) or alkoxycarbonylamino (tert-butoxycarbonylamino) or 2- or 3-thienyl or 2- or 3-furyl radical.

Of even more special interest are the products of general formula (I) in which Ar represents a phenyl radical and Rt represents a benzoyl or tert- butoxycarbonyl radical.

According to the present invention, the taxoids of general formula (I) can be obtained from a product of general formula :

in which Ar and Ri are defined as above and R₃ and R₄, which are identical or different represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl radical whose alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the aryl portion preferably represents a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or more alkoxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aryl radical preferably representing a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or more alkoxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or alternatively R₃ represents an alkoxy radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a trihalomethyl radical such as trichloromethyl or a phenyl radical substituted by a trihalomethyl radical such as trichloromethyl and R₄ represents a hydrogen atom, or alternatively R₃ and R₄ form, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, a 4- to 7-membered ring, and G represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl, alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical or a hydroxy-protecting group, the procedure being carried out, according to the meanings of R₃ and R , in the following manner :

1 ) when R₃ represents a hydrogen atom or an alkoxy radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an optionally substituted aryl radical and R₄ represents a hydrogen atom, the product of general formula (II) is treated in acidic medium in order to obtain a product of general formula:

in which Ar, R, and G1 are defined as above, whose G1 radical is, if necessary, replaced by a hydrogen atom. The deprotection of the side chain of the product of general formula

(II) can also be carried out in the presence of an inorganic acid (hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid) or an organic acid (acetic acid, methanesulphonic acid, trifluoromethanesulphonic acid or p-toluenesulphonic acid), used alone or in the form of a mixture, the procedure being carried out in an organic solvent chosen from alcohols (methanol, ethanol or isopropanol), ethers (tetrahydrofuran, diisopropyl ether or methyl t-butyl ether), esters (ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate or n-butyl acetate), aliphatic hydrocarbons (pentane, hexane or heptane), halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons (dichloromethane or 1 ,2-dichloroethane), aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene or xylenes) and nitriles (acetonithle) at a temperature of between -10 and 60°C, preferably between 15 and 30°C. The acid may be used in a catalytic or stoichiometric quantity or in excess.

The deprotection can also be carried out under oxidizing conditions, using for example ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate in an acetonitrile-water mixture or 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1 ,4-benzoquinone in water.

The deprotection can also be carried out under reducing conditions, for example by hydrogenolysis in the presence of a catalyst. When Gi represents a protecting group, it is preferably a 2,2,2- trichloroethoxycarbonyl or 2-(2-trichloromethylpropoxy)carbonyl radical whose replacement by a hydrogen atom is carried out using zinc, optionally combined with copper, in the presence of acetic acid, at a temperature of between 20 and 60°C or by means of an inorganic or organic acid such as hydrochloric acid or acetic acid in a solution in an aliphatic alcohol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or in an aliphatic ester such as ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate or n-butyl acetate in the presence of zinc optionally combined with copper, or alternatively, when Gi represents an alkoxycarbonyl radical, its optional replacement by a hydrogen atom is carried out by treatment in alkaline medium or by the action of a zinc halide under conditions which do not affect the rest of the molecule. Generally, the alkaline treatment is carried out by the action of ammonia in aqueous-alcoholic medium, at a temperature close to 20°C. Generally, the treatment with a zinc halide, and preferably zinc iodide, is carried out in methanol at a temperature close to 20°C.

2) when R₃ and R , which are identical or different, represent an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an aralkyl radical whose alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the aryl portion is preferably an optionally substituted phenyl radical, or alternatively R₃ represents a trihalomethyl radical or a phenyl radical substituted by a trihalomethyl radical and R₄ represents a hydrogen atom, or alternatively R₃ and R₄ form, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, a 4- to 7-membered ring, the product of general formula (II) is converted to the product of general formula : in which Ar and Gi are defined as above, which is acylated by means of benzoyl chloride or a reactive derivative of general formula :

Rs-O-CO-X (V) in which R₂ is defined as above and X represents a halogen atom (fluorine or chlorine) or a residue -0-R₂ or -O-CO-O-R2, to give a product of general formula (III) in which Ar, Ri and G are defined as above, whose d radical is, if necessary, replaced by a hydrogen atom.

The products of general formula (IV) can be obtained by treating a product of general formula (II), in which Ar, Ri and d are defined as above, R₃ and R , which are identical or different, represent an alkyl, aralkyl or aryl radical, or alternatively R₃ and R₄ form together with the carbon atom to which they are attached a 4- to 7-membered ring, with an inorganic acid (hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid) or an organic acid (formic acid) optionally in an alcohol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms (methanol, ethanol or isopropanol) at a temperature of between 0 and 50°C. Preferably, formic acid is used at a temperature close to 20°C.

The acylation of the product of general formula (IV) by means of benzoyl chloride or a reactive derivative of general formula (V) is carried out in an inert organic solvent chosen from esters such as ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate or n-butyl acetate and halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons such as dichloromethane or 1 ,2-dichloroethane in the presence of an inorganic base such as sodium bicarbonate or an organic base such as triethylamine. The reaction is carried out at a temperature of between 0 and 50°C, preferably close to 20°C.

When the radical d represents a protecting group, its replacement by a hydrogen atom is carried out under the conditions described above.

5 The products of general formula (II) can be obtained according to one of the following methods:

1) by estehfication of the product of general formula:

in which Gi is defined as above, by means of an acid of general formula:

in which Ar, R_{1 f} R₃ and R are defined as above, or of a derivative of this acid.

The este fication by means of an acid of general formula (VII) Can be carried out in the presence of a condensing agent (carbodiimide, reactive 15 carbonate) and an activating agent (aminopyridine) in an organic solvent (ether, ester, ketones, nitriles, aliphatic hydrocarbons, halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons or aromatic hydrocarbons) at a temperature of between -10 and 90°C.

The este fication may also be performed using the acid of general 0 formula (VII) in anhydride form, the procedure being carried out in the presence of an activating agent (aminopyridine) in an organic solvent (ethers, esters, ketones, nitriles, aliphatic hydrocarbons, halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons or aromatic hydrocarbons) at a temperature of between 0 and 90°C.

The este fication can also be performed using the acid of general formula (VII) in halide form or in anhydride form with an aliphatic or aromatic acid, optionally prepared in situ, in the presence of a base (tertiary aliphatic amine), the procedure being carried out in an organic solvent (ethers, esters, ketones, nitriles, aliphatic hydrocarbons, halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons or aromatic hydrocarbons) at a temperature of between 0 and 80°C.

The acid of general formula (VII) can be obtained by saponification of an ester of general formula:

in which Ar, Ri, R₃ and R are defined as above and R₅ represents an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms optionally substituted by a phenyl radical.

Generally, the saponification is carried out by means of an inorganic base (alkali metal hydroxide, carbonate or bicarbonate) in aqueous-alcoholic medium (methanol-water) at a temperature of between 10 and 40°C.

The ester of general formula (VIII) can be obtained by the action of a product of general formula :

R .

\

= O

R„

in which R₃ and R₄ are defined as above in the form of a dialkylacetal or an enol alkyl ether, on an ester of general formula:

R_χ - NH

- ,COOR₅

Ar

OH

in which Ar, R-i and R₅ are defined as above, the procedure being carried out in an inert organic solvent (aromatic hydrocarbon) in the presence of a strong inorganic acid (sulphuric acid) or organic acid (p-toluenesulphonic acid optionally in the form of a pyridinium salt) at a temperature of between 0°C and the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture.

The ester of general formula (X) can be obtained by the action of a product of general formula (V) on an ester of general formula:

in which Ar and R₅ are defined as above, the procedure being carried out in an organic solvent (ester, halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon) in the presence of an inorganic or organic base at a temperature of between 0 and 50°C. The product of general formula (XI) can be obtained by reduction of an azide of general formula :

-^N3

XOOR₅

Ar

OH

in which Ar and R₅ are defined as above, by means of hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such as palladium on carbon, the procedure being carried out in an organic solvent (ester). The product of general formula (XII) can be obtained by the action of an azide such as trimethylsilyl azide in the presence of zinc chloride or an alkali metal (sodium, potassium or lithium) azide in aqueous-organic medium (water-tetrahydrofuran) at a temperature of between 20°C and the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture, on an epoxide of general formula :

in which Ar and R₅ are defined as above, optionally prepared in situ.

