IL167724A - Kahalalide derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to new kahalalide antitumoral compounds, in particular to analogues of kahalalide F, useful as antitumoral, antiviral, antifungal agents and in the treatment of psoriasis.

Description

KAHALALIDE DERIVATIVES AND PHARMACEUTICAL COMPOSITIONS CONTAINING THE SAME niN o^nn mnpn >Ί>νοηΊ n τητίητι It is to be noted that only subject matter embraced in the scope of the claims appended hereto, whether in the manner defined in the claims or in a manner similar thereto and involving the main features as defined in the claims, is intended to be included in the scope of the present invention, while subject matter described and exemplified to provide background and better understanding of the invention, is not intended for inclusions as part of the present invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present, invention is directed to new kahalalide antitumoral compounds, in particular to analogues of kahalalide F, where the aliphatic 5-methylhexanoic acid has been replaced by 4-methyl hexanoic acid, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as antitumoral, antiviral, antifungal agents and in the treatment of psoriasis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The kahalalide compounds are peptides isolated from a Hawaiian herbivorous marine species of mollusc, Elysia rufescens and its diet, the green alga Bryopsis. sp..

Kahalalides A-F are described in Hamman et al., J. Am. Ghem. Soc, 1993,115, 5825-5826.

Kahalalide A-G are described in Hamann, M. et al., J. Org. Chem, 1996,61, 6594- 6600 : "Kahalalides : bioactive peptides from a marine mollusk Elysia rufescens and its algal diet Bryopsis sp.".

Kahalalide H andj are described in Scheuer P. J. et al.J. Nat. Prod. 1997,60, 562-567:"Two acyclic kahalalides from the sacoglossan mollusk Elysia rufescens".

Kahalalide O is described in Scheuer P. J. et al. , J. Nat. Prod. 2000,63 (1) 152-4: A new depsipeptide from the sacoglossan mollusk Elysia ornata and the green alga Bryopsis species". · For kahalalide K, see Kan, Y. et al, J, Nat. Prod. 1999 62(8) 1 169-72 : "Kahalalide K: A new cyclic depsipeptide from the hawaiian green alga bryopsis species".

For related reports, see also Goetz et al, Tetrahedron, 1999, 55; 7739-7746; "The absolute stereochemistry of Kahalalide F"; Albericio, F. et al. Tetrahedron Letters, 2000, 41 , 9765-9769: "Kahalalide B. Synthesis of a natural cyclodepsipeptide"; Becerro et al J. Chem. Ecol. 2001 , 27(1 1), 2287-99: "Chemical defenses of the sarcoglossan mollusk Elysia rufescens and its host Alga bryopsis sp.".

Of the kahalalide compounds, kahalalide F is the most promising because of its antitumoral activity. Its structure is complex, comprising six amino acids as a cyclic part, and an exocyclie chain of seven amino acids with a terminal fatty acid group. Its activity against in vitro cell cultures of human lung carcinoma A- 549 and human colon carcinoma HT-29 were reported in EP 610 078. Kahalalide F has also demonstrated to have antiviral and antifungal properties.

Preclinical in vivo studies determined that the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Kahalalide F in female mice following a single bolus iv injection was to be 280 μg/kg. Whereas single doses just above the MTDiv were extremely toxic, with animals exhibiting signs of neurotoxicity followed- by death, 280 Mg/kg Kahalalide F could be administered repeatedly, according to a once daily times five schedule, without any apparent evidence of acute toxicity. See Supko, F. et al, Proceedings of the 1999 AACR NCI EORTC International Conference, abstract 315: "Preclinical pharmacology studies with the marine natural product Kahalalide F".

WO 02 36145 describes pharmaceutical compositions containing kahalalide F and new uses of this compound in cancer therapy and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. - WO 03 33012, from which we claim priority, describes the clinical use in oncology of Kahalalide compounds and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

GB 0304367, from which we also claim priority, describes the use of kahalalide compounds in the treatment of psoriasis and related ilnesses and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The synthesis and cytotoxic activities of natural and synthetic kahalalide compounds is described in WO 01 58934, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. WO 01 58934 describes the synthesis of Kahalalide F and also of compounds with a similar structure in which the terminal fatty acid chain is replaced by other fatty acids.

There is still a need to provide further antitumoral compounds, in particular further Kahalalide compounds with improved properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION We have unexpectedly found that one of the kahalalide analogue compounds shows promising activity and improved antitumoral efficacy in in vivo models.

