| abstract |
Prodrugs having a hydrolyzable carbamate moiety, compositions including the prodrugs, methods of preparing the prodrugs and methods of treatment using the prodrugs are disclosed. The prodrug has the formula DC(X)XR, where D is a biologically active agent, X is O, S or NR′, and R is a moiety that modifies various properties of the biologically active agent. The biologically active agent either includes a functional group such as an amide, thioamide, imide, thioimide, urea, thiourea, carbamate, thiocarbamate, sulfonamide, or sulfonimide group, or includes a hydroxy, amine, carboxylic acid or thiol group that is modified to include such a group. An NH group from the biologically active agent can be coupled to an activated form the C(X)XR moiety to form the prodrugs described herein. Relative to a conventional carbamate group, the presence of the additional carbonyl or sulfonyl group makes the carbamate group more susceptible to hydrolysis. The prodrugs are more stable in certain environments than the biologically active agent, and can permit the drugs to be administered orally, in those embodiments where the biologically active agent must otherwise be administered by injection or intraveneous administration. |