The epoxide of general formula (XIII) can be obtained, optionally in situ, by dehydrohalogenation of a product of general formula :

in which Ar is defined as above, Hal represents a halogen atom, preferably a bromine atom, and R₆ and R₇, which are identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a phenyl radical, at least one being an alkyl radical or a phenyl radical, by means of a alkali-metal alcoholate, optionally prepared in situ, in an inert organic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at a temperature of between -80°C and 25°C.

The product of general formula (XIV) can be obtained by the action of an aldehyde of general formula :

Ar-CHO (XV) in which Ar is defined as above, on a halide of general formula : in which Hal, R₆ and R₇ are defined as above, anionized beforehand.

Generally, the procedure is carried out in an inert organic solvent chosen from ethers (ethyl ether) and halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons (methylene chloride) at a temperature of between -80 and 25°C, in the presence of a tertiary amine (triethylamine) and an enolysing agent (di-n- butylboron triflate).

The product of general formula (XVI) can be obtained by the action of a halide of a haloacetic acid, preferably bromoacetic acid bromide, on the corresponding oxazolidinone.

The product of general formula (XI) can be obtained by hydrogenolysis of a product of general formula:

in which Ar and R₅ are defined as above and Ph represents an optionally substituted phenyl radical.

Generally, the hydrogenolysis is carried out by means of hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst. More particularly, palladium on carbon containing 1 to 10% by weight of palladium or palladium dihydroxide containing 20 % by weight of palladium is used as catalyst.

The hydrogenolysis is carried out in an organic solvent or in a mixture of organic solvents. It is advantageous to carry out the procedure in acetic acid optionally combined with an aliphatic alcohol containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms such as a mixture of acetic acid-methanol at a temperature of between 20 and 80°C.

The hydrogen necessary for the hydrogenolysis can also be provided by a compound which liberates hydrogen by chemical reaction or by thermal decomposition (ammonium formate). It is advantageous to carry out the procedure at a hydrogen pressure of between 1 and 50 bar.

The product of general formula (XVII) can be obtained by hydrolysis or alcoholysis of a product of general formula :

in which Ar and Ph are defined as above.

It is particularly advantageous to carry out an alcoholysis by means of an alcohol of formula R₅-OH in which R₅ is defined as above, the procedure being carried out in acidic medium. Preferably, the alcoholysis is carried out by means of methanol in the presence of a strong inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid at a^' temperature close to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture.

The product of general formula (XVIII) can be obtained by saponification of an ester of general formula : in which Ar and Ph are defined as above and R₈ represents an alkyl, phenylalkyl or phenyl radical, followed by separation of the 3R, 4S diastereoisomer of general formula (XVII) from the other diastereoisomers. Generally, the saponification is carried out by means of an inorganic or organic base such as ammonium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide in a suitable solvent such as a methanol- water or tetrahydrofuran -water mixture at a temperature of between -10°C and 20°C. The separation of the 3R, 4S diastereoisomer can be carried out by selective crystallization from a suitable organic solvent such as ethyl acetate.

The product of general formula (XIX) can be obtained by cycloaddition of an imine of general formula :

in which Ar and Ph are defined as above, onto an acid halide of general formula :

in which R₈ is defined as above and Y represents a halogen atom such as a bromine or chlorine atom.

Generally, the reaction is carried out at a temperature of between 0 and 50°C in the presence of a base chosen from aliphatic tertiary amines

(triethylamine) or pyridine in an organic solvent chosen from optionally halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons (methylene chloride or chloroform) and aromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene or xylenes).

The product of general formula (XX) can be obtained under conditions analogous to those described by M. Furukawa et al., Chem. Phar. Bull., 25 (1), 181 -184 (1977). The product of general formula (VI) can be obtained by the action of an alkali metal halide (sodium iodide or potassium fluoride) or an alkali metal azide (sodium azide) or a quaternary ammonium salt or an alkali metal phosphate, on a baccatin III or 10-deacetylbaccatin III derivative of general formula:

in which d is defined as above.

Generally, the reaction is carried out in an organic solvent chosen from ethers (tetrahydrofuran, diisopropyl ether, methyl t-butyl ether) and nitriles (acetonithle), alone or in the form of a mixture, at a temperature of between 20°C and the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture.

The product of formula (XXII) in which Gi represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl, alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical can be obtained by the action of a tnfluoromethanesulphonic acid derivative such as the anhydride or N-phenyltrifluoromethanesulphonimide, on baccatin III or 10- deacetylbaccatin III, which can be extracted according to known methods from yew leaves (Taxus baccata), optionally followed by protection in position 10, it being understood that in order to obtain a product of general formula (XXII) in which d represents an alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical, it is necessary to treat beforehand the 10-deacetylbaccatin III protected in position 7, preferably with a silylated radical, with an alkoxy acetic acid halide or with an alkyl halide.

Generally, the reaction of a tnfluoromethanesulphonic acid derivative is carried out in an inert organic solvent (optionally halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons, or aromatic hydrocarbons) in the presence of an organic base such as an aliphatic tertiary amine (triethylamine) or pyridine, at a temperature in between -50 and +20°C.

Generally, the introduction of an alkoxyacetyl group is carried out by treating the protected 10-deacetylbaccatin III with an alkoxyacetic acid halide, the procedure being carried out in a basic organic solvent such as pyridine at a temperature close to 20°C.

Generally, the introduction of an alkyl radical is carried out by treating the 10-deacetylbaccatin III, protected and metallized in position 10, by means, for example, of an alkali metal hydride (sodium hydride) or a metallic alkylide (butyllithium), with an alkyl halide.

2) by the action of an alkali metal halide (sodium iodide or potassium fluoride) or an alkali metal azide (sodium azide) or a quaternary ammonium salt or an alkali metal phosphate on a product of general formula : in which Ar, Ri, R₃, R₄ and Gi are defined as above.

Generally, the reaction is carried out in an organic solvent chosen from ethers (tetrahydrofuran, diisopropyl ether or methyl t-butyl ether) and nitriles (acetonithle), alone or in the form of a mixture, at a temperature of between 20°C and the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture.

The product of general formula (XXIII) can be obtained by the action of a tnfluoromethanesulphonic acid derivative such as the anhydride or N-phenyltrifluoromethanesulphonimide on a taxoid of general formula:

in which Ar, Ri, R₃, R₄ and d are defined as above.

Generally, the reaction is carried out in an inert organic solvent (optionally halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons, or aromatic hydrocarbons) in the presence of an organic base such as an aliphatic tertiary amine (triethylamine) or pyridine, at a temperature of between -50 and +20°C.

The taxoid of general formula (XXIV), in which Gi represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl radical, can be obtained from a product of general formula : in which Ar, R_{1 (} R₃, R₄ are defined as above, G'-, represents a hydroxy- protecting group and G'₂ represents an acetyl, alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical or a hydroxy-protecting group, by replacement of the protecting groups G'ι and optionally G'₂ by hydrogen atoms.

The radicals G'ι and G'₂, when they represent a hydroxy-protecting group, are preferably 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl or 2-(2-trichloromethyl- propoxy)carbonyl radicals or trialkylsilyl, dialkylarylsilyl, alkyldiarylsilyl or triarylsilyl radicals in which the alkyl portions contain 1 to 4 carbon atoms and the aryl portions are preferably phenyl radicals, it being possible, in addition, for G'₂ to represent an alkoxyacetyl radical.