The present invention is directed to a compound having the formula (4S)-MeHex-D-Val-L-Thr-L-Val-D-Val-D-Pro-LOrn-D-ailo-Ile-c doCD-aHo-Thr-D- !io-Ile-D-Val-L' Phe-Z-Dhb'L'Val) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

In some embodiments, the compound contains at most 25% of any other kahalalide, ' or in some embodiments, the compound contains at most 10% of any other kahalalide, or in some embodiments, the compound contains at most 5% of any other kahalalide, or in some embodiments, the compound contains at most 2% of any other kahalalide, or in some embodiments, the compound contains at most 1% of any other kahalalide, or in some embodiments, the compound contains at most 0.5% of any other kahalalide.

In some embodiments, the other kahalalide is kahalalide F having a 5-methylhexyl side-chain and in some embodiments, the compound is substantially pure.

The present invention is also directed to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as previously defined and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, vehicle or diluent.

In another aspect the present invention is directed to the use of a compound as defined above in the manufacture of a medicament. In a preferred embodiment the medicament is for the treatment of cancer, psoriasis, viral infection or fungal infection.

The invention additionally provides kits comprising separate containers containing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as defined above and a reconstituting agent. Methods of reconstitution are also provided.

The invention is also directed to a process for the preparation of a compound as defined above. Preferably the.process uses 4- methylhexanoic acid as starting material. In a preferred embodiment the 4-methylhexanoic acid is (4S) -methylhexanoic acid. In a most preferred embodiment the process is a solid phase synthesis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION We have. identified analogues of Kahalalide F that show significant improvement in activity with respect to Kahalalide F. As shown in the comparative examples, the 4-methylhexanoic KF has unexpectedly shown significant improved efficacy in in two cancer models. This is Nevertheless the compounds of the present invention have -asymmetric centers and therefore exist in different enantiomeric and diastereomic; forms. This invention relates to the use of all optical isomers and stereoisomers of the compounds of the present invention, and mixtures thereof, and to all pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment that may employ or contain them.

For convenience, we refer to the compounds of this invention, notably compounds 1 and 2, as 4-methylhexyl kahalide F compounds, or 4-mehexKF compounds. Preferably the 4-mehexKF compounds of this invention are largely free, substantially free or completely free of other kahalalide compounds. For example, the 4-mehexKF of this invention is preferably free of kahalalide F having a 5-methylhexyl sidechain. In particular, the 4-mehexKF of this invention preferably contains at most 25%, 10%, 5%, 2%, 1% or 0.5%, or less than 0.5% of any other kahalalide, notably kahalalide F. In a related aspect, the 4-mehexKF of this invention is provided in a substantially pure form. Such a 4-mehexKF compound free to some extent of other kahalalides is especially suited for pharmaceutical compositions and treatment methods of this invention.

The present invention includes the compounds of the present invention, and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein one or more hydrogen, carbon or other atoms are replaced by isotopes thereof. Such compounds may be useful as research and diagnostic tools in metabolism pharmacokinetic studies and in binding assays.

As used herein, the compounds of this invention, including the compounds of formula 1 and 2, are defined to include pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives or prodrugs thereof. A "pharmaceutically acceptable derivative or prodrug" means any pharmaceuticall acceptable salt, ester, salt of an ester or other derivative of a compound of this invention that, upon administration to a recipient, is capable of providing (directly or indirectly) a compound of this invention or a metabolite or residue thereof. Particularly favored derivatives and prodrugs are those that increase the bioavailability of the compounds of this invention when such compounds are administered to a patient (e.g., by allowing an orally administered compound to be more readily absorbed into the blood), enhance delivery of the parent compound to a given biological compartment, increase solubilit to allow administration by injection, alter metabolism or alter rate of excretion.

Salts of the compounds of the present invention may. comprise acid addition salts derived from a nitrogen in the compound of formula 1 or 2. The therapeutic activity resides in the moiety derived from the compound of the invention as defined herein and the identity of the other component is of less importance although for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes it is, preferably, pharmaceutically acceptable to the patient. Examples of pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts include those derived from mineral acids, such as hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric, metaphosphoric, nitric and sulphuric acids, and organic acids, such as tartaric, acetic, trifluoroacetic, citric, malic, lactic, fumaric, ' benzoic, glycolic, gluconic, succinic and methanesulphonic and arylsulphonic, for example p-toluenesulphonic, acids. A preferred salt is the trifluoro acetic salt. .

