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  • C08G65/32—Polymers modified by chemical after-treatment
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Definitions

• the present invention relates to branched polymers which are useful in extending the in vivo circulating life of biologically active materials.
• the invention also relates to conjugates made with the polymers.
• one of the hydroxyl end-groups is converted into a reactive functional group. This process is frequently referred to as
• activation and the product is called an "activated poly(alkylene oxide)".
• Other substantially non-antigenic polymers are similarly “activated” or functionalized.
• the activated polymers are reacted with a therapeutic agent having nucleophilic functional groups that serve as attachment sites.
• nucleophilic functional group commonly used as an attachment site is the e-amino groups of lysines.
• Free carboxylic acid groups suitably activated carbonyl groups, oxidized carbohydrate moieties and mercapto groups have also been used as attachment sites.
• Insulin and hemoglobin were among the first therapeutic agents conjugated. These relatively large polypeptides contain several free e-amino attachment sites. A sufficient number of polymers could be attached to reduce immunogenicity and increase the circulating life without significant loss of biologic activity.
• Triazine is a toxic substance which is difficult to reduce to acceptable levels after conjugation.
• triazine is a planar group and can only be double-polymer substituted. The planar structure rigidly locks the two polymer chains in place. This limits the benefits of polymer conjugation to about the same as that obtained by increasing polymer chain length.
• non-triazine-based activated polymers would offer substantial benefits to the art.
• Prodrugs include chemical derivatives of a biologically-active parent compound which, upon administration, will eventually liberate the active parent compound in vivo.
• Use of prodrugs allows the artisan to modify the onset and/or duration of action of a biologically-active compound in vivo.
• Prodrugs are often biologically inert or substantially inactive forms of the parent or active compound. The rate of release of the active drug is influenced by several factors including the rate of hydrolysis of the linker which joins the parent biologically active compound to the prodrug carrier.
• prodrugs based on ester or phosphate linkages have been reported. In most cases, the particular type of ester linkage used to form the prodrug provides T ⁇ n for hydrolysis of up to several days in aqueous environments. Although one would expect a prodrug to have been formed, most of the conjugate is eliminated prior to sufficient hydrolysis being achieved in vivo. It would therefore be preferable to provide prodrugs which have a linkage which allows more rapid hydrolysis of the polymer-drug linkage in vivo so as to generate the parent drug compound more rapidly.
• branched, substantially non-antigenic polymers corresponding to the formula:
• (A) represents an activating functional group capable of undergoing nucleophilic substitution.
• (A) can be a group which is capable of bonding with biologically active nucleophiles or moieties capable of doing the same.
• (R) includes a poly(alkylene oxide) PAO such as a poly(ethylene glycol) (hereinafter: PEG).
• One preferred embodiment of the invention provides branched polymers containing a terminal carboxylic acid group which is useful in the formation of ester-based prodrugs.
• the branched polymers are of the formula:
• Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes branched polymers of the same formula set forth above, i.e.: (R) D L-A, except that (L) is selected form the group consisting of
• X is O, NQ, S, SO or SO 2 .
• Q is H, C,. registry alkyl, C,. g branched alkyl, C, ⁇ substituted alkyl, aryl or aralkyl; (m) is 0 or 1 ;
• (p) is a positive integer, preferably from about 1 to about 6; (R) and (n) are as defined above; and (A) is as defined above, including COOH as set forth in Formula (la).
• umbrella-like branched polymers of the present invention react with biologically active nucleophiles to form conjugates.
• the point of polymer attachment depends upon the functional group (A).
• (A) can be a succinimidyl succinate or carbonate and react with epsilon amino lysines.
• (A) can be a carboxylic acid which is capable of reacting with hydroxyl groups found on biologically-active nucleophiles to form ester-linked prodrugs.
• the branched polymers can also be activated to link with any primary or secondary amino group, mercapto group, carboxylic acid group, reactive carbonyl group or the like found on biologically-active materials. Other groups are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
• the biologically active materials include proteins, peptides, enzymes, medicinal chemicals or organic moieties whether synthesized or isolated from nature.
