NOVEL DOLASTATIN DERIVATIVES, THEIR PREPARATION AND USE

Abstract: Novel dolasstatin derivatives of the formula (I): R<1>R<2>N-CHX-CO-A-B-D-E-(F)tK, in which R<1>, R<2>, A, B, D, E, F, K, X and t have the meanings stated in the description, and the preparation thereof are described. The novel substances have an antineoplastic effect.

Description: NOVEL DOLASTATIN DERIVATIVES, THEIR PREPARATION AND USE Description It is known that peptides isolated from marine origin like Dolastatin-10 (US 4,816,444) and Dolastatin-15 (EP-A- 398558) show potent cell growth inhibitory activity (cf.: Biochem. Pharmacology 40, no. 8, 1859-64, 1990); J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 85, 483-88, 1993 and references cited therein) . Based upon interesting results in experimental tumor systems in vivo, further preclinical evaluation of these natural products is currently under way in order to initiate clinical studies in cancer patients. However, the natural products have disadvantages, such as poor solubility in aqueous solvents and costly building blocks needed for synthesis. The invention described herein provides novel peptides and derivatives thereof which offer improved therapeutic potential for the treatment of neoplastic diseases as compared to Dolastatin-15. Furthermore, the compounds of this invention may be conveniently synthesized as described in detail below. Compounds of this invention include novel peptides of the formula I Rl 2N-CHX-CO-A-B-D-E-(F) t -K I where Ri is methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl; R2 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; R1-N-R2 together may be a pyrrollidine ring; A is a valyl, isoleucyl, leucyl, 2-tert- butylglycyl, 2- ethylglycyl, norleucyl or norvalyl residue; B is a N-methyl-valyl, -leucyl, -isoleucyl, -norvalyl, -norleucyl -2-tert-butylglycyl, -3-tert-butylalanyl, or -2-ethylglycyl residue; D is a prolyl, 3,4-dehydroprolyl, 4-fluoroprolyl, 4,4-difluoroprolyl, azetidine-2-carbonyl, homoprolyl, 3-methylprolyl, 4-methylprolyl, 5-methylprolyl, or thiazolidine-4-carbonyl residue; E is a 3,4-dehydroprolyl, 4-fluoroprolyl, 3- methylprolyl, 4-methylprolyl, azetidine-2- carbonyl, or 4,4-difluoroprolyl residue; F is a valyl, 2-tert-butylglycyl, isoleucyl, leucyl, 2-cyclohexylglycyl, norleucyl, norvalyl, neopentylglycyl, alanyl, β-alanyl, or aminoisobutyroyl residue; X is alkyl (preferably C 2 - 5 ), cyclopropyl, or cyclopentyl; t is 0 or 1; and K is alkoxy (preferably Cι- 4 ), benzyloxy or a substituted or unsubstituted amino moiety; and the salts thereof with physiologically tolerated acids. This invention also provides methods for preparing the compounds of formula I, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and methods for using same for treating cancer in mammals. Specifically, K may be Cι- alkoxy, benzyloxy or an amino moiety of the formula R5-N-R6 wherein R5 is hydrogen, or hydroxy, or Cι- alkoxy, or benzyloxy (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 - lkyl- sulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cι- 4 -alkyl, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or C00NH 2 ), or phenyloxy (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, C ! - -alkyl, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ) ; R6 is hydrogen, or Cι-ι 2 -alkyl (which may be substituted by one or more fluoro atoms), or -C(CH 3 ) 2 CN, or -C(CH 3 ) 2 CCH, or -C(CH 3 ) 2 C-=CH 2 , or -C(CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 OH, or -C(CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 CH 2 OH, or - (CH 2 ) v -C 3 . 7 -cycloalkyl (v=0,l,or 2) (which may be substituted by a methyl group), or norephedryl, or norpseudo-ephedryl, or quinolyl, or pyrazyl, or adamantyl, or -CH 2 -benzimidazolyl, or -CH 2 -adamantyl, or alpha- methyl-benzyl, or alpha-dimethylbenzyl, or -(CH 2 ) v "Phenyl (v=0,l,2,or 3; which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cα- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or ~(CH 2 )πrnaphthyl (m=0 or 1; which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cι- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or - (CH 2 ) w "benzhydryl (w=0,l, or 2; which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cι- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or biphenyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, C j .- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- -alkoxy, halogen, C-ι . - 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or pyridyl (which may be substituted by up to two substitutents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, C ! - 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or picolyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, C 1 - 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cι- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or -CH 2 -CH 2 -pyridyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cι- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or benzothiazolyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, C 1 - -alkoxy, halogen, Cχ- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or benzoisothiazolyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cχ- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or benzopyrazolyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 7 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, C 1 - 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 / COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or benzoxazolyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cj.- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 / COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or • (CH 2 ) m -fluorenyl (m=0 or 1; which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3/ nitro, Ci- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cj.- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cι- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or pyrimidyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Ci- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- -alkoxy, halogen, Cj.- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 / COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or " (CH 2 ) m -indanyl (m=0 or 1; which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3/ nitro, C-ι . - 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Ci- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, C 1 - 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, N(CH 3 ) 2 , COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or -(CH 2 CH 2 0) y -CH 3 (y=0,l,2,3,4, or 5), or -(CH 2 CH 2 0) y -CH 2 CH 3 (y=0,l,2,3,4, or 5), or -NH-CβHs (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cι- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or -NCH 3 -C 6 H 5 (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, C- L - 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cι- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or -NH-CH 2 -C 6 H 5 (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Ci- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or -NCH 3 -CH 2 -C 6 H 5 (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, Cι- 4 -alkoxy, halogen, Cχ- 4 -alkyl which may form a cyclic system, cyano, hydroxy, COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, or COONH 2 ), or 5-membered heteroaryl which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be CF 3 , nitro, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, C 1 - 4 -alkoxy, thiomethyl, thioethyl, picolyl, acetyl, C 3 - 6 ~cycloalkyl, thiophenyl, -CH 2 -COOEt, C 3 . 4 -alkylen group forming a bicyclic system with the heterocycle, phenyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be nitro, CF 3 , CN, halogen, or Cι- 4 -alkyl) , benzyl (which may be substituted by up to two substituents which may independently be nitro, CF 3 , halogen, Cι- 4 -alkyl, Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl, cyano, hydroxy, Cι- 4 -dialkylamino), or -CHR7-5-membered heteroaryl (which may be substituted by up to two subsituents which may indenpendently be CF 3 , nitro, cyano, halogen, COOMe, COOEt, COOiPr, C0NH 2 , C 1 - 4 -alkyl, C 1 - 4 -alkoxy, phenyl, benzyl, naphthyl, or Cι- 4 -alkylsulfonyl [R? = hydrogen, linear or branched C- J .- 5 alkyl, benzyl]). -CHR 7 -5-membered heteroaryl may for example be represented by one of the folloging residues: 5-membered heteroaryl may for example be represented by the following residues: R5-N- 6 together may also form structures selected from the group consisting of Preferred are compounds of the formula I where the substituents Ri, R 2 , A, B, D, E, X, F and t have the following meanings Ri is methyl or ethyl; R2 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; is a valyl, isoleucyl, 2-tert- butylglycyl residue; B is a N-meth l-valyl, -isoleucyl, or -2-tert-butylglycyl residue; D is a prolyl, 3,4-dehydroprolyl, 4-fluoroprolyl, 3-methylprolyl or thiazolidine-4-carbonyl residue; E is a 3,4-dehydroprolyl, 4-fluoroprolyl, 3- methylprolyl, or azetidine-2-carbonyl residue; F is a D-valyl, 2-tert-butylglycyl, D-isoleucyl, D-leucyl, or aminoisobutyroyl residue; X is -CH(CH 3 ) 2 , -C(CH 3 ) 3 , or -CH(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 3 ; t is 0 or 1; Preferred meanings for K are: -0C(CH 3 ) 3 , -NH 2 , -NH-Cχ- 12 -alkyl, -NH-C 3 . 8 -cycloalkyl, -NH- [3,3,0] -bicyclooctyl, norephedryl, norpseudoephedryl, -NH-quinolyl, -NH-pyrazyl, -NH-CH -benzimidazolyl, -NH-adamantyl, -NH-CH 2 -adamantyl, -NH-CH(CH 3 )-phenyl, -NH-C(CH 3 ) 2 -phenyl, -N(C 1 . 4 -alkoxy)C 1 - 4 -alkyl, -N(Cι- 4 -alkoxy) -CH 2 -phenyl, - (Ci- 4 -alkoxy)-phenyl, -N(CH 3 )OBzl, -NH-(CH 2 ) v -Phenyl (v=0,l,2,or 3), -NH-(CH 2 ) m - naphthyl (m=0 or 1), -NH- (CH 2 ) w -benzhydryl (w=0,l, or 2), -NH-biphenyl, -NH-pyridyl, -NH-CH 2 -pyridyl, -NH-CH 2 -CH - pyridyl, -NH-benzothiazolyl, -NH-benzoisothiazolyl, -NH-benzopyrazolyl, -NH-benzoxazolyl, -NH-(CH 2 ) m -fluorenyl (m=0 or 1), -NH-pyri idyl, -NH- (CH 2 ) m -indanyl (m=0 or 1), -NH-(CH 2 CH 2 0) y -CH 3 (y=0,1,2, 3, 4, or 5), -NH- (CH 2 CH 2 0) y -CH 2 CH 3 (y=0,l,2,3,4, or 5), -NH-(5-membered heteroaryl) (as shown on pages 7-9), -NH-CHR?