ES2431045T3 - Chroman derivatives, medications and therapeutic use - Google Patents

Abstract

A compound of the general formula (I) in which R1 is hydrogen; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, or alkoxy, except that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen; R4, R5, and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, or alkyl, and R9 is hydrogen or alkyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Description

Chroman derivatives, medications and therapeutic use

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to certain new derivatives of chromane, compositions containing them, methods for their preparation and uses thereof as therapeutic agents particularly as anti-cancer agents and as selective chemotherapeutic agents.

Background of the invention

More than 700 different isoflavones present in nature are known, some of which have biological properties with potential therapeutic benefit.

10 US Patent No. 5,726,202 generically describes certain isoflavan compounds, particularly 3,4-diarylchroman and centchroman for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

WO 01/17986 also describes certain isoflavan compounds.

WO 03/063859 describes the pharmaceutical use of chroman derivatives for the treatment or prevention of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis.

15 WO 99/65893 describes benzopyran or thiobenzopyran derivatives that have an antiestrogenic activity and pharmaceutical use thereof.

Compendium of the invention

Surprisingly, the authors of the present invention have found a new group of compounds of the general formula (I) that have important therapeutic activities including strong anti-cancer activity, chemotherapeutic selectivity and radiosensitization of cancers.

Therefore, according to one aspect of the present invention, a compound of the general formula (I) is provided:

in which R1 is hydrogen,

R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, or alkoxy, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, R4, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, R9 is hydrogen or alkyl,

or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Accordingly, in another aspect of the invention there is provided a compound of the formula (I-a):

wherein R1 is hydrogen, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy or alkoxy, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, R4, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy or alkoxy.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I) comprising the step of reacting the keto group of a compound of the formula (II):

10 or the analog thereof which includes a substituent corresponding to R9 in the compounds of the formula (I)

wherein R1 is alkyl or a protecting group such as Si (R10) 3, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, alkoxy or OSi (R10) 3, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, and

R10 is independently alkyl or aryl,

with an arilant agent W − M +,

where W− is an optionally substituted aryl radical, and M + is one or more counterions, preferably [MgBr] +,

20 to form the intermediate tertiary alcohol of the formula (III):

or a protected derivative thereof or one of its salts (or one of its analogs including a substituent corresponding to R9 in the compounds of the formula (I)) and which is dehydrated to form a compound of the formula (IV):

(or one of its analogs including a substituent corresponding to R9 in the compounds of the formula (I)) whose double bond is subsequently reduced, for example, by hydrogenation and optionally deprotected to form a compound of the formula (I).

According to another aspect of the present description there is provided a compound of the general formula (III), compositions containing it and the uses thereof.

In another aspect, a compound of the general formula (IV), compositions containing it and the uses thereof are provided.

Therefore, according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a compound of the formula (I) in therapy, particularly in chemotherapy and / or as a radiosensitizing or chemosensitizing agent.

According to another aspect of the present description there is provided a method for the treatment, prevention or improvement of a disease or disorder, which comprises administering to one subject one or more compounds of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in association with a vehicle and / or excipient.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the use of one or more compounds of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is provided in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a disease or disorder.

According to another aspect of the present invention an agent is provided for use in the treatment, prophylaxis or improvement of a disease or disorder, the agent of which comprises one or more compounds of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in association with one or more vehicles, excipients, auxiliary substances and / or pharmaceutical diluents.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a beverage or a food product, which contains one

or more compounds of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims that follow, together with the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1 represents a comparison of the toxicity of dehydroequol (DHE, graph A), 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (HMC, compound 1 according to the invention, graph B) and cisplatin (graph C), in the fibroblasts of the neonatal foreskin.

Fig. 2 represents the efficacy of HMC in melanoma cells compared to cisplatin.

Fig. 3 represents a pharmacokinetic profile of the free and total forms of HMC (A) and DHE (B) after administration p.o. (oral peri) to BALB / c mice (50 mg / kg).

Fig. 4 depicts a comparison of the pharmacokinetic profile of serum HMC concentration after i.v. (intravenously) and administration i.p. (intraperitoneally) of HMC formulated in 20% hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD), at a dose of 50 mg / kg.

Fig. 5 represents comparative data of the mean tumor volume taken from nude mice that have HPAC pancreatic cancer tumors treated or with 20% HPBCD administered ip. (Vehicle control, qd × 15) or with HMC (100 mg / kg, qd × 15). Data are represented as the mean ± SEM *, student's T test, p <0.01.

Fig. 6 depicts comparative data of the terminal mean mass of the tumor taken from nude mice that have HPAC pancreatic cancer tumors treated or with 20% HPBCD administered ip (vehicle control, qd × 15) or with HMC (100 mg / kg, qd × 15). Data are represented as the mean ± SEM *, student's T test, p <0.01.

Fig. 7 depicts comparative data of the terminal mean mass of the tumor taken from nude mice that have HPAC pancreatic cancer tumors treated or with 20% HPBCD administered ip (vehicle control, qd × 15) or with HMC (100 mg / kg, qd × 15). Data are represented as the mean ± SEM *, student's T test, p <0.01.

Fig. 8 represents a summary of the incidence of apoptosis in melanoma cells treated with DHE and HMC over a period of 24 and 48 hours.

Fig. 9 depicts the selective initiation of programmed cell death in malignant melanoma cells (Mel-RM and Me4405) treated with HMC and DHE. The same concentration of DHE and HMC and the same exposure times do not induce apoptosis in normal fibroblasts (MRC-5).

Fig. 10 represents a 3D analysis of the cytotoxicity data for synergy of HMC-cisplatin in the MM200 melanoma cell line. HMC-cisplatin combinations were evaluated using a 5-day combination protocol (Fig. 10A), or a 24 h sequence of HMC → anti-cancer (Fig. 10B). For each combination experiment the HMC was evaluated at 10, 5, 2 and 1 μM. See Table 8 for the original data.

Fig. 11 represents the percentage of TNFα inhibition in murine macrophages by compounds 6, that is 3 (4-methoxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) -7-methoxychroman and 7 of the invention.

Fig. 12 depicts the 1 H NMR spectrum of 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol.

Detailed description of the invention

The authors of the present invention have found that a class of isoflavan derivatives of the general formula

(I) present surprising and unexpected biological and pharmaceutical properties.

It is believed that the compounds of the formula (I) of the invention have favorable toxicity profiles with normal cells and good bioavailability. Surprisingly, the compounds of the invention have an anti-cancer activity, significantly better or at least comparable to known cancer treatments.

The compounds of the formula (I) are cytostatic and cytotoxic against a wide variety of cancer cells of human and animal origin. By cancer cells, it is understood that cells that have malignant characteristics and that are distinguished from non-cancerous cells by deregulated growth and a behavior that is usually life-threatening in the long term unless treated satisfactorily.

Cancer cells that have been found to be sensitive to the compounds of formula (I) are of epithelial origin (e.g., prostate, ovarian, cervical, breast, gallbladder, pancreatic, colorectal cancer cells , renal, and non-small lung cancer cells), of mesenchymal origin (for example, melanoma, mesothelioma and sarcoma cancer cells), and of neural origin (for example glioma cancer cells). It is very unusual and surprising to find a related group of compounds that have such a potent cytotoxicity against cancer cells, but with low toxicity against non-cancerous cells such as keratinocytes derived from the human foreskin. This selectivity for cancer cells is very unusual and unexpected.

Advantageously, the compounds of the formula (I) have cytotoxicity against cancer cells that are well recognized for being very insensitive to conventional anti-cancer drugs. It is very unusual and unexpected to find such a potent activity against cancers, for example, cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma and melanoma.

Advantageously, the compounds of the formula (I) also unexpectedly have a capacity to make cancer cells sensitive to radiation, so that these compounds are considered to reduce the amount of gamma irradiation required to destroy the cells. cells, or convert cancer cells from a radio-resistance state to a radio-sensitivity state.

Additionally, the compounds of the formula (I) are believed to possess chemo-sensitizing activity, that is, they increase the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, especially for cancer cells, and / or convert cancer cells from a chemo-resistance state to a chemo-sensitivity state.

The compounds of the invention can also provide chemo and / or radioprotective properties for non-cancerous cells. This has important therapeutic implications because the traumatic side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are caused by the toxicity of traditional treatments for non-cancerous cells.

The properties described above offer significant clinical advantages.

The radio-protective and / or chemo-protective properties of the compounds of the invention can be used to protect healthy individuals from the effects of radiation and / or chemical toxins, or to reduce the effects thereof.

Therefore, the invention also provides the use of compounds of the formula (I) to treat cancer patients either by reducing the growth rate of such tumors or by reducing the size of such tumors by therapy with said compounds alone, and / or in combination with each other, and / or in combination with other anti-cancer agents, and / or in combination with radiotherapy.

The use of the compounds of the present invention alone or in combination therapy as described above, can reduce the adverse side effects often experienced by patients when treated with conventional anti-cancer treatments. The use of the compounds of the invention may mean that lower doses can be used in such treatment which represents an important advance for those suffering from cancer.

Preferably R3 in the compounds of the formula (I) is in position 3.

In another aspect of the invention R9 is C1-4 alkyl, such as methyl.

Preferably in the compounds of the formula (Ia): R1 is hydrogen, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy or C1-4 alkoxy, with the proviso that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, and R4, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy,

or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

More preferably in the compounds of the formula (Ia): R1 is hydrogen, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, R4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy or isopropoxy, and R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy or isopropoxy,

or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Particular preferred compounds of the formula (Ia) have the following substituents where: R1 is hydrogen, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy or methoxy, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, R4 and R6 are independently hydrogen , hydroxy or methoxy, and R5 is hydrogen,

or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

The invention also extends to the compounds of the formula (I-b):

wherein: R1 represents hydrogen, R2 represents hydrogen, hydroxy or C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, more preferably hydroxy or methoxy, especially hydroxy. R3 represents hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, more preferably hydrogen or methoxy, especially hydrogen, with the proviso that R2 and R3 do not both represent hydrogen, R4 represents hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, C1-6 alkyl such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, especially hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy or methyl particularly methoxy or hydroxy, R5 represents hydrogen, C1-6 alkoxy, C1-6 alkyl, especially hydrogen, methoxy, hydroxy, particularly hydrogen,

or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

Preferred compounds of the invention include those of the general formula (I-c):

wherein: R1 is hydrogen, R2 is hydroxy or C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, secbutoxy, tertiary butoxy, and R4 is hydroxy or C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy , propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, secbutoxy, tertiary butoxy

or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

More preferably in the compounds of the formula (I-c) R2 is hydroxy or methoxy, especially hydroxy.

More preferably in the compounds of the formula (I-c) R4 is hydroxy or methoxy, especially methoxy.

In an alternative aspect the invention provides compounds of the formula (I-d):

in which: R1 is hydrogen, R3 is hydroxy or alkoxy, and R4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy or alkyl.

