Identification, synthesis and properties of 5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2-nitro-4-nitrosobenzamide, a novel DNA crosslinking agent derived from CB1954.

5-(Aziridin-1-yl)-4-hydroxylamino-2-nitrobenzamide, the active form of 5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitrobenzamide (CB1954), can react spontaneously with oxygen, and in aqueous solution yields 5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2-nitro-4-nitrosobenzamide and hydrogen peroxide. Mild biological reducing agents such as NAD(P)H, reduced thiols and ascorbic acid rapidly re-reduced the nitroso compound to the hydroxylamine. Both compounds were equally efficient at inducing cytotoxicity and DNA interstrand crosslinking in cells when exposed in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Neither agent was capable of inducing cross-links in isolated DNA. When acetyl coenzyme A was included in the incubation, crosslink formation was seen with the hydroxylamine, but not with the nitroso compound. Thus, the nitroso compound is acting as a prodrug for the hydroxylamine, and needs to be reduced to this compound to exert its cytotoxic effects. In vivo anti-tumour tests showed that neither compound was effective in its own right. This may be due to the rapid reduction of the nitroso to the hydroxylamine, and the reaction of the hydroxylamine with serum proteins. The chemical synthesis of the 5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2-nitro-4-nitrosobenzamide, and an improved synthesis of 5-(aziridin-1-yl)-4-hydroxylamino-2-nitrobenzamide is described. These results emphasize the potential efficacy of the in situ activation of prodrugs such as CB1954 either by endogenous enzymes such as DT diaphorase, or by antibody directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT).