This study describes a novel thermoresponsive dendritic polyethylene glycol-poly(D, L-lactide) (PEG-PDLLA) core-shell nanoparticle with potential for drug delivery and controlled release. A series of dendritic PEG-PDLLA nanoparticles were synthesized through conjugation of PEG to Starburst™ polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer G3.0 and subsequent ring-opening polymerization of DLLA, in which PEG chain length (i.e., MW=1500, 6000 or 12000 Dalton) was varied; however, the feeding molar ratio of DLLA monomers to the overall PEG repeat units on the dendrimer surface was kept at 1:1. Linear PEG-PDLLA copolymers were also syntheiszed under the same condition and used as control. According to our results, dendritic PEG-PDLLA in aqueous phase could self-assemble into spherical aggregates and the size of spherical aggregates increased with PEG chain length increase. Further, spherical aggregates made of dendritic PEG-PDLLA exhibited magnified temperature-dependence in terms of solubility change and dimension expansion as compared to linear PEG-PDLLA. The most significant size expansion was observed in particles made of dendritic PEG (12000)-PDLLA, which was twice as much as that of particles made of linear PEG (12000)-PDLLA. Water insoluble antitumor drug camptothecin (CPT) was used as a model drug for encapsulation and release studies. Spherical aggregates encapsulated more CPT when dendritic PEG-PDLLA had longer PEG-PDLLA chain and/or when temperature was elevated to body temperature. This study demonstrated that nanoscale clustering PEG-PDLLA through dendrimers magnified the thermo-sensitivity of PEG-PDLLA. Successful development of such a new particulate system made of dendritic PEG-PDLLA with an expandable dimension in response to temperature change generated a new direction for designing stimuli-responsive materials.

Les glycoprotéines localisées à la surface des cellules jouent un rôle dans les phénomènes inflammatoires, les infections virales, la reconnaissance cellule/hôte ou l'adhésion cellulaire. Parmi les enzymes responsables de la biosynthèse de ces glycoprotéines, l'alpha-L-fucosidase est impliquée dans un grand nombre de phénomènes biologiques, parfois liés à de sévères pathologies. Des études récentes ont montré que l'activité de la fucosidase est sur-exprimée chez les patients atteints de certains types de cancers. Ces travaux présentent dans un premier temps la synthèse totale et l'évaluation biologique de puissants inhibiteurs de l'alpha-L-fucosidase de type pyrrolidine polyhydroxylée comme outil pour mieux appréhender le rôle de cette enzyme. Une première série est diversement susbtituée par un groupement lipophile apportant de fortes interactions avec l'enzyme alors qu'une deuxième série de molécules dimériques permet d'étudier l'effet de la multivalence sur l'inhibition de l'alpha-L-fucosidase. Dans un deuxième temps, des molécules hybrides de types ferrocényl-iminosucres comme nouvelle classe d'agents anticancéreux sont étudiées. Dans cette approche, l'alpha-L-fucosidase est envisagée comme récepteur potentiel pour cibler les tissus cancéreux. La conjugaison d'une pyrrolidine, affichant une forte affinité pour la fucosidase, à un groupement cytotoxique comme le ferrocène pourrait permettre d'acheminer une molécule cytotoxique sélectivement vers les tissus cancéreux. La synthèse, la puissance d'inhibition, l'activité antiproliférative et l'analyse cristallographique de ces conjugués organométalliques sont présentées dans ces travaux. / Glycoproteins located on cells surface are involved in a number of biological processes including cell adhesion, cell/host recognition, inflammation and viral infections. The biosynthesis of these glycoproteins is assumed in part by alpha-L-fucosidase. Many biological phenomena are related with this enzyme, sometimes associated with severe disease. Recent studies show that fucosylation activities are markedly enhanced in several types of cancer cell lines. On the one hand, this work presents the synthesis and the biological evaluation of polyhydroxylated pyrrolidines as potent alpha-L-fucosidase inhibitors. A series of iminosugars that incorporate a hydrophobic subtituent at the pseudoanomeric position should provide strong interaction in the active site and could serve as a tool to better understand the role of this enzyme. A second series of dimeric molecules allows the study of multivalency effect on inhibition. On the other hand, ferrocenyl-iminosugars are studied as a new class of anticancer agents. In this approach, we explore the possibility of using the fucose binding protein AFU as a target for the selective delivery of a cytotoxic molecule towards cancer cells. A panel of conjugates was prepared, composed of a pyrrolidine moiety, showing a high affinity for the fucosidase, linked to a ferrocenyl moiety, displaying antitumoral properties by reactive oxygen species production. The synthesis of these hybrids, the biological results and the structure/activity relationships are presented.

