Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Organogermanium Sesquioxides As Antitumor Agents

Zhang, Chun Li; Li, Tai Hua; Niu, Shuang Huan; Wang, Rong Fu; Fu, Zhan Li; Guo, Feng Qin; Yang, Ming

doi:https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/908625

Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications

On this page

Abstract Introduction Experimental Results Discussion Conclusion References Copyright Related Articles

Research Article | Open Access

Volume 2009 | Article ID 908625 | https://doi.org/10.1155/2009/908625

Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Organogermanium Sesquioxides As Antitumor Agents

Chun Li Zhang,^1,2Tai Hua Li,³Shuang Huan Niu,³Rong Fu Wang,²Zhan Li Fu,²Feng Qin Guo,²and Ming Yang¹

Academic Editor: Anastasios Keramidas

Received07 Oct 2008

Revised16 Dec 2008

Accepted06 Feb 2009

Published02 Jun 2009

Abstract

Five new organogermanium sesquioxides have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectra. All the compounds were tested for antitumor activities against KB, HCT, and Bel cells in vitro. Compound 5 (-thiocarbamido propyl germanium sesquioxide) showed excellent antitumor activity, and its inhibition yield to KB, HCT, and Bel cells was 92.9%, 84.9%, and 70.9%, respectively. A rapid method was described for the labeling compound 5 with , and the optimum labeling conditions were investigated. The labeling yield is above 90% in pH 7.0, , reaction time greater than 10 minutes, 1 mg of compound 5, and 0.0750.1 mg of . The biodistribution of labeled compound 5 in nude mice bearing human colonic xenografts was studied. The result showed that the tumor uptakes were 0.73, 0.97, 0.87, and 0.62 ID%/g at 1-hour, 3-hour, 6-hour, and 20-hour postinjection, respectively. T/NT (the uptake ratio for per gram of tumor over normal tissues) was 18.3 for tumor versus brain and 5.81 for tumor versus muscle at 20-hour postinjection. The tumor clearance was slow. The results showed that compound 5 may be developed to be a suitable cancer therapeutic agent.

1. Introduction

Germanium is a constituent of many medicine plants such as ginseng root, and it is considered to play an important role in the pharmacological effects of the plants [1]. It is reported that many organogermanium compounds can inhibit tumor and metastatic growth and modify immune response by inducing interferon- (IFN-), enhancing NK cell activity, and increasing peritoneal macrophage activity [2–5]. Besides, they are of extremely low toxicity [5, 6]. So, many researches focus on searching for effective and low-toxic antitumor drugs from organogermanium compounds [7–13]. Several types of organogermanium compounds have been investigated and found to possess antitumor effect [14–16], such as tetraalkylgermanium and alkylgermanium halide [17], spirogermanium [18], germanium sesquisulfide [19] or sesquioxide [20, 21], germatranes [22], Ge-porphyrinates, and germanium compounds containing phosphorus [23–25], of which Ge-132 (carboxyethylgermanium sesquioxide) has been clinically used [26, 27].

For developing more effective antitumor agents from organogermanium sesquioxides, we synthesized five new organogermanium sesquioxides and investigated their antitumor activities against KB, HCT, and Bel cells. The compound with the highest antitumor activity was selected for c labeling and biodistribution study in nude mice bearing human colonic xenografts.

2. Experimental

2.1. Agents, Experimental Animals, and Instrumentation

All commercially available chemicals were of analytical grade and used without further purification. c was provided by Syncor company with radiochemical purity greater than 98%.

Experimental animals (Balb/c nude mice) were provided by Experimental Animal Department of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The nude mice were implanted with human colonic carcinoma cells (LoVo cells). When the tumor size was about 1 cm, the mice were used for the experiment.

IR spectra were recorded on a Bruker Equinox 55 spectrometer, US. Elemental analyses were determined on a Yanaco CHN Corder MT-3 elemental analyzer. Mass spectrum (MS) was detected on a Bruker APEX IV FTMS mass spectrometer. Radioactivity was counted on a HY-901 counter provided by Sixin company.