The compounds of the present invention can be prepared according to the synthetic process described in WO 01 58934, for example adding the appropriate (S) or (R) 4-methylhexanoic acid instead of 5-methylhexanoic in example 3 of WO 01 58934. Therefore also encompassed by the invention is a process to prepare a compound according to formula 1 or 2. Preferably the process uses 4-methylhexanoic acid as starting material. Most preferably the starting material is (4 S) -methylhexanoic acid. The synthesis is preferably a solid phase synthetic process. Furhter detail on the synthesis is given in the examples.

The process of this invention can be carried out from starting materials in an eriantio-, stereocontrolled and fast manner, taking advantages of the solid-phase synthetic methodology, where the molecule in construction is bounded to an insoluble support during all synthetic operations.

Pharmaceutical formulations of the compounds; of the invention may be adapted for' administration by ariy appropriate route, for example by the oral (including buccal or sublingual), rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal, sublingual or transdermal), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous or intradermal) route. Such formulations may be prepared by any method known ; in the art of pharmacy, for example by bringing into association to use.

Thus the invention additionally provides kits comprising separate containers containing the yophilised composition and the reconstituting agent Methods of reconstitution are also provided.

Administration of the compounds or compositions of the present invention is by intravenous infusion.- Infusion times of up to 72 hours , can be used, more preferably 1 to 24 hours, with either about 1 or about 3 hours most preferred. Short infusion times which allo treatment to be carried out without an overnight stay in hospital are especially desirable: However, infusion may be around 24- hours or even longer if required. .

The administration is performed in cycles, in the preferred application method, an intravenous , infusion of a compound of the invention is given to- the patients the first week of each cycle, the patients are allowed to recover for the remainder of the cycle. The preferred duration of each cycle is of either 1, 3 or 4 weeks; multiple cycles can be given as needed. In an alternative dosing protocol, the compound of the iavention is administered for say about 1 hour for 5 consecuvitve days every 3 weeks. Other protocols can be devised as variations.

Dose delays and/or dose reductions and schedule adjustments are performed as needed depending on individual patient tolerance of treatments, in particular dose reductions are recommended for patients with higher than normal serum levels of liver transaminases or alkaline phosphatase.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for treating a human patient afflicted with cancer, comprising administering to said patient a compound of the invention at a dose below 1200 mcg/m2/day, preferably below 930 mcg/m2/day and more , preferably below 800 mcg/m2/day. Suitably the dose is at least 320 mcg/m2/day. Preferably the dose is in the range of 400-900 meg/ m2/ day, preferably 500-800 meg/ m2/ day, more preferably 600-750 meg/ m2/ day. Especially preferred . are doses of about 650-700 meg/ m2/ day.

In a further aspect the invention provides a method for treating a human patient afflicted with cancer, comprising administering to said patient a compound of the invention daily during 5 days at a dose below 930 mcg/m2/day, followed by a resting period of from 1 to 4 weeks in which the kahalalide compound is not administered. The dose is preferably 650-750 mcg/m2/day, more preferably about 700 mcg/m2/day. The infusion time is preferably between 1 and 24 hours, more preferably between 1 and 3 hours. Especially preferred is an infusion time of about 1 or about 3 hours. The resting period is preferably 2-3 weeks, more preferably about 2 weeks.

The present invention also provides a method for treating a human patient afflicted with cancer, comprising administering to said patient a compound of the invention once weekly at a dose below 800 mcg/m2/day. The dose is preferably 600-700 mcg/m2/day, more preferable 650 mcg/jn2/day. The infusion time is preferably between 1 and 24 hours, more preferably between 1 and 3 hours. Especially preferred is an infusion time of about 1 hour.

Although guidance for the dosage is given above, the correct dosage of the compound will vary according to. the particular formulation, the mode of application, and the particular situs, host and tumour being treated. ' Other factors like age, body weight, sex, diet, time of administration, rate of excretion, condition of the host, drug combinations, reaction sensitivities and severity of the disease shall be taken into account. ' Administration can be carried out continuousl or periodically within the maximum tolerated dose.

The present invention is particularly directed to the treatment of patients affected with prostate cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, colorectal cancer, renal cancer, ovarian cancer, NSCL cancer, epithelial cancer, pancreatic cancer and tumors that overexpress the Her2/neu oncogene. Most preferably it is directed to the treatment of hepatocellular cancer, melanoma, breast and prostate cancer.