When G'ι and G'₂ represent a 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl or 2-(2- trichloromethylpropoxy)carbonyl radical, the replacement of the protecting groups by hydrogen atoms is carried out using zinc, optionally combined with copper, in the presence of acetic acid at a temperature of between 20 and 60°C or by means of an inorganic or organic acid such as hydrochloric acid or acetic acid in solution in an aliphatic alcohol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or an aliphatic ester such as ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate or n-butyl acetate in the presence of zinc optionally combined with copper. When G'ι represents a silylated radical and G'₂ represents an acetyl, alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical, the replacement of the protecting group G'ι by a hydrogen atom can be carried out by means of, for example, gaseous hydrochloric acid in ethanolic solution at a temperature close to 0°C, under conditions which are without effect on the rest of the molecule.

When G'₂ represents an alkoxyacetyl radical, its optional replacement by a hydrogen atom is carried out by treatment in alkaline medium or by the action of a zinc halide under conditions which do not affect the rest of the molecule. Generally, the alkaline treatment is carried out by the action of ammonia in aqueous-alcoholic medium, at a temperature close to 20°C. Generally, the treatment with a zinc halide, preferably zinc iodide, is carried out in methanol at a temperature close to 20°C.

The product of general formula (XXV) can be obtained under the conditions described in international patent application PCT/WO 9209589.

The derivatives of general formula (I) can also be obtained by esterification of a product of general formula (VI) by means of an acid of general formula :

in which Ar and Ri are defined as above and G₃ represents a hydroxy- protecting group chosen from methoxymethyl, 1 -ethoxyethyl, benzyloxymethyl, (β-trimethylsilyloxy)methyl, tetrahydropyranyl, 2,2,2- trichloroethoxymethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl or 2-(2-trichloromethyl- propoxy)carbonyl radicals or CH₂-Ph radicals in which Ph represents a phenyl radical optionally substituted by one or more atoms or radicals, which are identical or different, chosen from halogen atoms and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkoxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an activated derivative of this acid, to give a product of general formula : /66113 20

in which Ar, Ri, Gi, and G₃ are defined as above, followed by the replacement of the protecting groups Gi, G₂ and G₃ by hydrogen atoms to give a product of general formula (I). The esterification can be performed under the conditions described above for the esterification of the product of general formula (VI) by means of an acid of general formula (VII).

The replacement of the protecting groups Gi and G₃ of the product of general formula (XXVII) by a hydrogen atom is carried out by treatment with zinc, optionally combined with copper, in the presence of acetic acid at a temperature of between 30 and 60°C or by means of an inorganic or organic acid such as hydrochloric acid or acetic acid in solution in an aliphatic alcohol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or an aliphatic ester such as ethyl acetate, isopropyl acetate or n-butyl acetate in the presence of zinc optionally combined with copper, when Gi and G₃ represent a 2,2,2- trichloroethoxycarbonyl or 2-(2-thchloromethylpropoxy)carbonyl radical. The replacement of the protecting group G₃, when it represents a silylated radical or an acetal residue, can be carried out by treatment in acidic medium such as for example hydrochloric acid in solution in an aliphatic alcohol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms (methanol, ethanol, propanol or isopropanol) or aqueous hydrofluoric acid at a temperature of between 0 and 40°C, when it represents an acetal residue, the replacement of the protecting group d then being carried out under the conditions described above. When G₃ represents a group -CH₂-Ph, the replacement of this protecting group with a hydrogen atom can be carried out by hydrogenolysis in the presence of a catalyst.

The acid of general formula (XXVI) can be obtained by saponification of an ester of general formula :

in which Ar, Ri, R₅ and G₃ are defined as above.

The ester of general formula (XXVIII) can be obtained according to the usual methods for the preparation of ethers, and more particularly according to the procedures described by J-N. DENIS et al., J. Org. Chem., 51 , 46-50 (1986), from a product of general formula (XI).

The products of general formula (I) obtained using the procedures according to the invention can be purified according to known methods such as crystallization or chromatography.

The products of general formula (I) have remarkable biological properties.

In vitro, measurement of the biological activity is carried out on tubulin extracted from pig brain by the method of M.L. Shelanski et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 70, 765-768 (1973). The study of the depolymerization of the microtubules into tubulin is carried out according to the method of G. Chauviere et al., C.R. Acad. Sci., 293, serie II, 501 -503 (1981 ). In this study, the products of general formula (I) proved at least as active as Taxol^® and Taxotere^®. In vivo, the products of general formula (I) proved active in mice grafted with the B16 melanoma at doses of between 1 and 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally, as well as on other liquid or solid tumours.

The compounds have anti-tumor properties, more particularly, activity against tumors which are resistant to Taxol^® and Taxotere^®. Such tumors include, for example, colon tumors which have an elevated expression of mdr 1 gene (multi-drug resistant gene). Multi-drug resistance is the usual term relating to the resistance by a tumor against various compounds having differing structures and mechanisms of action. Taxoids are generally known to be highly recognized by experimental tumors such as P388/DOX, a P388 muhne leukemia cell line selected for doxorubicin (DOX) resistance, which express mdr 1 . The compounds according to the present invention are less recognized by P388/DOX. More particularly, the compounds are less recognized than Taxotere^® by mdr 1 .

In particular, it has been found that the compounds of the present invention including the compounds of example 1 , example 2 and example 3 have better multi-drug resistance properties than Taxol^® and Taxotere^®. Additionally, it has surprisingly been found that the compound of example 3 has substantially better multi-drug resistance properties than the compounds of example 1 and example 2. The products of general formula (I) manifest a significant inhibitory activity with respect to abnormal cell proliferation and possess therapeutic properties which permit the treatment of patients having pathological conditions associated with abnormal cell proliferation. The pathological conditions include the abnormal cell proliferation of malignant and nonmalignant cells of various tissues and/or organs, comprising, with no limitation being implied, muscle, bone or connective tissues, the skin, brain, lungs, bladder, sex organs, the lymphatic or renal systems, mammary or blood cells, liver, the digestive tract, pancreas and thyroid or adrenal glands. These pathological conditions can also include psoriasis, solid tumours, cancers of the lungs, bladder, ovary, breast, brain, prostate, colon, stomach, kidney or testicles, Kaposi's sarcoma, cholangioma, chorioma, neuroblastoma, Wilms' tumour, Hodgkin's disease, melanomas, multiple myelomas, lymphatic leukaemias and acute or chronic granulocytic lymphomas. The products according to the invention are particularly useful for the treatment of cancer of the lungs, or the bladder ; more especially of the lungs. The products according to the invention can be used to prevent or retard the appearance or reappearance of the pathological conditions or to treat these pathological conditions. In particular, according to the present invention, the compounds of general formula (I), especially that of example 3 are useful for the treatment of abnormal cell proliferation of the brain, such as brain cancer or brain metastasis, which may occur in the development of cancers of brain or other tissues, especially lung cancer, and more especially non-small-cell lung cancer.

It has been found according to the invention that the compounds of general formula (I), especially that of example 3 are useful for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with brain metastasis.

According to preferred object of the invention, it has been found that the compounds of general formula (I), especially that of example 3 are useful for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with brain metastasis, as 1- hour IV-infusion every 3 weeks.

According to a still more preferred object of the invention, the compounds of general formula (I), especially that of example 3 are useful for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with brain metastasis, as 1-hour

IV-infusion every 3 weeks at doses from 75 mg/m² to 90 mg/m² ; still more specifically, suitable doses may be 75 mg/m² for patients with previous radiotherapy and 90 mg/m² for patients without previous radiotherapy.

This is because they manifest a significant inhibitory activity with respect to abnormal cell proliferation of malignant and nonmalignant cells of the brain. The compounds of formula (I) exhibit these properties in particular in the brain due to their longer residence time in the brain as compared to other tissues and/or organs.

The products according to the invention can be administered to a patient in various forms adapted to the chosen route of administration which is preferably the parenteral or oral route. Parenteral administration comprises intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular or subcutaneous administrations. Intraperitoneal, intravenous, or oral administration is more particularly preferred.

The present invention also comprises pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one compound of general formula (I) in a sufficient quantity adapted to use in human or veterinary therapy. The compositions can be prepared according to the customary methods, using one or more pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvants, carriers or excipients. Suitable carriers include diluents, sterile aqueous media and various nontoxic solvents. Preferably, the compositions are provided in the form of aqueous solutions or suspensions, of injectable solutions which may contain emulsifying agents, colorants, preservatives or stabilizers.