• the methods include contacting a biologically active material containing a nucleophile capable of undergoing a substitution reaction with a branched polymer described above under conditions sufficient to effect attachment while maintaining at least a portion of the biological activity.
• the present invention also includes methods of treating various maladies and conditions.
• a mammal in need of treatment is administered an effective amount of a conjugate containing a biologically-active material such as a protein, enzyme or organic moiety and a branched polymer of the present invention.
• a biologically-active material such as a protein, enzyme or organic moiety
• a branched polymer of the present invention One of the chief advantages of the present invention is that the branching of the polymers imparts an umbrella-like three-dimensional protective covering to the materials they are conjugated with. This contrasts with the string-like structure of conventional polymer conjugates.
• the branching of the polymer chains from a common root allows dynamic, non-planar action in vivo.
• the branched polymers offer substantial benefits over straight-chained polymers of equivalent molecular weight.
• a second advantage of the branched polymers is that they provide the benefits associated with attaching several strands of polymers to a bioeffecting material but require substantially fewer conjugation sites.
• the advantages of the branched polymers are particularly dramatic for therapeutic agents having few available attachment sites. All the desired properties of polymer conjugation are realized and loss of bioactivity is minimized.
• the activated branched polymers of the present invention are preferably prepared from poly(alkylene oxides) (PAO's) that are water soluble at room temperatures.
• PAO's poly(alkylene oxides)
• alpha-substituted polyalkylene oxide derivatives such as methoxypoly (ethylene glycols) (mPEG) or other suitable alkyl substituted PAO derivatives such as those containing mono or bis terminal C t - C 4 groups.
• Straight-chained non-antigenic polymers such as monomethyl PEG homopolymers including mPEG-CH 2 -O-C-, mPEG-O-C-, and mPEG -O-CH 2 .CH 2 - II II
• (R) includes a water-soluble, substantially non-antigenic polymer
• (n) 2 o ⁇ ;
• (L) is an aliphatic linking moiety covalently linked to each (R) and
• (A) represents an activating functional group capable of undergoing nucleophilic substitution.
• Each (R) can be a water-soluble, substantially non-antigenic polymer chain.
• each chain has a molecular weight of between about 200 and about 80,000 daltons and preferably between about 2,000 and about 42,000 daltons. Molecular weights of about 5,000 to about 20,000 daltons are most preferred.
• Alternative polymeric substances include materials such as dextrans, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, polyacrylamides or other similar non-immunogenic polymers. Such polymers are also capable of being functionalized or activated for inclusion in the invention. The foregoing is merely illustrative and not intended to restrict the type of non-antigenic polymers suitable for use herein.
• (R) is a branched polymer for secondary and tertiary branching from a bioactive material.
• Bifunctional and hetero-bifunctional active polymer esters can also be used.
• the polymers of the present invention can also be copolymerized with bifunctional materials such as poly(alkylene glycol) diamines to form inte enetrating polymer networks suitable for use in permeable contact lenses, wound dressings, drug delivery devices and the like.
• the stearic limitations and water solubility of such branching will be readily recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.
• the molecular weight of multiply branched polymers should not exceed 80,000 daltons.
• polymer chains As shown in Formula I, 2 or 3 polymer chains, designated (R) herein, are joined to the aliphatic linking moiety (L).
• Suitable aliphatics include substituted alkyl diamines and triamines, lysine esters and malonic ester derivatives.
• the linking moieties are preferably non-planar, so that the polymer chains are not rigidly fixed.
• the linking moiety (L) is also the means for attaching the multiple polymer chains or "branches" to (A), the moiety through which the polymer attaches to bio- effecting materials.
• (L) preferably includes a multiply-functionalized alkyl group containing up to 18, and more preferably, between 1-10 carbon atoms.
• a heteroatom such as nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur may be included within the alkyl chain.
• the alkyl chain may also be branched at a carbon or nitrogen atom.
• (L) is a single nitrogen atom.