The present invention is also directed to a method of treating a skin disease involving hyperproliferation of dermis cells in a mammal which comprises administering to the mammal an effective, non-toxic amount of a compound of the invention. The skin disease is preferably psoriasis. The present invention is preferably directed to the treatment of human patients affected with psoriasis, in particular severe psoriasis.

The compounds and compositions of this invention may be used with other drugs to provide a combination therapy. The other drugs may form part of the same composition, or be provided as a separate composition for administration at the same time or a different time. The identity of the other drug is not particularly limited, although combination with other chemotherapeutic, hormonal or antibody agents is envisaged . The amounts of the compound of the invention and the other pharmaceutically active agent or agents and the relative timings of administration will be- selected in order to achieve the desired combined therapeutic effect.

EXAMPLES Example 1 : preparation of (4S)-methylhexanoic KF General Procedures and the initial steps of the process are as described in WO 01 58934. ■ ' . . (4S)-MeHex-D-Val-Thr(iBu)-Val-D-Val-D-Pro-Om(Boc)-D-aZ.o-Ile-D-aHo-Thrr al-Alloc)-D-a.Zo-Ile-D-Val-O-TrtCl-resin: The Fmoc group was removed and Fmoc-Val-OH (678 mg, 2 mmol, 4 equiv), Fmoc-Thr(iBu)-OH (992 mg, 2.5 mmol, 5 equiv), Fmoc-D-Val-OH (678 mg, 2 mmol, 4 equiv), and (4S)-MeHex-OH (195 mg, 1.5 mmol, 3 equiv) were sequentially added to the above peptidyl-resin (Example 3) using DIPCDI (233 jiL, for 1.5 mmol and 3 equiv; 310 μΐ, for 2 mmol and 4 equiv; and 388 μΐ,γ for 2.5 mmol, 5 equiv) and HOBt (230 mg, for 1.5 mmol and 3 equiv; 307 mg, for 2 mmol and 4 equiv; and 395 mg, 2.5 mmol. 5 equiv) for 90 min. In all cases* after 90 min of coupling, the ninhydrin test was negative. Removal of Fmoc group and washings were carried out as described in General Procedures. (4S)-MeHex-D-Val-Thr(ffiu>Val-D-Val-D-Pro-Orn(Boc)-D-aZ/o-Ile-D-aZio-Thr(Val-Z-Dhb-Phe-Alloc)-D-a«o-Ile-D-Val-O-TrtCl-resin: Alloc group was removed with Pd(PPh3)4 (58 mg, 0.05 mmol, 0.1 equiv) in the presence of PhSiH3 (617 μΐ,, 5 mmol, 10 equiv) under atmosphere of Ar and Alloc-Phe-Z-Dhb-OH (666 mg, 2 mmol, 4 equiv) and HOAt . . 1.7 " ,. . . - _ · . (273 mg, 2 mmol, '4 equiv) were dissolved in DMF (1.25 mL) and added to peptidyl-resin, then DIPCDI (310 μί, 2 mmol, 4 equiv) was added and the mixture stirred for 5 h, where the ninhydrin test was negative. After washings with DMF and CH2CI2, an aliquot of the peptidyl-resin was treated with TFA-H2O (1:99) for 1 min and the product was characterized by MALDI-TOF-MS, calcd for C88 H 146 N14 O21, 1,736.18. Found: m/z 1,758.67 [M+Na]+, 1,774.62 1 ,618.2 [M+K]+. (4S)-MeHex-D-Val-Thr(iBu)-Val-D-Val-D-Pro-Orn(i3oc)-D-a..o-Ile-D-ai.o-Thr(Val- -Dhb-Phe-H)-D-aZ?o-Ile-D-Val-OH: After washings with DMF and CH2CI2, the Alloc group was removed with Pd(PPh3)4 (58 mg, 0.05 mmol, 0.1 equiv) in the presence of PhSiH3 (617 L, 5 mmol, 10 equiv) under atmosphere of Ar. The protected peptide was cleaved from the resin by TFA-CH2CI2 (1 :99) (5 x 30 sec). Filtrate were collected on H2O (4 mL) and the H2O was partiall removed in a rotavapor. ' ACN was then added to dissolve solid that appeared during the H2O removal, and the solution was lyophilized, to give 639 mg (387 μιτιοΐ, 77% yield) of the title compound with a purity of > 95 % as checked by HPLC (Condition A, tR 10.5 min). (4S)-MeHex-D-Val-Thr Val-D-Val-D-Pro-Orn-D-a/-o-Ile-q cZo(D-a./o-Thr-D-aZZo-Ile-D-Val-Phe-Z-Dhb-Val)= (4S)methylhexanoic KF The protected peptide (Example 6) (639 mg, 387 μπιοΐ) was dissolved in CH2CI2 (390 mL, 1 mM), and .HOBt (237 mg, 1.55 mmol) dissolved in the minimum volume of DMF to dissolve HOBt, DIEA (203 μί, 1.16 mmol, 3 equiv), and DIPCDI (240 ί, 1.55 mmol, 4 equiv) were added. The mixture was allowed to stir for 1 h, then the course of the cyclization step was checked by H PLC. The solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure. The protected cyclic peptide was dissolved in TFA-H2O (19: 1, 85 mL) and the mixture was allowed to stir for 1 h. The solvent was removed by evaporation under reduced pressure, and dioxane is added (30 mL) and the solvent is removed by evaporation under reduced pressure (the process was repeated three times), then H2O (40 mL) was added and lydphilized. The crude product was purified by HPLC (Kromasil Cs 5 μτη, 205 x 50 mm), isocratic 44% acetonitrile (+0.05% TFA) in water (+0.05% TFA), 55 mL/h, detection at 220 nm, to give the title product (192 mg, 0.13 mmol, 26% yield, 92.3%). MALDI-TOF-MS, caled for C75 H i24 14 O i6, 1,477.9. Found: m/z 1,500.12 [M+Na]+, 1 ,515.97 [M+K]+. The ^H-NMR (2.5 mM; 500 MHz, H2O-D2O (9: 1) spectrum of the compound is indicated in Table I) .