Tirosina, um aminoácido proteinogênico, de fundamental importância para nossa sobrevivência, foi objeto de estudo para a confecção da presente tese. Investigado frente às três reações de acoplamento cruzado mais exploradas nos últimos anos, Suzuki-Miyaura, Heck e Sonogashira, a 3-iodotirosina comportou-se como um excelente substrato na formação de unidades biarílicas, derivados estilbeno, formação de heterociclos do tipo 1,2,3-triazóis, quinolinas, benzofuranos e flavonas, bem como a formação de dipeptídeos Tyr-Tyr. A reação entre a 3-iodotirosina com diferentes nucleófilos de boro via reação de Suzuki- Miyaura, além de dar origem às unidades biarílicas, forneceu derivados do estilbeno, usados como substratos na construção de quinolinas, alcançadas por meio da reação multicomponente de Povarov, com catálise de prata em apenas 40 minutos sob irradiação de micro-ondas. Alguns desses derivados estilbeno, apresentaram ainda uma acentuada fluorescência, a qual foi medida em diferentes polaridades. Ao explorarmos a reação entre a 3-iodotirosina e acetilenos, derivados alquinílicos puderam ser convenientemente preparados, permitindo seu uso como materiais de partida na reação de cicloadição de Huisgen, no preparo de anéis triazólicos. Produtos provenientes da adição estereosseletiva de oxa-Michael, entre o anel fenólico da tirosina e aldeídos propargílicos, forneceram compostos carbonílicos α,β-insaturados capazes de reagirem via acoplamento intramolecular de Heck, levando a derivados 2-aril-3- formil-5-alanilbenzofuranos ou ainda, apenas alterando a atmosfera inerte de nitrogênio por monóxido de carbono, a formação de 2-aril-6-alanilflavonas via acilação intramolecular redutiva. Além da metodologia de síntese explorada na tese, alguns dos compostos obtidos apresentaram atividade biológica seletiva contra células de melanoma e leucemia, bem como atividade antiparasitária frente ao Plasmodium falciparum, não afetando a proliferação de células sadias. Dessa forma, os resultados apresentados, agregam ainda mais valor sintético e biológico ao aminoácido tirosina, explorados de forma inédita. / Tyrosine, a proteinogenic amino acid of fundamental importance for life, was the object of study for the research that is presented in this thesis. When 3-iodotyrosine was used in the three different types of cross-coupling reactions that have been exploited the most in recent years, namely the Suzuki-Miyaura, Heck and Sonogashira coupling reactions, 3-iodotyrosine as an excellent substrate for the formation of biaryl units, stilbene derivatives, 1,2,3-triazoletype heterocycles, quinolines, benzofurans and flavones, and Tyr-Tyr dipeptides. This work is organized into sections in order to facilitate ease of reading. The reaction between 3-iodotyrosine and different boron nucleophiles via the Suzuki- Miyaura coupling reaction, in addition to giving the biaryl units, also provided stilbene derivatives, which were used as substrates for the construction of quinolines via multicomponent Povarov reactions. The Povarov was performed with silver catalysis under 40 minutes of microwave irradiation. Some of these stilbene derivatives showed a marked fluorescence, which was measured in solvents with different polarities. By exploring the Sonogashira coupling reaction between 3-iodotyrosine and acetylenes, alkynyl derivatives could be conveniently prepared, which in turn could be used as starting materials in Huisgen cycloaddition reactions to synthesize1,2,3-triazole rings. Products from the stereoselective addition of oxa-Michael, between the phenolic ring of tyrosine and propargyl aldehydes, provided 945;,946;-unsaturated carbonyl compounds capable of reacting via Heck intramolecular coupling, leading to 2-aryl-3-formyl-5-alanylbenzofurans or by simply changing the inert atmosphere of nitrogen by carbon monoxide, the formation of 2- aryl-6-alanylflavones via reductive intramolecular acylation. In addition to the synthesis methodology explored in the thesis, some of the compounds showed selective biological activity against melanoma and leukemia cells, as well as antiparasitic activity against Plasmodium falciparum, without affecting the proliferation of healthy cells. In this way, the presented results add even more synthetic and biological value to the amino acid tyrosine, explored in an unprecedented way.