The choice of adjuvants or excipients may be determined by the solubility and the chemical properties of the product, the particular mode of administration and good pharmaceutical practice, all known to the skilled artisan.

For parenteral administration, aqueous or nonaqueous sterile solutions or suspensions are used. For the preparation of nonaqueous solutions or suspensions, natural vegetable oils such as olive oil, sesame oil or paraffin oil or injectable organic esters such as ethyl oleate can be used. The aqueous sterile solutions may consist of a solution of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt in solution in water. The aqueous solutions are suitable for intravenous administration insofar as the pH is appropriately adjusted and isotonicity is achieved, for example, with a sufficient quantity of sodium chloride or glucose. The sterilization can be performed by heating or by any other means which does not adversely affect the composition.

It is clearly understood that all the products entering into the compositions according to the invention should be pure and nontoxic for the quantities used.

The compositions may contain at least 0.01 % of therapeutically active product. The quantity of active product in a composition is such that a suitable dosage can be prescribed. Preferably, the compositions are prepared such that a single dose contains about 0.01 to 1000 mg of active product for parenteral administration.

The therapeutic treatment can be performed concurrently with other therapeutic treatments including antineoplastic drugs, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapies or radiotherapies or biological response modifiers. The response modifiers include, with no limitation being implied, lymphokines and cytokines such as interleukins, interferons (α, β or δ) and TNF. Other chemotherapeutic agents which are useful in the treatment of disorders caused by abnormal proliferation of cells include, with no limitation being implied, alkylating agents like nitrogen mustards such as mechloretamine, cyclophosphamide, melphalan and chlorambucil, alkyl sulphonates such as busulfan, nitrosoureas such as carmustine, lomustine, semustine and streptozocin, triazenes such as dacarbazine, antimetabolites such as folic acid analogues like methotrexate, pyrimidine analogues such as fluorouracil and cytarabine, purine analogues such as mercaptopurine and thioguanine, natural products like vinca alkaloids such as vinblastine, vinc stine and vindesine, epipodophyllotoxins such as etoposide and teniposide, antibiotics such as dactinomycin, daunorubicin, doxorubicin, bleomycin, plicamycin and mitomycin, enzymes such as L-asparaginase, various agents such as coordination complexes of platinum like cisplatin, substituted ureas like hydroxyurea, methylhydrazine derivatives such as procarbazine, adrenocortical suppressants such as mitotane and aminoglutethymide, hormones and antagonists such as adrenocorticosteroids such as prednisone, progestins such as hydroxyprogesterone caproate, methoxyprogesterone acetate and megestrol acetate, oestrogens such as diethylstilbestrol and ethynylestradiol, antioestrogens such as tamoxifen, and androgens such as testosterone propionate and fluoroxymesterone.

The doses used for carrying out the methods according to the invention are those which permit a prophylactic treatment or a maximum therapeutic response. The doses vary according to the form of administration, the particular product selected and the characteristics specific to the subject to be treated. In general, the doses are those which are therapeutically effective for the treatment of disorders caused by abnormal cell proliferation. The products according to the invention can be administered as often as necessary to obtain the desired therapeutic effect. Some patients may respond rapidly to relatively high or low doses, and then require low or zero maintenance doses. Generally, low doses will be used at the beginning of the treatment and, if necessary, increasingly higher doses will be administered until an optimum effect is obtained. For other patients, it may be necessary to administer maintenance doses 1 to 8 times per day, preferably 1 to 4 times according to the physiological needs of the patient considered. It is also possible that for certain patients it may be necessary to use only one to two daily administrations.

According to an object of the present invention, the compounds of general formula (I) and especially that of example (3) may preferably be admistered as 1- or 3-hour IV-infusion every 3 weeks ;according to a preferred object, the compounds of general formula (I) and especially that of example (3) may be admistered as 1-hour IV-infusion every 3 weeks ; according to another object, the compounds may suitably be administered weekly.

It is understood that, in order to choose the most appropriate dosage, account should be taken of the route of administration, the patient's weight, his general state of health, his age and all factors which may influence the efficacy of the treatment.

According to the present invention, the doses of the compounds generally range from 50 to 150 mg/m² for parenteral administration ; preferably, from 75 mg/m² to 90 mg/m². Still more specifically, suitable doses may be 75 mg/m² for patients with previous radiotherapy and 90 mg/m² for patients without previous radiotherapy.

The following examples illustrate, however, do not limit the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A solution of 2.01 g of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,10β- dihydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert- butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate in 20 cm³ of formic acid was stirred for 4 hours at a temperature close to 20°C and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at 40°C. The foam obtained was dissolved in 100 cm³ of dichloromethane and the solution obtained was supplemented with 20 cm³ of a saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution. The aqueous phase was separated after settling had taken place and extracted with 20 cm³ of dichloromethane. The organic phases were pooled, dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C. 1.95 g of a white foam were obtained which were purified by chromatography on 200 g of silica (0.063-0.2 mm) contained in a column 7 cm in diameter, eluted with a dichloromethane-methanol mixture (98-2 by volume) and collected in 30 cm³ fractions. The fractions containing only the desired product were pooled and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at 40°C for 2 hours. 1.57 g of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,10β- dihydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (2R,3S)-3-amino- 2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate were obtained in the form of a white foam. To a solution of 400 mg of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-

1 β,10β-dihydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (2R,3S)-3- amino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate in 1 cm³ of dichloromethane, kept under an argon atmosphere, were added 60 mg of sodium hydrogen carbonate and then, dropwise, at a temperature close to 20°C, a solution of 0.16 g of di-tert- butyl dicarbonate in 1 cm³ of dichloromethane. The solution obtained was stirred for 64 hours at a temperature close to 20°C and then supplemented with a mixture of 5 cm³ of distilled water and 10 cm³ of dichloromethane. The organic phase was washed three times with 2 cm³ of distilled water. The organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C. 317 mg of a white foam were thus obtained which were purified by chromatography on 30 g of silica (0.063-0.2 mm) contained in a column 3 cm in diameter, eluted with a dichloromethane-methanol mixture (95-5 by volume) and collected in 5 cm³ fractions. The fractions containing only the desired product were pooled and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at 40°C for 2 hours. 161 mg of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20- epoxy-1 β,10β-dihydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-y1 (2R, 3S)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate were thus obtained in the form of a white foam whose characteristics were the following :

- specific rotation: [α]D²⁰ = -17° (c = 0.482; methanol)

- proton NMR spectrum: (400 MHz; CDCI₃; temperature of 323 K; δ in ppm; coupling constants J in Hz):1.21 (s, 3H:-CH₃ 16 or 17); 1.28 (s, 3H:-CH₃ 16 or 17); 1.34 [s, 9H:-C(CH₃)₃]; from 1.30 to 1.50 (mt, 1 H:-H7); 1.80 and 2.36 (2mt, 1 H each:-CH_2- of cyclopropane); 1.88 (s, 3H:-CH₃ 18); 2.13 [mt, 1 H:-(CH)-H 6]; 2.26 [dd, 1 H, J = 15 to 8.5:-(CH)-H 14]; 2.35 (s, 3H:-COChj₃); from 2.35 to 2.50 [mt, 2H:-(CH) -H 14 and -(CH)-H 6]; 3.21 (d, 1 H, J = 4:-OH 2'); 4.08 [d, 1 H, J = 8:-(CH)-H 20]; 4.16 (d, 1 H, J = 7: -H 3); 4.18 (s, 1 H, -OH 10); 4.31 [d, 1 H, J = 8:-(CH)-H 20]:4.61 (dd, 1 H, J = 4 and 2:-H 2'); 4.74 (d, 1 H, J = 4:-H 5); 5.00 (s, 1 H:-H 10); 5.26 (dd, 1 H, J = 9 and 2:-H 3'); 5.33 (d, 1 H, J = 9:-NH 3'); 5.69 (d, 1 H, J = 7:-H 2); 6.29 (d, 1 H, J = 8.5:-H 13); from 7.30 to 7.50 [mt, 5H:-C₆H₅ in 3' (-H 2 to -H 6); 7.51 [t, 2H, J = 7.5:-OCOC₆H₅ (-H 3 to H 5)]; 7.60 [t, 1 H, J = 7.5:-OCOC₆H₅ (-H 4)]; 8.14 [d, 2H, J = 7.5:-OCOC₆H₅ (-H 2 and H 6)].