• each (R) are preferably joined by a reaction between nucleophilic functional groups on both (R) and (L).
• Each (R) is suitably functionalized to undergo nucleophilic substitution and bond with (L).
• Such functionalization of polymers is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.
• linkages are contemplated between (R) and (L).
• Urethane (carbamate) linkages are preferred.
• the bond can be formed, for example, by reacting an amino group such as l,3-diamino-2-propanol with methoxypolyethylene glycol succinimidyl carbonate described in U.S. Patent No. 5,122,614, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
• Amide linkages which can be formed by reacting an amino-terminated non-antigenic polymer such as methoxypolyethylene glycol-amine (mPEG amine) with an acyl chloride functional group.
• linkages between (R) and (L) include ether, amine, urea, and thio and thiol analogs thereof, as well as the thio and thiol analogs of the above- discussed urethane and amide linkages.
• the linkages are formed by methods well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Other suitable linkages and their formation can be determined by reference to the above-cited U.S. Patent No. 4,179,337.
• the moiety (A) of Formula I represents groups that "activate" the branched polymers of the present invention for conjugation with biologically active materials.
• (A) can be a moiety selected from:
• Functional groups capable of reacting with an amino group such as: a) carbonates such as the p-nitrophenyl, or succinimidyl; b) carbonyl imidazole; c) azlactones; d) cyclic imide thiones; or e) isocyanates or isothiocyanates.
• Functional groups capable of reacting with carboxylic acid groups and reactive carbonyl groups such as: a) primary amines; or b) hydrazine and hydrazide functional groups such as the acyl hydrazides, carbazates, semicarbamates, thiocarbazates, etc.
• Functional groups capable of reacting with mercapto or sulfhydryl groups such as phenyl glyoxals; see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,093,531, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
• IV. Functional groups capable of reacting with hydroxyl groups such as (carboxylic) acids, such as in Formula (la) or other nucleophiles capable of reacting with an electrophilic center.
• a non-limiting list includes, for example, hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl, thiol groups, active methylene and the like.
• the moiety (A) can also include a spacer moiety located proximal to the aliphatic linking moiety, (L).
• the spacer moiety may be a heteroalkyl, alkoxy, alkyl containing up to 18 carbon atoms or even an additional polymer chain.
• the spacer moieties can added using standard synthesis techniques. It is to be understood that those moieties selected for (A) can also react with other moieties besides biologically active nucleophiles.
• One preferred embodiment of the invention provides branched polymers containing a terminal carboxylic acid group which is useful in the formation of ester-based prodrugs.
• the branched polymers are of the formula:
• Some particularly preferred compounds within this aspect of the invention include: O
• X is O, NQ, S, SO or SO 2 .
• Q is H, C,_ 8 alkyl, C M branched alkyl, Cj.g substituted alkyl, aryl or aralkyl;
• (p) is 0 or an integer from about 1 to about 6; and R 2 ' represents the corresponding spacer moiety R 2 , described below, after undergoing the substitution reaction which results in the addition of the terminal carboxylic acid group.
• Another preferred embodiment of the invention includes branched polymers of the same formula set forth above, i.e. (I) and (la): (Rj consumerL-A, except that (L) is selected form the group consisting of
• Some particularly preferred compounds within this aspect of the invention include:
• (a) is an integer of from about 1 to about 5;
• (p) is a positive integer, preferably from about 1 to about 6;
• R 2 is a spacer moiety selected form the group consisting of: polymers, -CO-NH- (CH 2 -) d X 2 , -CO-NH- (CH 2 -CH 2 -O-) d X 2 , -CO-NH- ⁇ -X 2 and -C0-NH- ⁇ O ⁇ Y (O-CH 2 -CH 2 -) d X 2 where (d) is an integer between about 1 and about 18 inclusive and
• (X 2 ) is H, OH, NH 2 or COOH.
• the branched polymers are formed using conventional reaction techniques.
• the linking compound (L) has a number of nucleophilic functional groups which correspond to (n), (i.e. 2 or 3).
