DEHYDRODIDEMNIN B

Abstract: Dehydrodidemnin B with useful biological activity is of formula (I). It can be isolated from natural sources or synthesised, and forms active derivatives.

Description: DEHYDRODIDEMNIN B This invention relates to dehydrodidemnin B and, in particular, to the isolation of dehydrode nin B, a cyclic depsipeptide, from a tunicate of the Ascidiacea class. This novel compound has been shown to have antiviral, antitumoural and cytotoxic activities. The didemnins form a class of cyclic depsipeptides which have been isolated from various species of the Trididemnu genus. They have been shown to have potent activity against viruses and tumour cells (Rinehart, Jr. K. L. et al, J. Am. Chem. Soc. (1981), 103, 1857-59). Didemnin B, up to now the most active compound of this class, has been shown to have potent immunoεuppressive activity (Montgomery, D. . , Zu oski, C. F. , Transplantation (1985), 40, 49-56) and a more potent inhibition of binding of prolactin to human lymphocytes than other didemnin compounds (Montgomery, D. . et al, Fed. Prac, (1987), 44, 634). This invention provides a novel and more active compound of this class, namely dehydrodidemnin B (DBB), unexpectedly isolated from the Mediterranean tunicate Alpidium albicanε, of the formula where R=H: and its possible derivatives with the same class of biological activity, where R could be Acyl, Alkyl or Aryl. This compound is characterised by the following properties, considering also that, in solution, two confor ers at least are possible: TLC R f = 0,4; 0.35 (Silica gel, 2:3, CH 2 C1 2 / ETOAc); 0,5; 0.44 (Silica gel; 9: 1, CHCl 3 /MeOH). RP-HPLC t R = 10,7; 11.9 min (Spherisorb C lg column, 250 mm x 10 mm, 10μm particle size, 9.1, MeOH/H 2 0; 2mL/min). fo]D25 * = -86' (εl, MeOH) HR FABMS (M + H) C^HggN.^.. m/z calσd. 1110.6366); (M-side chain + H) C 42 H 66 N 5°11 m/z calcd. 816.4781 (found 816.4755); (M side chain): C 15 H 23 N 2°4 m/Z calcd - 295 - 1657 (f oun d 2951657 ) . IR (CHC1 3 ) V max cm-1: 3680, 3600. 2970, 2940, 2880, 1740, 1650, 1605, 1540, 1510. 1 H NMR (CDC1 3 , δ,ppm) 7.82 (d, J = 9 Hz, IH); 7.79 (d, J=9 Hz, IH); 7.62 (d, J = 6 Hz, IH); 7.21 (d, J=9 Hz, IH); 7.19 (d, J = 9 Hz, IH); 7.08 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H); 6.85 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H); 3.77 (s,3H); 3.13 (s, 3H); 3.08 (S,3H); 2.54 (s,3H); 2.50 (s,3H); 2.1 (s, 3H); 2.02 (s, 3H); 0.82-0.88 (overlapped d and t y 30H). 13 C NMR (CDC1 3 , 8,ppm): 204.93 (s); 204.77 (s) 201.23 (s); 197.55 (s); 173.05 (s); 172.36 (s); 171 84 (s); 171.21 (s); 171.16 (s); 170.59 (s); 169.58 (ε) 169.51 (S); 169.35 (s); 168.36 (s); 168.28 (s); 161 31 (S); 161.06 (s); 158.64 (s); 158.62 (s), 130.31 (d) 114.12 (d); 114.01 (d); 81.47 (d), 81.43 (d); 70.68 (d) 70.33 (d) (d) 60.39 (t) (d) 57.18 (d) (q) 54.65 (d) (t) 46.98 (t) ( q ) 38.68 (q) (d) 33.96 (t) ( q ) 30.69 (d) (t) 27.30 (t) (t) 25.73 (d) (d) 24.80 (q) (q) 22.12 (q) (q) 17.76 (q) (q) 15.62 (q) (q) The structure determination of DDB was accomplished by comparison of mass s ectrometry [low and high resolution FABMS (Rinehart, Jr, . K. L. et al. Pure and Appl. Chem. (1982), 54, 2409-2424)] and NMR data with other didemnin data, and confirmed by synthesis of DDB involving coupling of natural didemnin A with the appropriate side chain. The low resolution FAB mass spectra showed peaks at m/z 1110 (M + H), 816 (M + 2H - side chain) and 295 (side chain). The lack of two mass units in the molecular ion and side chain peaks, in addition to the same m/z ration for the ring, suggested that the difference between dehydrodidemnin B and didemnin B was represented by one more degree of unsaturation in the side chain. The molecular formula deduced from high resolution FABMS was C 57 H 8g _0 15 (M + H, 2.8 mmu); and for the fragment ions corresponding to the ring and the side chain; C4,.2H6,6,N5 c 0,1.1 (. 