In another alternative aspect the description provides compounds of the formula (I-e):

wherein R1 is hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl or C (O) R7, and R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, cycloalkyl, halo or OC (O) R7, with the exception

5 that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen,

Preferably in the compounds of the formula (I-e) R 1 represents hydrogen or methyl, especially hydrogen.

Preferably in the compounds of the formula (I-e) R2 represents hydroxy or C1-C6 alkoxy such as methoxy.

In the compounds of the formula (I-e) preferably R 3 represents hydrogen, hydroxy or methoxy, especially hydrogen.

In another alternative aspect the invention provides compounds of the formula (I-f):

in which R1 is hydrogen, R3 is hydroxy or alkoxy, and

R4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy or alkyl.

Preferably in the compounds of the formula (I-f) R2 represents hydroxy or C1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, especially hydroxy.

Preferably in the compounds of the formula (I-f) R 3 represents hydrogen or C 1-6 alkoxy such as methoxy, especially hydrogen.

Preferably in the compounds of the formula (I-f) R3 is in position 3.

Especially preferred compounds of the formula (I) include:

3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (HMC; Comp. 1); 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4-phenylchroman-7-ol (Comp. 2); 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) 4- (3-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (Comp. 3);

3- (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (Comp. 4); 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methylphenyl) chroman-7-ol (Comp. 5); 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) 4- (2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (Comp. 7); 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (2-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (Comp. 8); 3- (3-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (3-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (Comp. 10);

3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (HHC; Comp. 11); 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (3-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (Comp. 13);

3- (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) -8-methylchroman-7-ol (Comp. 16).

or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

The compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention include two chiral centers. The present invention includes

5 all enantiomers and diastereoisomers as well as their mixtures in all proportions. The invention also extends to isolated enantiomers or pairs of enantiomers. The methods of separation of enantiomers and diastereoisomers are well known to those skilled in the art.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in the compounds of the formula (I) the aryl substituents on the heterocyclic ring may be cis or trans with respect to each other. Preferably in the compounds

10 of the formula (I) these substituents will be cis.

A particularly preferred compound of the present invention is the cis isomer of compound No. (1), HMC:

or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts. Also, compounds number (2) to (16) in the cis conformation are particularly preferred compounds.

The compounds of formulas (III) and (IV) are intermediate as set forth herein. Each corresponding intermediate of isoflavan-4-ol and isoflavan-3-ene of compounds numbers (1) to (16) are also preferred compounds of the present invention.

W in the compounds of the formula (III) and (IV) may represent, for example, the following radicals:

or one of its protected derivatives, wherein R4, R5 and R6 are as defined above for the compounds of the formula (I).

The term "isoflavone" as used herein should be widely considered to include isoflavones, isoflavenos, isoflavans, isoflavanones, isoflavanoles and the like.

The term "alkyl" is considered to include saturated straight chain and branched chain alkyl groups of

1 to 6 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, secbutyl, tertiary butyl, pentyl and the like. The most preferred alkyl group preferably contains from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, especially methyl, ethyl, propyl or isopropyl.

Cycloalkyl includes C3-6 cycloalkyl such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl.

Preferably the alkyl group has no substituent.

The term "aryl" is considered to include phenyl, benzyl, biphenyl and naphthyl and may be optionally substituted with one or more C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxy, C1-C4 alkoxy, carbonyl, C1-C4 alkoxycarbonyl, C1-C4 alkyl -carbonyloxy, nitro or halo.

The term "halo" is considered to include fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo, preferably fluoro and chloro, more preferably fluoro. Reference, for example, to "haloalkyl" will include monohalogenated, dihalogenated and even perhalogenated alkyl groups. Preferred haloalkyl groups are trifluoromethyl and pentafluoroethyl.

The compounds of the invention include all salts, such as acid addition salts, anionic salts and zwitterionic salts, and in particular include pharmaceutically acceptable salts known to those skilled in the art. The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salt" refers to a organic or inorganic moiety that carries a charge and that can be administered in association with a pharmaceutical agent, for example, as a counter-cation

or counter-anion in a salt. Pharmaceutically acceptable cations are known to those skilled in the art, and include but are not limited to sodium, potassium, calcium, zinc and quaternary amine. Pharmaceutically acceptable anions are known to those skilled in the art, and include but are not limited to chloride, acetate, tosylate, citrate, bicarbonate and carbonate.

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include those formed from: acetic, ascorbic, aspartic, benzoic, benzenesulfonic, citric, cinnamic, ethanesulfonic, fumaric, glutamic, glutaric, gluconic, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, lactic, maleic, malic, methanesulfonic, naphthoic acids, hydroxynaphthoic, naphthalenesulfonic, naphthalenedisulfonic, naphthalenacrylic, oleic, oxalic, oxaloacetic, phosphoric, pyruvic, p-toluenesulfonic, tartaric, trifluoroacetic, triphenylacetic, tricarbalyl, salicylic, sulfuric and sulfamic, sulfanic, sulfanic acid.

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable derivative" or "prodrug" refers to a derivative of the active compound that

after administration to the recipient is able to provide directly or indirectly, the parent compound or

metabolite, or that presents activity by itself and includes, for example, phosphate derivatives and sulphonate derivatives. Therefore, derivatives include solvates, pharmaceutically active esters, prodrugs or the like. This also includes derivatives with physiologically cleavable leaving groups that can be cleaved in vivo to give the compounds of the invention or their active moiety. The leaving groups may include acyl, phosphate, sulfate, sulphonate, and preferably are mono, di- and per-acyloxy substituted compounds, where one or more of the pendant hydroxy groups are protected by an acyl group, preferably an acetyl group. Typically the acyloxy substituted compounds of the invention are readily cleavable to the corresponding hydroxy substituted compounds.

When appropriate, the protection of functional chemical groups, deprotection, synthons and other techniques known to those skilled in the art can be used to aid in the synthesis of the compounds of the present invention, and their starting materials.

The protection of functional groups of the compounds and derivatives of the present invention can be accomplished by methods well established in the art, for example as described in T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1981.

Hydroxyl protecting groups include but are not limited to carboxylic acid esters, eg acetate esters, aryl esters such as benzoate, acetals / ketals such as acetonide and benzylidene, ethers such as obenzyl ether and p-methoxybenzyl ether, ether of tetrahydropyranyl and silyl ethers such as t-butyldimethyl-silyl ether.

The protecting groups can be separated, for example, by acid or base catalyzed hydrolysis or reduction, for example, hydrogenation. Silyl ethers may require hydrogen fluoride or tetrabutylammonium fluoride to be cleaved.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art of medical chemistry that the compounds of the formula (I) can be converted into other compounds of the formula (I), for example, when a compound of the formula (I) carries one or more hydroxyl substituents then one or more of these substituents can be converted into a halo substituent such as bromine, chlorine or iodine by treating the alcohol with a halogenating agent. Halogenating agents include compounds such as NBS, hydrobromic acid, chlorine gas etc. It may be necessary during processes such as halogenation to use protective groups to protect other functionalities in the molecule.

Phenolic type hydroxyls may not be readily convertible into the corresponding halogen compound by treatment with a halogenating agent. However, the desired halogen compound can be prepared, for example, by treating an appropriate arylamine starting material with NaNO2 in the presence of HCl under reduced temperature conditions such as 0 ° C, to form the corresponding azide salt. Post-treatment with CuCl, CuBr, KI or HBF4 can be used to convert the azide into the required halo-compound.

A general procedure for preparing the compounds of the formula (I) comprises the step of treating a compound of the formula (IV):

wherein R1, R2, R3 and W are as defined above in relation to the compounds of the formula (II), with a reducing agent to provide a compound of the formula (I) or a protected derivative thereof.

Reducing agents are well known to those skilled in the art and may include hydride sources such as alkali metal borohydrides and borohydrides, but they must include hydrogen in catalytic hydrogenation where a suitable catalyst such as palladium on carbon can be used. Other suitable hydride sources include sodium triacetoxyborohydride, tetrabutyl ammonium triacetoxyborohydride and sodium cyanoborohydride.

Preferably the double bond of the compounds of the formula (IV) is reduced by hydrogenation.

The compounds of the formula (IV) are prepared by dehydrating a compound of the formula (III): in which R1, R2, R3 and W are as defined above, in relation to the compounds of the formula (II) or a protected derivative thereof.

Dehydration can be catalyzed, for example, by an acid, by a base or can be facilitated by conversion of tertiary alcohol into a better leaving group, as is known to those skilled in the art.

Preferably the compounds of the formula (III) are dehydrated, for example, by treatment with paratoluenesulfonic acid.

The compounds of the formula (III) can be prepared by treating the compounds of the formula (II):

10 in which R1, R2, R3 are as defined above for the compounds of the formula (II) or a derivative protected therefrom with an arylating agent, for example, a compound of the formula W-M + in which W− is an optionally substituted aryl radical and M + is one or more counterions, preferably [MgBr] +.

The W-M + arylating agent can be prepared by Grignard chemistry where the haloaryl compound (V):

15 or a protected derivative thereof, where

R4, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, alkoxy, alkyl, acyl, OC (O) R7, a protected hydroxy such as OSi (R10) 3 or a protected amino such as trimethylsilylamino-phenyl halide, and R10 is independently alkyl or aryl , and X is halo, preferably bromine,

20 is reacted with a metal such as magnesium to form the arylating agent.

Preferably the haloaryl compound (V) is selected from: wherein R4, R5, R6 and X are as defined above for the compounds of the formula (V).

The reaction of the arylating agent with the ketone of the formula (II) provides access to the corresponding isoflavan4-oles (III), isoflav-3-enos (IV) and isoflavanes (I) of the present invention.

Alternatively, the compounds of the formula (III) can be prepared by reacting the compounds of the

Formula (II) with a compound analogous to the compounds of formula (V) wherein X represents any appropriate leaving group L that is lost in product formation by nucleophilic addition of the aryl moiety to a ketone by reactions well known to the experts in the art.

Preferably any of the free alcohols, esters or other reactive groups of this type in the keto compounds of the formula (II) will be protected, for example, as t-butyldimethylsilyl ethers during the addition reaction

10 nucleophile.

The compounds of the formula (II) can be prepared by reducing any double bond of the compounds of the formula (VI):

or a protected derivative thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are as defined above, for compounds 15 of formula (II).

Appropriate reducing agents have been described before. Preferably the reduction of the carbon carbon double bond can be carried out, for example, by hydrogenation.

Access to the compounds of the general formula (VI) can be obtained by general synthetic methods as indicated in Scheme 1 below and as described in published International Application No. WO01 / 17986, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference. . A typical synthesis is represented in Scheme 1.

Scheme 1

Access to the different chromanes substituted with 3-phenyl can be obtained by varying the substitution model on the group derived from phenylacetic acid.

