Search

Human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection currently requires lifelong therapy with drugs that are used in combination to control viremia. The indole-3-glyoxamide 6 was discovered as an inhibitor of HIV-1 infectivity using a phenotypic screen and derivatives of this compound were found to interfere with the HIV-1 entry process by stabilizing a conformation of the virus gp120 protein not recognized by the host cell CD4 receptor. An extensive optimization program led to the identification of temsavir (31), which exhibited an improved antiviral and pharmacokinetic profile compared to 6 and was explored in phase 3 clinical trials as the phosphonooxymethyl derivative fostemsavir (35), a prodrug designed to address dissolution- and solubility-limited absorption issues. In this drug annotation, we summarize the structure-activity and structure-liability studies leading to the discovery of 31 and the clinical studies conducted with 35 that entailed the development of an extended release formulation suitable for phase 3 clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the selectivity, delivery, and activity of ferric (Fe) anticancer agents, we design prodrugs based on N-donor residues of the human serum albumin (HSA) carrier IIA subdomain. We synthesized six Fe(III) compounds derived from 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde thiosemicarbazone (7-12). HSA complex structure revealed that Fe compound binds to the hydrophobic cavity in the HSA IIA subdomain. Lys199 and His242 of HSA replace the two Cl atoms of Fe compound, coordinating with Fe3+. In vivo data revealed that compound 12 and HSA-12 complex inhibit the growth of the liver tumor and that the HSA-12 complex has stronger targeting ability and therapeutic efficacy than compound 12 alone. In addition, our results have shown that compound 12 and HSA-12 complex induce Bel-7402 cell death possible by several mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]