It is always important to choose appropriate anticancer drugs for cancer patients. At RCL, a division of Uppsala university hospital, drug resistance profiles of patients are evaluated by a cell viability assay called FMCA. However, the number of anticancer drugs that can be evaluated by the FMCA is dependent on the number of viable cancer cells from tissues that can be obtained from each individual patient. Therefore, improvement of cell viability methods is an important issue at RCL. This study was performed to improve the FMCA method by organoid culture from colorectal cancer, renal cancer and osteosarcoma to increase the number of cancer cells. As results, it was successful to expand cryopreserved patient cancer cells to organoids to acquire more cells than before expansion. Organoids showed rounded structure in microscopy images. Thereafter, FMCA was performed on organoids as well as on thawed cryopreserved cancer cells from the original sample. Those results showed that original cancer cells, cryopreserved original cancer cells and expanded organoids derived from those cryopreserved cells had similar resistance profiles. It was also discovered that the organoids secreted VEGF under the cultivation. From those results, it can be concluded that organoids are representative of the original cancer from the patients. It is however needed to improve organoid culture methods, and to further confirm organoids by protein expression analysis and DNA analysis.

Tirosina, um aminoácido proteinogênico, de fundamental importância para nossa sobrevivência, foi objeto de estudo para a confecção da presente tese. Investigado frente às três reações de acoplamento cruzado mais exploradas nos últimos anos, Suzuki-Miyaura, Heck e Sonogashira, a 3-iodotirosina comportou-se como um excelente substrato na formação de unidades biarílicas, derivados estilbeno, formação de heterociclos do tipo 1,2,3-triazóis, quinolinas, benzofuranos e flavonas, bem como a formação de dipeptídeos Tyr-Tyr. A reação entre a 3-iodotirosina com diferentes nucleófilos de boro via reação de Suzuki- Miyaura, além de dar origem às unidades biarílicas, forneceu derivados do estilbeno, usados como substratos na construção de quinolinas, alcançadas por meio da reação multicomponente de Povarov, com catálise de prata em apenas 40 minutos sob irradiação de micro-ondas. Alguns desses derivados estilbeno, apresentaram ainda uma acentuada fluorescência, a qual foi medida em diferentes polaridades. Ao explorarmos a reação entre a 3-iodotirosina e acetilenos, derivados alquinílicos puderam ser convenientemente preparados, permitindo seu uso como materiais de partida na reação de cicloadição de Huisgen, no preparo de anéis triazólicos. Produtos provenientes da adição estereosseletiva de oxa-Michael, entre o anel fenólico da tirosina e aldeídos propargílicos, forneceram compostos carbonílicos α,β-insaturados capazes de reagirem via acoplamento intramolecular de Heck, levando a derivados 2-aril-3- formil-5-alanilbenzofuranos ou ainda, apenas alterando a atmosfera inerte de nitrogênio por monóxido de carbono, a formação de 2-aril-6-alanilflavonas via acilação intramolecular redutiva. Além da metodologia de síntese explorada na tese, alguns dos compostos obtidos apresentaram atividade biológica seletiva contra células de melanoma e leucemia, bem como atividade antiparasitária frente ao Plasmodium falciparum, não afetando a proliferação de células sadias. Dessa forma, os resultados apresentados, agregam ainda mais valor sintético e biológico ao aminoácido tirosina, explorados de forma inédita. / Tyrosine, a proteinogenic amino acid of fundamental importance for life, was the object of study for the research that is presented in this thesis. When 3-iodotyrosine was used in the three different types of cross-coupling reactions that have been exploited