The 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,10β-dihydroxy-7β,8β- methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S, 5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2- dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate was prepared in the following manner : To a solution of 2.5 g of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β, 20-epoxy-

1 β,10β-dihydroxy-9-oxo-7β-thfluoromethanesulphonate-1 1 -taxen-13α-yl (4S, 5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate in 25 cm³ of anhydrous acetonitrile and 3 cm³ of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran, kept under an argon atmosphere, were added 2.5 g of sodium azide. The reaction mixture was heated for 2 hours, with stirring and under an argon atmosphere at a temperature close to 80°C, then cooled to a temperature close to 20°C and supplemented with 30 cm³ of distilled water. The aqueous phase was separated by decantation and then extracted with 20 cm³ of dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C. 2.44 g of a yellow foam were thus obtained which were purified by chromatography on 300 g of silica (0.063-0.2 mm) contained in a column 8 cm in diameter, eluted with a dichloromethane-ethyl acetate mixture (90-10 by volume) and collected in 60 cm³ fractions. Fractions 47 to 70 were pooled and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at 40°C for 2 hours. 2.01 g of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β, 10β- dihydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S, 5R)-3-tert- butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate were thus obtained in the form of a white foam.

The 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,1 Oβ-dihydroxy-9-oxo- 7β-trifluoromethanesulphonate-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxy- carbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate was prepared in the following manner : To a solution of 2.86 g of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-

1 β,7β,10β-trihydroxy-9-oxo-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl- 2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate in 29 cm³ of anhydrous dichloromethane, kept under an argon atmosphere, were added 0.955 cm³ of pyridine and 50 mg of powdered activated 4A molecular sieve. The reaction mixture was cooled to a temperature close to -35°C, slowly supplemented with 0.85 cm³ of tnfluoromethanesulphonic anhydride, stirred at a temperature close to -5°C for 15 minutes and supplemented with 10 cm³ of distilled water. After filtration on sintered glass provided with celite and rinsing off the sintered glass 3 times with 10 cm³ of a methanol- dichloromethane mixture (10-90 by volume), the aqueous phase was separated after settling had taken place and extracted twice with 10 cm³ of dichloromethane. The organic phases were pooled, dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C. 3.87 g of a white foam were obtained which were purified by chromatography on 400 g of silica (0.063-0.2 mm) contained in a column 10 cm in diameter, eluted with a dichloromethane-ethyl acetate gradient (from 97.5-2.5 to 90-10 by volume) and collected in 80 cm³ fractions. The fractions containing only the desired product were pooled and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at 40°C for 2 hours. 3.0 g of 4-acetoxy- 2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,10β-dihydroxy-9-oxo-7β-thfluoromethane- sulphonate-1 1 -taxen-13α-yl(4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4- phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate were thus obtained in the form of a white foam.

The 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,7β,10β-trihydroxy-9- oxo-1 1 -taxen-13α-yl (4S, 5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5- oxazolidinecarboxylate were prepared in the following manner :

A solution of 24.35 g of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-9-oxo- 7β,10β-[bis(2,2,2-trichloroethoxy)carbonyloxy]-1 β-hydroxy-1 1 -taxen-13α- yl(4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidine- carboxylate in a mixture of 130 cm³ of ethyl acetate and 46.5 cm³ of acetic acid was heated, with stirring and under an argon atmosphere up to a temperature close to 60°C and then supplemented with 40 g of zinc powder. The reaction mixture was then stirred for 30 minutes at 60°C and then cooled to a temperature close to 20°C and filtered on sintered glass provided with celite. The sintered glass was washed with 100 cm³ of a methanol- dichloromethane mixture (20-80 by volume); the filtrates were pooled and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at a temperature close to 40°C.

The residue was supplemented with 500 cm³ of dichloromethane. The organic phase was washed with twice 50 cm³ of a saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and then with 50 cm³ of distilled water. The aqueous phases obtained after settling was taken place and pooled were extracted twice with 30 cm³ of dichloromethane. The organic phases were pooled, dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C. 19.7 g of a white foam were obtained which were purified by chromatography on 800 g of silica (0.063-0.2 mm) contained in a column 10 cm in diameter, eluted with a dichloromethane-methanol gradient (from 100-0 to 97-3 by volume) and collected in 80 cm³ fractions. The fractions containing only the desired product were pooled and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at 40°C for 2 hours. 16.53 g of 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20- epoxy-1 β,7β,10β-trihydroxy-9-oxo-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert- butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate in the form of a white foam was formed.

The 4-acetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-9-oxo-7β,10β-[bis(2,2,2- trichloroethoxy)carbonyloxy]-1 β-hydroxy-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert- butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidinecarboxylate was prepared according to the method described in international application PCT WO 9209589, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

EXAMPLE 2

To a solution of 550 mg of 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20- epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (2R,3S)-3- amino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate were added 45 cm³ of distilled water, 45 cm³ of a saturated aqueous sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and then, dropwise, at a temperature close to 20°C, 0.096 cm³ of benzoyl chloride. The mixture obtained was stirred for 10 minutes at a temperature close to 20°C. After settling had taken place, the aqueous phase was extracted with twice 30 cm³ of ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C. 670 mg of a white foam were thus obtained which were purified by chromatography at atmospheric pressure on 50 g of silica (0.063-0.2 mm) contained in a column 2.5 cm in diameter, eluted with a methanol-dichloromethane mixture (1 -99 then 2.5- 97.5 by volume) and collected in 10 cm³ fractions. The fractions containing only the desired product were pooled and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C 610 mg of a white foam were thus obtained. A sample of 300 mg was purified by preparative chromatography on 12 thin-layer silica plates (Kieselgel 60F254, Merck; thickness 0.25 mm), eluted with a methanol-dichloromethane mixture (3-97 by volume). After elution of the zone corresponding to the main product with a methanol- dichloromethane mixture (10-90 by volume) and then evaporation of the solvents under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at a temperature close to 40°C, 155.2 mg of 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β-hydroxy- 7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (2R,3S)-3-benzoylamino-2- hydroxy-3-phenyl-propionate are obtained in the form of a white foam whose characteristics were the following :

- specific rotation: [α]D²⁰ = -30.5° (c = 0.491 ; methanol)

- proton NMR spectrum: (300 MHz; CDCI_3; δ in ppm; coupling constants J in Hz):1.27 (s, 3H: -CH₃ 16 or 17); 1.30 (s, 3H: -CH₃ 16 or 17); 1.40 (mt, 1 H: - H7); 1.62 and 2.25 (q and m, 1 H each: CH >- of cyclopropane); 1.85 (s, 3H: - CjH₃ 18); 1.96 (s, 1 H: -OH in 1 ); 2.05 and 2.48 (d and m, 1 H each: -C\ - in 6); 2.24 (s, 3H: -COCHb in 10); 2.28 and 2.50 (m, 1 H each: -CFb in 14); 2.45 (s, 3H: -COCJH2 in 4); 3.52 (d, 1 H: -OH in 2'); 4.10 and 4.35 (d, 1 H each: -Cji in 20); 4.11 (d, 1 H: -H3); 4.77 (broad d, 1 H: -H5); 4.82 (dd, 1 H: -H2'); 5.70 (d, 1 H: -H in 2); 5.84 (dd, 1 H: -H3'); 6.30 (broad t, 1 H: -H13); 6.36 (s, 1 H: -H10); 7.00 (d, 1 H: -CONH-); from 7.35 to 8.30 (m, 15H: -C₆H₅ in 3', -OCOC₆H₅ and NHCOCe y.