-5-membered heteroaryl [R? = hydrogen, linear or branched C-L-5 alkyl, benzyl] (as shown on page 6); or K is More preferred K is: -NHCH 3 , -NHCH 2 CH 3 , -NH(CH 2 ) 2 CH 3 , -NH(CH 2 ) 3 CH 3/ -NH(CH 2 ) CH 3 , -NH(CH 2 ) 5 CH 3 , -NH(CH 2 ) 6 CH 3 , "NH(CH 2 ) 7 CH 3 , -NHCH(CH 3 ) 2 , -NHCH(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 3 , -NHCH(CH 3 )CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 , -NHCH(CH 2 CH 3 ) 2 , -NH(CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 ) 2 , -NHC(CH 3 ) 3 / -NHCH(CH 2 CH3)CH2CH 2 CH 3 , -NHCH(CH 3 )CH(CH 3 ) 2 , -NHCH(CH 2 CH 3 )CH(CH 3 ) 2 , -NHCH(CH 3 )C(CH 3 ) 3 , -NH-cyclopropyl, -NH-cyclobutyl, -NH-cyclopentyl, -NH-cyclohexyl, -NH-cycloheptyl, -NH-cyclooctyl, -NH-bicyclo[3,3,0]octyl, -N(CH 3 )OCH 3 , -N(CH 3 )OCH 2 CH 3 -N(CH 3 )OCH CH 2 CH 3 , -N(CH 3 )OCH(CH 3 ) 2 , -N(CH 2 CH 3 )OCH 3 , -N(CH 2 CH 3 )OCH 2 CH 3 -N(CH(CH 3 ) 2 )OCH 3 , -N(CH 3 )OCH 2 C 6 H 5 , -N(OCH 3 )CH 2 -C 6 H 5 , ~N(CH 3 )OC 6 H 5 , -NH-CH 2 -C 6 H 5 , -NH(CH 2 ) 2 C 6 H 5/ -NH(CH 2 ) 3 C 6 H 5 , -NHCH(CH 3 )C 6 H 5 , -NHC(CH 3 ) 2 C 6 H 5 , -NHC(CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 CH 3 , -NHC(CH 3 )(CH 2 CH 3 ) 2 , -NHCH(CH 3 )CH(OH)C 6 H 5 , -NHCH 2 -cyclohexyl, -NH-CH 2 CF 3 , -NHCH(CH 2 F) 2 , -NHC(CH 3 ) 2 CH 2 CH 2 OH, -NH(CH 2 CH 2 0) 2 CH 2 CH 3 , -NHC(CH 3 ) 2 CH(CH 3 ) 2 , -NHC(CH 3 ) 2 CN, -NHC(CH 3 ) 2 CCH, -NHC(CH 3 ) 2 C=CH 2 , norephedryl, norpseudoephedryl, -NH-quinolyl, -NH-pyrazyl, -NH-adamantyl(1), -NH-adamantyl(2) , -NH-CH 2 -adamantyl, -NH-CH -naphthyl, -NH-benzhydryl, -NH-biphenyl, -NH-pyridyl, -NH-picolyl, -NH-CH 2 -CH 2 -pyridyl, -NH-benzothiazolyl, -NH-benzoisothiazolyl, -NH-benzo- pyrazolyl, -NH-benzoxazolyl, -NH-fluorenyl, -NH-pyrimidyl, -NH-thiazolyl(2), -NH-isoxazolyl(3) , -NH-CH 2 -furanyl(2) , -NH-(3-methyl)isoxazolyl(5) , -NH-(3-methyl)isothiazolyl(5) , -NH-(2-trifluormethyl)-thiadiazolyl(5) , -OC(CH 3 ) 3 , -NH-CH 2 -(4-methyl)thiazolyl(2) , -NH-CH 2 -thienyl(2) , -NH-CH 2 -(5-methyl)thienyl(2) , -NH-(2-methyl) - thiadiazolyl(5) , -NH-(2-cyclopropyl)thiadiazolyl(5) , or K is These examples illustrate but do not limit the scope of the present invention. The peptides of the formula I are composed of L-amino acids but F may also be a D-amino acid. The new compounds may be present as salts with physiologically tolerated acids such as: hydrochloric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulfonic acid, acetic acid, formic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, malonic acid, sulfuric acid, L-glutamic acid, L-aspartic acid, pyruvic acid, mucic acid, benzoic acid, glucuronic acid, oxalic acid, ascorbic acid and acetylglycine. The novel compounds can be prepared by known methods of peptide chemistry. Thus, the peptides can be assembled sequentially from amino acids or by linking suitable small peptide fragments. In the sequential assemblage, starting at the C-terminus the peptide chain is extended stepwise by one amino acid each time. In fragment coupling it is possible to link together fragments of different lengths, and the fragments in turn can be obtained by sequential assemblage from amino acids or themselves by fragment coupling. Both in the sequential assemblage and in the fragment coupling it is necessary to link the units by forming an amide linkage. Enzymatic and chemical methods are suitable for this. Chemical methods for forming the amide linkage are described in detail by Mueller, Methoden der organischen Chemie Vol. XV/2, pp 1 to 364, Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1974; Stewart, Young, Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis, pp 31 to 34, 71 to 82, Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, 1984; Bodanszky, Klausner, Ondetti, Peptide Synthesis, pp 85 to 128, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1976 and other standard works on peptide chemistry. Particular preference is given to the azide method, the symmetric and mixed anhydride method, in situ generated or preformed active esters, the use of urethane protected N-carboxy anhydrides of amino acids and the formation of the amide linkage using coupling reagents/activators, especially dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC ), l-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-l,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) , 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDCI), n-propanephosphonic anhydride (PPA), N,N-bis(2-oxo-3-oxazolldinyl)-amidophosphoryl chloride (BOP-C1), bromo-tris-pyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate (PyBrop), diphenylphosphoryl azide (DPPA), Castro's reagent (BOP, PyBop), O-benzotriazolyl- N,N,N' ,N'-tetramethyluronium salts (HBTϋ), O- Azabenzotriazoly1-N , , ' ,N'-tetramethyluronium salts (HATU), diethylphosphoryl cyanide (DEPCN) , 2,5-diphenyl- 2,3-dihydro-3-oxo-4-hydroxythiophene dioxide (Steglich's reagent; HOTDO) and 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) . The coupling reagents can be employed alone or in combination with additives such as N,N-dimethyl-4-aminopyridine (DMAP), N-hydroxy-benzotriazole (HOBt), N-hydroxybenzotriazine (HOOBt), Azabenzotriazole (HOAt), N-hydroxysuccinimide (HOSu) or 