2.2. Chemical Synthesis

The scheme of synthesis route is shown in Figure 1. The details of synthetic method were described by Niu [28].

2.2.1. Reagents

(1) Cl₃GeH
Cl₃GeH was prepared by the method reported by Bai et al. [29]. 0.01 mol of GeO₂, 2 mL of 50% H₃PO₂, and 9 mL of HCl solution (11.9 M) were mixed and refluxed for 4 hours. A colorless Cl₃GeH solution was obtained. The solution was extracted three times with ether to give Cl₃GeH solution in ether.

(2) -Chloroformyl Ethyl Germanium Trichloride (I)
-chloroformyl ethyl germanium trichloride (I) was prepared by the method reported by Bai et al. [29]. 0.01 mol propenoic acid was added dropwise to 0.01 mol Cl₃GeH in HCl solution. A sticky precipitate was formed. After stirring for 4 hours, the precipitate was filtered and recrystallized with CH₂Cl₂ to obtain 1.5 g (0.0055 mol) of I. 60% yield; mp: 70 ~ 72°C.

(3) 7-Oxabicyclo [2.2.1] Hept-5-Ene-2, 3-Dicarboxylic Acid Anhydride (II)
7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] hept-5-ene-2, 3-dicarboxylic acid anhydride (II) was prepared by the method reported by Tian et al. [30]. 0.5 mol of maleic anhydride, 0.6 mol of furan, and 50 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran were mixed and stirred to dissolve the maleic anhydride at 37°C. The solution was placed in room temperature for 2 ~ 3 days until the crystals were formed. The crystals were filtered, dried, and then recrystallized with ethanol to obtain II. mp: 125 ~ 127°C.

(4) 7-Oxabicyclo [2.2.1] Hept-5-Ene-2,3-Dicarboximine (III)
7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximine (III) was prepared by the method reported by Liu et al. [31]. II was added to 25 mL of ammonia liquor (14.8 M) under stirring. The mixture was refluxed in boiling water for 1 hour to yield yellow solution. The solution was cooled and stood overnight. Needle crystals were formed. The crystals were filtered, dried, and then recrystallized with 95% ethanol to obtain III. mp: 173 ~ 175°C.

(5) N-Amino-7-Oxabicyclo [2.2.1] Hept-5-Ene-2,3-Dicarboximine (IV)
N-amino-7-oxabicyclo [2.2.1] hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboximine (IV) was prepared by the method reported by Liu et al. [31]. 5 mL of 50% hydrated hydrazine was added dropwise to 0.06 mol of I in water. The mixture was refluxed in boiling water for 1 hour to yield purple solution and then stood overnight. Lamellar crystals were formed. The crystals were filtered, dried, and then recrystallized with distilled water to obtain IV. mp: 145 ~ 146°C.

(6) Ethyl Glutamate (V)
To prepare ethyl glutamate (V), a mixture of glutamic acid (0.2 mol) and anhydrous ethanol (100 mL) was refluxed in an oil bath. Dry hydrochloride gas was ventilated until the amino acid was dissolved completely. Then we stopped heating and continued to stir the reaction mixture for 1 hour. Evaporation of the excess ethanol in vacuo resulted in light yellow oil. 40 mL of distilled water was added, and the pH of the solution was increased by the addition of 8 g of NaOH and stirred for 2 hours. The reaction mixture was extracted three times with ethyl acetate (15 mL), dried (with anhydrous Na₂SO₄), and concentrated in vacuo to give V as a light yellow oil.

2.2.2. Synthesis of Germanium Sesquioxides of 7-Oxabicyclo [2.2.1] Hept-2,3-Dicarboxylic Acid Anhydride, and 7-Oxabicyclo [2.2.1] Hept-2,3-Dicarboximine Derivatives (Compound 1, 2, 3)

To a solution of II or III, IV (0.01 mol) in an anhydrous solvent was added dropwise Cl₃GeH (0.01 mol), and the solution was stirred overnight. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo, and the residue was dissolved in distilled water (20 mL) and stirred for 2 ~ 3 hours to give a hydrolyzed product as a precipitate. The precipitate was filtered, washed with aforementioned solvent and distilled water, and dried to afford compound 1 or 2, 3.