Access to the different 4-phenyl substituted chromanos can be obtained by varying the substitution model of the arylating agent (V).

Analogues of the compounds employed in the procedures including a substituent corresponding to R9 can be used as defined for the compounds of the formula (I).

As used herein, the terms "treatment", "prophylaxis" or "prevention", "improvement" and the like should be considered 30 in their broader context. In particular, the term "treatment" does not necessarily imply that an animal is treated until full recovery. Therefore, "treatment" includes improvement of symptoms or the severity of

a particular pathological condition or the prevention or otherwise reduction of the risk of developing a particular pathological condition.

The amount of one or more compounds of the formula (I) that is needed in a therapeutic treatment according to the invention will depend on a number of factors, including the specific application, the nature of the particular compound used, the disease to be treated, the mode of administration and the patient's condition.

The compounds of the formula (I) can be administered in a manner and in an amount as conventionally practiced. See, for example, Goodman and Gilman, "The pharmacological basis of therapeutics", 7th Edition, (1985). The specific dose used will depend on the disease to be treated, the condition of the subject, the route of administration and other well-known factors as indicated above. In general, a daily dose per patient may be in the range of 0.1 mg to 5 g; typically 0.5 mg to 1 g; preferably from 50 mg to 200 mg. The dosage can vary from a single dose given once a day or every two days, to doses given two or three times a day over a week to many months to many years as needed, depending on the severity of the disease a treat or relieve

It should also be understood that for a particular subject, specific dosage regimens must be adjusted over time according to individual needs and the professional judgment of the person who administers or supervises the administration of the compositions.

Relatively short-term treatments with the active compounds can be used to produce stabilization.

or reduction or remission of cancers. Long-term treatments can be used to prevent the development of cancers in high-risk patients.

The production of pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of the therapeutic indications described herein is typically prepared by mixing the compounds of the invention (for convenience hereinafter

hereinafter referred to as the "active compounds") with one or more pharmaceutical carriers and / or excipients or

veterinarily acceptable well known in the art.

Naturally, the vehicle must be acceptable in the sense of being compatible with any other ingredient in the formulation and must not be harmful to the subject. The carrier or excipient may be a solid or a liquid, or both, and is preferably formulated with the compound as a unit dose, for example, a tablet, which may contain up to 100% by weight of the active compound, preferably 0.5 % to 59% by weight of the active compound.

One or more active compounds can be incorporated into the formulations of the invention, which can be prepared by any of the well-known pharmacy techniques that essentially consist of mixing the components, optionally including one or more auxiliary ingredients. The preferred concentration of active compound in the drug composition will depend on the rates of absorption, distribution, inactivation, and excretion of the drug as well as other factors known to those skilled in the art.

The formulations of the invention include those suitable for oral, rectal, ocular, buccal (e.g., sublingual), parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous, intramuscular, intradermal, or intravenous) administration, transdermal administration including mucosal administration by nasal, buccal route, vaginal or rectal, and as inhalants, although the most appropriate route, depending on the case, will depend on the nature and severity of the disease to be treated and the nature of the particular active compound used.

The formulation suitable for oral administration may be presented in discrete units, such as capsules, sachets, lozenges, or tablets, each containing a predetermined amount of the active compound; as powder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous or non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion. Such formulations may be prepared by any appropriate pharmacy method that includes the step of associating the active compound and a suitable vehicle (which may contain one or more auxiliary ingredients as indicated above).

In general, the formulations of the invention are prepared by uniformly and intimately mixing the active compound with a liquid vehicle or a finely divided solid vehicle, or both, and then, if necessary, shaping the resulting mixture so that it is obtained One unit dose For example, a tablet may be prepared by compressing or molding a powder or granules containing the active compound, optionally with one or more other ingredients.

Compression tablets may be prepared by compressing, in a suitable machine, the compound in fluid form, such as a powder or granules optionally mixed with a binder, lubricant, inert diluent, and / or surfactant / dispersing agent or agents. Molded tablets may be prepared by molding, in a suitable machine, the compound moistened with an inert liquid binder.

Formulations suitable for oral (sublingual) administration include sucking tablets comprising the active compound in a flavored base, usually sucrose and gum arabic or tragacanth; and pills comprising the compound in an inert base such as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and gum arabic.

Formulations suitable for ocular administration include liquids, gels and creams comprising the active compound in an ocularly acceptable vehicle or diluent.

Compositions of the present invention suitable for parenteral administration conveniently comprise sterile aqueous preparations of the active compounds, whose preparations are preferably isotonic with the blood of the future recipient. These preparations are preferably administered intravenously, although administration can also be performed by subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intradermal injection. Such preparations can be conveniently prepared by mixing the compound with water or with a glycine buffer and making the resulting solution sterile and isotonic with blood. Injectable formulations according to the invention generally contain from 0.1% to 60% w / v of active compound and can be administered at a rate of 0.1 ml / minute / kg.

Infusion formulations, for example, can be prepared using saline as a vehicle and a solubilizing agent such as a cyclodextrin or derivative thereof. Cyclodextrins include α-cyclodextrin, β-cyclodextrin, γ-cyclodextrin, dimethyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2-hydroxyethyl-β-cyclodextrin, 2-hydroxypropyl-cyclodextrin, 3-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and tri-methyl-β-cyclodextrin. More preferably the cyclodextrin is hydroxypropyl-βcyclodextrin. Suitable derivatives of cyclodextrins include Captisol® a sulfobutyl ether derivative of cyclodextrin and its analogs as described in US 5,134,127.

Formulations suitable for rectal administration are preferably presented as suppositories in unit doses. Formulations suitable for vaginal administration are preferably presented as pessaries in unit doses. These can be prepared by mixing the active compound with one or more conventional solid carriers, for example, cocoa butter, and then shaping the resulting mixture.

Formulations or compositions suitable for topical administration to the skin preferably take the form of an ointment, cream, lotion, paste, gel, spray, spray, or oil. Vehicles that can be used include petrolatum, lanolin, polyethylene glycols, alcohols, and a combination of two or more of them. The active compound is generally present at a concentration of 0.1% to 5% w / w, more particularly 0.5% to 2% w / w. Examples of such compositions include cosmetic skin creams.

Formulations suitable for transdermal administration may be presented as discrete patches adapted to remain in intimate contact with the epidermis of the recipient for a prolonged period of time. Said patches suitably contain the active compound as an optionally buffered aqueous solution, for example of a concentration of 0.1 M to 0.2 M with respect to said active compound. See for example Brown, L., et al. (1998).

Formulations suitable for transdermal administration can also be administered by iontophoresis (see, for example, Panchagnula R, et al., 2000) and typically take the form of an optionally buffered aqueous solution of the active compound. Suitable formulations comprise citrate buffer or Bis / Tris buffer (pH 6) or ethanol / water and contain a 0.1 M to 0.2 M concentration of active ingredient.

Formulations suitable for inhalation may be administered as a spray composition in the form of a solution, suspension or emulsion. The inhalation spray composition may further comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable propellant such as carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide or a hydrogen-containing fluorocarbon such as 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3 , 3-heptafluoro-n-propane or mixtures thereof.

The active compounds may be provided in the form of food products, so that they are added, mixed, coated, combined or otherwise added to a food product. The term food product is used in its widest possible sense and includes liquid formulations such as beverages including dairy products and other foods, such as energy bars, desserts, etc. Food formulations containing the compounds of the invention can be easily prepared according to conventional practices.

The therapeutic methods, uses and compositions may be for administration to humans or animals, including mammals such as pets and domestic animals (such as dogs and cats) and breeding animals (such as cattle, sheep, pigs and goats), birds (such as chickens, turkeys, ducks), marine animals including fish farms (such as fish, crustaceans and mollusks) and the like.

The active compound or pharmaceutically acceptable prodrug derivatives or salts thereof can also be co-administered with other active materials that do not affect the desired action, or with materials that supplement the desired action, such as antibiotic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, or antiviral compounds. The active agent may comprise two or more isoflavones or derivatives thereof in combination or synergistic mixture. The active compounds can also be administered with lipid reducing agents such as probucol and nicotinic acid; inhibitors of platelet aggregation such as aspirin; antithrombotic agents such as coumadin; calcium channel blockers such as verapamil, diltiazem, and nifedipine; angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as captopril and enalapril, and β-blockers such as propanolol, terbutalol, and labetalol. The compounds can also be administered in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, aspirin, fenoprofen, mefenamic acid, flufenamic acid and sulindac. The compounds can also be administered with corticosteroids or with an antiemetic such as zofran®.

The compounds of the formula (I) appear to be particularly suitable for co-administration with one or more anti-cancer drugs such as cisplatin, dehydroequol (DHE), taxol (paclitaxel), gemcitabine, doxorubicin, topotecan and / or camptothecin, especially cisplatin, dehydroequol (DHE), taxol. This can produce better treatment effects, for example in the form of synergistic effects, compared to when only one of the medications is used. Particularly the compounds of the presently claimed invention, especially HMC (that is, compound 1) appear to be chemosensitizing and increase the cytotoxicity of the one or more anticancer drugs co-administered with them. This seems to happen even though anti-cancer drugs act through a variety of different mechanisms, for example, cisplatin is thought to work interacting with nuclear DNA, taxol is believed to act by blocking cells in the G2 / M phase of the cell cycle. and prevents them from forming a normal mitotic apparatus, it is believed that gemcitabine acts by incorporating into the cell's DNA, preventing mitosis in the long run, it is believed that doxorubicin is a topoisomerase II inhibitor, thereby preventing replication and transcription of DNA and it is believed that topotecan is a topoisomerase I inhibitor.

Interestingly, in some situations this increase in cytotoxicity for cancer cells is not associated with a corresponding increase in toxicity for non-cancer cells.

Although this observation has important implications for the treatment of many cancers, it is especially important for the treatment of cancers such as melanoma, which are extremely difficult to treat.

Co-administration can be simultaneous or sequential. Simultaneous administration can be performed for compounds that are in the same unit dose, or in individual and discrete unit doses administered at the same or similar time. Sequential administration can be done in any order according to needs and will typically require that a physiological effect of the first active agent or initial active agent be in progress when the second or last active agent is administered, especially when a cumulative or synergistic effect is desired.

The invention also extends to a package comprising combination therapy.

The compounds for use in the preferred synthetic methods of the present invention can be derived from many sources easily identifiable by those skilled in the art. For example, daidzein is readily available or can be synthesized by standard methods known in the art. Suitable methods can be found, for example, in published international patent applications WO 98/08503 and WO 00/49009, and in the references cited therein.

The compounds of the general formulas (II), (III) and (IV) described above, are intermediate in the production of the active isoflavan compounds of the formula (I). These intermediates also represent additional aspects of the present invention.