• a succinimidyl carbonate active ester of the branched polymer is prepared by contacting a branched polymer subunit (R n L, prepared as described above, with p-nitrophenyl chloroformate and thereafter with N-hydroxysuccinimide to form a succinimidyl carbonate.
• the hydroxy moiety can be reacted with bj ⁇ -succinimidyl carbonate directly.
• the polymer subunit (R) n L will include hydroxyl, amino, carboxyl and thiol groups, and the like, as well as amino or methylene hydrogens so that it can be attached to (A).
• the branched polymers can also be formed by reacting aliphatic linking compounds substituted with nucleophilic functional groups such as di- or tri-amino, mercapto alcohols or alkyl triols with an activated or functionalized polymer chain such as SC-PEG, PEG-NCO, PEG-NCS, SS-PEG, PEG-acids and acid derivatives.
• nucleophilic functional groups such as di- or tri-amino, mercapto alcohols or alkyl triols
• an activated or functionalized polymer chain such as SC-PEG, PEG-NCO, PEG-NCS, SS-PEG, PEG-acids and acid derivatives.
• synthesis include reacting a polymer functionalized with a nucleophilic moiety such as PEG-alcohol, PEG-amine or PEG-mercaptan with bifunctional molecules such as malonic acid derivatives or glyoxalic acid derivatives.
• a nucleophilic moiety such as PEG-alcohol, PEG-amine or PEG-mercaptan
• bifunctional molecules such as malonic acid derivatives or glyoxalic acid derivatives.
• Reaction with strong base converts the methylene linker into an anion that can be further fiinctionalized.
• the anion can be reacted with diethyloxalate to yield the corresponding ketoester.
• mPEG- FLAN mPEG-N-acyl-thiazolidine
• Branched polymers (III) and (IV) can then be activated.
• One manner of activation of (III) includes first functionalizing with compounds capable of activating the hydroxyl group such as p-nitrophenyl chloroformate to form a reactive p-nitrophenyl carbonate. The resulting p-nitrophenyl carbonate polymer can be directly reacted with a biologically active nucleophile.
• the p-nitrophenyl carbonate polymer can also serve as an intermediate. It can be reacted with a large excess of N-hydroxysuccinimide to form a succinimidyl carbonate-activated branched polymer. Other routes to succinimidyl carbonates are available and contemplated for use herein. Alternatively, a p-nitrophenyl carbonate polymer intermediate can be reacted with anhydrous hydrazine to form a carbazate branched polymer.
• Branched polymer (III) can also be activated by reacting it with an alkyl haloacetate in the presence of a base to form an intermediate alkyl ester of the corresponding polymeric carboxylic acid and thereafter reacting the intermediate alkyl ester with an acid such as trifluoroacetic acid to form the corresponding polymeric compound containing a terminal carboxylic acid.
• an alkyl haloacetate Preferably, tertiary alkyl haloacetates are used.
• the carboxylic acid derivative is formed by: i) contacting a branched polymer of the structure: (R) n L-A, wherein (R),(n), (L) and (A) are as defined herein, with an alkyl haloacetate in the presence of a base to form an alkyl ester of a branched non-antigenic polymer; and ii) reacting the alkyl ester with an acid to form the branched polymer containing a reactive carboxylic acid thereon.
• the molar ratio of the alkyl haloacetate to the branched polymer i.e. polyalkylene oxide, is greater than 1: 1.
• the reacting step ii) is carried out at a temperature of from about 0° to about 50°C and preferably at a temperature of from about 20 to about 30°C.
• the reacting step ii) can be carried out in the presence of water.
• X 3 is chlorine, bromine or iodine
• R 10 . ⁇ 2 are independently selected from the group alkyls, C ⁇ substituted alkyls or Cj.g branched alkyls and aryls are used.
• Preferred tertiary alkyl haloacetates include tertiary butyl haloacetates such as t-butyl bromoacetate or t-butyl chloroacetate.
• Suitable bases include potassium t-butoxide or butyl lithium, sodium amide and sodium hydride.