0.4 mmu) and C 15 H 23 N 2°4 ^ ~' 6 mmu )' respectively. Tandem mass spectrometry on these peaks showed the typical cleavage pattern of didemnins. From the NMR data, the presence of peptide linkages was indicated by peaks near 8 8 ppm and the methyl signals corresponding to the amino acid residues. Even though some of these peaks are doubled or tripled due to the presence of, at least, two main σonformerε in solution at room temperature , these peaks are very similar to those of didemnins. The main difference observed between DDB and didemnin B is the methyl singlet peak at 2.04 ppm which could be assigned to a methyl ketone and the absence of the signal corresponding to the α-proton of the hydroxyl group in the lactyl moiety at 4.3 ppm. The compound of this invention has been shown to inhibit in vitro L1210 and P-388 mouse leukemia cells; L-929, mouse areolar and adispose tissue, B-16, mouse melonoma cells; A-549, human lung carcinoma cells; HeLa, human cervix epitheloid carcinoma cells and KB, human oral epidermoid carcinoma cells, and in vivo. P-338, mouse leukemia cells, Lewis lung carcinoma cells and B-16 melanoma cells. Thus, DDB is useful as an antitumour agent and therefore is useful inhibiting the growth of tumour cells in mammals exhibiting such tumour cells. The following table summarises the IC 5Q values for each line cells in vitro The following table shows the % T/C in vivo after administration of DDB: Table 2 Dehydrodidemnin B in vivo Activity Compound Control DDB DDB Dose (μ/kg/inj) 160 80 Schedule and QD 1-9, IP QD 1-9, IP QD 1-9, IP Route P-388, Median 10.0 21.0 19.5 Survival Time, Days P P--338888 %% TT//CC a 100 210 195 Levis Lung, Mean 1512 0 189 Tumour Volume mm L Leevviiss Lung 1.00 0.00 0.13 b % T/C B-16 Melanoma, 17.0 >27.0 >27.0 Median Survival Time, Days B-16 Melanoma, 100 >158 >158 % T/C a a. Significant activity T/C > 125. b. Significant activity > 0.40 Dehydrodemnin B, like didemnin B, (Montgomery, D. . , Zukoski, C. F. , Transplantation (1985), 40, 49-56), is a powerful immunomodulator. Dehydrodidemnin B has also shown activity against Herpes simplex virus, type 1, in CV-1 cells (monkey kidney cells); thus it is also useful as an antiviral agent. The IC,.. determined was 60 ng/mL (e. g 10 fold greater than for L-1210 cells) and 1 μg/mL, respectively. The compound of present invention is preferably presented for administration to humans and animals in unit dosage forms in pharmaceutically appropriate carriers containing the active ingredient in the appropriate quantity. Illustratively, dosage levels of the administered active ingredient can be intravenous 0.05 to about 50 mg/Kg, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous and intramuscular 1 to 100 mg/Kg; oral 1 to 150 mg/Kg of animal (body) weight. The administration of DDb is useful to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in animals or humans bearing a neoplastic disease, for example, acute myelocytic leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, malignant melanoma, adenocarcinoma of the lung, small cell carcinoma of the lung, and the like. Such a compound can be isolated (Isolation Scheme) from tunicates of the Ascidiacea class Subphylum ϋrochordata as described in the following chart. Cha rt 1 1 . Polar Organic Solvent. 