benzofurans and Hypersensitivity

Carzelesin (U-80244), one of the synthetic DNA minor groove binding cyclopropylpyrroloindole analogues, was selected for clinical development because of its high potency, promising antitumor activity in murine solid tumors and leukemia, and significant therapeutic efficacy against colon and rhabdomyosarcoma xenografts. In this Phase I study, carzelesin was given daily for 5 consecutive days to (a) determine the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) and the pattern of toxicity of this schedule; (b) define the pharmacokinetic profile of the parent, as was done for the intermediate compound U-76073 and the DNA-reactive agent U-76074; and (c) document any antitumor activity observed. Carzelesin was given as a 10-min infusion with a constant-rate infusion pump. Treatment was repeated every 4 weeks or when blood counts had recovered to normal values. The starting dose of 12 microgram/m2/day was escalated by 20-30% increments until the MTD (defined as the dose leading to grade 4 hematological or grade 3 nonhematological toxicity in at least two of six patients) was reached. Pharmacokinetic studies were planned on days 1 and 5 of the first cycle in at least two patients per dose level. Plasma levels of carzelesin, U-76073, and U-76074 were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection and a detection limit of 0.5 ng/ml. Twenty-five patients were entered in the study, and 56 cycles were evaluable for hematological toxicity. Subsequent dose levels evaluated were 24, 30, 35, and 40 microgram/m2. Both neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were dose limiting and cumulative, with a high interpatient variability. Neutropenia occurred earlier (median time to neutrophil nadir and recovery, 15 and 29 days, respectively) than thrombocytopenia (median time to platelet nadir and recovery, 25 and >/=26 days, respectively); there were delays of treatment because of persisting thrombocytopenia in all patients treated at the MTD. At the MTD, the peak plasma concentrations of carzelesin were achieved at the end of the infusion and were higher than those found cytotoxic in vitro against tumor cell lines. Carzelesin was detectable up to a maximum of 1 h after the infusion. Smaller amounts of U-76073 were detectable for a maximum of 30 min only at the MTD, whereas U-76074 was never found. An 8-month partial remission was reported in one previously untreated patient with hepatocellular carcinoma at 40 microgram/m2. The MTD was fixed at 40 microgram/m2 daily; 35 and 30 micro

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Agents; Area Under Curve; Benzofurans; Bronchial Spasm; Drug Administration Schedule; Duocarmycins; Female; Flushing; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Indoles; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea; Neoplasms; Neutropenia; Tachycardia; Thrombocytopenia; Treatment Outcome

To determine the ocular anti-allergic effects of mapracorat, a novel selective glucocorticoid receptor agonist (SEGRA) in primary human conjunctival fibroblasts and epithelial cells.. Two primary human conjunctival cell types, human conjunctival epithelial cells (HConEpiC) and human conjunctival fibroblasts (HConF), were challenged with interleukin-4 (IL-4) or IL-13 plus tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). Luminex technology was used to profile the resulting inflammatory response. The effects of mapracorat on the release of eotaxin and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), two allergy-related chemokines, as well as proinflammatory cytokines and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were then determined. Small interfering RNA was used to determine whether the effects of mapracorat were mediated via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Dexamethasone was used as the control.. IL-13 or IL-4 plus TNF-α in the HConF or HConEpiC significantly increased eotaxin-1 (HConF only), eotaxin-3, RANTES, multiple proinflammatory cytokines, and ICAM-1. Synergistic effects of IL-13 or IL-4 plus TNF-α were observed in the HConEpiC for RANTES and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and in the HConF for eotaxin-1, eotaxin-3, and RANTES. Mapracorat significantly reduced IL-4 or IL-13 plus TNF-α-induced cytokine release and ICAM-1 protein in a dose-dependent manner in both cell types, with comparable efficacy to dexamethasone. These effects were mediated through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), as demonstrated by the reversal of inhibitory effects after silencing of glucocorticoid receptor expression.. Data from these in vitro models indicate that mapracorat is efficacious and potent in reducing IL-4 or IL-13 plus TNF-α-induced release of allergy-related and proinflammatory cytokines from the HConF and the HConEpiC, supporting clinical evaluation of the compound in reducing allergic and inflammatory reactions in allergic conjunctivitis.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Allergic Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Benzofurans; Cattle; Conjunctiva; Epithelial Cells; Fibroblasts; Gene Silencing; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; Interleukin-13; Interleukin-4; Pentanols; Quinolines; Receptors, Glucocorticoid; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

The peptidoleukotrienes and leukotriene B4, formed from arachidonic acid through the action of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), exert a spectrum of biological effects. It has been proposed that potent and selective 5-LO inhibitors will be effective therapy in diseases in which the peptidoleukotrienes and leukotriene B4 have been implicated, such as asthma and arthritis. The novel compound (S)-N-hydroxy-N-(2,3-dihydro-6-phenylmethoxy-3-benzyofuranyl )urea (SB 202235) was evaluated as a selective inhibitor of 5-LO in a cell-free system as well as in various cellular assays. In addition, the potential therapeutic value of SB 202235 was assessed in preclinical models of allergic asthma. The activity of the 5-LO enzyme isolated from rat basophilic leukemia-1 cells was inhibited by SB 202235 in a concentration-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 1.9 microM. Consistent with its ability to inhibit 5-LO, SB 202235 inhibited the production of leukotriene B4 by human monocytes and in human whole blood (IC50 values of 1.5 microM and 1.1 microM, respectively). The selectivity of SB 202235 was confirmed by its lack of effect against several other enzymes and receptors. SB 202235 potently and effectively inhibited the contraction produced by a single concentration of ovalbumin in guinea pig trachea (IC50 = 20 microM) and of anti-IgE in human bronchus (IC50 = 2 microM). SB 202235 (3-30 microM) also inhibited the contraction of guinea pig trachea in response to increasing concentration of ovalbumin. When administered orally (30 mg/kg) to conscious guinea pigs, SB 202235 attenuated antigen-induced broncho-constriction and the subsequent eosinophil influx.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Animals; Antigens; Asthma; Benzofurans; Bronchoconstriction; Disease Models, Animal; Eosinophils; Guinea Pigs; Humans; Hypersensitivity; In Vitro Techniques; Leukotriene B4; Lipoxygenase Inhibitors; Trachea; Urea

The synthesis and antiallergic activity of a series of novel benzothiophene-, benzofuran-, and naphthalenecarboxamidotetrazoles are described. A number of the compounds inhibit the release of histamine from anti-IgE stimulated basophils obtained from allergic donors. Optimal inhibition is exhibited in benzothiophenes with a 3-alkoxy substituent in combination with a 5-methoxy, 6-methoxy, or a 5,6-dimethoxy group. Compound 13c (CI-959) also inhibited respiratory burst of human neutrophils and the release of mediators from anti-IgE-stimulated human chopped lung.

Topics: Antibodies, Anti-Idiotypic; Basophils; Benzofurans; Eosinophils; Histamine Antagonists; Histamine Release; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Immunoglobulin E; Lung; Molecular Structure; Naphthalenes; Neutrophils; Respiratory Burst; Structure-Activity Relationship; Tetrazoles; Thiophenes

Topics: Animals; Benzofurans; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Guinea Pigs; Histamine Antagonists; Hypersensitivity; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Muscle Contraction; Muscle, Smooth; Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains

Topics: Benzofurans; Dermatitis, Allergic Contact; Dermatitis, Contact; Fungi; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Lichens; Occupational Diseases; Pathology

Topics: Benzofurans; Chemical Phenomena; Chemistry; Dermatitis, Contact; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Lichens; Occupational Diseases