• Suitable acids include trifluoroacetic acid or sulfiiric, phosphoric and hydrochloric acids.
• Branched polymer (IV) can be activated by reacting it with a hydroxy acid such as lactic acid or glycolic acid to form the hydroxy amide. Thereafter, the hydroxy amide is functionalized in the same manner discussed above for (III).
• a hydroxy acid such as lactic acid or glycolic acid
• Branched polymer (Ilia) and (IVa) can then be activated in the same way as described above with regard to compounds (III) and (IV).
• m is zero (i.e. the carbonyl group is absent)
• synthesis of the branched polymer can be formed with a triamine (i.e. diethylenetriamine) being reacted with two equivalents of an acylating agent such as succinimidyl carbonate- activated PEG (SC-PEG), so that the terminal amino groups are fiinctionalized with the PEG.
• SC-PEG succinimidyl carbonate- activated PEG
• This intermediate which contains a secondary amine is then alkylated with ethyl bromoacetate or t-butyl bromoacetate to yield the branched polymer.
• synthesis of the branched polymer can be formed in a similar fashion.
• the terminal amines are functionalized with an activated PEG such as SC-PEG.
• the residual secondary amine is reacted with another acylating agent such as succinic anhydride under more forceful conditions so that the less reactive tertiary amine is acylated.
• Branched polymers corresponding to Formulas (II), (III), (Ilia), (IV), (IVa) and the like, can also be extended with a spacer moiety, designated herein as R 2 , between the aliphatic linking moiety and the group capable of undergoing nucleophilic substitution.
• R 2 a spacer moiety
• the polymer of Formula (III) with a spacer moiety is represented by Formula (V):
• Spacer moieties represented by (R 2 ) include but are not limited to: -CO-NH-(CH 2 -) d X 4 -CO-NH-(CH 2 -CH 2 -O-) d H
• the compounds of Formulas (Ilia) and (IVa) can also be converted into the corresponding R 2 spacer-containing compounds in the same manner as that set forth above.
• spacer moieties to a branched polymer
• R 2 can be joined to linker moieties (L) substituted with groups other than hydroxyl groups.
• L linker moieties
• suitable reagents such as substituted isocyanates or isothiocyanates and the like.
• terminal groups of the spacer moieties can be similarly functionalized to react with nucleophiles, i.e. attachment of a suitable (A) moiety, i.e. COOH or other "activated terminal group".
• the activated branched polymers can be purified by conventional methods and reacted with biologically active materials containing nucleophiles capable of bonding with the polymer while maintaining at least some of the activity associated with the material in unmodified form.
• nucleophiles conjugated with the branched polymers are described as "biologically active". The term, however, is not limited to physiological or pharmacological activities. For example, some nucleophile conjugates such as those containing enzymes, are able to catalyze reactions in organic solvents. Likewise, some inventive polymer conjugates containing proteins such as concanavalin A, immunoglobulin and the like are also useful as laboratory diagnostics. A key feature of all of the conjugates is that at least some portion of the activity associated with the unmodified bio-active material is maintained.
• the conjugates are biologically active and have numerous therapeutic applications.
• Mammals in need of treatment which includes a biologically active material can be treated by administering an effective amount of a polymer conjugate containing the desired bioactive material.
• mammals in need of enzyme replacement therapy or blood factors can be given branched polymer conjugates containing the desired material.
• Biologically active nucleophiles of interest of the present invention include, but are not limited to, proteins, peptides, polypeptides, enzymes, organic molecules of natural and synthetic origin such as medicinal chemicals and the like.
• Enzymes of interest include carbohydrate-specific enzymes, proteolytic enzymes, oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases and ligases.
• examples of enzymes of interest include asparaginase, arginase, arginine deaminase, adenosine deaminase, superoxide dismutase, endotoxinases, catalases, chymotrypsin, lipases, uricases, adenosine diphosphatase, tyrosinases and bilirubin oxidase.
• Carbohydrate-specific enzymes of interest include glucose oxidases, glucodases, galactosidases, glucocerebrosidases, glucouronidases, etc.
