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Advances in the stereoselective synthesis of antifungal agents and ...

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Chapter 1 25Two newer compounds which demonstrated biological activity are 6-methylen-<strong>and</strong>rosta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione (FCE 24304) 12 orExamestane 117 <strong>and</strong> 4-am<strong>in</strong>o<strong>and</strong>rosta-1,4,6-triene-3,17-dione (FCE24928) 13 118 (Fig. 1.14) which cause <strong>in</strong>activation <strong>of</strong> aromatase.13, named M<strong>in</strong>amestane, is an orally active, irreversible aromatase<strong>in</strong>hibitor without any <strong>in</strong>tr<strong>in</strong>sic <strong>and</strong>rogenic activity 119 . The <strong>in</strong> vivo <strong>and</strong> <strong>in</strong>vitro activity <strong>of</strong> 13 has been compared to that <strong>of</strong> FCE 24304 12(exemestane) <strong>and</strong> 4-OHA 8 (formestane). No effect was observed on <strong>the</strong>5α-reductase <strong>and</strong> cholesterol side cha<strong>in</strong> cleavage activity <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>compound showed no significant aff<strong>in</strong>ity for <strong>and</strong>rogen <strong>and</strong> estrogenreceptors.1.5. Non-steroidal <strong>and</strong> reversible <strong>in</strong>hibitors.The number <strong>of</strong> structurally dist<strong>in</strong>ct non-steroidal Aromatase<strong>in</strong>hibitors is rapidly grow<strong>in</strong>g, <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> biggest class still are <strong>the</strong> azoleconta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g analogues. The diversity <strong>of</strong> active structures contan<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>azole moiety cont<strong>in</strong>ues to exp<strong>and</strong>, thanks to <strong>the</strong> <strong>in</strong>genuity <strong>of</strong> chemists <strong>and</strong><strong>the</strong> tolerance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> target enzyme for alternate substrates.Aromatase is <strong>in</strong>hibited by non-steroidal compounds such asam<strong>in</strong>oglutethimide 3-(4-am<strong>in</strong>ophenyl)-3-ethylpiperid<strong>in</strong>e-2,6-dione 14a(AG) <strong>and</strong> its analogues 14b-d (Fig. 1.15).This compound was first <strong>in</strong>troduced as an anticonvulsant but its usewas restricted when it was realized that <strong>the</strong> drug causes adrenal<strong>in</strong>sufficiency. Am<strong>in</strong>oglutethimide 14a was <strong>the</strong> first aromatase <strong>in</strong>hibitorused <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> treatment <strong>of</strong> metastatic breast cancer 120 <strong>in</strong> post menopausalwomen but it is far from be<strong>in</strong>g an optimal drug 121-123 .14a has a chiralcenter at C(3) <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> glutarimide r<strong>in</strong>g. The R-<strong>and</strong> S- enantiomers havevery different activities toward aromatase <strong>in</strong>hibition, <strong>the</strong> R-isomer be<strong>in</strong>g36 fold more active 124-125 .AG 14a is also an <strong>in</strong>hibitor <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r P-450 enzyme, responsiblefor <strong>the</strong> cholesterol side cha<strong>in</strong> cleavage (desmolase) 126 <strong>and</strong> thus <strong>the</strong>conversion <strong>of</strong> cholesterol <strong>in</strong>to pregnenolone. Its <strong>in</strong>hibition thus reduces<strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> corticosteroid production. Patients treated with AG 14a must<strong>the</strong>refore receive hydrocortisone replacement <strong>the</strong>rapy <strong>in</strong> order tocounteract this effect. AG 14a shows effects to <strong>the</strong> central nervous system

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