Although not wanting to restrict with theoretical considerations the compounds of the present invention are believed to regulate a wide variety of signal transduction processes within animal cells and that these signal transduction processes are involved in a wide range of functions that are vital. for the survival and function of all animal cells. Therefore, these compounds have broad and important benefits in animals including humans, and in particular they have the potential to avoid and treat important and common human diseases, disorders and functions, which represents an unexpected substantial benefit.

Therefore it seems that the compounds of the present invention have activity as TNFα inhibitors. It is hypothesized that TNFα is part of a tightly regulated cytokine network, which activates multiple signal transduction pathways and that induces or suppresses a wide variety of genes. TNFα can

provide a survival signal for cancer cells and therefore has been considered as a tumor-favoring factor. As a central mediator of inflammation, TNFα provides a molecular link between chronic inflammatory stimuli and the subsequent development of malignant tumor disease. Consequently its inhibition by the compounds of the invention can provide a mechanism by which they exert an anti-cancer and / or anti-inflammatory activity. Alternatively, these compounds can be used as chemopreventive agents.

The particular benefits of this invention are based on (a) the wide variety of signal transduction processes to which the compounds are directed, (b) the fact that the regulation of these different processes includes both the regulation by increasing some processes such as the regulation by reduction of others, and (c) that this wide and varied effect on signal transduction processes is also accompanied by an independent effect on a variety of important enzymes that are essential for metabolism and steroidogenesis.

The isoflavane compounds of the present invention have good in vitro toxicity profiles against normal cells. Isoflavans have broad activity, markedly better or at least comparable to dehydroequol. Isoflavans are very active against cancer cells representative of leukemia, glioma, prostate, ovarian, breast and lung cancer. Isoflavan compounds have potent activity against melanoma and cholangiocarcinoma cell lines (gallbladder cancer). Good activity has been observed against colorectal cancer cells.

Radio-sensitization in vivo can be analyzed for example using A431 tumors of human squamous cell carcinoma established in the thigh and subjected to several doses of local radiation (only to the leg with the tumor). A radiation treatment with a regimen of 2.5 Gy / day for 4 days will delay the growth of the tumor, and the effect of the radiation dose in combination with the test compound could be evaluated by tracking the tumor growth retardation. A tumor growth delay of ~ 6 days can be expected using radiation only. Tumor growth retardation can be determined separately using the orally administered test compound. The evidence of radio-sensitization mediated by the A431 tumor test compound is then determined by measuring the tumor growth retardation using pre-treated animals with a regimen of the orally administered test compound followed by the conventional radiation therapy regimen. described before. An average growth delay of up to 30 days using the combination treatment compared to up to 10 days using radiation or monotherapy regimens with the test compound is evidence of the radio-sensitizing properties of the compounds of the invention.

Radio-sensitization can be analyzed in vitro, for example, using clonogenic assays using A431 cell lines of human squamous cell carcinoma to measure the radiation response alone or in combination with the test compounds. A dose of drug that causes a 10% toxicity to the cells can be used in combination with graduated doses of radiation. The appropriate dose of compound should be determined by clonogenic assay. The evidence of radio-sensitization mediated by the test compound is demonstrated, for example, by a toxicity> 20% for cells using chemoradiation therapy compared with a toxicity of 10% using the corresponding monotherapy regimens.

The compounds of the invention are useful in the treatment, prevention or improvement of diseases associated with aberrant cell survival, aberrant cell proliferation, abnormal cell migration, abnormal angiogenesis, abnormal estrogen / androgen balance, steroid genesis dysfunctional or abnormal, degeneration including degenerative changes within the walls of blood vessels, inflammation, and immune imbalance.

The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples and the accompanying drawings.

Examples

In the accompanying examples and drawings that follow, the abbreviation "DHE" is used for dehydroequol, "HMC" is used for compound No. 1, which is 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) - Chroman-7-ol and "HHC" is used for compound No. 11, which is 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -chroman-7-ol.

1.0. Synthesis

Example 1 4 ′, 7-Diacetoxidaidzein

A mixture of daidzein (2.0 g), acetic anhydride (10 ml) and pyridine (2 ml) was heated at 105-110 ° C for 1 h. After cooling the mixture to room temperature, it was stirred for an additional 30 minutes, during which time

the solution diacetate crystallized. The product was filtered, washed thoroughly with water and recrystallized from methanol to give 4 ′, 7-diacetoxidaidzein as colorless prisms (2.4 g, 90%).

Example 2 7-Acetoxy-3- (4-acetoxyphenyl) chroman-4-one

Palladium on charcoal (5%, 0.02 g) was added to a solution of 4 ′, 7-diacetoxidaidzein (0.50 g, 1.5 mmol) in ethyl acetate (80 ml) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature in hydrogen atmosphere for 72 h. The catalyst was filtered off through Celite and the resulting filtrate was evaporated in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized from ethanol to give 7-acetoxy-3- (4-acetoxyphenyl) chroman-4-one (0.40 g, 80%) as colorless plates.

Example 3 7-Hydroxy-3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-4-one

Imidazole (0.63 g) was added to a suspension of 4 ′, 7-diacetoxydihydrodaidzein (0.26 g, 0.08 mmol) in absolute ethanol (5.0 ml) and the mixture was refluxed for 45 min. argon. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and distilled water (10 ml) was added to the residue. The mixture was left overnight under refrigeration and the resulting precipitate was filtered. The crude product was recrystallized from ethyl acetate / dichloromethane to give 7-hydroxy

3- (4-Hydroxyphenyl) chroman-4-one (0.14 g, 71%) as a white powder.

Example 4 7- (tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy) -3- (4- (tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) phenyl) chroman-4-one

42 g of 7-hydroxy-3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-4-one, 130 g of imidazole, 127 g of tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride, and N, N-dimethylformamide (500 ml) were combined in a round bottom flask of 2 L and stirred under nitrogen

20 at room temperature for 16 hours. The reaction was quenched with the addition of cold H2O (200 ml) with the reaction mixture cooled in an ice bath. The resulting white solid was filtered and washed with water. By recrystallization from ethanol, the product was obtained as white fluffy crystals (35.7 g).

Example 5 7- (tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy) -3- (4- (tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) phenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-4-ol

25 g of 7- (tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) -3- (4- (tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) phenyl) 4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-4-ol were weighed in a two-neck round bottom flask and passed through He a stream of nitrogen. 80 ml of anhydrous THF was added to the reaction vessel to give a slightly yellow clear solution. A condenser was adapted and the reaction vessel was placed in an ice bath. 225 ml of commercial 4-methoxyphenylmagnesium bromide (0.5 M solution in THF) was added to the reaction mixture dropwise over 10 minutes. The reaction was quenched by the dropwise addition of wet ether (50:50 H2O: diethyl ether) under nitrogen, forming a white precipitate by adding increasing amounts of H2O. An additional amount of H2O was added to the reaction mixture before extraction with diethyl ether.

The organic layers were combined and washed with water, brine, dried over anhydrous MgSO4 and the solvent was removed on a rotary evaporator to give a clear yellow oil that solidified overnight to give an almost white solid. The crude product was used in the next step without purification.

Example 6 3- (4-Hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) 2H-chromen-7-ol

7- (tert-Butyldimethylsilyloxy) -3- (4- (tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) phenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-4-ol (42 g), pTsOH (435 g), boiling beads and 2.5 L of ethanol in a 5 L round bottom flask with two mouths with coupled condenser. The reaction was heated at reflux for 3 hours. The solvent was concentrated in vacuo to ~ 100 ml before pouring it into cold water under stirring (700 ml). The mixture was then extracted with ethyl acetate, the combined organic layers were washed with water (3 × 2 L), brine (1 × 500 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered and the solvent was removed in vacuo to give a reddish brown oil. The oil was dissolved in methanol (~ 100 ml) and put in the freezer overnight.

A white precipitate formed overnight, which was filtered off and washed with methanol. The filtrate was concentrated in vacuo to give a brown oil.

Example 7 3- (4-Hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol

25.5 g of 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) -2H-chromen-7-ol (70 mmol), 3.95 g of 10% Pd / Al2O3 and 200 ml of ethanol in a 500 ml round bottom flask with two mouths. The reaction was hydrogenated under low pressure using standard conditions for 3 hours. The reaction was filtered through Celite to remove the catalyst and washed thoroughly with ethanol (300 ml). The filtrate was concentrated to ~ 50 ml before it was poured into cold water under stirring (1.4 L). A pale orange precipitate formed which then formed a brown oil. The mixture was then extracted with diethyl ether, the combined organic layers were washed with water (3 × 1 L), brine (1 × 500 ml), dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The solvent was removed in vacuo to give a reddish brown oil. The product was recrystallized from diethyl ether (~ 100 ml), to give a brown solid which was washed with cold diethyl ether to give almost white crystals, 11.3 g. The 1H NMR spectrum and the numbering scheme are shown below.

H

δ ppm Peak shape J Hz Integrated Comments

Equatorial C2

4.14 Dd 10.98 one

Axial C2

4.35 Dd one Dd is overlap

C3

3.47 Ddd one

C4

4.20 Dd 5.12 one

C5

6.71 D 8.05 one

C6

6.36 Dd 2.56, 8.42 one

C8

6.41 D 2.20 one

C9

3.71 S - 3

C2 ′, C6 ′

6.61 D - 2 Overlapping doublets for C2 ′, C3 ′, C2 ″, C3 ″ Total integration is 8

C3 ′, C5 ′

6.61 D - 2

C2 ″, C6 ″

6.61 D - 2

C3 ″, C5 ″

6.61 D - 2

In the above general methods, the structures may be optionally substituted or protected with appropriate substituents, or synthons or derivatives thereof. The compounds may be present, for example, as their salts, acetates, or benzyl or silyloxy derivatives as can be determined by those skilled in synthetic chemistry. Hydroxy groups can be readily rented (MeI / base), acylated (AC2O / Py) or silylate (ClSiR3 / base) and can also be deprotected by standard methods known in the art.

Example 8 3- (4-Hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -chroman-7-ol

3- (4-Hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol (3.17 g) was transferred to a round bottom flask and the

10 flask with nitrogen. Hydrogen bromide 33% by weight in acetic acid (13 ml) was added dropwise to the flask and the contents were heated at reflux at 130 ° C for 7 hours. The reaction mixture was placed in an ice bath and adjusted to pH 6 using sodium hydroxide solution (40% w / v). The mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate layer was further washed with water and brine before drying over magnesium sulfate. The mixture was filtered and the solvent was removed in vacuo to give a brown solid (2.89 g). The solid dissolved in the

Minimum of ethyl acetate and purified by column chromatography (Silica 60 H, 200-400 meshes using ethyl acetate: chloroform (40:60) as eluent). 3- (4-Hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol was obtained with ~ 80% purity and then purified by high performance semi-preparative liquid chromatography (HPLC). The 1 H NMR spectrum is shown in Fig. 12.