Compound 1:

Elemental analysis: C: 36.21%, H: 2.62% (found); C: 36.42%, H: 2.66% (calcd.).

Compound 2:

Elemental analysis: C: 36.38%, H: 3.00%, N: 5.29% (found); C: 36.56%, H: 3.05%, N: 5.33% (calcd.).

Compound 3:

Elemental analysis: C: 34.63%, H: 3.29%, N: 10.01% (found); C: 34.58%, H: 3.24%, N: 10.09% (calcd.).

2.2.3. Synthesis of Germanium Sesquioxide of Ethyl Glutamate (Compound 4)

To a vigorously stirred solution of I in ether (10 mL) was added dropwise a solution of V (4.0 g) in ether, and the solution was stirred for 6 hours. A white sticky precipitate was formed and filtered off. The filtrate was evaporated in vacuo to remove ether. Adding 10 mL of distilled water and stirring for 6 ~ 7 hours yielded a white precipitate. The precipitate was filtered, washed three times with distilled water, and dried to give compound 4 as a white or light yellow powder.

Compound 4:

Elemental analysis: C: 41.02%, H: 5.64%, N: 4.01% (found); C: 40.61%, H: 5.64%, N: 3.95% (calcd.).

2.2.4. Synthesis of -Thiocarbamido Propyl Germanium Sesquioxide (Compound 5)

To a solution of propenyl thiocarbamide (0.01 mol) in anhydrous ethynol was added dropwise a solution of Cl₃GeH (0.01 mol) in ether, and the solution was stirred for 3 ~ 4 hours. The solvent was evaporated in vacuo to give an oily residue. Addition of distilled water (20 mL) yielded a bright yellow precipitate. The solution was kept stirring for 2 hours. The precipitate was filtered, washed three times with distilled water, and dried to give compound 5.

Compound 5:

Elemental analysis: C: 21.96%, H: 4.23%, N: 13.09% (found); C: 22.47%, H: 4.21%, N: 13.11% (calcd.).

2.3. Antitumor Activity

The antitumor activity in vitro was assayed by the MTT method [32] using DMSO as solvent. The tumor inhibition yield and IC₅₀ of the five organogermanium sesquioxides and Ge-132 against KB (human nasopharyngeal cancer), HCT (human colonic cancer), and Bel (human liver cancer) cells were measured.

2.4. Radiolabeling with ^99mTc

Since compound 5 showed best antitumor activity, it was selected for further radiolabeling and biodistribution studies. To the solution of compound 5 in NaOH solution (2 mol/L), 100 L freshly prepared SnCl₂·H₂O solution was added, and pH was adjusted to the required value. 3700 ~ 5500 kBq of c eluate was added, and the solution was stirred for 5 ~ 25 minutes to give the labeled compound. Labeling yield was measured by TLC with polyamide membrane in the solvent of (CH₃)₂CHOH₄OO = (v/v/v). Rf: labeled compound: 0.3 ~ 0.4, c: 0.5 ~ 0.6, cO·xH₂O: 0 ~ 0.1. Reaction conditions were optimized by varying the concentration of germanium sesquioxide solution and reducing agent (SnCl₂), pH, temperature, and reaction time.

2.5. Biodistribution

Twelve nude mice bearing human colonic cancer xenografts were injected in tail vein with 555 ~ 740 kBq of c labeled compound 5. Three animals were sacrified at 1-hour, 3-hour, 6-hour, and 20-hour postinjection, respectively. Tissues and organs were excised, rinsed, weighted, and counted in a counter. The uptake percentage of the injected dose per gram of the measured organ (ID %/g) and the ratio of ID %/g of tumor over normal tissues (T/NT) were calculated.

3. Results

3.1. Preparations

The compounds were prepared under mild condition. All the five compounds are powder and stable under ordinary conditions. They all are not soluble in water, alcohol, slightly soluble in DMSO, but compounds 3, 4, and 5 are easily soluble in 2 mol/L of NaOH solution.