Table I RESIDUE N-H Ha Ηβ OTHER (Z)-Dhb 9.5 (s> 6.63 (q, J =7.5 1. 19 (d, y-CH3) Hz) D-al-lo-Ile 1 8.82 (d, J =9.0 4.42. 1.87 1.25, 1.09, 0.82 (γ- Hz) CH2, Y-CH3, δ- CH3) L-Phe 8.75 (d, J =5.5 4.63 3.08 (m) 7.31 (2 H Ar, t) Hz) 7.25 (3H Ar, d) D-al-lo-Thr 8.67(d, J =9.0 Hz) 4.64 5.05 (m) 1.21 (Y-CH3) D-Val 3 8.13 (d, J =7.5 4.33 2.01 0.90 (2 y-CH3) Hz) IH-NMR spectroscopy [ 1H, NOESY, TOCSY at (278K)] was performed on a Varian Unity Plus (500 MHz). Chemical shifts (d) are expressed in parts per million downfield from TMS. Coupling constants are expressed in hertz.

Example 2: preparation of f4R)-methylhexanoic KF Experimental procedures as decribed in Example 1 , starting with 1 g of resin, were carried out with the only exceptions that, in the appropriate step, (4S)-MexHex was replaced by (4J?)-MexHex. The product (220 mg, 0.15 mmol, 30%, 92.3 % purity) was characterized by ES-MS, C75 H i24 Ni4 O l6, 1 ,477.9. Found: m/z 1 ,499.07 [M+Na]+, 1,514.94 [M+K]+.

Example 3: In vitro cytotoxic activity The finality of these assays is to interrupt the growth of a "in vitro" tumor cell culture by' means a continued exhibition of the cells to the sample to be testing.

CELL LINES Name N° ATCC- Species Tissue Characteristics P-388 CCL-46 mouse ascites fluid lymphoid neoplasm K-562 CCL-243 human leukemia erythroleukemia (pleural effusion) A-549 CCL-185 human lung lung carcinoma "NSCL" SK-MEL-28 HTB-72 human melanoma malignant melanoma HT-29 HTB-38 human colon colon adenocarcinoma L0V0 CCL-229 human colon colon adenocarcinoma LoVo-Dox human colon colon adenocarcinoma (MDR) SW620 CCL^228 human colon colon adenocarcinoma (lymph node metastasis) DU-145 HTB-81 · human prostate prostate carcinoma, not androgen receptors LNCaP CRL- 1740 human prostate adenocarcinoma, with androgen receptors SK-BR-3 HTB-30 human breast breast adenocarcinoma, Her2/neu+, (pleural effusion) MCF-7 HTB-22 human breast breast adenocarcinoma, (pleural effusion) MDA-MB-231 HTB-26 human breast breast adenocarcinoma, Her2/neu+, (pleural effusion) IGROV-1 human ovary ovary adenocarcinoma IGROV-ET human ovary ovary adenocarcinoma, characterized as ET-743 resistant cells SK-OV-3 HTB-77 human ovary ovary adenocarcinoma (malignant ascites) OVCAR-3 HTB-161 human ovary ovary adenocarcinoma HeLa CCL-2 human cervix cervix epitheloid carcinoma HeLa-APL CCL-3 human cervix cervix epitheloid carcinoma, characterized as aplidine resistant cells A-498 HTB-44 human kidney kidney carcinoma PANC- 1 CRL-1469 human pancreas pancreatic epitheloid carcinoma HMEC1 ■ human endothelium A colorimetric type of assay, using sulforhodamine B (SRB) reaction has been adapted for a quantitative measurement of cell growth and viability [following the technique described by Philip Skehan, et al. (1990), New colorimetric cytotoxicity assay for anticancer drug screening, J. Natl. Cancer Inst, 82: 1 107- 1 1 12] This form of the assay employs 96 well cell culture microplates of 9 mm diameter (Faircloth, 1988; Mosmann, 1983). . Most of the cell lines are obtained from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) derived from different human cancer types.