• Proteins, polypeptides and peptides of interest include, but are not limited to, hemoglobin, both naturally occurring and recombinant mutant strains, serum proteins such as blood factors including Factors VII, VIII, and IX; immunoglobulins, cytokines such as interleukins, -, ⁇ - and ⁇ -interferons, colony stimulating factors including granulocyte colony stimulating factors, platelet derived growth factors and phospholipase-activating protein (PLAP).
• hemoglobin serum proteins
• cytokines such as interleukins, -, ⁇ - and ⁇ -interferons
• colony stimulating factors including granulocyte colony stimulating factors, platelet derived growth factors and phospholipase-activating protein (PLAP).
• PLAP phospholipase-activating protein
• proteins of general biological or therapeutic interest include insulin, plant proteins such as lectins and ricins, tumor necrosis factors and related alleles, growth factors such as tissue growth factors, such as TGF ⁇ 's or TGF ⁇ 's and epidermal growth factors, hormones, somatomedins, erythropoietin, pigmentary hormones, hypothalamic releasing factors, antidiuretic hormones, prolactin, chorionic gonadotropin, follicle- stimulating hormone, thyroid-stimulating hormone, tissue plasminogen activator, and the like.
• Immunoglobulins of interest include IgG, IgE, IgM, IgA, IgD and fragments thereof.
• Some proteins such as the interleukins, interferons and colony stimulating factors also exist in non-glycosylated form, usually as a result of using recombinant techniques.
• the non-glycosylated versions are also among the biologically active nucleophiles of the present invention.
• the biologically active nucleophiles of the present invention also include any portion of a polypeptide demonstrating in vivo bioactivity. This includes amino acid sequences, antisense moieties and the like, antibody fragments, single chain binding antigens, see, for example U.S. Patent No. 4,946,778, disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, binding molecules including fusions of antibodies or fragments, polyclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, catalytic antibodies, nucleotides and oligonucleotides.
• proteins or portions thereof can be prepared or isolated by using techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art such as tissue culture, extraction from animal sources, or by recombinant DNA methodologies.
• Transgenic sources of the proteins, polypeptides, amino acid sequences and the like are also contemplated. Such materials are obtained form transgenic animals, i.e., mice, pigs, cows, etc., wherein the proteins expressed in milk, blood or tissues. Transgenic insects and baculovirus expression systems are also contemplated as sources. Moreover, mutant versions of proteins, such as mutant TNF's and/or mutant interferons are also within the scope of the invention.
• allergen proteins such as ragweed, Antigen E, honeybee venom, mite allergen, and the like.
• Useful biologically active nucleophiles are not limited to proteins and peptides. Essentially any biologically-active compound is included within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is particularly well-suited for compounds which have few or even a single nucleophilic attachment site for polymer conjugation such as medicinal chemicals whether isolated from nature or synthesized. Chemotherapeutic molecules such as pharmaceutical chemicals i.e. anti-tumor agents such as paclitaxel, taxotere, related taxoteres, taxoid molecules, camptothecin, podophyllotoxin, anthracyclines, methotrexates, etc.
• pharmaceutical chemicals i.e. anti-tumor agents such as paclitaxel, taxotere, related taxoteres, taxoid molecules, camptothecin, podophyllotoxin, anthracyclines, methotrexates, etc.
• cardiovascular agents anti-neoplasties, anti-infectives, anti-anxiety agents, gastrointestinal agents, central nervous system-activating agents, analgesics, fertility or contraceptive agents, anti-inflammatory agents, steroidal agents, anti-urecemic agents, cardiovascular agents, vasodilating agents, vasoconstricting agents and the like.
• One or more of the activated branched polymers can be attached to a biologically active nucleophile by standard chemical reactions.
• the conjugate is represented by the formula:
• (L) is an aliphatic linking moiety
• (A 1 ) represents a linkage between (L) and the nucleophile
• (z) is an integer ⁇ 1 representing the number of polymers conjugated to the biologically active nucleophile.
