Regioselective synthesis of water-soluble monophosphate derivatives of combretastatin A-1

J Nat Prod. 2011 Jul 22;74(7):1568-74. doi: 10.1021/np200104t. Epub 2011 Jun 30.

Abstract

The natural products combretastatin A-4 (CA4) and combretastatin A-1 (CA1) are potent cancer vascular disrupting agents and inhibitors of tubulin assembly (IC₅₀ = 1-2 μM). The phosphorylated prodrugs CA4P and CA1P are undergoing human clinical trials against cancer. CA1 is unique due to its incorporation of a vicinal phenol, which has afforded the opportunity to prepare both diphosphate and regioisomeric monophosphate derivatives. Here, we describe the first synthetic routes suitable for the regiospecific preparation of the CA1-monophosphates CA1MPA (8a/b) and CA1MPB (4a/b). The essential regiochemistry necessary to distinguish between the two vicinal phenolic groups was accomplished with a tosyl protecting group strategy. Each of the four monophosphate analogues (including Z and E isomers) demonstrated in vitro cytotoxicity against selected human cancer cell lines comparable to their corresponding diphosphate congeners. Furthermore, Z-CA1MPA (8a) and Z-CA1MPB (4a) were inactive as inhibitors of tubulin assembly (IC₅₀ > 40 μM), as anticipated in this pure protein assay.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Molecular Structure
  • Solubility
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Stilbenes / chemical synthesis*
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • Water

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Stilbenes
  • Tubulin
  • Water
  • combretastatin A-1
  • fosbretabulin