2. Evaporation. 3. Partially Miscible Organic Solvent Mixtures. 4. Salty Solution (10-40%) 5. Medium-Polar Chlorinated Organic Solvent. 6. Medium-Polar Org. Sol./ Water Liq-Liq Partition. 7. Partially Miscible Organic Solvent Partition. 8. Silica gel Step-gradient Chromatography. 9. Reversed -Phase HPLC I I SUBSTITUTE SHEET In particular, the compound can be isolated from tunicates of the genus Aplidiu , and more especially from the species Aplidium albicans. The species is found in the Iberian Mediterranean Coast as well as in the Balearic Islands. The species has been also found in Great Britain, English Channel as well as in the Africa Coast and Portugal. It seems to prefer detritic, coralligenic and sciafilae algae communitieε. They also can be found in more photophylic habitats. Colonies of the tunicate are generally flat and lobed (2.5 cm diameter). It is jelly like, totally encrusted with sand which confers a sandy colour to the colony. Zooides are of a whitish colour 10 mm long; the oral siphon has 6 lobes, and the cloacal languet is trifid, which is a species characteristic. Generally there are 10-11 rows of stigmas. The stomach has 6 marked folds. Gonads are of the family type with one or several ovocites below the digestive track and numerous testicular follicles forming one or double row in the post abdomen. Larvea are incubated in the number of 1 to 9 in the artrial cavity; they have 3 cupping-glasses and several vesicular formations in the anterior part. Thus in a typical procedure in accordance with the present invention, isolation method generally comprises alcoholic extraction of the homogenized tunicate and selective purification of the desired DDB. In the illustrative scheme shown in Chart 1, the tunicate was extracted with MeOH, filtered and dissolved in MeOH: Toluene 3: 1 and partitioned with 10% NaNo3. The aqueous layer was successively extracted with CH-Cl., EtOAc and n-BuOH. The organic fractions were combined after monitoring by normal-phase TLC developed CHC1 3 : MeOH 9:1, affording a 2: 1 (v/v) and SUBSTITUTESHEET the activity was concentrated in the methanolic layer. This polar fraction is passed through Silica gel Step-gradient Chromatography. The last fraction is further purified by reverse phase HPLC at a flow rate of 2ml/min. Two mean peaks were collected and readily interconverted to a mixture of I and II, to establish an approximately 1: 1 ratio. The DDB can also be prepared by total synthesis, or hemisynthesis from natural Didemnin A, following in both cases standard procedures of protection and activation in peptide chemistry. ' Pyruvic acid + L-Pro gives Side Chain Side Chain + Didemnin A gives Dihydrodidemnin B Thus for example, Pro-OBzl, in DMF is mixed with pyruvic acid and HOBt, and DCC in CH 2 C1 2 added. The reaction product can be purified and shows the chemical and physical properties corresponding to Pyruvyl-Pro-OBzl. To a solution of this last product in CH-Cl., EDC and then Didemnin A was added. The evaporated residue is purified yielding DDB having chemical, physical, εpectroscopical and biological characteristics in accord with natural Dehydrodidemnin B. Apart from DDB itself, the