• the upper limit for (z) will be determined by the number of available nucleophilic attachment sites and the degree of polymer attachment sought by the artisan.
• the degree of conjugation can be modified by varying the reaction stoichiometry using well-known techniques. More than one polymer conjugated to the nucleophile can be obtained by reacting a stoichiometric excess of the activated polymer with the nucleophile.
• the biologically active nucleophiles can be reacted with the activated branched polymers in an aqueous reaction medium which can be buffered, depending upon the pH requirements of the nucleophile.
• the optimum pH for the reaction is generally between about 6.5 and about 8.0 and preferably about 7.4 for proteinaceous/polypeptide materials. Organic/chemotherapeutic moieties can be reacted in non-aqueous systems.
• the optimum reaction conditions for the nucleophile's stability, reaction efficiency, etc. is within level of ordinary skill in the art.
• the preferred temperature range is between 4°C and 37°C.
• the temperature of the reaction medium cannot exceed the temperature at which the nucleophile may denature or decompose. It is preferred that the nucleophile be reacted with an excess of the activated branched polymer.
• the conjugate is recovered and purified such as by diafiltration, column chromatography, combinations thereof, or the like.
• the activated branched non-antigenic polymers of the present invention are a new and useful tool in the conjugation of biologically active materials, especially when they lack a sufficient number of suitable polymer attachment sites.
• This branched polymer was prepared by adding 100 mg (1.1 mmol) of 1, 3-diamino-2- propanol to a solution of 10.0 g (2 mmol) of SC-PEG in 50 mL of methylene chloride.
• Example 1 The compound of Example 1 was activated with p-nitrophenyl chloroformate.
• the U-PNP PEG of Example 2 was reacted with N- hydroxysuccinimide to form the succinimidyl carbonate ester of U-PEG.
• a solution containing 5.0 g (0.5 mmol) of the U-PNP PEG, 0.6 g (5 mmol) of N- hydroxysuccinimide and 0.13 g (1 mmol) of dusopropylethylamine in 40 ml of methylene chloride was refluxed for 18 hours. The solvent was then removed by distillation in vacuo, and the residue was recrystallized from 2-propanol to yield 4.2 g of the succinimidyl carbonate ester (82% yield).
• This branched polymer above was prepared by reacting U-PNP PEG (Ex. 2) with ethanolamine followed by p-nitrophenyl chloroformate.
• the NU-PEG-OH was prepared by reacting the above intermediate with p- nitrophenyl chloroformate.
• the intermediate was azeotropically dried by refluxing, 2.0 g (0.2 mmol) in 40 mL toluene for two hours, with the removal of 25 mL of solvent/water.
• the reaction mixture was cooled, followed by the addition of 0.3 mmol p-nitrophenyl chloroformate and 0.3 mmol pyridine, according to the procedure of Example 2.
• the resulting mixture was stirred for two hours at 45 °C, followed by stirring overnight at room temperature.
• the NU-PEG-OH was also recovered by the procedure in Example 2 to yield 1.5 g (71% yield).
• This branched polymer was prepared by reacting the U-PNP PEG of Example 2 with 2-(2-aminoethoxy) ethanol according to the procedure described in Example 4, (i.e., the amino alcohol was reacted with the p-nitrophenyl carbonate). The recrystallized product yield was 86%.
• EXAMPLE 6 XU-PNP-PEG
• Example 5 The compound of Example 5 was functionalized with p-nitrophenyl carbonate as in Examples 2 and 4. The recrystallized product yield was 83%
• succinimidyl carbonate derivative of compound prepared in Example 5 was prepared according to the process described in Example 3, by reacting N-hydroxysuccinimide with the p-nitrophenyl carbonate derivative of Example
• the branched polymer depicted above was prepared by reacting m-PNP PEG with lysine ethyl ester.
• a mixture of 5.0 g (1.0 mmol) of the polymer, 150 mg (0.6 mmol) of lysine dihydrochloride and 140 mg (1.8 mmol) of pyridine was refluxed for 18 hours.