Cells are maintained in RPMI 1640 10% FBS, supplemented with 0.1 g/1 penicillin and 0.1 g/1 streptomycin sulfate and then incubated at 37°C, 5% C02 and 98% humidity. . For the experiments, cells were harvested from subconfluent cultures using trypsin and resuspended in fresh medium before plating.

Cells are seeded in 96 well microtiter plates, at 5 x 103 cells per well in aliquots of 195 'μΐ medium, and they are allowed to attach to the plate surface b growing in drug free medium for 18 hours. Afterward, samples are added in aliquots of 5 μΐ in a ranging from 10 to 10"8 μg/ml, dissolved in DMSO/EtOH/PBS (0.5:0.5:99). After 48 hours exposure, the antitumor effect are measured by the SRB methodology: cells are fixed by adding 50 μΐ of cold 50% (wt/vol) trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and incubating for 60 minutes at 4° C. Plates are washed with deionized water and dried. One hundred μΐ of SRB solution (0.4% wt/vol in 1% acetic acid) is added to each microtiter well and incubated for 10 minutes at room temperature. Unbound SRB is removed by washing with 1% acetic acid. Plates are air dried and bound stain is solubilized with Tris buffer. Optical densities are read on a automated spectrophotometric plate reader at a single wavelength of 490 nm.

The values for mean +/- SD of data from triplicate wells are calculated. Some parameters for cellular responses can be calculated: GI = growth inhibition, TGI = total growth inhibition (cytostatic effect) and LC = cell killing (cytotoxic effect).

Results are given in table II, there is no significant difference between the compounds: Table II. Activity Data (Molar).

CELL LINE 5-methhex.KF (4S)-methhex KF (4R)-methhex KF DU- 145 GI50 7.51E-07 2,37E-07 l(20E-06 TGI l,64E-06 6,97E-07 2.14E-06 LC50 3,60E-06 2.49E-06 3,82E-06 LN-caP GI50- 9.61E-07 U2E-Q6 l,50E-06 TGI 2,31E-06 2.58E-06 2,46E-06 LC50 5,57E-06 5.93E-06 4.04E-06 SKOV-3 GI50 TGI - - - LC50 IGROV GI50 4,20E-07 2,92E-07 9.41E-07 TGI l,40E-06 7,51E-07 l,81E-06 LC50 3,80E-06 2,62E-06 3,50E-06 IGROV-ET GI50 4.47E-07 2,25E-07 8.05E-07 TGI 9.54E-07 4.79E-07 l,62E-06 LC50 3,09E-06 2,82E-06 3(26E-06 SK- BR-3 GI50 . 3.98E-07 1.81E-07 1.25E-06 TGI 4,48E-06 3.32E-07 2.20E-06 LC50 677E-06 6,06ET07 3,86E-06 MEL- 28 GI50 6.90E-07 l,43E-06 l,14E-06 TGI l,56E-06 2,60E-06 2,09E-06 LC50 3,55E-06 4(72E-06 3.80E-06 H-MEC- 1 GI50 - - - TGI .

