| abstract |
Onium salts of taxo-diterpenoid-C<n>, 2-0-aza-arenes are employed as water soluble prodrugs. For example, taxol-2'-methylpyridinium tosylate (MPT) is characterized by an elevated aqueous solubility, rapid activation by serum protein, good stability in most other aqueous solutions, formation of a protein:taxol intermediate and good retension within the circulatory system. The toxicity of the activated form is comparable or greater than underivatized taxol. Furthermore, taxol-2'-MPT can be synthesized by a simple one step reaction between taxol and 2-fluoro-1-MPT. The invention is applicable to taxol and taxol mimetics having hydroxyls that are reactive with onium salts of 2-halogenated-aza-arenes. For example, taxol, C-2 substituted analogs of taxol, and Taxotere each have reactive hydroxyls at the 2' and 7 positions. The invention is also applicable to a wide array of 2-halogenated-aza-arenes. |