present invention extends to derivatives of DDB, comprising aσylated, alkylated or arylated derivatives of DDB, where R could be a group CCI?' or R' , where R' represents the following sustituents: CH 3 , , CH 2 R CH 2 R r CHR 1 R 2 R 3 or C 6 H 5 " where R,, R,, R 3 , could be alkyl (either linear or branched), aryl or alkylaryl, the aryl groups, bearing SUBSTITUTESHEET or not the substituents described under R' . The rreessiidduueess IR 1 , R_, R 3 could be either the same or different. In general, such derivatives from DDB of this kind, are expected to show similar biological activity to that of DDB itself, including specifically antitumoural, antiviral, σytotoxic and immunosuppressive activity. The derivatives can be more preferably alkyl, aryl or acyl-derivatives, where R' is an aliphatic or aromatic group, more preferably a 1-6 carbon atoms residue. The acyl derivatives can be obtained by treatment of the parent compound with the corresponding carboxylic anhydride in the presence of pyridine or other nitrogenated organic base; by reaction of DDB with the respective acylchloride; or by dehydration with DCC from DDB and the corresponding carboxylic acid. In the case of the alkyl or aryl derivatives, R=R' , they can be obtained by reaction of DDB with the corresponding halide, in the presence of an alkaline-organic weak base or by dehydration between DDB and alkyl or aryl hydroxiderivative by an organic dehydrating agent. Instrumentation, Material and Methods NMR spectra were obtained with a General Electric QE-300 (300 MHz, 1 J) a Nicolet NT-360 (360 MHz, 1 H ) or a General Electric GN 500 (500 MHz, H) at the University of Illinois or a Varian Unity 300 (300 MHz, H and 75 MHz, 13 c ) at Pharma Mar, S. A. (Madrid, Spain) Chemical shifts are reported in ppm referenced to the chloroform peak at δ 7.26 ppm for H. FABMS SUBSTITUTESHEET were measured on a VG Analytical ZAB at the Mass Speσtrometry Laboratory of the University of Illinois. GC analyses were carried out using a Varian GC (Model 3700) equipped with an Alltech Associates, Inc. , Chirasil-Val II capillary column (25 m x 0.32 mm) with Helium gas carrier at a flow rate of 1.2 ml/min with programmed oven temperature (90 * C, 4 * C/min, 180 * C). Reversed-phaεe HPLC was performed on a syεte equipped with an Altex pump (Model 110 A) and a Waters Associates differential refractometer (Model R-401) and an Alltech Spherisorb C18 column (25 cm x 1 cm, particle size 10 μm) with MeOH: H 2 0 9 ' : 1 as the solvent system. The following examples illustrate the invention. Example 1 1. Structure determination The structure of DDB has been determined by physical and spectroscopic methodε. 1.1 Spectroεcopic data TLC R f = 0.4; 0.35 (Silica gel, 2: 3, CH 2 Cl 2 /EtOAc); 0,5; 0.44 (Silica gel; 9: 1, CHCl 3 /MeOH). RP-HPLC t R = 10,7; 11.9 min (Spherisorb C.- column, 250 mm x 10 mm, 10 μm particle size, 9: 1, MeOH/H 2 0; 2mL/min). [ ]D25 = - 86 * (εl, MeOH) HR FA-BMS (M + H) C 57 H 88 N 7 0 15 m/z calcd. 1110.6382 (found 1110.6366); (M-side chain + H): C4,._.Hb,o,N c 30,1.1 m/z calcd. 816.4781 (found 816.4755): (M - side chain): C. c H-.,N-,0 y! m/z calcd. 295.1657 (found 295.1657). IR (CHC1 3 ) V max cm "1 : 3680, 3600, 2970, 2940, 2880, 1740, 1650, 1605, 1540, 1510. 