2.0. Materials and methods

20 2.1. Tissue culture

The HPAC human pancreatic cancer cell line (CRL-2119) was routinely cultured in a 1: 1 mixture of DMEM (Eagle medium modified by Dulbecco, Sigma) plus Ham F12 medium (Sigma) containing HEPES (15 mM) , insulin (0.002 mg / ml), transferrin (0.005 mg / ml), hydrocortisone, (40 ng / ml), epidermal growth factor (10 ng / ml). The ovarian cancer CP70 cell lines were obtained as a present from Dr. Gilo Mor (Yale University) and were grown in a 1: 1 mixture of DMEM plus Ham's F12 medium, and the SKOV-3 line (line of ovarian cancer cells) was purchased from ATCC and cultured in McCoys 5a medium. The MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cell line was cultured in L-15 medium from Leibovitz. The MM200 melanoma cell line was obtained as a present from Peter Hersey (University of Newcastle) and A2058 was obtained as a present from Dr Peter Parsons (QIMR). Both were grown in DMEM medium.

All cultures were supplemented with 10% FCS (fetal calf serum CSL, Australia), penicillin (100 U / ml), streptomycin (100 mg / ml), L-glutamine (2 mM) and sodium bicarbonate (1, 2 g / L), and were grown at 37 ° C in a humidified atmosphere with 5% CO2. All cell lines were purchased from ATCC (Maryland, USA) except when otherwise indicated.

The normal NFF cell line (neonatal foreskin fibroblasts) was a present from Dr. Peter Parsons (Queensland Institute of Medical Research). RK (rabbit kidney) cells were obtained from Miller Whalley (Macquarie University). Both cell lines were cultured in RPMI supplemented with 10% FCS (CSL, Australia), penicillin (100 U / ml), streptomycin (100 mg / ml), L-glutamine (2 mM) and sodium bicarbonate (1.2 g / L), and were grown at 37 ° C in a humidified atmosphere, with 5% CO2.

2.2. Proliferation Assays

IC50 values were determined for each cell line. The cells were seeded in 96-well plates at an appropriate cell density determined by the kinetic growth analysis and cultured for 5 days in the absence and in the presence of the test compounds. Cell proliferation was evaluated after the addition of 20 µl of 3-4.5 dimethylthiazol-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT, 2.5 mg / ml in PBS, Sigma) for 3-4 hours at 37 ºC according to the manufacturer's instructions. IC50 values were calculated from semi-logarithmic graphs with% control proliferation on the y-axis versus the dose log on the x-axis.

2.3. DHE and HMC Pharmacokinetics - Oral

HMC and DHE were prepared as homogeneous suspensions in 1% CMC (m: v, water). Both formulations were orally administered by probe to female BALB / c mice at a dose of 50 mg / kg. Three animals were assigned to each time point (15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 4 h and 24 h). At each respective time point, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood was collected. Free HMC was analyzed by mass spectroscopy.

2.4. HMC Pharmacokinetics - i.v. and i.p.

HMC was prepared as a solution in 20% hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (m: v, water). The formulation was administered orally by probe or by injection i.p. BALB / c female mice at a dose of 50 mg / kg. Three animals were assigned to each time point (15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 4 h and 24 h). At each respective time point, animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and blood was collected. The urine was also collected and analyzed for HMC. Free HMC was analyzed by mass spectroscopy.

2.5 Pilot study of efficacy in vivo - mice with HPAC tumor

Subconfluent bottles (80%) of HPAC cells were trypsinized, washed with Hanks balanced salt solution (Sigma), resuspended in minimal essential medium of Dubellco (Sigma) and an equal volume of matrigel ™ (Becton Dickson) at a density of 3.7 × 107 cells per ml. Nuclear nu / nu BALB / c mice were inoculated subcutaneously with 3.7 × 10 6 HPAC cells bi-laterally to the middle of the dorsal surface. For HMC groups (n = 3 by dosage regimen) and control groups (n = 2), treatment began five days after inoculation to allow tumor formation. The HMC was formulated in 20% HPBCD and i.p. daily for 15 days. The control group received equivalent doses (weight: weight) i.p. of 20% HPBCD. Tumor measurements began on day 5 after inoculation (10 × 10 mm2) and were measured in 2 dimensions, length (a) and width (b), using calipers. The tumor weight (W) was calculated by the formula W = ab2 / 2, where a, is the longest of the 2 measures (Odwyer et al., 1994). Tumor proliferation curves were analyzed for maximum tumor inhibition (treated / control, T / C). At sacrifice, liver, kidney, femur, stomach tissues were fixed in buffered formalin, included in paraffin, sections were cut and stained with H&E. The stained sections were then submitted to Rothwell consulting for histopathological analysis. The biochemical analysis of the serum was performed on the bloods taken from the control, vehicle control and HMC treatment groups. The serum analysis was performed by Veterinary Clinical pathology (U. Syd).

2.6 Synergy analysis in three-D model

The 3-D model analysis of the cytotoxic interaction between drug A and drug B makes it possible to represent the expected inhibitory effect of two drugs in combination in 3 dimensions to reveal the real regions of synergy or antagonism. The graphical representations of synergy in 3D are based on a

theory of "theoretical additivity" (TA) as described by Kanzawa et al (Int. J. Cancer 71, 311-319 (1997)). Theoretical additivity was calculated from the cytotoxicities of drug A and drug B as monotherapies using the following formula that assumes that the drugs are mutually exclusive inhibitors:

Where: (fa) A = fraction of cells affected by drug A (fa) B = fraction of cells affected by drug B

The TA is calculated for each combination of drug concentrations and is subtracted from the experimental effect observed for each combination to give a measure of synergistic action. A positive difference indicates that more cells are affected by the combination of drugs than would be expected in theory if the two drugs were administered together - hence synergism. A negative difference indicates that fewer cells are affected than expected in theory - hence antagonism.

3.0. Results

3.1. Toxicity to normal cells

Dehydroequol (DHE) was less toxic for both NFF cells and rabbit kidney cells with

IC50 values above 150 μM compared to HMC (86 and 61 μM respectively) (Table 1 and Figure

one). In a separate study, HHC was found to be neither toxic to NFF cells nor to rabbit kidney cells (see Table 1 again). When compared with cisplatin, a reference chemotherapeutic agent, the degree of toxicity presented by HMC and HHC is mild

Table 1. Relative toxicity of DHE, HMC, HHC and cisplatin against neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (NFF) and rabbit kidney cells

Kind of

Designation Analog (IC50 µM) Antineoplastic (IC50 µM)

cell / tissue

DHE HMC HHC Cisplatin

Fibroblast

Neonatal foreskin fibroblasts (human NFF) > 150 86.12 ± 7.6 60.8 9.85 ± 5

Kidney

Rabbit kidney > 150 61 ± 4.3 > 150 Not analyzed

3.2. Efficacy in vitro against cancer cells

When compared to the DH50 IC50 values, the HMC demonstrated markedly higher activity (~ 5-10 times larger) against the p53 mt ovarian cancer cell line multi-drug resistant (SKOV-3), the prostate cancer cell line p53 Mt (PC3) AR negative, breast cancer cell lines both ER positive (p53 wt) and negative (p53 mt) (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-468 respectively), Glioma p53 Mt (HTB-138), pancreatic cancer p53 Mt (HPAC) and large cell lung cancer p53 Mt (Table 2). The HMC had an anti-cancer activity comparable to that of DHE compared to all other cell lines tested (Table 1). A particular efficacy of HMC was observed against melanoma cells, (Table 2.1 and Fig. 2). This represents a substantial advantage over the prior art.

The HMC was differentially active against 2 separate colorectal cell lines, with marked activity observed against HT-29 cells and somewhat less activity against HCT-15. It is observed that HT-29 and HCT-15 are COX-2 positive and deficient respectively. When examined microscopically and compared to vehicle-treated cells only, SKOV-3 cells treated with HMC presented morphological changes consistent with cells undergoing apoptosis (cell elongation, granular appearance of the cytosol and plasma membrane globulization). In contrast, SKOV-3 cells exposed to 100 μM dehydroequol, after 18 h, retained a relatively normal morphology, comparable to that of vehicle-treated cells only.

Table 2.1 Comparison of the cytoxicity of dehydroequol and HMC against representative cell lines of different malignant tumors

Indication

Designation Analog (IC50 uM) Antineoplastic (IC50 uM)

DHE

HMC Cisplatin

Indication

Designation Analog (IC50 uM) Antineoplastic (IC50 uM)

DHE

HMC Cisplatin

Ovary

A2780 1.7 ± 0.61 1.58 ± 0.59 2.10

CP70

1.69 ± 0.62 1.21 ± 0.29 10.30

SKOV-3

21.83 ± 4.65 2.26 5.40

Prostate

PC3 9.09 ± 8.12 2.9 ± 0.92 2.11

LNCaP

4.8 ± 3.8 4.52 > 10

DU145

5.95 ± 1.5 3.78 2.07

Mom

MCF-7 21.5 ± 13.2 7.15 ± 7 3.69

MDA-MB-468

7.9 ± 3.5 1.1 ± 0.35 0.58

Glioma

HTB-138 7.35 ± 0.89 1.9 ± 0.27 42.30

Pancreatic

CRL-2119 56.62 ± 16.8 14.1 ± 1.16 9.36

Leukemic

RPMI-8226 3.72 ± 0.08 NT NT

CCRF-CEM

1.7 ± 0.68 1.90 NT

Lung

NCI-H23 8.75 ± 7.2 3.75 ± 2.5 NT

NCI-H460

10.6 ± 3.8 2.23 ± 0.15 22.29

Colorectal

HT-29 50.45 ± 21.9 3.7 ± 1.4 22.7 ± 35

HCT-15

 24.4 ± 12.57 37.8 ± 33 129.9 ± 39

Melanoma

MM200 2.90 0.7 ±, 03 8.3 ± 0.7

A2058

NT 1.2 ± 0.65 5.73 ± 2.3

IGR-3

NT 0.53 ± 0.02 NT

In other studies, the cytotoxicity of different compounds described here was determined against different cell lines. Compound 14-ene is the precursor chromene 3-ene for the correspondingly reduced chromane, compound 14, that is 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (3-aminophenyl) -chroman-7-ol. Compounds 1, 2 and 11 were observed to have the best efficacy against most of all cancer cell lines. Compound 14 has a slightly better efficacy in general compared to its corresponding 14-ene and with compound 6 (Table 2.2), that is 3- (4-methoxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) -7-methoxychroman.

