Carboranyl Nucleosides & Oligonucleotides for Neutron Capture Therapy Final Report (2004)

This proposal enabled us to synthesize and develop boron-rich nucleosides and oligonucleotide analogues for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) and the treatment of various malignancies. First, we determined the relationship between structure, cellular accumulation and tissue distribution of 5-o-carboranyl-2'-deoxyuridine (D-CDU) and its derivatives D-ribo-CU and 5-o-carboranyluracil (CU), to potentially target brain and other solid tumors for neutron capture therapy. Synthesized carborane containing nucleoside derivatives of CDU, D- and L-enantiomers of CDU, D-ribo-CU and CU were used. We measured tissue disposition in xenografted mice bearing 9479 human prostate tumors xenografts and in rats bearing 9L gliosarcoma isografts in their flanks and intracranially. The accumulation of D-CDU, 1-({beta}-L-arabinosyl)-5-o-carboranyluracil, D-ribo-CU, and CU were also studied in LnCap human prostate tumor cells and their retention was measured in male nude mice bearing LnCap and 9479 human prostate tumor xenografts. D-CDU, D-ribo-CU and CU levels were measured after administration in mice bearing 9479 human prostate tumors in their flanks. D-CDU achieved high cellular concentrations in LnCap cells and up to 2.5% of the total cellular compound was recovered in the 5'-monophosphorylated form. D-CDU cellular concentrations were similar in LnCap and 9479 tumor xenografts. Studies in tumor bearing animals indicated that increasing the number of hydroxyl moieties in the sugar constituent of the carboranyl nucleosides lead to increased rate and extent of renal elimination, a decrease in serum half-lives and an increased tissue specificity. Tumor/brain ratios were greatest for CDU and D-ribo-CU, while tumor/prostate ratios were greatest with CU. CDU and D-ribo-CU have potential for BNCT of brain malignancies, while CU may be further developed for prostate cancer. A method was developed for the solid phase synthesis of oligonucleotides containing (ocarboran-1-yl-methyl)phosphonate (CBMP) internucleotide group. Unmodified phosphodiester linkages were formed using a standard {beta}-cyanoethyl cycle and automated DNA synthesizer. Modified CBMP internucleotide linkage was produced using the phosphotriester method and 5'-O-monomethoxytritylthymidine 3'-O-[(o-carboran-1-yl-methyl)phosphonate] monomer. Several dodecathymidylic acids bearing modification at 3'- or 5'-end, or in the middle of oligonucleotide chain were synthesized. The resulting oligomers are being characterized by reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS), ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV), and circular dichroism (CD). In collaboration with Cornell University, we employed a secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) based subcellular isotopic imaging technique of ion microscopy for evaluating 4 carboranyl nucleosides. Nucleosides synthesized by our group, including CDU, HMCDU, CTU, and CFAU were tested for their boron delivery to the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments of U251 human and F98 rat glioma cells. Quantitative SIMS analysis of boron was performed in cryogenically prepared cells. For all drugs, the cell cytoplasm revealed significantly higher boron than the nucleus. However, the boron partitioning between the cell nucleus and the nutrient medium indicated 6.4-10.6 times higher boron in the nucleus. The results suggested that these novel carboranyl nucleosides should provide efficient BNCT agents that accumulate in malignant cells and the need for further evaluations in vitro and in animal models.