1 H NMR (CDC1 3 , δ,ppm): 7.82 (d, J=9 Hz, IH); 7.79 (d, J=9 Hz, IH); 7.62 (d, J=δ ' Hz, IH); 7.21 (d, J=9 Hz, IH); 7.19 (d, J=9 Hz, IH); 7.08 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H); 6.85 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H); 3.77 (s, 3H); 3.13 (s, 3H); 3.08 (s, 3H); 2.54 (ε, 3H); 2.52 (ε, 3H); 2.50 (s, 3H); 2.1 (s, 3H); 2.02 (s, 3H); 0,82-0.88 (overlapped d and t, 30H). 13 C NMR (CDC1,, δ.ppm): 204.93 (s); 204.77 (s) 201.23(B); 197.55 (s); 173.05 (s); 172.36 (s); 171 16 (s); 170.59 (s); 169.58 (s); 169.35 (s); 168.36 (ε) 168.28 (s); 161:31 (s); 161.06 (s); 158.64 (s); 158 62 (s); 130.31 (d); 114.12 (d); 114.10 (d); 81.47 (d) 81.43 (d); 70.68 (d); 70.33 (d) 67.97 (d); 67.76 (d) 66.38 (d); 66.22 (d); 60.39 (t) 50.88 (d); 57.80 (d) 57.45 (d); 57.26 (d); 57.18 (d) 57.12 (d); 55.61 (d) 55.57 (d); 55.26 (q); 54.65 (d) 49.55 (d); 49.49 (d) 48.85 (t); 48.41 (t); 46.98 (t) 41.29 (t); 41.24 (t) 38.78 (q); 38.74 (q); 38.68 (q); 36.42 (t); 36.22 (t 34.06 (d) 33.99 (t) 31.57 (d) 31.38 (q) 31.34 ( q 31.30 (q) 30.69 (d) 29.68 (t) 29.64 (d) 27.98 (t 27.94 (t) 27.30 (t) 27.17 (t) 27.08 (t) 25.91 (t 25.87 (t) 25.87 (t) 25.73 (d) 25.68 (d) 25.63 (d 25.52 (d) 25.48 (d) 24.80 (q) 24.70 (q) 24.44 (q 24.44 (q) 24.31 (q) 22.21 (q) 22.12 (q) 21.92 ( q 21.79 (q) 21.76 (q) 19.46 (q) 17.76 (q) 17.72 ( q 17.18 (q) 16.87 (q) 16.08 (q) 15.62 (q) 15.48 ( q 15.05 (q) 12.55 (q) 12.50 (q). 1.2 Acetylation of DDB The structure of dehydrodidemnin B can be confirmed also by comparison of the aσetylation product with the acetyl derivative of didemnin B. SUBSTITUTESHEET Acetylation of DDB with acetic anhydride and pyridine gave a monoacetylderivative. Low resolution mass spectrum showed peaks at ml z 1153.5 (M + H), 859.0 (M + 2H - side chain) and 295.4 (side chain), indicating the loss of one of the two possible sites of acetylation with respect to didemnin B, and that the missing site is the hydroxyl group of the lactyl moiety in the side chain. 1.3 N-Trifluoroacetyl methyl esters of amino acid Residues The structure of DDB can also be determined by identification of the individual subunits by total hydrolysis and conversion of the amino acids to " their N-trifluoroaσetyl methyl esters and analysis by GC. The amino aσids were identified by their retention times and σomparison of authentic samples obtained from the conversion of didemnin B to the N-trifluoroacetyl methyl esters of the amino acids. t D (min): L-Threonine (1.23); D-N-Me-Leucine (1.70); L-Leucine (2.05); L-Proline (2.38); (3S, 4R, 5S)- Isoεtatine (3.15, 4.13, 4.77); L-N, 0-Me 2 -Tyrosine (6.75). A mixture of DDB and glass-distilled HC1 was heated during 18 hours at 110 * C in a sealed Teflon-lined screw-σapped ial. The solvent was removed under a steam of N ? gas. The hydrolysate was treated with MeOH/Acetyl chloride during 1 hour at IIO'C. The solution was cooled to room temperature, the solvent was removed under a stream of N 2 gas. The solid was treated with SUBSTITUTESHEET a mixture of TFAA/TFA during 15 min at llO'C. The solution was cooled and the solvent evaporated. The residue was dissolved in 2-propanol for GC analysis Example 2 Biological Aσtivity Assays 2.1 Assay against L-1210 cells (Ascetic fluid from DBA/2 mouse) L-121- cells were seeded into 16 mm wells at 1 x 4 10 cells per well in 1 mL aliquots of MEN IOC containing the indiσated σoncentrations of drug. All determination were carried out in triplicate. Cells were counted after three drugs was counted daily to ensure that the cells remained in exponential growth over the period of observation. Growth Inhibition of L-1210 cells b DDB 2.2 Assay against