• the solvent was removed by distillation in vacuo.
• the residue was recrystallized from 2-propanol to yield 4.5 g (88% yield) of product.
• reaction mixture was then filtered through CELITETM, followed by removal of the solvent by distillation in vacuo. The residue was recrystallized from 2- propanol to yield 48.2g (93% yield) of the product.
• EPO erythropoietin
• US-PEG US-PEG
• Conjugates of erythropoietin (EPO) with US-PEG were prepared by dialyzing two 3.0 mg EPO samples (human recombinant Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell culture) into 0.1 M phosphate buffer pH 7.0 solutions using a Centricon-10 (Amicon Corporation, Beverly, MA). The first EPO solution was combined with 1.954 mg (2-fold molar excess) of the US-PEG while the second EPO solution was combined with 3.908 mg (4-fold molar excess) of the US- PEG. The reaction mixtures were stirred for one hour at room temperature (about 22-25 °C).
• the excess polymer was removed by centrifugation and the reaction mixtures were dialyzed into 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 8.0. Unreacted EPO was removed on an ion-exchange column (2-HD column, Sepracor). SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed that for both reaction mixtures, about two to three of the branched polymers were covalently bound to each protein molecule.
• the EPO activity of the conjugates was measured by colorometric assay with DA 1-K cells, a murine lymphoblastic cell line dependent on EL-3, GM-CSF and EPO for growth. The cells are grown in IMDM containing 5% FCS and incubated at
• Tumor Necrosis Factor was conjugated with the XUS-PEG of Example 7.
• the TNF was also conjugated with the linear SC PEG, methoxypoly(ethylene glycol) succinimidyl carbonate of U.S. Patent No. 5,122,614. Both conjugates were prepared by reacting a 500 micrograms of TNF, 2.0 mg/mL, with a 25-fold molar excess of the polymer. Each reaction was carried out for 140 minutes on ice.
• the ED S0 for the branched conjugate was 0.29 ng/mL for the concentration- response curve generated by dilutions of 0.1 micrograms/mL and 0.625 ng/mL for the concentration-response curve generated by dilutions of 0.01 micrograms/mL.
• the ED 50 for unmodified TNF of 0.01-0.02 ng/mL.
• the ED 50 for the linear succinimidyl carbonate conjugates ranged between 8 and 19 ng/mL.
• the resulting mixture was stirred at 40 °C overnight.
• the reaction mixture was filtered through a Celite pad followed by removal of the solvent by distillation in vacuo.
• the residue was recrystallized from 2-propanol to yield 0.98 g (97% recovery).
• the product contained 60% of the desired t-butyl ester as determined from ,3 C NMR.
• This branched polymer above was prepared by reacting US-PEG (Ex. 3) with methylparaaminobenzoate followed by selective hydrolysis to provide the branched polymer containing the terminal carboxylic acid.
• This branched polymer was formed by repeating Example 5 with the compound of Example 18.
• a mixture of 4.0 g (0.4 mmoles) of U-PEG carboxylic acid prepared in Example 15, 0.28 g (0.8 mmoles) of camptothecin, 0.10 g (0.8 mmoles) of diisopropylcarbodiimide and 0.10 g (0.8 mmoles) of 4-dimethylaminopyridine is added to 50 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane at 0°C. This mixture is allowed to warm up to room temperature, and stirring is continued for 18 hours, followed by removal of the solvent by distillation in vacuo. The residue is recrystallized from 2- propanol to yield 3.4 g of the title product.
• a mixture of 4.0 g (0.4 mmoles) of the compound of Example 19 U-PEG, 0.68 g (0.8 mmoles) of paclitaxel, 0.10 g (0.8 mmoles) of diisopropylcarbodiimide and 0.10 g (0.8 mmoles) of 4-dimethylaminopyridine is added to 50 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane at 0°C. This mixture is allowed to warm up to room temperature, and stirring is continued for 18 hours, followed by removal of the solvent by distillation. The residue is recrystallized from 2-propanol to yield 3.4 g of the titled product.

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