the most in recent years, namely the Suzuki-Miyaura, Heck and Sonogashira coupling reactions, 3-iodotyrosine as an excellent substrate for the formation of biaryl units, stilbene derivatives, 1,2,3-triazoletype heterocycles, quinolines, benzofurans and flavones, and Tyr-Tyr dipeptides. This work is organized into sections in order to facilitate ease of reading. The reaction between 3-iodotyrosine and different boron nucleophiles via the Suzuki- Miyaura coupling reaction, in addition to giving the biaryl units, also provided stilbene derivatives, which were used as substrates for the construction of quinolines via multicomponent Povarov reactions. The Povarov was performed with silver catalysis under 40 minutes of microwave irradiation. Some of these stilbene derivatives showed a marked fluorescence, which was measured in solvents with different polarities. By exploring the Sonogashira coupling reaction between 3-iodotyrosine and acetylenes, alkynyl derivatives could be conveniently prepared, which in turn could be used as starting materials in Huisgen cycloaddition reactions to synthesize1,2,3-triazole rings. Products from the stereoselective addition of oxa-Michael, between the phenolic ring of tyrosine and propargyl aldehydes, provided 945;,946;-unsaturated carbonyl compounds capable of reacting via Heck intramolecular coupling, leading to 2-aryl-3-formyl-5-alanylbenzofurans or by simply changing the inert atmosphere of nitrogen by carbon monoxide, the formation of 2- aryl-6-alanylflavones via reductive intramolecular acylation. In addition to the synthesis methodology explored in the thesis, some of the compounds showed selective biological activity against melanoma and leukemia cells, as well as antiparasitic activity against Plasmodium falciparum, without affecting the proliferation of healthy cells. In this way, the presented results add even more synthetic and biological value to the amino acid tyrosine, explored in an unprecedented way.

Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever a relação entre as concentrações plasmáticas totais e livres tumorais do etoposídeo (ETO) e a inibição do crescimento do tumor observada em ratos Wistar portadores de tumor Walker- 256 (W256) utilizando a modelagem farmacocinética/farmacodinâmica (PK/PD). Métodos: Os procedimentos com animais foram aprovados no CEUA/UFRGS sob o número 22302. Os experimentos de farmacocinética foram realizados para determinar concentrações plasmáticas e livres em duas regiões do tumor sólido W256 através de microdiálise. Após a administração do ETO nas doses de 10 ou 20 mg/kg i.v. bolus em ratos Wistar portadores de tumor W256, amostras de sangue e microdialisado de tecido do centro e periferia do tumor foram coletadas simultaneamente, até 7 h pós-dose, para determinar o fator de penetração no tumor. Um método analítico por CLAE-UV foi desenvolvido e validado para quantificação do etoposídeo nas amostras de plasma e dialisado. Os experimentos de farmacodinâmica foram conduzidos em ratos portadores de tumor W256 que receberam ETO 5 e 10 mg/kg i.v. bolus uma vez ao dia por 8 e 4 dias, respectivamente. O volume dos tumores foram monitorados diariamente durante 30 dias. Análise não-compartimental dos dados de PK foi realizada no WinNonlin®. A modelagem dos dados PK e PK/PD foi realizada no Monolix®, utilizando abordagem populacional. Os dados PK/PD foram analisados usando o modelo Simeoni TGI modificado através da introdução de uma função Emax para descrever a relação nãolinear entre a concentração plasmática e tumoral e o efeito. Resultados e Discussão: O método por CLAE-UV foi desenvolvido e validado para quantificar as amostras de ETO em plasma e tecido. A penetração do ETO no tumor foi maior na periferia (61 ± 15 % e 61 ± 29 %) do que no centro do tumor (34 ± 6 % e 28 ± 11 %) após administração das doses 10 e 20 mg/kg, respectivamente (ANOVA, α = 0.05). Um modelo de 4 compartimentos compreendendo uma distribuição saturável (cinética de Michaelis-Menten) nos compartimentos tumorais a partir do compartimento central modelou simultaneamente os perfis de concentração-tempo do ETO em plasma e em ambas regiões do tumor. O modelo populacional PK/PD Simeoni TGI–Emax foi capaz de descrever o efeito antitumoral dependente do regime de administração do ETO utilizando concentrações totais plasmáticas ou livres no tumor, resultando em um maior k2max (potência máxima) para as concentrações livres (25,8 mL.μg-1.dia-1 - intratumoral vs. 12,6 mL.μg-1.dia-1 - plasma total). Conclusões: Os resultados mostram que a utilização das concentrações livres do fármaco no tumor para a modelagem PK/PD pode fornecer um melhor entendimento da relação farmacocinética e farmacodinâmica e melhoram a capacidade de previsão do modelo, considerando que a eficácia dos fármacos antineoplásicos no tratamento de tumores sólidos é dependente da capacidade do fármaco em se distribuir no tecido tumoral. / Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the relationship between total plasma and free interstitial tumor etoposide (ETO) concentrations and the drug tumor growth inhibition observed in a Walker-256 (W256) tumor-bearing Wistar rat model using the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling. Methods: The experiments with animals were approved by CEUA/UFRGS (protocol number 22302). Pharmacokinetic experiments were conducted to determine total plasma and free intratumoral concentrations in two regions of W256 solid tumor by microdialysis. After administration of ETO 10 or 20 mg/kg i.v. bolus to W256 tumorbearing Wistar rats, blood and tissue microdialysate samples from tumor center and periphery were simultaneously collected up to 7h to determine the tumor penetration factor. An analytical HPLC-UV method was developed and validated for quantification of ETO in plasma and microdialysate samples. The pharmacodynamic experiments were conducted in W256 tumor-bearing rats that received ETO 5 or 10 mg/kg i.v. bolus every day for 8 and 4 days, respectively. Tumor volumes were monitored daily for 30 days. Non-compartmental analysis of PK data was performed in WinNonlin®. The PK and PK/PD modeling by population approach were performed using Monolix®. PK/PD data were analyzed using a modification of Simeoni TGI model by introducing an Emax function to describe the nonlinear relationship between tumor and plasma concentrations and effect. Results and Discussion: The HLPCUV method was developed and validated to determine plasma and tissue samples of ETO. ETO tumor penetration was higher in the tumor periphery (61 ± 15 % and 61 ± 29 %) than center (34 ± 6 % and 28 ± 11 %) following 10 and 20 mg/kg doses, respectively (ANOVA, α = 0.05). A 4-compartment structural model comprising a saturable distribution (Michaelis-Menten kinetics) into the tumor compartments from the central compartment simultaneously described the ETO concentration–time profiles in plasma and both tumor regions. The PK/PD population Simeoni TGI–Emax model was capable of describing the schedule-dependent antitumor effects of ETO using total plasma or free tumor concentrations obtained in a W256-tumor bearing Wistar rat model, resulting in higher k2max (maximal potency) for free concentrations (25.8 mL.μg-1.day-1 - intratumoral vs. 12.6 mL.μg-1.day-1 total plasma). Conclusions: The results showed that the use of free intratumoral drug concentrations in the PK/PD modeling can provide a better understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics relationship and improve the forecasting ability of the models considering that the efficacy of antineoplastic drugs in the treatment of solid tumors is dependent on the drug ability to distribute into the tumor.