The 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-7β,8β- methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (2R,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-3- phenylpropionate was prepared by carrying out the procedure under the conditions described in Example 1 for the preparation of 4-acetoxy-2α- benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,10β-dihydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor- 11 -taxen-13 -yl (2R,3S)-3-amino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate. Thus, starting with 1.6 g of 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β- hydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert- butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidincarboxylate, 1.14 g of 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-7β,8β-methylene- 9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl were obtained in the form of a white foam.

The 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-7β,8β- methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2- dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidincarboxylate was prepared under the conditions described in Example 1 for the preparation of 4 -acetoxy-2α- benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,10β-dihydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor- 11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5- oxazolidine-carboxylate. Thus, starting with 2.2 g of 4 ,10β-diacetoxy-2α- benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-9-oxo-7β-thfluoromethanesulphonate- 11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5- oxazolidine-carboxylate, 1.62 g of 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20- epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-1 1 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3- tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidincarboxylate were obtained in the form of a white foam.

The 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-9-oxo- 7β-trifluoromethanesulphonate-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxy- carbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidincarboxylate was prepared under the conditions described in Example 1 for the preparation of 4α-acetoxy-2α- benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,10β-dihydroxy-9-oxo-7β-trifluoromethane- sulphonate-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2- dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidincarboxylate. Thus, starting with 2.4 g of 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,7β-dihydroxy-9-oxo-11 - taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5- oxazolidinecarboxylate, 2.46 g of 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20- epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-9-oxo-7β-trifluoromethanesulphonate-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5-oxazolidincarboxylate were obtained in the form of a white foam.

The 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy-1 β,7β-dihydroxy-9- oxo-11 -taxen-13α-yl (4S,5R)-3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2,2-dimethyl-4-phenyl-5- oxazolidincarboxylate was prepared under the conditions described in International Application PCT WO 9209589 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

EXAMPLE 3

To a solution of 550 mg of 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20- epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (2R,3S)-3- amino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate in 1 cm³ of dichloromethane, kept under an argon atmosphere, was added 76 mg of sodium hydrogen carbonate and then, dropwise, at a temperature close to 20°C, a solution of 197 mg of di- tert-butyl dicarbonate in 1 cm³ of dichloromethane. The solution obtained was stirred for 15 hours at a temperature close to 20°C and then supplemented with a mixture of 5 cm³ of distilled water and 10 cm³ of dichloromethane. The aqueous phase was extracted with 5 cm³ of dichloromethane. The combined organic phases were dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and then concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C. 780 mg of a white foam were thus obtained which were purified by chromatography at atmospheric pressure on 50 g of silica (0.063- 0.2 mm) contained in a column 2.5 cm in diameter, eluted with a methanol- dichloromethane mixture (1 -99 then 2.5-97.5 by volume) and collected in 10 cm³ fractions. The fractions containing only the desired product were pooled and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C. 660 mg of a white foam were thus obtained. A sample of 300 mg was purified by preparative chromatography on 12 thin-layer silica plates (Kieselgel 60F254, Merck; thickness 0.25 mm), eluted with a methanol-dichloromethane mixture (4-96 by volume). After elution of the zone corresponding to the main product with a methanol-dichloromethane mixture (10-90 by volume) and then evaporation of the solvents under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at a temperature close to 40°C, 159.7 mg of 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy- 5β,20-epoxy-1 β-hydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-1 1 -taxen-13α-yl (2R,3S)-3-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate were obtained in the form of a white foam whose characteristics were the following:

- specific rotation: [α]D²⁰ = -34° (c = 0.564; methanol)

- proton NMR spectrum: (400 MHz; CDCI₃; δ in ppm; coupling constants J in Hz): 1.28 (s, 3H: -CH₃ 16 or 17); 1.30 [s, 9H: -C(CHa)₃]; 1 .38 (mt, 1 H: -H7); 1 .60 (s, 3H; -CH₃ 16 or 17); 1 .68 and 2.25 (t and m, 1 H each; Cϋ- of cyclopropane); 1 .85 (s, 3H: -CHa 18); 2.10 and 2.45 (d and td, 1 H each: - Chfe- in 6); 2.23 (s, 3H: -COChb in 10); 2.22 and 2.40 (m, 1 H each: -CH >- in 14); 2.40 (s, 3H: -COCH3 in 4); 3.28 (d, 1 H: -OH in 2'); 4.05 and 4.22 (d, 1 H each: -Chfe- in 20); 4.10 (d, 1 H: -H3); 4.62 (broad s, 1 H: -H2'); 4.73 (d, 1 H: - H5); 5.29 (broad d, 1 H: -H3'); 5.37 (d, 1 H: -CONH-); 5.67 (d, 1 H: -H in 2); 6.28 (broad t, 1 H: -H13); 6.33 (s, 1 H: -H10); from 7.30 to 7.45 (mt, 5H: -C₆H₅ in 3'); 7.51 [t, 2H: -OCOC₆H₅ (-H3 and -H5)]; 7.61 [t, 1 H: -OCOC₆H₅ (-H4)]; 8.17 [d, 2H: -OCOC₆H₅ (-H2 and -H6)].

EXAMPLE 4 To a solution of 100 mg of 10-deacetylbaccatin III in a mixture of 3 cm³ of tetrahydrofuran and 0.05 cm³ of pyridine cooled to a temperature close to -78°C and kept under an argon atmosphere, was added, dropwise, 0.09 cm³ of trifluoro-methanesulphonic anhydride. The temperature was allowed to rise slowly to a temperature close to 0°C over approximately one hour, then up to a temperature close to 20°C over approximately one hour. After 2 hours at a temperature close to 20°C, 200 mg of tetrabutylammonium iodide were added, then the solution was heated at the boiling temperature of the solvent for 15 hours. After cooling to a temperature close to 20°C, 10 cm³ of ethyl acetate and then 1 cm³ of distilled water were added. After separation after settling had taken place, the organic phase was dried over magnesium sulphate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (2.7 kPa) at 40°C. 116 mg of a yellow oil were thus obtained which were purified by chromatography at atmospheric pressure on 30 g of silica (0.063-0.2 mm) contained in a column 2.5 cm in diameter, eluted with an ethyl acetate- dichloromethane mixture, with an elution gradient from 0-100 to 80-20 by volume. The fractions containing the desired product were pooled and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure (0.27 kPa) at 40°C. 10.3 mg of 10-deacetyl-7β,8β-methylene-19-norbaccatin III were thus obtained in the form of a white foam whose characteristics were the following:

- proton NMR spectrum: (400 MHz; CDCI₃; δ in ppm; coupling constants J in Hz): 1.14 (s, 3H: -CH₃ in 16 or 17); 1.42 (mt, 1 H: -H in 7); 1.76 and 2.31 (t and m, 1 H each; Cϋ of cyclopropane); 2.07 (s, 3H; -CH₃ in 18); 2.15 and 2.50 (broad d and td, 1 H each: Chfe- in 6); 2.30 (s, 3H: -COCH₃ in 4); 2.28 and 2.35 (m, 1 H each: -C fe in 14); 4.11 and 4.37 (d, 1 H each: -CH₂ in 20); 4.28 (d, 1 H: -H3 in 3); 4.79 (d, 1 H: -H in 5); 4.88 (broad t, 1 H: -H in 13); 5.09 (s, 1 H: -H in 10); 5.66 (d, 1 H: -H in 2); 7.51 [t, 2H: -OCOC₆H₅ (-H in 3 and 5)]; 7.61 [t, 1 H: -OCOC₆H₅ (-H in 4)]; 8.17 [d, 2H: -OCOC₆H₅ (-H in 2 and 6)]. ¹³C NMR spectrum: (100 MHz; CDCI₃; δ in ppm; uncoupled; s = singlet, d =doublet; t = triplet; q = quadruplet): 15 (q, C18); 16.5 (t, C19); 20 and 27 (q, C16 and C17); 22.5 (q, -COCH₃); 26.5 (t, C6); 33 (d, C7); 35 (s, C8); 39 (d, C3); 39.5 (t, C14); 43 (s, C15); 68 (d, C13); 76 (t, C20); 76.2 (d, C10); 79.5 (s, C1 ); 80 (s, C4); 81 (d, C2); 85 (d, C5); 129 (d, C2: -OCOC₆H₅); 130 (s, Cl of -OCOC₆H₅); 130.5 (d, C3 of -OCOC₆H₅); 134 (d, C4 of -OCOC₆H₅); 136 (s, C11); 143 (s, C12); 168 (s, -OCOC₆H₅); 171 (s, -COCH₃); 210 (s, C9).