Table 2.2 Cytotoxicity of the chromane compounds 1, 2, 6, 11 and 14 and the compound chrom-3-eno 14-eno against representative cell lines of different malignant tumors

Indication

Cellphone line Compound (IC50 uM)

HMC 1

2 6 HHC 11 14-eno 14

Ovary

CP70 2.1 3 ± 1.2 > 100 1.1 ± 0.9 > 100 > 100

Prostate

PC3 2.5 ± 1 4.2 ± 0.02 116 ± 57 0.88 ± 0.4 46.2 ± 7 32.5 ± 2.1

Mom

MDA-MB-468 2.8 ± 4.2 1.9 28.7 ± 3.6 1 ± 0.1 NT 56.6

Glioma

HTB-138 1.9 ± 0.3 3.77 > 100 0.52 ± 0.1 82 ± 10 53.5 ± 14

Pancreatic

HPAC 2.8 ± 0.9 24.4 ± 12 > 100 31.6 ± 27 81.5 ± 59 79 ± 56

Leukemia

CCRF-CEM 2 ± 0.97 4.02 92 ± 81.6 0.6 ± 0.01 > 100 73 ± 51.6

NSC lung

NCI-H460 2.8 ± 2 5.4 ± 2.1 NT 0.5 ± 0.1 > 100 65

Colorectal

HT-29 5.4 ± 1.8 59.4 > 100 2.5 ± 1 97.5 ± 30 45 ± 4.7

Melanoma

MM200 1.07 ± 0.5 7.34 > 100 0.6 ± 0.3 58 ± 2.7 93 ± 2.9

3.3.1. HMC Pharmacokinetics - Oral

10 When compared with the orally administered DHE pharmacokinetic profile, the HMC administered by the same route and with the same dose (50 mg / kg), the HMC had a Cmax of 141 μM (reached after 1 h) compared to 511 μM for DHE (reached after 15 min) (Table 3 and Figure 3). Like DHE, HMC is also subjected to conjugation with low plasma concentrations of the free form of the observed molecule (1.3 μM after 30 min) (Table 3 and Figure 3). This is less than half of the maximum concentration of

15 free dehydroequol achieved using the same dosage regimen (3.3 μM after 15 min) (Figure 3). The ratio of free: total is higher for the HMC when compared to the DHE (0.92 versus 0.64 respectively).

Table 2.1 Comparison of the plasma concentrations of free and total drug reached in mice that have been administered 50 mg / kg of HMC or DHE p.o.

Weather

HMC (uM) DHE (uM)

Total

Free  Total Free

0.25

72 ± 4.4 0.38 ± 0.04 511.5 ± 99 3.3 ± 0.13

0.5

122 ± 18.4 1.3 ± 0.2 357 ± 82 2.9 ± 0.05

one

141 ± 45.8 0.95 ± 0.4 387 ± 22.8 1.5 ± 0.11

4

33.9 ± 12.7 0.19 ± 0.08 117.6 ± 42 1.3 ± 0.07

24

0 0 0.13 ± 0.1 0.15 ± 0.04

3.3.2. Pharmacokinetics of HMC and HHC - oral

200 mg of HMC or HHC were orally administered to human patients. For each treated patient, blood was taken over a period of 6 hours and the average of the results was calculated to characterize the plasma pharmacokinetics. The initial results gave an oral half-life of 3.99 hours for HMC and 3.26 hours for HHC (Table 3.2).

Table 3.2 Comparison of the half-life of plasma concentrations achieved in humans to whom 200 mg of HMC or HHC have been administered

Compound

Cmax (ng / mL) Tmax (h) t1 / 2 (h)

HMC (1)

513 2.17 3.99

HHC (11)

341 2.67 3.26

3.4. HMC Pharmacokinetics - i.v. and i.p.

When formulated in HPBCD and i.v. administered, extremely high levels of HMC were observed in the blood equaling a 1 mM concentration of drug, 15 min after administration (Figure 4). The elimination kinetics of HMC administered i.v. It was biphasic with HMC rapidly excreted from the blood at a rate of ~ 1000 µM / h in the first hour after administration. Assuming a linear excretion, this rate was reduced to 0.97 µM / h in the hours 1-4 h after administration. When the same i.p. formulation was administered, approximately 1 log less HMC was observed in the plasma (131 μM per i.p. administration versus 1069 μM per i.v. administration) up to 1 hour after administration (Figure 4). However, elimination kinetics by i.p. it was much slower during this period (112 μM / h) resulting in

both at a serum concentration about 4.5 times higher 1 hour after administration (18.7 per i.p. versus 3.98 per i.v.). Conversely, 1-4 hours after administration, elimination kinetics was faster after administration i.p. compared to the i.v. (4.6 μM / h per i.p. versus 0.97 μM / h per i.v.). These data confirm that the HMC is highly bioavailable in its free state when administered by the i.v. or i.p .. Together with oral pharmacokinetic data, these data also suggest that HMC is susceptible to being rapidly eliminated by gastrointestinal detoxification enzymes. Large concentrations of free HMC were observed in the urine when collected at 0.5, 1 and 4 hours (3.3 mM, 3.9 mM and 0.093 mM).

Table 4. Comparison of serum HMC pharmacokinetic profile after i.v. and i.p. of HMC formulated in 20% hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin at a dose of 50 mg / kg). The box shows serum HMC concentrations.

Time (hours)

HMC in serum (uM)

i.v.

I.p.

0.25

1069.75 131.37

0.50

198.66 31.78

one

3.98 18.74

4

0.07 0.15

24

0.05 0.17

3.5. Pilot study of efficacy in vivo - mice with HPAC tumors

The HMC when administered daily, i.p. at 100 mg / kg significantly delayed the proliferation of HPAC tumors during the treatment period when compared to vehicle control (Figure 5). When the mean terminal mass of the tumor was evaluated, a significant reduction in the final tumor mass was also observed (% T / C = 62) (Figure 6). Importantly, no signs of toxicity were observed in animals that were administered HMC at 100 mg / kg daily for 15 days as determined by weight loss. In fact, animals treated with HMC appeared to grow when compared to the control (Figure 7). The organs (liver, kidney, spleen, femur, stomach and colon) were collected and submitted for histopathological evaluation by Rothwell consulting. A limited analysis of serum biochemistry was also performed. These data confirm that the HMC demonstrates anti-tumor activity against HPAC tumors in vivo.

3.5.1. Histopathological examination of groups treated with HMC

Histopathological examination of sections stained by hematoxylin and eosin cut from formalin-fixed tissues from two series of experimental mice was performed. The liver, kidney, stomach and colon were examined to demonstrate toxic damage, spleen and bone marrow to demonstrate myelosuppression and tumor for the degree of necrosis. Each tumor sample was assigned a score of 0-5 for the degree of necrosis present, representing a score of 0, without necrosis, and a score of 5, total necrosis. The scores of the sections were done “blindly” on two separate occasions and the final score given in the results is the average of these two scores.

Table 5. Toxicology of HMC

Sample

Description Necrosis score 0-5

4/04 & 1/8

Vehicle control 0.5

4/04 & 2/8

2

4/04 & 4/8

HMC 2

4/04 & 5/8

2

4/04 & 1/11

No treatment control 0.5

3.5.1.1. Results Review

No signs of toxicity or myelosuppression were detected in the cut sections of the tissues of mice treated with the drug. However, in all the mice treated with the drug there were mild / moderately severe chronic inflammatory irregular changes that affect the serosa and the attached mesentery, as well as reactive changes of the mesothelial cells, in any of the tissues examined. These changes are consistent with the intra-peritoneal injection of a mildly irritating material.

No significant necrosis of the tumor tissue was detected in control samples 1/8 and 1/11. However, there was considerable necrosis in the tumor sections from the mice treated with the drug.

3.5.1.2. Serum biochemistry of HMC treated mice compared to the control

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine transferase (ALT) and creatine (Cre) were evaluated in animals treated with HMC against control animals. ALP and Cre levels were similar to the control and were within normal limits (for the rat), however ALT levels in vehicle control and in groups treated with HMC were much lower than control levels. No treatment

Table 6. Serum biochemistry of mice treated with HMC compared to the control.

Sample

Group Clinical marker (mice)

TO P

ALT Cre Urea

U / L

U / L

uM mM

Control

 1/11 116 713 7 6.92

Vehicle control

1/8  152 441 26 9.81

Treated with HMC (100 mg / kg)

2/8 74 505 17 7.27

4/8

111 482 8 8.11

5/8

100 494 8 7.79

Normal intervals

86-246 84-143 1.5-6 6.3-8 *

* for ALP rat: ALT alkaline phosphatase: Alanine aminotransferase Cre: Creatinine

3.6. HMC-induced apoptosis in melanoma cells and normal fibroblasts

3.6.1. Melanoma

HMC-induced apoptosis in all TRAIL-sensitive and melanoma-resistant melanoma cells (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) at concentrations as low as 2 μM (~ 7-10% apoptosis) for 24 and 48 hours of exposure ( Table 7 and Figure 8A). In the clinically significant drug concentration of 4 μM, the

The incidence of apoptotic cells after 24 h of exposure to HMC increased to 25% and 39% in TRAIL-sensitive (MEL-RM) and TRAIL-negative (IGR3) cell lines, respectively (Table 7 and Figure 8A). The

incidence of HMC-induced apoptosis at 4 μM after 24 h of exposure in the other cell lines was ~ 9%. In comparison, the incidence of apoptosis in DHE-treated cells at a 4 μM concentration after 24 h of exposure was 0-1%. For 48 h at the same concentration of HMC (4 μM), the incidence of apoptosis

increased to 21-42% in all cell lines examined (Table 7 and Figure 8B). DHE was the only agent

distinct that induced moderate levels of apoptosis after 48 h of exposure to a concentration of 4 μM,

but only in the ME4405 (14%) and Mel-AT (15%) cell lines (Table 7 and Figure 8B).

Table 7. Summary of the incidence of apoptosis in melanoma cells treated with DHE and HMC for 24 and 48 hours.

Drug concentration (µM)

Apoptosis percentage

TRAIL sensitive

TRAIL resistant TRAIL-positive / Caspase 8-negative

MEL-RM

ME4405 IGR3 Mel-AT

DHE

HMC  DHE HMC  DHE HMC  DHE HMC

24 h exposure

Control 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

one

0 0 0 0 0 8 0 0

2

0 8  2 8 0 eleven 3 6

4

0 25 2 9 one 39  4 9

8

2 39 6 eleven 3 41  8 2. 3

twenty

5 38 eleven 19 4 32 10 24

48 h exposure

Control 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

one

one

1.5  one 1.5  one  one 1.5

one

2

1.5 8 3 8 one 9 5 7

4

3 22 14 42 2 twenty-one fifteen 25

8

10 38 40 twenty  8 38 43 59

twenty

12 30 35 18 8 38 40 35

3.6.2. Normal fibroblasts

Studies were conducted on normal fibroblasts (MRC-5) and TRAIL-sensitive melanoma cells (ME4405 and MEL-RM) using 8 μM concentrations of DHE or HMC for 24 and 48 h exposure (Figure 9). These data demonstrate that the HMC, and to a lesser extent the DHE, induced marked levels of apoptosis in both melanoma cell lines for 24 and 48 hours. Importantly, while promoting programmed cell death of malignant cells, normal fibroblasts demonstrated that both HMC and DHE induced apoptosis at an 8 μM concentration of drug during 24 and 48 h of exposure. These data confirm that HMC is selectively cytotoxic for cancer cells.