de pele é o tipo mais frequente, correspondendo a cerca de 25% de todos os tumores malignos registrados no Brasil. Há que se destacar que uma formulação de uso tópico foi desenvolvida pelo grupo para uso contra câncer de pele e o estudo da estabilidade acelerada desta formulação foi avaliado nesse trabalho. Os frutos da espécie S. lycocarpum foram coletados, secos, triturados, submetidos à extração ácido-base e o precipitado foi suspenso em etanol e filtrado. Os heterosídeos alcaloídicos, SS e SM, foram isolados por cromatografia em coluna a vácuo e purificados em CLAE semipreparativa. A formulação contendo extrato alcaloídico armazenada em temperatura ambiente (27 ± 2 oC) apresentou a melhor estabilidade física. Ensaios para avaliação da atividade antifúngica in vitro do extrato alcaloídico, SS, SM e aglicona (SD) foram realizados com cepas de fungos dermatófitos e Candida spp., sendo que a SM apresentou o menor valor de concentração inibitória. No ensaio de citotoxidade em células humanas de carcinoma espinocelular (A431) e células de fibroblastos de camundongos (L929) foi possível observar a toxidade do extrato alcaloídico e das substâncias, SS, SM e SD frente às células cancerígenas. No ensaio in vivo, os animais foram induzidos ao câncer de pele não-melanoma do tipo espinocelular com células A431 e verificou-se que apenas o grupo de animais tratados com a formulação Curaderm BEC 5 apresentou redução tumoral. Em contrapartida, o grupo tratado com formulação contendo extrato alcaloídico se comportou da mesma maneira que os grupos controle da formulação e controle negativo. Com auxílio da histologia confirmou-se que o câncer de pele induzido nos animais foi do tipo espinocelular. No ensaio imunoistoquímico foi utilizado o anticorpo caspase-3 para marcar as células em apoptose nos tumores, sendo que o maior número de células apoptóticas foi verificada no grupo tratado com a formulação Curaderm BEC 5. / Solanum lycocarpum A. Saint-Hilaire (Solanaceae), commonly known as wolf apple or wolf´s fruit, is a plant native of Brazil very common in the Brazilian savanna. High concentrations of steroidal alkaloids are found in S. lycocarpum fruits, and solasonine (SS) and solamargine (SM) are the most important ones. These two alkaloids present potential antifungal and anticancer activities. Dermatophytic fungi are the most common agents responsible for superficial mycoses in humans and animals, by infecting exclusively the stratum corneum of skin, hair and nails. Skin cancer is the most frequent type corresponding to roughly 25% of all the malignant tumors registered in Brazil. A topical formulation for skin cancer treatment was developed by our research group and its stability tests are reported in this work. The S. lycocarpum fruits were collected, dried, milled and submitted to acid-base extraction furnishing a precipitate, which was solubilized in ethanol and then filtered. The heterosidic alkaloids SS and SM were isolated by using vacuum column chromatography and purified by semi-preparative HPLC. The formulation containing the alkaloidic extract stored at room temperature (27 ± 2 oC) was more stable than the ones in other conditions. Antifungal in vitro test of the alkaloidic extract, SS, SM and the aglycone (SD) were performed with Candida spp and dermatophytic fungi strains. The alkaloid SM displayed the lower inhibitory concentration. The toxicity of the alkaloidic extract, SS, SM and SD was verified in a cytotoxicicity test performed with both cultured human cells of spinocellular carcinoma (A431) and mice fibroblast cells (L929). An in vivo cytotoxicicity test was performed by inducing non-melanoma skin cancer in mice with spinocellular cells A431, in which only the animals treated with a commercial formulation Curaderm BEC 5, showed tumor reduction. There was no statistical difference between the group treated with the formulation containing the alkaloidic extract and control groups. Histological analysis confirmed that the skin cancer induced in the animals were spinocellular type. In an immunohistoquimic test, caspase-3 antibody was employed to stain the cells in apoptosis in the tumors, showing that apoptotic cells were more numerous in the group treated with the formulation Curaderm BEC 5.

Cyclobutanes represent an underutilised structural feature in medicinal chemistry, partially due to difficulties in forming them in an easy and controlled manner. Herein is described their application to a drug discovery project and development of the enamine [2+2] cyclisation; a straightforward synthesis of functionalised cyclobutanes. A library of 30 cyclobutane based integrin antagonists have been designed and synthesised to explore the SAR around the hit dual β3 integrin antagonist ICT9055. Several of which were shown to be highly potent antagonists inhibiting cancer cell adhesion, migration and invasion while remaining non-toxic. ICT9072 had comparable β3 activity to hit compound ICT9055 but also had activity against αvβ5 and therefore showed greater inhibition of migration of DLD-1 cells. This showed the ability to modify this scaffold for multi integrin antagonism and potential benefit of this. Synthetic studies towards the marine natural product providencin has led to the development of a previously unknown intramolecular enamine [2+2] cyclisation which has been shown to proceed in a diastereoselective manner. This reaction has been applied to the synthesis of a highly functionalised enatiopure cyclobutene suitable for inclusion into the total synthesis. A model furyl cyclobutane has also been synthesised to exemplify the route from the enantiopure cyclobutene through to the furyl cyclobutane fragment of providencin.