2-hydroxypyridine. Whereas it is normally possible to dispense with protective groups in enzymatic peptide synthesis, reversible protection of reactive groups not involved in formation of the amide linkage is necessary for both reactants in chemical synthesis. Three conventional protective group techniques are preferred for the chemical peptide synthesis: the benzyloxycarbonyl (Z), the t-butox carbonyl (Boc) and the 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) techniques. Identified in each case is the protective group on the alpha-amino group of the chain-extending unit. A detailed review of amino-acid protective groups is given by Mueller, Methoden der organischen Chemie Vol. XV/1, pp 20 to 906, Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1974. The units employed for assembling the peptide chain can be reacted in solution, in suspension or by a method similar to that described by Merrifield in J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 85 (1963) 2149. Particularly preferred methods are those in which peptides are assembled sequentially or by fragment coupling using the Z, Boc or Fmoc protective group technique. One of the reactants in the said Merrifield technique is being bonded to an insoluble polymeric support (also called resin hereinafter) . This typically entails the peptide being assembled sequentially on the polymeric support using the Boc or Fmoc protective group technique, the growing peptide chain being covalently bonded at the C terminus to the insoluble resin particles (cf. Fig. 1 and 2). This procedure makes it possible to remove reagents and byproducts by filtration, and thus recrystallization of intermediates is unnecessary. The protected amino acids can be linked to any suitable polymers, which merely have to be insoluble in the solvents used and to have a stable physical form which makes filtration easy. The polymer must contain a functional group to which the first protected amino acid can be firmly attached by a covalent bond. Suitable for this purpose are a wide variety of polymers, eg. cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polymethacrylate, sulfonated polystyrene, chloromethylated styrene/divinylbenzene copolymer (Merrifield resin), 4-methylbenzhydrylamine resin (MBHA- resin), phenylacetamidomethyl-resin (Pam-resin), p- benzyloxy-benzyl-alcohol-resin, benzhydryl-amine-resin (BHA-resin), 4-(hydroxy ethyl)-benzoyloxy-methyl-resin, the resin of Breipohl et al. (Tetrahedron Letters 28 (1987) 565; supplied by BACHEM) , 4-(2,4-dimethoxyphenylamino- methyl)phenoxy-resin (supplied by Novabiochem) or o-chlorotrityl-resin (supplied by Biohellas) . Suitable for peptide synthesis in solution are all solvents which are inert under the reaction conditions, especially water, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetonitrile, dichloromethane (DCM), 1,4-dioxane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and mixtures of the said solvents. Peptide synthesis on the polymeric support can be carried out in all inert organic solvents in which the amino-acid derivatives used are soluble. However, preferred solvents additionally have resin-swelling properties, such as DMF, DCM, NMP, acetonitrile and DMSO, and mixtures of these solvents. After synthesis is complete, the peptide is cleaved off the polymeric support. The conditions under which cleavage off the various resin types is possible are disclosed in the literature. The cleavage reactions most commonly used are acid- and palladium-catalyzed, especially cleavage in liquid anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, in anhydrous trifluoromethanesulfonic acid, in dilute or concentrated trifiuoroacetic acid, palladium-catalyzed cleavage in THF or THF-DCM mixtures in the presence of a weak base such as morpholine or cleavage in acetic acid-dichloromethane- trifluoroethanol mixtures. Depending on the chosen protective groups, these may be retained or likewise cleaved off under the cleavage conditions. Partial deprotection of the peptide may also be worthwhile when certain derivatization reactions are to be carried out. Peptides dialkylated at the N-terminus can be prepared a) by coupling of the appropriate N,N-di-alkylamino acids in solution or on the polymeric support, b) by reductive alkylation of the resin-bound peptide in DMF/1% acetic acid with NaCNBH 3 and the appropriate aldehyde or ketone, c) by hydrogenation of the peptides in solution in the presence of aldehyde or ketone and Pd/C. The various non-naturally occurring amino acids disclosed herein may be obtained from commercial sources or synthesized from commercially-available materials using methods known in the art. Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid, 3-methyl-L-proline, 5-methyl-L-proline, and Boc- or Fmoc- protected 3,4-dehydroproline are commercially available starting materials (ACROS, NOVABIOCHEM, BACHEM) . Cis- and trans-4-fluoroproline can be prepared via a method described by Panasik et al. (N. Panasik, E.S. Eberhardt, A.S. Edison, D.R. Powell, R.T. Raines, Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 44, 1994, 262-269) from hydroxyproline. The compounds of this invention may be used to inhibit or otherwise treat solid tumors (e.g. tumors of the lung, breast, colon, prostate, bladder, rectum, or endometrial tumors) or hematological malignancies (e.g. leukemias, lymphomas) by administration of the compound to the mammal. It is a special advantage of the new compounds that they are more resistant to enzymatic degredation as compared to Dolastatin-15. Administration may be by any of the means which are conventional for pharmaceutical, preferably oncological, agents, including oral and parenteral means such as subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly and intraperitoneall . The compounds may be administered alone or in the form of pharmaceutical compositions containing a compound of formula I together with a pharmaceutically accepted carrier appropriate for the desired route of administration. Such pharmaceutical compositions may be combination products, i.e., may also contain other therapeutically active ingredients. The dosage to be administered to the mammal will contain an effective tumor-inhibiting amount of active ingredient which will depend upon conventional factors including the biological activity of the particular compound employed; the means of administration; the age, health and body weight of the recipient; the nature and extent of the symptoms; the frequency of treatment; the administration of other therapies; and the effect desired. A typical daily dose will be about 0.5 to 50 milligrams per kilogram of body weight on oral administration and about 0.05 to 20 on parenteral administration. The novel compounds can be administered in conventional solid or liquid pharmaceutical administration forms, e.g. uncoated or (film-)coated tablets, capsules, powders, granules, suppositories or solutions. These are produced in a conventional manner. The active substances can for this purpose be processed with conventional pharmaceutical aids such as tablet binders, fillers, preservatives, tablet disintegrants, flow regulators, plasticizers, wetting agents, dispersants, e ulsifiers, solvents, sustained re¬ lease compositions, antioxidants and/or propellant gases (cf. H. Sucker et al. : Pharmazeutische Technologie, Thieme- Verlag, Stuttgart, 1978). The administration forms obtained in this way normally contain 1-90% by weight of the active substance. The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention. The proteinogenous amino acids are abbreviated in the examples using the known three-letter code. Other abbreviations used: Me 2 Val=N,N-dimethylvaline, MeVal=N- methylvaline. A. General procedures 1. The peptides claimed in claim 1 are either synthesized by classical solution synthesis using standard Z- and Boc- methodology as described above or by standard methods of solid-phase synthesis using Boc and Fmoc protective group techniques. a) Synthetic cycle for the Fmoc protective group technique 1. DMF washing l x l min 2. 20% piperidine in DMF 1 x 4 min 3. 20% piperidine in DMF 1 x 16 min 4. DMF washing 5 x 1 min 5. Addition of the preactivated protected amino acid (activation by 1 equivalent of TBTU and 5 equivalents of DIPEA in DMF); Peptide coupling 6. DMF washing 7. if conversion is incomplete, repetition of coupling (back to 5.) 8. 10% acetic anhydride in DMF 9. DMF washing 10. back to 2. BOP-Cl and PyBrop were used as reagents for coupling of the amino acid following the N-methylamino acids. The reaction times were correspondingly increased including double couplings. In solution synthesis, the use of either Boc- protected amino acid NCA's (N-carboxy anhydrides), Z- protected amino acid NCA's (N-carboxy anhydrides), or the use of pivaloylchloride as condensing agent respectively is most advantageous for this type of coupling. II. Reductive alkylation of the N terminus The peptide-resin prepared as in Ala was deprotected at the N terminus (steps 2-4 in Ala) and then reacted with a 3- fold molar excess of aldehyde or ketone in DMF/1% acetic acid with addition of 3 equivalents of NaCNBH 3 . After reaction was complete (negative Kaiser test) the resin was washed several times with water, isopropanol, DMF and dichloromethane. Reductive alkylation in solution can e.g. be achieved by reaction of the N-terminally deprotected peptides, peptide fragments, or amino acids with the corresponding aldehydes or ketones using NaCNBH 3 or hydrogen-Pd/C. III. Work-up of the peptide-resins obtained as in lb and II The peptide-resin was dried under reduced pressure and then subjected to treatment with a TFA/water mixture (95:5) for 1,5 hours (Wade, Tregear, Howard Florey Fmoc Workshop Manual, Melbourne 1985). The resin was then filtered off and washed with TFA and DCM. The filtrate and the washings were concentrated, and the peptide was precipitated by addition of diethyl ether. After cooling in an ice bath, the precipitate was filtered off, taken up in 30% acetic acid and lyophilized. IV. When an o-chlorotrityl-resin (supplied by Biohellas) is used, the suspension of the peptide-resin in an acetic acid/trifluoroethanol/dichloromethane mixture (1:1:3) is stirred at room temperature for 1 h. The resin is then filtered off with suction and thoroughly washed with the cleavage solution. The combined filtrates are concentrated in vacuo and treated with ether. The precipitated solid is removed by filtration or centrifugation, washed with diethyl ether and dried under reduced pressure. V. Purification and characterization of the peptides Purification was carried out by gel chromatography (SEPHADEX G-10, G-15/10% HOAc, SEPHADEX LH20/MeOH) and/or medium pressure chromatography (stationary phase: HD-SIL C- 8, 20-45 mikron, 100 Angstrom; mobile phase: gradient with A = 0.1% TFA/water, B = 0.1% TFA/MeOH), or preparative HPLC (stationary phase: Waters Delta-Pak C-18, 15 mikron, 100 Angstrom; mobile phase: gradient with A = 0.1 % TFA/water, B = 0.1 % TFA/MeOH) . The purity of the resulting products was determined by analytical HPLC (stationary phase: 100 2.1 mm VYDAC C-18, 300 Angstrom; mobile phase: acetonitrile-water gradient, buffered with 0.1% TFA, 40°C) . Characterization was by fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy and NMR spectroscop . B. Specific procedures EXAMPLE 1 (SEQ ID NO: 1) Me 2 Val-Val-MeVal-Pro-L-Azetidinyl-2-carboxamide 0.53 g of Fmoc-RINK-resin (substitution 0.46 mmol/g) , corresponding to a batch size of 0.25 mmol, were reacted as in Ala with 0.4 mmol each of Fmoc-L-Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid Fmoc-Pro-OH Fmoc-MeVal-OH Fmoc-Val-OH Fmoc-Val-OH The amino acid following the N-methylamino acid was coupled on with PyBrop as coupling reagent with a double coupling. After the iterative synthetic cycles were completed, the peptide-resin underwent N-terminal deprotection (steps 2-4 in Ala), and was further reacted with aqueous formaldehyde solution as in All and then dried under reduced pressure. The resulting resin was subjected to TFA cleavage as in AIII. The crude product was purified by prep, medium pressure chromatography to yield 5 mg of the desired pure peptide (10-40% A in 10'; 40-90% A in 200'). The compound was further characterized by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry ( [M+H]+ = 537.37). EXAMPLE 2 (SEQ ID NO: 1) Me 2 Val-Val-MeVal-Pro-3,4-dehydroprolylbenzylamide a) Z-MeVal-Pro-OMe 66.25 g (250 mmol) Z-MeVal-OH were dissolved in 250 ml dry dichloromethane. After addition of 36.41 ml (262.5 mmol) triethylamine , the reaction mixture was cooled to -25° c and 32.27 ml (262.5 mmol) pivaloyl chloride were added. After stirring for 2,5 h, 41.89 g (250 mmol) H-Pro-OMe x HCl in 250 ml dichloromethane, neutralized with 36.41 ml (262.5 mmol) triethylamine at 0°C, were added to the reaction mixture. Stirring continued for 2 h at -25° C and overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was diluted with dichloromethane and thoroughly washed with saturated aqueous NaHC0 3 solution (3x), water (lx), 5 % citric acid (3x) and saturated NaCl solution. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The residue (91.24 g) was stirred with petroleum ether overnight and filtered. 62.3 g of product were obtained. b) H-MeVal-Pro-OMe 48.9 g (130 mmol) Z-MeVal-Pro-OMe were dissolved in 490 ml methanol. After addition of 10.9 ml (130 mmol) concentrated hydrochloric acid and 2.43 g 10 % Palladium/charcoal, the reaction mixture was hydrogenated. Filtration and evaporation to dryness yielded 36.43 g of the product. c) Z-Val-MeVal-Pro-OMe 18.1 g (65 mmol) H-MeVal-Pro-OMe, 21.6 g (78 mmol) Z-Val-N- carboxyanhydride and 22.8 ml (130 mmol) diisopropylethylamine were stirred in 110 ml DMF at 40° C for 2 d. After evaporation of DMF, dichloromethane was added and the organic phase washed with saturated aqueous NaHC0 3 solution (3x), water (lx), 5 % citric acid (3x) and saturated NaCl solution. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness. The product (29.3 g) was obtained as a viscous oil. d) H-Val-MeVal-Pro-OMe 29.3 g (61.6 mmol) of Z-Val-MeVal-Pro-OMe were dissolved in 230 ml methanol. After addition of 1.15 g 10 % Palladium/charcoal, the reaction mixture was hydrogenated. Filtration and evaporation to dryness yielded 21.96 g of the product. e) Z-Val-Val-MeVal-Pro-OMe 15.29 g (61 mmol) Z-Val-OH and 21.96 g (61 mmol) H-Val- MeVal-Pro-OMe were dissolved in 610 ml dichloromethane and cooled to 0° C. After addition of 8.16 ml (73.2 mmol) N- Methylmorpholine, 2.77 g (20.3 mmol) HOBt and 11.74 g (61 mmol) EDCI, the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature, diluted with dichloromethane and thoroughly washed with saturated aqueous NaHC0 3 solution (3x), water (lx), 5 % citric acid (3x) and saturated NaCl solution. The organic phase was dried over sodium sulfate and evaporated to dryness to yield 31.96 g of the product. f) Z-Val-Val-MeVal-Pro-OH 31.96 g (57 mmol) Z-Val-Val-MeVal-Pro-Ome were dissolved in 250 ml methanol and 102.6 ml (102.6 mmol) 1 M LiOH in water were added. After stirring at room temperature for 24 h, water was added and the methanol evaporated under reduced pressure. The aqueous phase was extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate, adjusted to pH 2 at 4°C, and extracted 3 times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic extracts were dried over sodium sulfate and the solvent evaporated under reduced pressure to yield 30.6 g of a white solid. g) Me 2 Val-Val-MeVal-Pro-OH The N,N-dimethylated tetrapeptide acid was prepared from the Z-protected tetrapeptide acid by hydrogenation of the Z protecting group and subsequent addition of aqueous formaldehyde solution to the hydrogenation mixture to yield the desired product in an almost quantitative yield, h) Me 2 Val-Val-MeVal-Pro-3,4-dehydroproline methylester 3.38 g Me 2 Val-Val-MeVal-Pro-OH (7.27 mmol) and 0.925 g 3,4- dehydroproline methylester hydrochloride (7.27 mmol) were dissolved in 75 ml dry dichloromethane. 