P-388 cells (lymphoid neoplasma from DBA/2 mouse) SUBSTITUTESHEET P-388 cells were seeded into 16 mm wells at 1 x 4 10 cells per well in 1 mL aliquots of MEM IOC containing the indicated concentrations of drug. All determination were carried out in triplicate. Cells were counted after three days of incubation. A separate set of cultures without drug was counted daily to ensure that the cells remained in exponential growth over the period of observation. Growth Inhibition of P-388 cells b DDB 2.3 Assay against L-929 cells (mouse areolar and adipose tissue). L-929 cells were seeded into 16 mm wells at 1 x 4 10 cells per well in 1 mL aliquots of MEM IOC. The following day, medium was replaced with 0.5 mL aliquots of MEM IOC. The following day, medium was replaced with 0.5 mL aliquots of MEM 10C containing the indicated concentrations of drug. All determination were carried out in triplicate. A separate set cf cultures without drug was counted daily to ensure that the cells remained in exponential growth over the period of observation. Cells were trypsinised and counted 4 days after seeding. Growth Inhibition of P-929 cells by DDB ng/mL DDB net increase in cell % Inhibition number 0 3.17 x 10 " 0 1 2.31 x 10 ! 27 2.5 1.13 x 10 ! 64 5 5 x 10' 84 10 3.45 x lθ' 89 2.4 Assay against B-16 cells (mouse melanoma). 4 B-16 cells were seeded into 16mm wells at 1 x 10 cells per well in 1 mL aliquots of MEM IOC containing the indicated concentrations of drug. All determination were carried out in tripliσate. A separate set of cultures without drug was σounted daily to ensure that the σells remained in exponential growth over the period for observation. Cells were trypsinised and σounted 4 days after seeding. Growth Inhibition of B-16 σells by DDB ng/mL DDB net inσrease in σell % Inhibition number 0 0 25 52 74 83 SUBSTITUTESHEET 2.5 Assay against A-549 σells (human lung carσino a), A-549 σells were seeded into 16 mm wells at 1 x 4 10 σells per well in 1 mL aliquots of MEM IOC. The following day, medium was replaσed with 0.5 mL aliquots of MEM IOC σontaining the indiσted σonσentrations of drug. All determination were σarried out in tripliσate. A separate set of σultures without drug was counted daily to ensure that the cells remained in exponential growth over the period of observation. Cells were trypsinised and counted 4 days after seeding. Growth Inhibition of A-549 σells b DDB 2.6 Assay against HeLa cells (human cervix epitheloid σarσinoma). HeLa σellε were seeded into 16 mm wells at 1 x 10 σells per well in 1 mL aliquots of MEM IOC. The following day, medium was replaσed with 0.5 L aliquots of MEM 10C containing the indiσted σonσentrations of drug. All determination were σarried out in triplicate. A separate set of σultures without drug was counted daily to ensure that the cells remained in exponential growth over the period of observation. Cells were trypsinised and counted 4 days after seeding. Growth Inhibition of HeLa σells by DDB ng/mL DDB net inσrease in σell % Inhibition number 0 6.25 x 10 0 0.50 3.01 x lθ 52 1.0 1.90 x lθ' 70 2.7 Aεsay against KB σells (human oral epidermoid σarσinoma). 