LC50 - - - A- 549 GI50 8,66E-07 2.67E-07 l,20E-06 TGI 1.81E-06 7.17E-07 . 2.26E-06 LC50 3,78E-06 3,09E-06 4.24E-06 K-562 GI50 l,54E-06 2,52E-06 3,73E-06 TGI 2,95E-06 6.77E-06 6.77E-06 LC50 5,66E-06 6.77E-06 6,77E-06 PANC- 1 GI50 l,38E-06 6.77E-06 4,70E-06 TGI 2,89E-06 6,77E-06 4.24E-06 LC50 6,07E-06 6(77E-06 4.24E-06 | HT-29 GI50 l,41E-07 3.01E-07 7,38E-07 Example 4: in vitro toxicity In order to assess the cytotoxicity of the drugs to normal cells, we used 96 well plates plated at a density of 5000 cells per well with normal cell lines maintained as per the directions of the ATCC: AML-12, normal mouse liver cells and NRK-52E, normal rat kidney cell. The cells in each plate were permitted to settle overnight before adding the test drug. To each well (ΙΟΟμΙ medium) ΙΟμΙ of drug in media was added at varying concentrations (lxl0-10-0.01mg/ml final concentration) and further incubated overnight at 37°C with 5% CO2... All experiments were repeated at least 3 times and were assayed in duplicate. After 24h the MTS assay (CellTiter 96 aqueous) was performed according to the manufacturer's (Promega) directions (for all cell types). Cell viability (mitochondrial activity) is determined via enzymatic conversion of the formazan substrate.

As can be seen from the results in Table III, there is no significant difference between the compounds 5 methylhexanoic KF and (4S)-methylhexanoic KF.

Table III Example 5: in vivo MTD. in CD-I mice and in athymic animals The Maximum Tolerated Dose is determined in CD-I and athymic mice (both genders) for each drug after single bolus administration and after 5 dayly doses. The results are given in table IV, there is no significant difference between the compounds 5 methylhexanoic KF and (4S)-methylhexanoic KF.

Table IV - methylhexanoic KF (4S)-methylhexanoic KF Example 6: in vivo efficacy in breast xenografts (5DD) The efficacy of 5-methylhexanoic KF and (4S)-methylhexanoic KF each at the three quarters maximum tolerated dose (MTD) level, was analyzed in breast xenografts following an administration regimen of five consecutive daily (i.e., QDx5) intravenous {iv) bolus injections (Days 0-4) in female athymic mice. The compounds were provided as freshly prepared vialed solutions in vehicle [Cremophor- EL/ Ethanol/ Water (5:5:90)]. Each daily dose (of QDx5 schedule) was administered iv in an injection volume of 0.2 ml per 20 gram animal.

Evaluation of net tumor growth of the corresponding treated group relative to the vehicle control group (i.e., % ΔΤ/AC) indicated that the lowest (optimal) value occurred on Day 3 after initiation of drug treatment for all groups. In addition, pair-wise statistical analyses (using the Mann- Whitney, non-parametric method) revealed that, unexpectedly in view of their very, similar structure and in view of the previous examples, there was a significant difference in efficacy between the two compounds.

Based on efficacy studies described herein and toxicity experiments performed earlier (example 4) a therapeutic index of at least 1.33 ( 1 x MTD/0.75 x MTD, dose at which drug is toxic/dose at which drug is efficacious) can be assigned to (4S)-methylhexanoic KF. In addition, a biologically relevant observation was that the antitumor effect of (4S)-methylhexanoic KF in breast was longer lasting than in prostate xenografts (example 7), at the same relative MTD dose. In summary, (4S)-methylhexanoic KF clearly appears to be the more potent isomer in breast xenografts and the duration of its biological action suggests that it has a long lasting impact in this type of tumor.

Table V Dose Net tumor Growth % ΔΤ/AC mm3, n=9 Control — 167 100 -methylhexanoic 245 108 65 KF Example 7: in vivo efficacy in prostate xenografts (5DD) The efficacy of 5-methylhexanoic KF and (4S)-methylhexanoic KF at one dose each, -was analyzed in prostate xenografts following an administration regimen of five consecutive daily (i.e., QDx5) intravenous {iv) bolus injections (Days 0-4) in male athymic mice. The compounds were provided as freshly prepared vialed solutions in vehicle [Cremophor-EL/Ethanol/ Water (5:5:90)]. Each daily dose (of QDx5 schedule) was administered iv in an injection volume of 0.2 ml per 20 gram animal.