0.975 ml N- methylmorpholine (8.72 mmol), 0.332 g HOBt (2.43 mmol) and 1.4 g EDCI (7.27 mmol) were added at 4°C. After stirring overnight at room temperature, dichloromethane was added and the organic phase washed 3 times with sat. sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and once with water. The organic layer was extracted with 5 % aqu. citric acid. The pH of the acidic aqueous layer was then adjusted to pH 8 with 1 N NaOH and extracted 4 times with dichloromethane. Drying over sodium sulfate and evaporating under reduced pressure yielded 2.82 g of the pentapeptide methylester. k) Me 2 Val-Val-MeVal-Pro-3,4-dehydroproline benzylamide A solution of 2.0 g of the dehydroproline containing pentapeptide methylester in 20 ml methanol was treated with 4.6 ml of a 1 N LiOH solution at room temperature. After the reaction was complete (tic control), water was added, the methanol evaporated and the compound lyophilized from water. The white powder obtained was dissolved in 36 ml dichloromethane, and 0.388 ml (3.55 mmol) benzylamine were added. After addition of 0.476 ml N-methylmorpholine (4.26 mmol), 0.163 g HOBt (1.19 mmol) and 0.684 g EDCI (3.55 mmol) at 4°C, the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Dichloromethane was added and the organic phase washed 3 times with sat. sodium hydrogen carbonate solution and once with water. The organic layer was extracted 2 times with 5 % citric acid. The acidic aqueous layer was adjusted to pH 9 with 5 N NaOH and extracted 4 times with dichloromethane. Drying over sodium sulfate and evaporating the solvent under reduced pressure yielded 600 mg of crude pentapeptide benzylamide. 300 mg of this crude peptide were further purified using medium pressure liquid chromatography (0-10% A in 5', 10-25% A in 10', 25-90% A in 450') to yield 92 mg of the analytically pure product. The compound was further characterized by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry ([M+H]+ = 639.4). The following compounds were prepared and can be prepared according to examples 1 and 2: 91. Xaa Val Xab Pro Xcz 92. Xaa Val Xab Pro Xda Examples for the MS-characterization of the synthesized novel compounds are given in the following table. EXAMPLE Fast atom bombardment MS analysis. [No. ] [Mol. -Weight (measured) ] 61. 627 64. 546 88. 552 89. 655 Table I - Sequence Identification of Compounds Prepared According to Examples 1 and 2 compound Number(s^ Sequence ID Nu ber 1-32, 35-63, 88-92 1 33 2 34 3 64-72 4 73-87 5 The symbols Xaa in the summary have the following meanings: Xaa: N,N-Dimethylvaline Xab: N-Methylvaline Xag: Xan: Xat: Xaz: Xbd: N,N-dimethylisoleucine Xbe: N,N-dimethyl-2-tert.butyl-glycine Xbf: N-methylisoleucine Xbg: N-methyl-2-tert.butyl-glycine Xbh: 2-tert.butylglycine Xbi Xbo: Xbt: Xca: Xch: ' O Xck: 3,4-dehydroproline-adamantyl(1)-amide Xcn: 3,4-dehydroproline Xco: 3,4-dehydroproline amide Xcp: L-thiazolidine-4-carbonyl Xcq: 4-fluoro-proline Xcs: Xcw: L- azetidine - 2 - carbonyl Xda: Compounds of this invention may be assayed for anti-cancer activity by conventional methods, including for example, the methods described below. A. In vitro methodology Cytotoxicity was measured using a standard methodology for adherent cell lines such as the microculture tetrazolium assay (MTT) . Details of this assay have been published (Alley, MC et al, Cancer Research 48:589-601, 1988). Exponentially growing cultures of tumor cells such as the HT-29 colon carcinoma or LX-1 lung tumor are used to make microtiter plate cultures. Cells are seeded at 5000-20,000 cells per well in 96-well plates (in 150 μl of media), and grown overnight at 37°C. Test compounds are added, in 10-fold dilutions varying from 10-* M to lO-io M. Cells are then incubated for 48 hours. To determine the number of viable cells in each well, the MTT dye is added (50 μl of 3 mg/ml solution of 3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide in saline) . This mixture is incubated at 37°C for 5 hours, and then 50 μl of 25 % SDS, pH2 is added to each well. After an overnight incubation, the absorbance of each well at 550 nm is read using an ELISA reader. The values for the mean +/- SD of data from replicated wells are calculated, using the formula % T/C (% viable cells treated/control). OD of treated cells x 100 = % T/C OD of control cells The concentration of test compound which gives a T/C of 50% growth inhibition was designated as the IC 50 value. COMPOUND QF EXAMPLE I__5_ι_L__l 1. 