EXAMPLE 5

Mammary C/16 adenocarcinomas were implanted in C3H/HeN female mice. At least 7 days later, 4α,10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy- 1 β-hydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (2R,3S)-3-tert- butoxycarbonylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate («Compound A») was administered to groups of female mice at doses of 9.5, 15.4, 24.8, 40 or 60.5 mg/kg by intravenous injection under 0.4 or 0.5 ml/injection over 15 seconds. The body weight and date of implantation were recorded for each mouse. Blood and tissue samples were taken 2, 5, 15, 30 and 45 minutes and 1 , 4, 14, 24 and 48 hours, after administration. The plasma was separated from the blood samples at 4°C and frozen immediately. The tissue and tumors were weighed and frozen immediately (-20°C). The plasma and tissue samples were then analyzed for the concentration of Compound A. The plasma was assayed by high pressure liquid chromatography with spectrophotometric detection. For the tissue, liver, heart, kidney, lung, spleen and tumor tissue, samples were assayed by a first method, while a second method was used for the brain tissue analyzed. In the first method, 0.2 g of tissue was combined with 2 ml of sodium phosphate buffer 0.1 M (pH:7) and homogenized. The homogenate was centrifuged and 0.5 ml of supernatant was injected into the chromatographic column. In the second method, 10 μl of standard solution was combined with 0.2 g of brain tissue. 2 ml of methanol/5 % perchloric acid (50/50) were added and the mixture was homogenized. The homogenate was centrifuged and 100 μl of supernatant was injected into the chromatographic column.

The kinetics of Compound A in plasma and tumor tissue were linear over the range studied (9.5 to 60.5 mg/kg). The observed maximum plasma concentrations (at time 2 minutes) were linear with respect to dose and equal to 14 + 1 , 21 + 2, 35 ± 2, 51 ± 1 and 133 ± 30 μg/ml, respectively. The pharmacokinetics of Compound A in mice with mammary tumors were similarly linear at the range of doses administered. This pharmacokinetic linearity and the comparable kinetic profile in mice with and without tumors enabled Compound A distribution in tissues (liver, heart, kidney, lung, spleen, brain, tumor), to be studied at a single, intermediate dose of 40 mg/kg, which was the highest non toxic dose (HNTD) observed in the mouse. After administration of the 40 mg/kg intermediate dose to mice with tumors (mammary carcinoma), the kinetic profiles of Compound A exhibited fast uptake of the drug. The drug concentrations were then decreased in two phases. A rapid phase occurred first during which 70 % of the drug that was present at 0.033 h after administration was cleared in one hour, except from the tumor and brain tissue. A slower phase followed, characterized by an elimination half-life ranging from 1.6 to 7.5 hours for the tissues tested, with the exception of the tumor and the brain tissue. This decrease in concentration is illustrated in Table 1 , which reports the areas under tissue concentration (AUC) curves and observed elimination half-life. While brain and plasma AUCs in mice were similar at 4 hours, the 0 to infinity AUC for Compound A in mouse brain tissue was ten times that observed for plasma. These results are consistent with the long half-life of Compound A in brain tissue (47.6 h), in comparison with the half-life observed in the other tissues (1.6- 9.3 h). TABLE 1

The concentration of Compound A (μg/g) in the tissues and plasma is illustrated in the Figures. Tissue and plasma concentration ratios at each point in time after the 40 mg/kg dose was administered are shown in Table 3 (liver, heart, kidney, lung, spleen and tumor), Tables 4 and 5 (brain) and Table 6 (tumor - all doses). These data show that Compound A was quickly distributed in all tissues sampled. The half-life of the distribution phase in each of the tissue samples was determined to be 0.29 h in liver, 0.05 h in kidney, 0.34 h in lung, 0.23 h in spleen, 0.07 h in brain and 0.23 + 0.20 h in tumor tissue. For heart tissue, the half-life of the distribution phase was not calculated because of a bad fitting.

The maximum concentration of Compound A in the sampled tissues occurred at 0.033 h (heart and kidney), at 0.083 h (liver, lung, spleen) and at 0.25 h (tumor and brain). The percentages of the dose recovered in the tissues sampled are reported in Table 2:

TABLE 2

- not detected

The percentage (concentration) of Compound A in the sampled tissue fell off rapidly over the first few hours following drug administration, except in the tumor and brain tissue. In terms of kinetics, after rapid tissue uptake of Compound A, concentrations declined according to a two-phase process: a rapid rate of decrease and then a gradual decline. See the Figures.

EXAMPLE 6

The safety and the efficacy of the treatment according to the present invention may be implemented on patients according to the following protocol :

Inclusion criteria:

Signed informed consent prior to beginning protocol specific procedures - Histologically (adenocarcinoma, large cell, or squamous carcinoma) proven metastatic non small cell lung cancer - Objective progressive disease - Brain metastase demonstrated by CT/MR scans - 18 < Age < 70 years - Life expectancy of at least 12 weeks - ECOG performance status of 0 to 1 - Adequate organ function including: neutrophils > 2 x 10⁹/L; platelets > 100 x 10⁹/L; creatinine within upper normal limit. If borderline values, the creatinine clearance should be > 60 ml/mn; total bilirubin within upper normal limit and ALAT/ASAT/AP < 2.5 times the upper normal limits of the institutional norms. - Patients registered for this trial must be treated and followed at the participating center - Prior therapy: < 1 line of chemotherapy for advanced disease; no prior radiotherapy on brain; prior radiotherapy is allowed on other sites (mediastinum, bone, lymphnode...) but not extensive (<20% of bone marrow area). - Off previous anti-cancer (radio- or chemo-) therapy or surgery for at least 4 weeks and 6 weeks if prior nitrosoureas, mitomycin C. - Recovery from toxic effects of prior treatment (except alopecia any grade, peripheral neuropathy and neuro hearing grade 1 according to the NCIC CTC). - Previous or concomitant corticosteroids should be administered to the patients for symptom control but stable doses should be given for at least 2 weeks before inclusion in the trial. - Presence of at least one extracranial bidimensionally measurable lesion not previously irradiated. - Patients should receive the study drug within 5 working days of patient registration - Complete initial work up within 3 weeks prior to patient registration.

Non-inclusion criteria:

Pregnant or lactating women or women of childbearing potential (e.g. not using adequate contraception). - History of prior malignancies other than previously excised or curatively irradiated basal cell skin cancer or in situ cervical cancer. - Symptomatic brain metastasis except seizures not controlled by adequate anticonvulsiant therapy - Motor deficit - Peripheral neuropathy > grade 1 or neuro hearing > grade 1 according to the NCIC CTC. - More than one chemotherapy line for advanced disease. - Pulmonary fibrosis - Other serious illness or medical conditions: congestive heart failure or angina pectoris even if medically controlled, previous history of myocardial infarction within 1 year from study entry, uncontrolled hypertension or arrhythmias; history of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorders impairing the ability to obtain consent; active infection; peptic ulcer, unstable diabetes mellitus or other contra-indications for the use of corticosteroids; superior vena cava syndrom. - Concurrent treatment with other experimental drugs. - Participation in another clinical trial with any investigational drug within 30 days prior to patient registration - Concurrent treatment with any other anticancer therapy - Concomitant radiotherapy - Pleural or pericardial effusion requiring intervention (drainage, tapping). - Previous treatment by taxanes (paclitaxel, docetaxel).

• Compound of Example 3 is supplied as a single-dose vial containing a total of 94.4 mg of Compound of Example 3 in 2.36 ml of polysorbate 80 at the concentration of 40 mg/ml of Compound of Example 3. The solvent for Compound of Example 3, ethyl alcohol 95%/water (13:87 m/m), is supplied as a single dose in a 15 ml glass vial.