Evaluation of net tumor growth of the corresponding treated group relative to the vehicle control group (i.e., % ΔΤ/AC) indicated that the lowest (optimal) value occurred on Day 3 after initiation of drug treatment for all grqups. In addition, pair-wise statistical analyses (using a Mann-Whitney, non-parametric method) revealed that significantly more efficacy was achieved with (4S) -methylhexanoic KF at a 262 ^g/ kg/ day dose. Base on efficacy studies described herein and toxicity experiments performed earlier (example 4), a therapeutic index of at least 1.33 (1 x MTD/0.75 x MTD, dose at which drug is toxic/dose at which drug is efficacious) can be assigned to (4 S) -methylhexanoic KF. The results are listed in Table VI below.

Table VI Example 8: antitumor activity of Kahalalide F analogs in hollow fiber using a panel of human tumor cell lines.

The antitumor activity of the Kahalalide F analogs discussed above has been tested in the hollow fiber (HF) system using a panel of human tumor cell lines, namely, SK-Hep- 1 (hepatoma), HepG2 (hepatocellular carcinoma), Panc- 1 (pancreas), and Mel-28 (melanoma). The human tumor cells are encapsulated in HFs in vitro and later implanted into female athymic mice in vivo.

Doses of 5 methylhexanoic KF and (4S)-methylhexanoic KF were selected on the basis of prior MTD experiments carried out in athymic mice resulting in a dosage of 325 μg/kg/day (see example 5). Five consecutive daily doses were administered intraperitoneal (ip) in an injection volume of 0.2 ml per 20 gram animal.

Overall, KF-4(S)-Met demonstrates statistically significant antitumor activity against hepatoma (sc), hepatocellular carcinoma (both ip and sc), pancreas [ip), and shows a trend towards significance (i.e., P = 0.059) in the sc compartment in pancreas and melanoma. In contrast, KF-5-Met is- active in fewer tumor types, namely, only pancreas (both ip and sc), and melanoma (sc), but not any type of the liver cancers tested. A summary of the results is listed on the table below, which clearly show.the differences between the compounds.

*Statistically significant, P < 0.05. §Trend towards significance, i.e., P = 0.059.

Claims (20)

31 167,724/3 CLAIMS:

1. A compound having the formula (4S)-MeHex-D-Val-L-Thr-L-Val-D-Val-D-Pro-L-Orn-D-aZZo-Ile-c c o(D-aZZo-Thr-D-a/ o-Ile-D-Val-L-Phe-Z-Dhb-L-Val) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

2. A compound according to claim 1 having the formula (4S)-MeHex-D-Val-L-Thr-L-Val-D-Val-D-Pro-L-Orn-D-aZZo-Ile-ci/cZo(D-aZZo-Thr-D-aZ/o-Ile-D-Val-L-Phe-Z-Dhb-L-Val), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

3. A compound according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the compound contains at most 25% of any other kahalalide.

4. A compound according to any preceding claim, wherein the compound contains at most 10% of any other kahalalide.

5. A compound according to any preceding claim, wherein the compound contains at most 5% of any other kahalalide.

6. A compound according to any preceding claim, wherein the compound contains at most 2% of any other kahalalide.

7. A compound according to any preceding claim, wherein the compound contains at most 1% of any other kahalalide.

8. A compound according to any preceding claim, wherein the compound contains at most 0.5% of any other kahalalide.

9. A compound according to any preceding claim, wherein the compound contains less than 0.5% of any other kahalalide. 32 167,724/3

10. A compound according to any preceding claim wherein the other kahalalide is kahalalide F having a 5-methylhexyl side-chain.

11. 1 1. A compound according to any preceding claim, wherein the compound is substantially pure.

12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as defined in any of claims 1 to 1 1, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, vehicle or diluent.

13. A compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 1 1 for use as a medicament.

14. A compound as defined in any one of claims 1 to 11 for use in the treatment of a mammal affected by cancer.

15. The use of a compound as defined in any of claims 1 to 1 1 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a mammal affected by cancer.

16. The use according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the mammal affected by cancer is a human.

17. The use according to claims 14 to 16, wherein the cancer is a refractory cancer that does not respond favourably to other treatments.

18. The use according to claims 14 to 17, wherein the cancer is selected from prostate cancer, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, colorectal cancer, renal cancer, ovarian cancer, NSCL cancer, epithelial cancer, pancreatic cancer and a tumor that overexpress the Her2/neu oncogene. 33 167,724/3

19. A kit comprising separate containers containing a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound as defined in any of claims 1 to 1 1 and a reconstituting agent.

20. A process for the preparation of a compound as defined in any of claims 1 to 1 1, characterized in that it uses (4S)-methylhexanoic acid as starting material. D GOLLER