2. 61, 64, 88 89, B. In vivo methodology Compounds of this invention were further tested in pre- clinical assays for in vivo activity which is indicative of clinical utility. Such assays were conducted with nude mice into which tumor tissue, preferably of human origin, had been transplanted (xenografted) , as is well known in this field. Test compounds were evaluated for their anti-tumor efficacy following administration to the xenograft-bearing mice. More specifically, human breast tumors (MX-1) which had been grown in athymic nude mice were transplanted into new recipient mice, using tumor fragments which were about 50 mg in size. The day of transplantation was designated as day 0. Six to ten days later, mice were treated with the test compounds given as an intravenous injection, in groups of 5-10 mice at each dose. Compounds were given every other day, for 3 weeks, at doses from 1-100 mg/kg body weight. Tumor diameters and body weights were measured twice weekly. Tumor volumes were calculated using the diameters measured with Vernier calipers, and the formula (length x widths)/2 = mm 3 of tumor volume Mean tumor volumes are calculated for each treatment group, and T/C values determined for each group relative to the untreated control tumors. The new compounds possess good tumor inhibiting properties. SEQUENCE LISTING (1) GENERAL INFORMATION (i) APPLICANT: (A) BASF Aktiengesellschaft (B) STREET: Carl-Bosch-Strasse 38 (C) CITY: Ludwigshafen (E) COUNTRY: Bundesrepublik Deutschland (F) ZIP: D-67056 (G) TELEPHONE: 0621/6048526 (H) TELEFAX: 0621/6043123 (I) TELEX: 1762175170 (ii) TITLE OF INVENTION: Novel peptides, the preparation and use thereof (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 5 (iv) COMPUTER READABLE FORM: (A) MEDIUM TYPE: Diskette, 3,5 inch, 2 DD (B) COMPUTER: IBM AT-compatible, 80286 processor (C) OPERATING SYSTEM: MS-DOS version 5.0 (D) SOFTWARE: WordPerfect (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 1: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 5 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 1: Xaa Val Xaa Pro Xaa (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 2: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 5 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: Xaa lie Xaa Pro Xaa (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 3: (i) SEQUENCE CEARACTERISTICS (A) LENGTH: 5 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: Xaa Xaa Xaa Pro Xaa (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 4: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 5 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (Xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: Xaa Val Xaa Xaa Xaa (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 5: (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS: (A) LENGTH: 6 amino acids (B) TYPE: amino acid (D) TOPOLOGY: linear (ii) MOLECULE TYPE: peptide (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: Xaa Val Xaa Pro Xaa Xaa

Claims: We claim : 1. Novel peptides of the formula I RlR2N-CHX-CO-A-B-D-E-(F) t -K I where Ri is methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl,; R 2 is hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; RI-N-R2 together may be a pyrrollidine ring; A is a valyl, isoleucyl, leucyl, 2-tert- butylglycyl, 2- ethylglycyl, norleucyl or norvalyl residue; B is a N-methyl-valyl, -leucyl, -isoleucyl, -norvalyl, -norleucyl -2-tert-butylglycyl, -3-tert-butylalanyl, or -2-ethylglycyl residue; D is a prolyl, 3,4-dehydroprolyl, 4-fluoro- prolyl, 4,4-difluoroprolyl, azetidine-2- carbonyl, homoprolyl, 3-methylprolyl, 4-methylprolyl, 5-methylprolyl, or thiazolidine-4-carbonyl residue; E is a 3,4-dehydroprolyl, 4-fluoroprolyl, 3- methylprolyl, 4-methylprolyl, azetidine-2- carbonyl, or 4,4-difluoroprolyl residue; F is a valyl, 2-tert-butylglycyl, isoleucyl, leucyl, 2-cyclohexylglycyl, norleucyl, norvalyl, neopentylglycyl, alanyl, β- alanyl, or aminoisobutyroyl residue; X is alkyl (preferably C - 5 ), cyclopropyl, or cyclopentyl; t is 0 or 1; and K is alkoxy (preferably Ci- 4 ), benzyloxy or a substituted or unsubstituted amino moiety; and the salts thereof with physiologically tolerated acids. 2. Compounds of formula I or salts thereof for use in medicine in particular for treating oncological diseases. 3. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim 1. 4. A method of treating a tumor in a mammal comprising administering to a mammal bearing such a tumor, a tumor-inhibiting amount of a compound of formula I as defined in claim 1. 5. The method of preparing compounds of formula I according to claim 1 characterized in that they are prepared according to known methods of peptide chemistry.

Inventors: EMLING FRANZ, HAUPT ANDREAS, ROMERDAHL CYNTHIA A, EMLING, FRANZ, HAUPT, ANDREAS, ROMERDAHL, CYNTHIA, A.
Applicants: BASF AG, EMLING FRANZ, HAUPT ANDREAS, ROMERDAHL CYNTHIA A, BASF AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, EMLING, FRANZ, HAUPT, ANDREAS, ROMERDAHL, CYNTHIA, A.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: C07K7
IPC codes: A61K38, A61P35, C07K1, C07K7