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antimetabolite anticancer agent that is used in treatment of multiple cancers, such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and osteosarcoma. A lack of selective tumour toxicity is one of the major problems associated with MTX chemotherapy, especially when given at high doses, as in high dose MTX (HDMTX) therapy. MTX causes various toxicity problems including life-threatening nephrotoxicity, haematological toxicity and neurotoxicity. Overcoming this toxicity is of great importance and has been attempted in various ways, not least via the design of prodrugs. The concept of tumour protease, and specifically matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), activated prodrugs was the focus of the work described in this thesis. This concept relies upon attachment of an MMP-sensitive peptide sequence to a specific site in a drug structure, so as to inactive it. The activity of the parent drug is restored once it is activated by the MMPs in the tumour microenvironment. In this work, different MMP-sensitive peptide sequences linked to MTX were synthesised, resulting in 63 MTX prodrugs. The MMP-mediated activation of these conjugates in tumour tissues (specifically HT1080 homogenates) ex vivo was assessed and the results were compared to the activation of these conjugates in various normal tissues specifically liver, kidney and lung. Specific criteria were established for the selection of promising conjugates for more detailed study. From 7 promising compounds, compound 75 was identified as the lead prodrug, demonstrating selective MMP activation, as indicated by inhibition of its activation by broad spectrum MMP inhibitor ilomastat. The pharmacokinetics of compound 75 was studied in tumour (HT1080) xenograft-bearing mice and the results were compared to those obtained from administration of equimolar doses of conventional MTX. Compound 75 led to enhanced tumour concentrations of MTX, with reduced exposure to normal tissues in vivo compared to conventional MTX therapy. Furthermore, the efficacy of equimolar doses of compound 75 and directly dosed MTX in reduction of HT1080 volume were compared. Superior antitumour activity was observed with compound 75 compared to MTX treatment. Compound 75 is the first example of an MMP-activated prodrug to be reported with enhanced therapeutic index, as evidenced by a full in vivo pharmacokinetic analysis and normal tissue metabolism data. The data presented in thesis support the concept of MMP-activated prodrug development, and form a strong foundation upon which to develop a clinicallyuseful MTX prodrug, with the potential to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity to the patient.

Paclitaxel is an anticancer natural product with several biomedical applications produced by Taxus species, with a demand exceeding its supply. We have developed cambial meristematic cells (CMCs) from Taxus cuspidata as high yield source of paclitaxel. The biosynthesis of paclitaxel is predominantly under transcriptional control. Thus, the identification of transcriptional regulators of paclitaxel biosynthesis and their subsequent manipulation may enable further yield enhancement in Taxus CMCs. Previously, Roche 454 sequencing was employed to establish the transcriptome of T. cuspidata CMCs treated with the plant immune activator methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The bioinformatic analysis identified 19 jasmonate related transcription factors (TFs), based on their differential expression. Results of the Arabidopsis thaliana transient assay screen identified two MYB TFs that constitute positive regulators for paclitaxel genes, named MYB3 and MYB4. In this thesis, MYB3 and MYB4 showed in vitro binding to the cis-elements in ten promoters of paclitaxel genes using the electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Then, a Taxus CMC protoplasts transient assay demonstrated that the expression of MYB3 and MYB4 trans-activated all tested genes. Further, MYB4 was found to activate the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) gene, key in the mevalonate pathway and precursor of paclitaxel biosynthesis. MYB3 and MYB4 were capable of auto-regulating their own transcription, constituting an important control point for paclitaxel biosynthesis. A possible mechanism for the early activation of MYB3 and MYB4 after MeJA elicitation is proposed. Finally, preliminary results on the expression of MYB3 and MYB4 in unelicited T. baccata CMC protoplasts indicate that their transient expression was sufficient to increase accumulation of paclitaxel and the precursor, 10-deacetyl baccatin III, highlighting their utility for paclitaxel production.