The isoflavan compounds of the invention have a superior efficacy profile against all cancers analyzed compared to DHE. While HMC is marginally more toxic than DHE in NFF and RK cells, HMC is markedly less toxic than cisplatin. HMC administered orally to mice is less bioavailable compared to DHE but the ratio of free: total is higher. The HMC formulated in HPBCD was markedly bioavailable in its free form when i.v. and i.p. Significant serum concentrations of free HMC after administration i.p. they were about 18 times higher than those of orally administered HMC. It has been shown that HMC, formulated in 20% HPBCD and administered i.p., exerts a moderate anti-tumor activity against HPAC tumors in vivo. HMC when administered at 100 mg / kg to mice is not toxic to important organs as determined by histopathology, however, in all mice treated with the drug, mild / moderately severe chronic inflammatory irregular changes were observed, affecting to the serosa and to the joined mesentery, as well as reactive changes of the mesothelial cells, which are consistent with the intra-peritoneal injection of a mildly irritating material.

HMC induced moderately strong levels of apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant and TRAIL-sensitive melanoma cells both after 24 and 48 hours of exposure. Normal fibroblast cells were resistant to apoptosis after 48 hours of exposure. DHE induces mild-moderate levels of apoptosis in TRAIL-resistant and TRAIL-sensitive melanoma cells after 48 hours of exposure. Normal fibroblast cells were resistant to apoptosis after 48 hours of exposure. The ability of both HMC and DHE to induce apoptosis in caspase-negative cells implies that an operational route of extrinsic programmed death is not essential for apoptosis mediated by HMC and DHE.

3.7 Synergistic toxicity of HMC in vitro in cancer cells when combined with cisplatin, paclitaxel and gemcitabine, camptothecin, topotecan and doxorubicin

3.7.1. Combination of HMC with cisplatin against the MM200 melanoma cell line.

The synergy of HMC with cisplatin was evaluated in combination during 5 days of exposure or in sequence (HMC → cisplatin) against the MM200 melanoma cell line. It was difficult to assess synergistic toxicity using a change in IC50 as a measure of synergy due to the toxicity of HMC as monotherapy (Table 8). He

3D analysis of the data reveals that only the additive toxicity was clear using the 5-day combination protocol (Fig. 11). The evidence of synergy using the HMC-cisplatin combination was further evaluated using the HMC → cisplatin sequence (24 hours of exposure to each compound sequentially) against the MM200 melanoma cell line. Using the change in IC50 to assess synergy, it was observed that HMC at concentrations of 2 μM chemosensitized MM200 cells markedly for cisplatin at> 1000 times (Table 8). It was confirmed that HMC induced the chemosensitization of MM200 cells for cisplatin using 3D data analysis (Fig. 11B). These data demonstrate that HMC is capable of chemosensitizing cancer cells, in this case melanoma, to cisplatin.

Table 8. Comparative evaluation of the synergy between HMC and cisplatin against the Mel-RM melanoma cell line. Average IC50 data for each agent is shown when evaluated as a monotherapy or in combination.

DRUG

TREATMENT (IC50 uM)

Combined

Change factor 24 h HMC first Change factor

cisplatin

8.82 - 6.32 - -

HMC

0.72 - 20.64 - -

HMC 10 uM

1.00E − 06 HMC effect - 1.28E − 05 > 10,000

HMC 5 uM

1.00E − 06 HMC effect - 2.71E − 05 > 10,000

HMC 2 uM

1.00E − 06 HMC effect - 1.00E − 06 > 10,000

HMC 1 uM

0.45 HMC effect - 8.29 −1.31

3.7.2 Combination of HMC with gemcitabine against Mel-RM melanoma cells.

The synergy of HMC with gemcitabine was evaluated in combination during 5 days of exposure or in sequence (HMC → gemcitabine) against the Mel-RM melanoma cell line. It was difficult to assess synergistic toxicity using a change in IC50 as a measure of synergy due to the toxicity of HMC as monotherapy (Table 9). The 3D analysis of the data reveals that the 5-day combination protocol did not cause synergistic toxicity against the Mel-RM cell line. The evidence of synergy using the combination of HMC-gemcitabine was further evaluated using the sequence HMC → gemcitabine (24 hours of exposure to each compound sequentially) against the Mel-RM cell line of melanoma. Using the change in IC50 to assess synergy, it was observed that HMC at concentrations of 2 and 1 μM markedly chemosensitized Mel-RM cells for gemcitabine in> 1000 times. It was confirmed that HMC induced chemosensitization of Mel-RM cells for gemcitabine using 3D data analysis. These data demonstrate that HMC is capable of chemosensitizing cancer cells to gemcitabine.

Table 9. Comparative evaluation of the synergy between HMC and gemcitabine against the Mel-RM melanoma cell line. Average IC50 data for each agent is shown when evaluated as a monotherapy or in combination.

DRUG

TREATMENT (IC50 uM)

Combined

Change factor 24 h HMC first Change factor

HMC

0.51 - 27.79 - -

HMC 1 uM

1.00E − 06 effect? HMC - 1.76E − 03 > 1000

HMC 2 uM

1.00E − 06 effect? HMC - 1.00E − 06 > 1000

Gemcitabine

3.88E − 03 - 4.67E − 03 - -

HMC

0.51 - 27.79 - -

HMC 1 uM

1.00E − 06 effect? HMC - 1.00E − 06 > 1000

HMC 2 uM

1.00E − 06 effect? HMC - 3.89E − 05 > 100

3.7.3. Combination of HMC with paclitaxel against the 4405 melanoma cell line.

Synergy of HMC with paclitaxel was evaluated in combination during 5 days of exposure or in sequence

(HMC → paclitaxel) against the 4405 melanoma cell line. It was difficult to assess synergistic toxicity using a

Change of IC50 as a measure of synergy due to the toxicity of HMC as monotherapy (Table 10). A 30-fold reduction in IC50 was observed in the combination experiment compared to paclitaxel monotherapy. However, 3D analysis of the data revealed that the 5-day combination protocol did not cause synergistic toxicity against the 4405 cell line. The evidence of synergy using the HMC-paclitaxel combination was further evaluated using the HMC → paclitaxel sequence ( 24 hours of exposure to each compound sequentially) against the 4405 melanoma cell line. Using the change in IC50 to assess synergy, it was observed that HMC at 2 μM concentrations markedly chemosensitized cells

4405 for paclitaxel in> 1000 times. It was confirmed that HMC induced chemosensitization of 4405 cells for paclitaxel using 3D data analysis. These data demonstrate that HMC is capable of chemosensitizing cancer cells to paclitaxel.

Table 10. Comparative evaluation of the synergy between HMC and paclitaxel against the 4405 melanoma cell line. Average IC50 data for each agent is shown when evaluated as a monotherapy or in combination.

DRUG

TREATMENT (IC50 uM)

Combined

Change factor 24 h HMC first Change factor

HMC 1 uM

0.006  1.00 - 0.03 −4.44

HMC 2 uM

1.00E − 06 5964,400 - 0.01 −1,035

Paclitaxel

1.25E − 07 - 5.84E − 04 - -

HMC

1.26 - 55.50 - -

HMC 1 uM

4.12E − 09 30.36 - 5.31E − 05 11.00

HMC 2 uM

3.91E − 10 effect? HMC - 5.48E − 09 106633.75

3.7.4. Combination of HMC with topotecan against the MM200 melanoma cell line

Synergy of HMC with topotecan was evaluated in combination during 5 days of exposure or in sequence

(HMC → topotecan) against the MM200 melanoma cell line. It was difficult to assess synergistic toxicity using

a change in IC50 as a measure of synergy due to the toxicity of HMC as monotherapy (Table 8). The 3D analysis of the data confirmed that the 5-day combination protocol did not cause synergistic toxicity against the MM200 cell line. The evidence of synergy using the HMC-gemcitabine combination was further evaluated using the HMC → topotecan sequence (24 hours of exposure to each compound sequentially) against the MM200 melanoma cell line. Using the change in IC50 to assess synergy, it was observed that HMC at a concentration of 2 μM markedly chemosensitized MM200 cells to stop the topotecan at> 1000 times (Table 11). It was confirmed that HMC induced the chemosensitization of MM200 cells for topotecan using 3D data analysis. These data demonstrate that HMC is capable of chemosensitizing cancer cells to topotecan. From the 3D analysis it appears that the optimal combination of HMC and topotecan against the MM200 melanoma cell line is 2 μM HMC and between 1 and 0.1 μM topotecan.

Table 11. Comparative evaluation of the synergy between HMC and topotecan against the MM200 melanoma cell line. Average IC50 data for each agent is shown when evaluated as a monotherapy or in combination.

DRUG

TREATMENT (IC50 uM)

Combined

Change factor 24 h HMC first Change factor

HMC 1 uM

0.115 −14,145 - 0.009 9,304

HMC 2 uM

1.00E − 06 Effect? HMC - 7.85E − 05 > 1000

Topotecan

0.095 -  2,216 - -

HMC

0.702 - 17,952 - -

HMC 1 uM

0.000 Effect? HMC - 0.044 50,656

HMC 2 uM

1.00E − 06 Effect? HCM - 1.00E − 06 > 10,000

3.7.5. Combination of HMC with camptothecin against the melanoma Mel-RM cell line

The synergy of HMC with doxorubicin in combination during 5 days of exposure or in sequence (HMC → doxorubicin) was evaluated against the MeI-RM melanoma cell line. It was difficult to assess synergistic toxicity using a change in IC50 as a measure of synergy due to the toxicity of HMC as monotherapy (Table 12). The 3D analysis of the data confirmed that the 5-day combination protocol did not cause synergistic toxicity against the MeI-RM cell line, which effectively showed evidence of antagonism. The evidence of synergy using the combination of HMC-doxorubicin was also evaluated using the protocol

of sequence HMC → doxorubicin (24 hours of exposure to each compound sequentially) in front of the line

MeI-RM melanoma cell. Using the change in IC50 to assess synergy, it was observed that HMC at a concentration of 2 μM markedly chemosensitized MeI-RM cells for camptothecin at ~ 20 times (Table 12). The 3D analysis of the data revealed, however, a marked degree of synergy between HMC and doxorubicin against MeI-RM cells. These data demonstrate that HMC is able to chemosensitize cancer cells for paclitaxel. From the 3D analysis it appears that the optimal combination of HMC and camptothecin against the MM200 melanoma cell line is 2 μM HMC and between 1 and 0.1 μM doxorubicin.