The elemental analysis data and IR spectra were consistent with the expected structure of the compounds. In IR spectra, the wide absorption band at 800 ~ 900 cm^-1 corresponds to the characteristic region of νGe–O. The weak absorption peak at about 550 cm^-1 corresponds to the characteristic region of νGe–C.

MS was performed on compound 5 dissolved in the mixture of DMSO and methanol. The solvent was selected because DMSO was the solvent for measuring antitumor activity, and methanol was used to decrease the viscosity of the solution to facilitate MS detection. MS showed the compound containing two germanium atoms with m/z 456.815. The m/z value corresponds to the molecular weight of the formula [Ge(CH₂)₃NHCSNHCH₃]₂O₃ which may be formed by methylation of [Ge(CH₂)₃NHCSNH₂]₂O₃ by methanol in DMSO.

3.2. Antitumor Activity

The antitumor activities of the five compounds and Ge-132 at the concentration of 1, 10, and 50 g/mL were tested. All the five compounds showed no antitumor activity at the concentration of 1 and 10 g/mL. The antitumor activities of the compounds at the concentration of 50 g/mL are listed in Table 1. The results of bioassay show that compounds 4, 5 exhibit certain activities against cancer cells, but compounds 1, 2, 3 show no antitumor activity. Compound 5 shows the highest antitumor activity. Its inhibition yields to KB, HCT, and Bel cells are 92.9%, 84.9%, and 70.9%, respectively. IC₅₀ is smaller than 10^-7 M (I0^-7 M is considered as strong inhibition, IC₅₀ = 10^-7 ~ 10^-6 M as medium inhibition, and IC₅₀ = 10^-6 ~ 10^-5 M as weak inhibition). Ge-132 shows antitumor activity in vitro only to HCT cell, and the inhibition yield is 31.4%.

3.3. ^99mTc Labeling

Labeling yields of compound 5 at different conditions are showed in Figure 2. The compound shows maximum labeling yield of above 90% at 1 mg of the germanium sesquioxide, pH 7.0 8.0, 20°C, with 0.075 ~ 0.1 mg of SnCl₂ as reducing agent for more than 10 minutes of reaction.

(a) Germanium sesquioxide: 0.1 mg, SnCl2: 0.1 mg, T = 20°C, t = 10 minutes

(b) Germanium sesquioxide: 0.1 mg, SnCl2: 0.1 mg, pH = 7.0, t = 10 minutes

(c) Germanium sesquioxide: 0.1 mg, pH = 7.0, T = 20°C, t = 10 minutes

(d) pH = 7.0, SnCl2: 0.1 mg, T = 20°C, t = 10 minutes

(e) Germanium sesquioxide: 1 mg, SnCl2: 0.1 mg, T = 20°C, pH = 7.0

3.4. Biodistribution

The result of the biodistribution study of compound 5 in nude mice is tabulated in Table 2. The uptakes of the compound in heart, brain, and muscle are low. It shows high uptake in liver, kidney, and lung. The lung has the highest uptake at 3-hour and 6-hour postinjection.

Tumor uptakes of compound 5 are 0.73, 0.97, 0.87, and 0.62 ID %/g at 1-hour, 3-hour, 6-hour, and 20-hour postinjection, respectively, which are higher than those of muscle, heart, and brain but lower than those of kidney, liver, and lung. The clearance of the compound in tumor is relatively low (Figure 3). At 20-hour postinjection, the tumor uptake is higher than that of all other tissues except kidney, liver, and lung. The maximum T/NT is the ratio of tumor to brain (18.30) and followed by the ratio of tumor to muscle (5.81) at 20-hour postinjection. T/NT for tumor versus blood increases with time with the maximum of 3.01 at 20-hour postinjection (Table 3). The result of its relatively high tumor uptake and low tumor clearance as well as its high tumor inhibition yield suggests that compound 5 may be developed to be a suitable agent for cancer therapy.