4 KB σells were seeded into 16 mm wells at 1 x 10 cells per well in 1 Ml aliquots of MEM IOC. The following day, medium was replaced with 0.5 ML aliquots of MEM 10C containing the indiσted σonσentrations of drug. All determination were σarried out in tripliσate. A separate set of σultures without drug was σounted daily to ensure that the σells remained in exponential growth over the period of observation. Cells were trypsinised and σounted 4 days after seeding. Growth Inhibition of KB σells by DDB ng/mL DDB net inσrease in σell % Inhibition number 0 4.50 x 10 0 2.5 4.57 x lθ' 0 5 2.40 x lθ' 46 10 1.02 x lθ' 77 SUBSTITUTESHEET 2.8 Asεay against HSV-1 (Herpes simplex virus type-1) 16 mm diameter wells were seeded each with 2 x 10 CV-1 cells in 1 mL aliquots of MEM IOC. Four days after, σells were infeσtd with HSV-1 at IOC PFU per well. After adsorption for 1.5 hours, the inoσulum was replaσed in pairs of wells with 0.5 mL aliquots of MEM 5C σontaining the indiσated σonσentrations of drug. Cells from two wells without drug were sσraped into the medium and frozen 4 hours after infeσtion to provide a baseline for σalσulating net virus produσtion. The average of these samples was 2.5 x 10 + 1.2 x 10 PFU per mL. The remaining samples were σollected 24 hours after infection. Inhibition of HSV-1 re lication b DDB 2.9 I munosuppressive Activity Dehydrodidemnin B is active as an inmunosuppressive agent. In the mixed lymphocyte reaction it suppresses the inmune reaction of murine σells. It also inhibits the growth of murine T-σells and B-σells. SUBSTITUTESHEET Example 3 Extraσtion and Isolation A white solitary tunicate was colleσted near Ibiza in the Baleariσ Islands (Spain) and was identified by Dr Xaver Turon of the Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona (Spain) as Aplidium albicans. A sample is preserved at Centre d' Etudes Avancats, Blanes (Gerona, Spain). Preliminary tests on shipboard inidσated antiviral aσtivity against VSV-1 (Vesicular stomatitis virus). Further studies in the laboratory confirmed the antiviral aσtivity against Herpes simplex virus, type 1 (HSV-1) in monkey kidney cells (CV-1) and also showed σytotoxiσity against mouse lymphoid leukemia in vitro (L1210 line σells). The frozen tuniσate was extraσted with methanol. Solvent partitioning of the residue afforded three aσtive fractions whiσh were σombined aσσording to their similarity in TLC (Thin Layer Chromatography). The σrude aσtive fraσtion was partioned and the aσtivity σonσentrated in the methanoliσ layer. The methanol layer was σhromatographed by silica gel gravity column (chloroform and chloroform-methanol mixtures), affording one aσtive fraσtion whiσh was further purified by Reversed-Phas High-Performanσe Liquid Chromatography (RPC, 1υ_HPLC), affording two peaks (I and II). Analysis by TLC revealed two identiσal spots in each HPLC fraction. Re-injection of each individual fraction led to two peaks with the same retention times as I and II. Co-injection of I and II σonfirmed the presenσe of two identiσal peaks (possible σonformers) in eaσh fraction suggesting a rapid interconversion of I to II and viceversa. SUBSTITUTESHEET SUBSTITUTE SHEE Example 4 Hemisynthesis of DDB from Didemnin A Dehydrodidemnin B σan also be obtained and it structure σofirmed by σomparison with a semisynthetic sample prepared byu coupling of the appropriate side chain to natural didemnin A. The data obtained for the semisynthetic sample totally agreed with data for natural DDB. 4.1 Synthesis of Pyruvyl-Pro-OBzl The hydrochloride salt of Pro-OBzl (10.2 g, 42 mmol) was dissolved in dry DMF (30 ml), neutralized with NMM (N-methylmorpholine, 4.7 mL, 42 mmol) at O'C, and the solution was mixed with pyruviσ aσid (8.8 g, 100 mmol) and HOBt (1-hydroxybenzotriazole, 