Table 12. Comparative evaluation of the synergy between HMC and doxorubicin against the Mel-RM melanoma cell line. Average IC50 data for each agent is shown when evaluated as a monotherapy or in combination.

DRUG

TREATMENT (IC50 uM)

Combined

Change factor 24 h HMC first Change factor

Doxorubicin

0.19 - 0.100 - -

HMC

0.54 - 50,515 - -

HMC 1 uM

0.40 −2.06 - 0.062 1.62

HMC 2 uM

0.18 Effect? HMC - 8,16E − 03 12.22

3.8 Inhibition of TNFα in murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) by compounds 4, 6 and 7

RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line was cultured in DMEM supplemented with FCS, 2 mM glutamine and 50 U / ml penicillin / streptomycin. Subconfluent cells were separated from the flask by gentle scratching and 24-well plates were seeded at 5 × 10 5 cells per well and allowed to adhere for 1 h. Cells were treated with the test agent (in 0.025% DMSO) or with vehicle alone, 1 hour before the addition of 50 ng / ml of LPS. After incubation for 16 hours, the culture medium was collected and stored at −80 ° C to measure TNFα using an enzyme immunometric assay (Becton Dickinson).

Compound 6 was analyzed, that is 3- (4-methoxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) -7-methoxy-chromane, and compound 7 of the present invention and the results are shown in Figure 12, which indicates that the compounds tested inhibit

TNFα of murine macrophages in a dose-dependent manner over the intervals of

analyzed concentrations.

The original data for compounds 6, 7 and additionally compound 4, are shown in Table 13 below.

Table 13. Inhibition of TNFα in murine macrophages by compounds 4, 6 and 7

Concentration (μM)

Compound 6 Compound 7 Compound 4

10

−48.7 −26.2 −6.1

one

−13.0 −25.4 −11.9

0.1

−10.4 −1.4 −6.3

0.001

1.0 19.2 −14.3

0.01

- - −11.3

3.9 Evaluation of HHC as a chemosensitizer

HHC was screened as a chemosensitizer against a panel of cell lines representative of a variety of cancer indications using a cytotoxic panel commonly used in cancer treatment. It has been revealed that HHC has the ability to chemosensitize strongly the cancer cell lines of different pathologies to gemcitabine (ovarian, prostate, breast and pancreatic cancers, and glioma) (Table 14). A strong synergy has been observed using HHC: cisplatin against ovarian and prostate cancer, a mild synergy against colorectal cancer cell lines and no synergy was observed in pancreatic cancer or glioma. Moderate synergy has been observed using the HHC: paclitaxel combination against breast and colorectal cancer and melanoma cell lines. There have been equivocal synergy data using the HHC: paclitaxel combination against ovarian cancer cell lines and glioma cell lines and there were no signs of synergy against the prostate and pancreatic cancer cell lines. Data have revealed that HHC is able to chemosensitize the melanoma MM96L cell line strongly for cisplatin, carboplatin and dacarbazine (Table 7).

Table 14. Evaluation of HHC as a chemosensitizer using a panel of standard cytotoxic and cancerous cell lines

Drug

Indications of cancer

Ovary

Prostate Mom Melanoma Glioma Pancreatic

CP70

PC3 MDA-468 MM96L HTB-138 HPAC

Cisplatin

SSSSS SSSSS - SSSSS no. no.

-

SSSSS  -  - no.

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

Gemcitabine

SSSSS SSSSS SSSSS - SSSSS SSSSS

-

-

-

-

SSSSS

-

Drug

Indications of cancer

Ovary

Prostate Mom Melanoma Glioma Pancreatic

-

-

-

-

-

-

Paclitaxel

no. no. MS - MS no.

MS

- - - no. -

-

-

-

-

no.

-

Carboplatin

- - - SSSSS - -

Dacarbazine

- - - SSSSS - -

Key: SSSSS = Synergy MS = moderate synergy

no. = not observed

- = not analyzed

3.10. Efficacy of DHE, HMC and HHC against selected melanoma cell lines

Compared to DHE, both HMC and HHC demonstrated excellent anti-cancer activity against a variety of melanoma cell lines. HHC was the most effective agent against all cell lines

of melanoma analyzed so far having IC50 values lower than 1 μM (Table 15).

Table 15. Comparison of the efficacy of DHE, HMC and HHC against melanoma monotherapy

Analogous

Melanoma cell line (IC50 μM)

MM200

A2058 IgR3 RM 4405 MM96L SKMe128

DHE

4.77 ± 4 NT NT NT NT 4.76 4.40

HMC

1.13 ± 0.52 1.42 ± 0.48 0.51 ± 0.08 1.4 ± 1.6 1.46 ± 0.18 1.31 ± 0.38 0.68 ± 0.16

HHC

0.66 ± 0.28 0.34 0.20 0.39 ± 0.28 0.50 0.2 ± 0.09 0.36 ± 0.34

4.0 Effect on murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) stimulated with LPS

RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cell line was cultured in DMEM supplemented with fetal calf serum (FCS), 2 mM glutamine and 50 U / ml penicillin / streptomycin. Subconfluent cells were separated from the flask by gentle scratching and 24-well plates were seeded at 5 × 10 5 cells per well and allowed to adhere for 1 h. The cells were then treated with the test compound at a concentration of 10 μM (in 0.025% DMSO) or with vehicle alone, and incubated for 1 hour. Then 50 ng / ml of LPS (LPS-Sigma-Aldrich) was added. After incubation for 16 hours, the culture medium was collected and stored at −80 ° C for eicosanoid measurements using enzyme immunometric assays (PGE2 and TXB2-Cayman Chemical).

Table 16. Percentage change in eicosanoid synthesis after incubating the test compound at a concentration of 10 µM compared to vehicle incubation alone. The positive values indicate an improved synthesis, the negative values indicate the inhibition of the synthesis and consequently imply an anti-inflammatory activity.

Compound

PGE2 TXB2

one

−33.8 0

2

−12.6 16

6

−37.7 −16.4

eleven

27.2 51.4

The invention has been described herein, with reference to certain preferred embodiments, in order to facilitate the reader's practice of the invention without undue experimentation.

In addition, titles, headings, or the like are provided to improve the reader's understanding of this document, and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present invention,

Throughout this specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires another

thing, the word "understand", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", it should be understood that

they involve the inclusion of an indicated integer or stage or a group of indicated integers or stages but not the exclusion of any other integer or stage or group of integers or stages.

The invention also includes all stages, features, compositions and compounds referred to or indicated individually or collectively herein and any and all combinations of two or more of said stages or features.

The reference in this specification to any prior art is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that the prior art is part of the common general knowledge in the field of what is intended.

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Claims (20)

1. A compound of the general formula (I) 5 in which R1 is hydrogen; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy or alkoxy, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen; R4, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, alkoxy, or alkyl, and R9 is hydrogen or alkyl, or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts .. 2. A compound according to claim 1 of the general formula (I-a): in which R1 is hydrogen; R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy or alkoxy, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, and R4, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, or alkoxy. 3. A compound of claim 2, wherein R1 is hydrogen, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, or C1-4 alkoxy, with the proviso that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, and R4, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, or alkoxy, or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts. A compound of claim 3, wherein R1 is hydrogen, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy or isopropoxy, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, and R4 is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, or isopropoxy; Y R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, or isopropoxy, or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 5. A compound of claim 4, wherein R1 is hydrogen, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy or methoxy, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen; R4 and R6 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy, or methoxy; Y R5 is hydrogen, or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

6.

 A compound of claim 1, selected from:

3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol; 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4-phenylchroman-7-ol; 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (3-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol; 3- (3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol; 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol; 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (2-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol; 3- (3-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (3-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol; 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol; and 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (3-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol.

7.

 A compound according to claim 6, selected from:

3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-methoxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol; and 3- (4-hydroxyphenyl) -4- (4-hydroxyphenyl) chroman-7-ol.

8.

 A process for the preparation of a compound of the formula (I-a) according to claim 2, comprising the step of reacting the 4-keto group of a compound of the formula (II):

wherein R1 is alkyl or Si (R10) 3, R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, alkoxy or OSi (R10) 3, with the exception that R2 and R3 are not both hydrogen, and R10 is independently alkyl or aryl, with an arilant agent W − M +, wherein: W− is an optionally substituted aryl radical, and M + is one or more counterions, preferably [MgBr] +, to form the intermediate tertiary alcohol of the formula (III): or one of its salts, wherein W is optionally substituted aryl, and which is dehydrated to form a compound of the formula (IV): wherein W is optionally substituted aryl, whose compound of the formula (IV) is subsequently hydrogenated and optionally deprotected to form a compound of the formula (I).

9.

 One or more compounds of the formula (I) or (I-a) according to any of claims 1-7, for use in chemotherapy or as a radiosensitizing or chemosensitizing agent.

10.

 The use of one or more compounds of the formula (I) or (Ia) according to any of claims 1-7, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in association with a vehicle and / or excipient for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment, prevention or improvement of a disease or disorder.

eleven.

 The use of claim 10, wherein the disease is a cancer or a tumor mass.

12.

 The use of claim 11, wherein the cancer or tumor mass is of epithelial origin (including prostate, ovarian, cervical, breast, gallbladder, pancreatic, colorectal, renal, and cancer cells non-small cell lung), of mesenchymal origin (including melanoma, mesothelioma and sarcoma cancer cells), or of neural origin (including glioma cancer cells).

13.

 An agent for use in the treatment, prevention or improvement of a disease or disorder, whose agent comprises one or more compounds of the formula (I) or (Ia) according to any of claims 1-7, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof .

14.

 A pharmaceutical composition comprising one or more compounds of the formula (I) or (Ia) according to any one of claims 1-7, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in association with one or more vehicles, excipients, auxiliary substances and / or pharmaceutical diluents.

fifteen.

 A pharmaceutical composition according to claim 14, further comprising an additional chemotherapeutic agent.

16.

 A composition of claim 15, wherein the additional chemotherapeutic agent is cisplatin, dehydroequol, paclitaxel, gemcitabine, doxorubicin, topotecan, or camptothecin.

17.

 A beverage or food product, which contains one or more compounds of the formula (I) or (I-a) according to any of claims 1-7, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

18.

 A compound of claim 1, having the general formula (I-b):

wherein: R1 is hydrogen, R2, R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen, hydroxy or C1-6 alkoxy, and R5 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-6 alkoxy, or C1-6 alkyl, or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts. 19. A compound of claim 1, having the general formula (I-c): in which: R1 is hydrogen, R2 is hydroxy or C1-6 alkoxy, and R4 is hydroxy or C1-6 alkoxy, or one of its pharmaceutically acceptable salts.

twenty.

 A compound of claim 19, wherein R2 is hydroxy or methoxy.

twenty-one.

A compound of any of claims 19-20, wherein R4 is hydroxy or methoxy.