4. Discussion

Mironov et al. synthesized bis (2-carboxyethylgermanium) sesquioxide (now known as Ge-132) in the 1960s [33]. In the 1970s, Japanese scholar K. Asai. synthesized organogermanium pharmaceuticals with wide spectra of pharmacological activities, in which he found Ge-132 showing antitumor activity [34]. Since then, a lot of studies showed that many organogermanium compounds can modify immune function, inhibit tumor cell proliferation [35], induce tumor cell apoptosis [36], and they are efficient in treating and preventing cancers [37–40]. Besides, they can also relieve cancer-induced pain [41], but the main problem of organogermanium compounds used as antitumor agents is their low pharmacological effects, which makes them can only be used as auxiliary agents in tumor therapy. So, development of more effective antitumor organogermanium compounds is a valuable subject.

In this study, five new organogermanium compounds were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis data and IR spectra. The elemental analysis data and IR spectra were consistent with the expected structure of the compounds. In IR spectra, the wide absorption band at 800 ~ 900 cm^-1 of the characteristic region of νGe–O provides support for Ge–O network structure. The weak absorption peak at about 550 cm^-1 corresponds to the characteristic region of νGe–C. The result shows that Ge–O network structure and Ge–C bond exist in the compounds.

One of the characteristics of germanium compounds is polymorphism [5]. The basic formula of germanium sesquioxides is (GeR)₂O₃. So germanium sesquioxides can be represented by [(GeR)₂O₃]_n where R is the group conjugated with germanium atom and n is the degree of polymerization. The degree of polymerization strongly influences the toxicity of the compounds. It is reported that the value of “n” depends on the way in which a solid product separates out of a solution of the compound. Particle size and bulk density of the dried solid in batch-to-batch comparisons are notoriously variable. Although there may be many polymorphic solid forms, the aqueous solutions, once they are formed, are identical [5]. In this study, the “n” value of compound 5 in the mixture of DMSO and methanol was detected. The result showed that the compound existed in dimer form in the solution.

Two of the five compounds showed certain antitumor activity at the concentration of 50 g/mL. Compound 5 showed very high antitumor activity with the inhibition yields of 92.9%, 84.9%, and 70.9% to KB, HCT, and Bel cells at the concentration of 50 g/mL (0.117 mmol/L), respectively. Compound 4 showed antitumor activity only to HCT cell with the inhibition yield of 41.5%. The antitumor activities of compound 4 and compound 5 were higher than that of Ge-132 which has been clinically used. But Ge-132 showed its in vivo antitumor effect partly due to its inducing the antitumor immunity of the host. Whether the new organogermanium compounds synthesized have the in vivo immunopotentiating activity needs to be further investigated.

Since many organogermanium compounds have radiosensitive effect [36], it is expected that radiolabeled organogermanium compounds may be more effective in the therapy of cancer by synergic effect of cytotoxicity of the compounds and radiation effect. We investigated the method of labeling compound 5 with c. The result showed that the compound can be successfully labeled with labeling efficiency greater than 90%. The therapeutic radionuclide, ¹⁸⁶Re or ¹⁸⁸Re, has similar chemical property to c. So it is hopeful to label the organogermanium compound with ¹⁸⁶Re or ¹⁸⁸Re for the tumor therapy study. This work will be done later.

Labeling compound 5 with c also allowed the biodistribution study of the compound in nude mice bearing human colonic cancer. The biodistribution data showed that the compound was mainly concentrated in kidney, lung, and next in liver. Tumor uptake was higher than that of muscle, heart, and brain, but lower than that of kidney, liver, and lung after 3-hour postinjection. The clearance of the compound in tumor was relatively low. The result showed that the compound has relative high tumor uptake and low tumor clearance, which facilitates using the compound in cancer therapy.

5. Conclusion

A new class of organogermanium sesquioxides was synthesized and characterized. The antitumor activity, c labeling, and biodistribution were studied. Of the five compounds, compound 5 shows excellent antitumor activity, high tumor uptake, and slow clearance in tumor. It may be developed to be a suitable cancer therapeutic agent. The in vivo antitumor effects of the organogermanium sesquioxides need to be further investigated.

References

M. S. Lu, “Anti-cancer effect of tonic traditional Chinese medicine and organic germanium,” Trace Elements Science, vol. 5, pp. 57–59, 1998.
View at: Google Scholar
H. Aso, F. Suzuki, T. Yamaguchi, Y. Hayashi, T. Ebina, and N. Ishida, “Induction of interferon and activation of NK cells and macrophages in mice by oral administration of Ge-132, an organic germanium compound,” Microbiology and Immunology, vol. 29, no. 1, pp. 65–74, 1985.
View at: Google Scholar
F. Suzuki, “Antitumor activity of Ge-132, a new organogermanium compound, in mice is expressed through the functions of macrophages and T lymphocytes,” Japanese Journal of Cancer and Chemotherapy, vol. 12, no. 7, pp. 1445–1452, 1985.
View at: Google Scholar
M. Kuwabara, S. Ohba, and M. Yukawa, “Effect of germanium, poly-trans-[2-carboxyethyl] germasesquioxane on natural killer (NK) activity in dogs,” Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, vol. 64, no. 8, pp. 719–721, 2002.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
B. J. Kaplan, W. W. Parish, G. M. Andrus, J. S. A. Simpson, and C. J. Field, “Germane facts about germanium sesquioxide: I. Chemistry and anticancer properties,” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 337–344, 2004.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
G. B. Gerber and A. Léonard, “Mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and teratogenicity of germanium compounds,” Mutation Research/Reviews in Mutation Research, vol. 387, no. 3, pp. 141–146, 1997.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
Y. Q. Ma, J. S. Li, Z. N. Xuan, and R. C. Liu, “Synthesis, characterization and antitumor activity of some arylantimony triphenylgermanylpropionates and crystal structures of ${Ph}_{3} {GeCH(Ph)CH}_{2} {CO}_{2} {SbPh}_{4}$ and ${{[Ph}_{3} {GeCH}_{2} {CH(CH}_{3} {)CO}_{2}]}_{2} {Sb(4-ClC}_{6} H_{4})_{3}$ ,” Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, vol. 620, no. 1-2, pp. 235–242, 2001.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
G. Shangguan, F. Xing, X. Qu et al., “DNA binding specificity and cytotoxicity of novel antitumor agent Ge132 derivatives,” Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters, vol. 15, no. 12, pp. 2962–2965, 2005.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
B. G. Wang, G. Y. Zhang, L. Y. Zhao, and Y. Liu, “Inhibiting effect of organic germanium polyacid derivative on S180 cells,” Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University (Medical Sciences), vol. 23, pp. 550–551, 2002.
View at: Google Scholar
L. Ye and W. Zhang, “Synthesis and biological activity of 3-(2, 8, 9-trioxa-aza-1-germatricyclo [3. 3. 3. 0]undecane-1-yl)-hydroxycinnamic acids,” Medicinal Chemistry, vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 466–468, 2007.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
E. Abele, R. Abele, P. Arsenyan et al., “Synthesis and cytotoxicity of silicon and germanium containing pyridine oxime O-ethers,” Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications, vol. 1, no. 3-4, pp. 299–308, 2004.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
E. Lukevics, P. Arsenyan, I. Shestakova et al., “Cytotoxic activity of silyl- and germyl-substituted 4,4-dioxo-3a,6a- dihydrothieno[2,3-d]isoxazolines-2,” Metal-Based Drugs, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 63–66, 2000.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
L. B. Ye, X. D. Chen, H. Zhao, and X. M. Yan, “The inhibitory effect of germanium ferulic acid on the tumor $U_{14}$ ,” Anhui Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal, vol. 9, pp. 570–571, 2005.
View at: Google Scholar
K. Li, X. F. Zhu, Y. Ye, and Q. Zeng, “The research development of organogermanium compound on antitumor activity,” Speciality Petrochemicals, vol. 3, pp. 54–57, 2003.
View at: Google Scholar
Z. Rappoport, The Chemistry of Organic Germanium Tin and Lead Compounds. Vol. 2, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK, 2002.
M. Gielen and E. R. T. Tiekink, Eds., Metallotherapeutic Drugs and Metal-Based Diagnostic Agents, M. Gielen and E. R. T. Tiekink, Eds., John Wiley & Sons, Chichester, UK, 2005.
A. P. Li, A. R. Dahl, and J. O. Hill, “In vitro cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of dibutyltin dichloride and dibutylgermanium dichloride,” Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, vol. 64, no. 3, pp. 482–485, 1982.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
B. T. Hill, S. A. Whatley, A. S. Bellamy, L. Y. Jenkins, and R. D. H. Whelan, “Cytotoxic effect and biological activity of 2-aza-8-germanospiro[4,5]-decane-2-propanamine-8,8-diethyl-N,N-dimethyl dichloride [NSC 192965; spirogermanium] in vitro,” Cancer Research, vol. 42, pp. 2852–2856, 1982.
View at: Google Scholar
G.-Y. Bao, S. Liu, and T.-H. Li, “Synthesis, ${}^{99 m}T c$ -labeled and biodistribution study of $γ$ -thioureidopropyl germanium sesquisulfide,” Journal of Nuclear and Radiochemistry, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 240–242, 2002.
View at: Google Scholar
T. H. Li and H. S. Niu, “Synthesis of new type of organogermanium sesquioxides, ${}^{99 m}T c$ labelling and their tissue distribution in mice,” Journal of Labelled Compounds and Radiopharmaceuticals, vol. 42, p. S607, 1999.
View at: Google Scholar
J. H. Zhou, G. Q. Shangguan, and G. H. Wang, “The synthesis and Cytotoxic activity of novel no germanium sesquioxides with naphthalene moiety,” Journal of Mathematical Medicine, vol. 20, pp. 699–701, 2007.
View at: Google Scholar
C. M. Rink, M. C. Mauck, I. Asif, M. E. Pitzer, and E. E. Fenlon, “Syntheses of silatranyl- and germatranyluridines,” Organic Letters, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 1165–1168, 2005.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
R. Y. Chen, L. J. Mao, and M. Zhang, “Condensation reaction of $β$ -triphenylgermanyl propionic acid with $α$ -hydroxy phosphonic ester and the structure of the products,” Science in China-Series B, vol. 38, no. 8, pp. 897–902, 1995.
View at: Google Scholar
Y. Ye, Q. Zeng, and L. Z. Liu, “The synthesis of N-( $β$ -triphenylgermanyl) propionyl- $α$ - amino-benzylphosphonates,” Synthetic Communications, vol. 31, no. 15, pp. 2373–2378, 2001.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
Y. Ye, Q. Zeng, and Q.-M. Wang, “Synthesis and crystal structure of O,O-dimethyl-N-( $β$ -triphenylgermanyl)propionyl- $α$ -aminobenzylphosphonates,” Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 195–198, 2001.
View at: Google Scholar
R. T. Dorr and D. D. Van Hoff, Cancer Chemotherapy Handbook, Appleton & Lange, Norwalk, Conn, USA, 2nd edition, 1994.
M. G. Mainwaring, C. Poor, D. S. Zander, and E. Harman, “Complete remission of pulmonary spindle cell carcinoma after treatment with oral germanium sesquioxide,” Chest, vol. 117, no. 2, pp. 591–593, 2000.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
S. H. Niu, The study on novel antitumor radiopharmaceuticals, M.S. thesis, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China, 1998.
M. Z. Bai, S. J. Yang, L. J. Sun, S. X. Wang, and J. Wang, “Studies on the synthesis and properties of $β$ -(N-arylamide) ethyl germanium sesquioxides,” Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities, vol. 8, pp. 626–628, 1987.
View at: Google Scholar
S. L. Tian, K. Q. Li, Z. Y. Wang, and S. W. Zhao, “Synthesis of exo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid anhydride,” Chinese Journal of Pharmaceuticals, vol. 23, p. 33, 1992.
View at: Google Scholar
J. Y. Liu, B. X. Zhang, and R. X. Li, “A study of antitumor chemotherapeutic agents-synthesis of cantharidine derivatives,” Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica, vol. 15, no. 5, pp. 271–277, 1980.
View at: Google Scholar
P. Skehan, R. Storeng, D. Scudiero et al., “New colorimetric cytotoxicity assay for anticancer-drug screening,” Journal of the National Cancer Institute, vol. 82, no. 13, pp. 1107–1112, 1990.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
V. F. Mironov, E. M. Berliner, and T. K. Gar, “Reactions of trichlorogermane with acrylic acid and its derivatives,” Zhurnal Obshchei Khimii, vol. 37, pp. 911–912, 1967.
View at: Google Scholar
K. Asai, Miracle Cure: Organic Germanium, Japan Publications, New York, NY, USA, 1980.
Y. Zhang, B. G. Wang, G. Y. Zhang, and X. L. Dong, “Study on anti-tumor and mechanism of organogermanium poly-derivatives,” Carcinogenesis, Teratogenesis and Mutagenesis, vol. 16, pp. 39–42, 2004.
View at: Google Scholar
G. L. Huang, X. D. Chen, C. Xiao, and Y. B. Yan, “The inhibitory effect of germanium cinnamate on cervix cancer No.14 in mice,” China Parmaceuticals, vol. 11, pp. 42–43, 2002.
View at: Google Scholar
F. Suzuki, R. R. Brutkiewicz, and R. B. Pollard, “Ability of sera from mice treated with Ge-132, an inorganic germanium compound, to inhibit experimental murine ascites tumor,” British Journal of Cancer, vol. 52, pp. 757–763, 1985.
View at: Google Scholar
N. Kumano, T. Ishikawa, S. Koinumaru et al., “Antitumor effect of the organogermanium compound Ge-132 on the Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL) in C57BL/6 (B6) mice,” The Tohoku Journal of Experimental Medicine, vol. 146, no. 1, pp. 97–104, 1985.
View at: Publisher Site | Google Scholar
K. H. Mu and J. Feng, “The study of the effection of Ge-132 on cultured melanocytes,” The Chinese Journal of Dermatovenereology, vol. 17, pp. 91–92, 2003.
View at: Google Scholar
K. H. Mu, J. Feng, and H. Q. Xu, “The effect of Ge-132 on ultra structure of cultured melanocytes,” Journal of Xi'an Medical University, vol. 12, no. 2, p. 148, 2000.
View at: Google Scholar
H. Dozono, K. Ikeda, and T. Onishi, “Effectiveness of Ge-132 to relieve pain and smooth home care administration for the terminal cancer patient,” Gan to Kagaku Ryoho, vol. 23, pp. 291–295, 1996.
View at: Google Scholar

Copyright

Copyright © 2009 Chun Li Zhang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

PDF Download Citation

Download other formats

Order printed copies

Views

2185

Downloads

1463

Citations

Bioinorganic Chemistry and Applications

Synthesis and Evaluation of Novel Organogermanium Sesquioxides As Antitumor Agents

Abstract

1. Introduction

2. Experimental

2.1. Agents, Experimental Animals, and Instrumentation

2.2. Chemical Synthesis

2.2.1. Reagents

2.2.2. Synthesis of Germanium Sesquioxides of 7-Oxabicyclo [2.2.1] Hept-2,3-Dicarboxylic Acid Anhydride, and 7-Oxabicyclo [2.2.1] Hept-2,3-Dicarboximine Derivatives (Compound 1, 2, 3)

2.2.3. Synthesis of Germanium Sesquioxide of Ethyl Glutamate (Compound 4)

2.2.4. Synthesis of -Thiocarbamido Propyl Germanium Sesquioxide (Compound 5)

2.3. Antitumor Activity

2.4. Radiolabeling with 99mTc

2.5. Biodistribution

3. Results

3.1. Preparations

3.2. Antitumor Activity

3.3. 99mTc Labeling

3.4. Biodistribution

4. Discussion

5. Conclusion

References

Copyright

2.4. Radiolabeling with ^99mTc

3.3. ^99mTc Labeling