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Summary A series of ( E )-3-(4-hydroxy-5-methoxyindole-7-yl)-2-methylpropenoic acids was prepared and the inhibitory activities of its members on IL-1 generation were evaluated in an in vivo system using the rat carboxymethyl cellulose-lipopolysaccharide (CMC-LPS) air-pouch model. Many compounds in this new series were found to be inhibitors of IL-1 generation. Structure-activity relationships indicated that a methyl substituent at the 1- and 3-positions on the indole ring are important for activity and that a 3,4,5-trimethoxy-substituted 2-phenyl group on the indole ring is suitable to give compounds exhibiting inhibition after oral administration. Among the compounds evaluated, ( E )-3-[1,3-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)indole-7-yl]-2-methylpropenoic acid ( 15m ), which inhibited IL-1 generation by human monocytes stimulated with various reagents such as LPS, opsonized zymosan and immune complexes, showed inhibitory activity in the rat CMC-LPS model after oral administration.

c-Met is the cellular receptor for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and is known to be dysregulated in various types of human cancers. Activation of the HGF/c-Met pathway causes tumor progression, invasion, and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is also known as a key molecule in tumor progression through the induction of tumor angiogenesis. Because of their key roles in tumor progression, these pathways provide attractive targets for therapeutic intervention. We have generated a novel, orally active, small molecule compound, E7050, which inhibits both c-Met and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-2. In vitro studies indicate that E7050 potently inhibits phosphorylation of both c-Met and VEGFR-2. E7050 also potently represses the growth of both c-met amplified tumor cells and endothelial cells stimulated with either HGF or VEGF. In vivo studies using E7050 showed inhibition of the phosphorylation of c-Met and VEGFR-2 in tumors, and strong inhibition of tumor growth and tumor angiogenesis in xenograft models. Treatment of some tumor lines containing c-met amplifications with high doses of E7050 (50-200 mg/kg) induced tumor regression and disappearance. In a peritoneal dissemination model, E7050 showed an antitumor effect against peritoneal tumors as well as a significant prolongation of lifespan in treated mice. Our results indicate that E7050 is a potent inhibitor of c-Met and VEGFR-2 and has therapeutic potential for the treatment of cancer.

Synthesis of prostaglandin A2 (PGA2) by means of a route involving enzymatic reactions is described. Enantioselective reduction and hydrolysis of trans-3, 4-bis(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentanone (1) were examined using yeasts or enzymes, and it was found that (+)- and (-)-1 are easily obtained by an enzymatic procedure. Compound (+)-1 was converted to the Corey intermediate for PGA2 via the regioselective hydrolysis of the (+)-diacetate (8) with porcine pancreatic lipase. This synthesis based on the enzymatic approach was proved to be useful for the synthesis of both PGA and PGE from (-)-1.

Synthesis of prostaglandin A2 (PGA2) by means of a route involving enzymatic reactions is described. Enantioselective reduction and hydrolysis of trans-3, 4-bis(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentanone (1) were examined using yeasts or enzymes, and it was found that (+)- and (-)-1 are easily obtained by an enzymatic procedure. Compound (+)-1 was converted to the Corey intermediate for PGA2 via the regioselective hydrolysis of the (+)-diacetate (8) with porcine pancreatic lipase. This synthesis based on the enzymatic approach was proved to be useful for the synthesis of both PGA and PGE from (-)-1.