16.8 g, 110 mmol) in CH 2 C1 2 -DMF (80 mL, 8:1). DCC (dicyσlohexylσarbodii ide, 22.6 g, 110 mmol) in CH 2 C1 2 (35 mL) was added to the above mixture at O'C with stirring. The reaσtion mixture was stirred for 2 hours at O'C and left overnight at room temperature. DCC1 was filtered off and washed with CH 2 C1 2 (20 mL). The filtrate was evaporated to dryness, the residue taken up in EtOAσ and washed suσσessively with 5% σitriσ aσid, water, 5% NaHCO, and finally with water to neutral pH. The organic layer was dried (Na 2 SO.) and concentrated. The residue was chromatographed on Si0 2 with hexane-EtOAc (2: 1) to give the title compound (llg, 95%). [α]^ 5 =-78.57 (ε 0.14, CHCl j ) R f =0.63 (19: 1, CHCl 3 /MeOH) A Annaall.. CCaallccdd.. ffoorr C C . 1g5 H H - 18 .N N O0 4 . (M + H): 276.1235 Found: 276.1235 (M + H, HRFABMS) SUBSTITUTESHEET 4.2 Synthesiε of Pyruvyl-Proline The protected dipeptide from the previous synthesis (11.0 g, 40 mmol) was dissolved in EtOAc (75 mL) and stirred under hydrogen over Pd/C for 2 h. The catalyst was then filtered off and the filtrate was evaporated to drynesε. The residue was crystallized from EtoAc-hexane to give the unproteσted peptide (6.9 g, 93%): [α] 5 =-103.99 (ε 0.12, CHC1 3 ) R f =0.41 (19: 1: 0.5, CHCl 3 /MeOH/AσOH Anal. Calσd. for C g H 12 N0 4 (M + H): 186/0766 Found: 186.0765 (M + H, HRFABMS) 4.3 Synthesis of Dehydrodidemnin B EDC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)σarbodiimide, 4.27 g, 22.3 mmol) was added to a solution of Pyruv-Pro (8.2 g, 44.5 mmol) in dry CH 2 C1 2 (40 mL) at 10'C with stirring. The mixture was stirred for 2 h at 10'C and then σooled to O'C. didemnin A (1.4 g, 1.48 mmol) in CH 2 C1 2 - DMF (10 mL, 4: 1) was added, and the clear solution was stirred at O'C for 2 h and then left in the refrigerator overnight. DMAP (4-(dimethylamino)pyridine, 25 mg) was added to the reaσtion mixture, and it was again left in the refrigerator for 48 h. The solvent was evaporated to dryness, and the residue was taken up in EtOAσ and washed with 5% NaHC0 3 and water to neutral pH. The organiσ layer was dried (Na 2 SO.) and σonσentrated. The residue so obtained was σhromatographed on siliσa gel using CHCl 3 ~MeOH (19: 1) to give dehydrodidemnin B (1.4 g, 84%, 2 spots on TLC): S B TIWTC^H&fr [α]^ 5 =-95.384 (ε 0.06, MeOH) R f =0.51 and 0.44 (19: 1, CHCl 3 /MeOH) Anal. Calcd. for C 57 H gg N 7 0 15 (M + H): 1110.6338 Found: 1110.6355 (M + H, HRFABMS) The same series of reaction can be caried out with slight modifications, in particular EDC can be replaced by DDC with slightly lower yield. SUBSTITUTESHEET

Claims: CLAI MS Dehydrodidemnin B of the formula: 2. A dehydrodidemnin B derivative which is an acyl, alkyl or aryl derivative of dehydrodidemnin B. 3. A pharmaceutiσal σomposition whiσh σomprises dehydrodidemnin B or an aσtive derivative thereof, together with a pharmaceutiσally aσσeptable carrier. 4. A process for preparation of dehydrodidemnin B, which σomprises σoupling of pyruvyl-proline to didemnin A. 5. A method for isolation of dehydrodidemnin B whiσh σomprises extraσtion from a dehydrodidemnin B-σontaining tuniσate.

Inventors: LITHGOW-BERTELLONI ANNA M, RINEHART KENNETH L, LITHGOW-BERTELLONI, ANNA, M., RINEHART, KENNETH, L.
Applicants: PHARMA MAR SA, RUFFLES GRAHAM KEITH, PHARMA MAR S.A., RUFFLES, GRAHAM, KEITH
Application year: 1990
Main classification: C07K11
IPC codes: A61K31, A61K35, A61K38, A61P31, A61P35, C07K1, C07K5, C07K11