• Premedication consists of Dexamethasone administered as a 8 mg PO or equivalent dose of other corticosteroids every 12 hours starting on Day - 1 (-25 and -13 hours before IV-infusion of Compound of Example 3) and one hour before IV-infusion of Compound of Example 3 on Day 1 .

• For patients with previous extracranial radiotherapy : compound of example 3 is given at dose of 75 mg/m² as a one-hour IV infusion every 21 days.

For patients without previous extracranial radiotherapy, compound of Example 3 is given at dose of 90 mg/m² as a one-hour IV infusion every 21 days.

• Patients will be treated until there is evidence of disease progression in extracranial lesions or unacceptable toxicity or patient refusal. In case of progression in brain metastasis associated to an objective response in other extracranial sites, brain radiotherapy will be done and the treatment with compound of Example 3 will be continued.

• If G-CSF (Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor) is required as a secondary prophylaxis for patients, C-CSF will be administered at the dose and schedule recommended by the manufacturer as a subcutaneous injection starting on Day 2-5 of the treatment of the cycle.

• Criteria for evaluation

Efficacy: Eligible patients will be evaluable for response if they receive a minimum of 2 cycles of treatment with at least one follow-up tumor assessment unless « early progression » occurs in which case they will be considered evaluable. Brain antitumor activity will be assessed using 2 parameters: CT/MR brain scans and clinical neurologic assessment.AII CT/MR scans will be reviewed by an external panel of one oncologist and one neuroradiologist. Extracranial activity will be evaluated with adequate exams (see section...) Pharmacokinetics: by reversed phase HPLC method. Safety: All patients who started at least one infusion of compound of Example 3 will be analyzed for safety. Adverse events (toxicities), vital signs, physical examinations (including ECOG performance status and neurological examination), hematology and serum chemistry laboratory findings will be analyzed. Response rate, time to progression and duration of response are the efficacy endpoints. Quality of life is described.

Response criteria are : ■ complete response : disappearance of all radiographically and/or visually apparent tumour for a minimum period of 4 weeks ;

■ partial response : a reduction of at least 50 % in the sum of the products of the perpendicular diameters of all measurable lesions for a minimum period of 4 weeks ; ■ minor response : a reduction of 25 % to 49 % in the sum of the products of the perpendicular diameters of all measurable lesions ;

■ stable disease no change of greater than 25 % in the size of measurable lesions ;

■ progressive disease : objective evidence of an increase of 25 % or more in any measurable lesion ; or else : time to disease progression, progression-free, time to treatment failure and survival.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description.

Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all of the alternatives and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM

1. A method for treating abnormal cell proliferation in the brain, said method comprising administering to a host in need of said treatment for the purpose of obtaining an improved residence time in the brain an effective amount of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof:

wherein :

R represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl, alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical ;

Ri represents a benzoyl radical or a radical R₂-0-CO- in which R₂ represents an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, bicycloalkyl, phenyl or heterocyclylic radical ; and Ar represents an aryl radical.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein :

R represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl, alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical ;

Ri represents a benzoyl radical or a radical R₂-0-CO in which R₂ represents : a straight or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkenyl radical containing 2 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkynyl radical containing 3 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl radical containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms, a cycloalkenyl radical containing 4 to 6 carbon atoms or a bicycloalkyl radical containing 7 to 10 carbon atoms, these radicals each being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents, which are identical or different, selected from halogen atoms and hydroxy radicals, alkoxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino radicals in which each alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, piperidino radicals, morpholino radicals, 1 -piperazinyl radicals which are unsusbtituted or substituted at position 4 by an alkyl radical containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or by a phenylalkyl radical whose alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl radicals containing 3 to 6 carbon atoms, cycloalkenyl radicals containing 4 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl radicals, cyano radicals, carboxy radicals, and alkoxycarbonyl radicals whose alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein the cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or bicycloalkyl radicals may be unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms ; a phenyl radical unsubstituted or substituted by one or more radicals, which are identical or different, selected from alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkoxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms ; or a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered nitrogen- containing heterocyclylic radical unsubstituted or substituted by one or more alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms ; and

Ar represents a phenyl or α- or β-naphthyl radical unsubstituted or substituted by one or more atoms or radicals selected from halogen atoms and alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkoxy, alkylthio, aryloxy, arylthio, hydroxy, hydroxyalkyl, mercapto, formyl, acyl, acylamino, aroylamino, alkoxycarbonylamino, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, carbamoyl, dialkylcarbamoyl, cyano, nitro and trifluoromethyl radicals, wherein the alkyl radicals and the alkyl portions of the other radicals contain 1 to 4 carbon atoms, the alkenyl and alkynyl radicals contain 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and the aryl radicals are phenyl or α- or β-naphthyl radicals ; or

Ar represents a 5-membered aromatic heterocyclic radical containing one or more atoms, which are identical or different and selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur atoms, and unsubstituted or substituted by one or more substituents, which are identical or different, selected from halogen atoms and alkyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, aryl radicals containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms, alkoxy radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, aryloxy radicals containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms, amino radicals, alkylamino radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino radicals in which each alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, acylamino radicals in which the acyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonylamino radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, acyl radicals containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, arylcarbonyl radicals in which the aryl portion contains 6 to 10 carbon atoms, cyano radicals, carboxy radicals, carbamoyl radicals, alkylcarbamoyl radicals in which the alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylcarbamoyl radicals in which each alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms and alkoxycarbonyl radicals in which the alkoxy portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

3. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein

R represents a hydrogen atom or an acetyl, alkoxyacetyl or alkyl radical, Ri represents a benzoyl or tert-butoxycarbonyl radical and Ar presents an aryl radical.

4. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein R represents a acetyl radical, Ri represents a tert-butoxycarbonyl radical, and Ar represents a phenyl radical.

5. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the abnormal cells are malignant cells.

6. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the abnormal cells are non-malignant cells.

7. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the abnormal cell proliferation is brain cancer

8. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the abnormal cell proliferation is cancer with brain metastasis.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the abnormal cell proliferation is lung cancer with brain metastasis

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein teh abnormal cell proliferation is non-small cell lung cancer with brain metastasis

1 1 . The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the treatment is performed concurrently with at least one other therapeutic treatment.

12. The method according to claim 1 1 , wherein the other therapeutic treatment comprises antineoplastic drugs, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapies, radiotherapies, or biological response modifiers.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the response modifiers comprise lymphokines and cytokines.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the response modifiers comprise interleukins, α, β, or δ interfeons and TNF.

15. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the compound of formula (I) is administered by parenteral or oral administration.

16. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the compound of formula (I) is administered by intravenous, intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous or oral administration.

17. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the compound of formula (I) is administerered in a pharmaceutical composition comprising said compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant, carrier, or excipient.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the pharmaceutically acceptable adjuvant is a carrier comprising a diluent, sterile aqueous media, or a non-toxic solvent.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is in the form of an aqueous solution, an aqueous suspension, a non-aqueous solution, a non-aqueous suspension, or an injectable solution.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises at least one emulsifying agent, colorant, preservative or stabilizer.

21 . The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the compound of formula (I) is administered as one-hour IV-infusion every 3 weeks.

22. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the compound of formula (I) is administered weekly.

23. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the compound of ormula (I) is administered at dose ranging from 50 to 150 mg/m².

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein the compound of formula (I) is administered at dose ranging from 75 to 90 mg/m².

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the compound of formula (I) is administered at dose of 75 mg/m².

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the compound of formula (I) is administered at dose of 90 mg/m².

27. The method according to any of the precedent claims, wherein the formula (I) compound is 4α-10β-diacetoxy-2α-benzoyloxy-5β,20-epoxy- 1 β-hydroxy-7β,8β-methylene-9-oxo-19-nor-11 -taxen-13α-yl (2R,3S)-3-tert- butoxy-carbonylamino-2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionate or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof.