Chemotherapeutically active maytansinoids from Trewia nudiflora
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture
InventorsRichard G. Powell, Cecil R. Smith, Jr.
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Abstract
A novel group of maytansinoid compounds has been discovered in the seed tissue of Trewia nudiflora. They are represented by the general formula ##STR1## and are all characterized by a distinguishing methoxy group on the C-15 carbon. These isolates have proven to be effective in causing the remission of one or more types of malignancies.
Claims8
A substantially pure compound selected from the group consisting of trewiasine, dehydrotrewiasine, and N-demethyltrewiasine, characterized by the formula ##STR6## wherein for trewiasine:
- R.sup.1 =--CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, R.sup.2 =--CH.sub.3, and R.sup.3 =--CH.sub.3 ;
- wherein for dehydrotrewiasine:
- R.sup.1 = ##STR7## R.sup.2 =--CH.sub.3, and R.sup.3 =--CH.sub.3 ;
- and wherein for N-demethyltrewiasine:
- R.sup.1 =--CH(CH.sub.3).sub.2, R.sup.2 =--CH.sub.3, and R.sup.3 =--H.
A chemotherapeutic composition suitable for the remission of leukemia comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle and an amount effective to promote said remission of a substantially pure compound selected from the group consisting of trewiasine, dehydrotrewiasine, and N-demethyltrewiasine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.