Targeted cytotoxic anthracycline analogs

Abstract

This invention is in the field of the chemistry of targeting anticancer anthracycline derivatives. More particularly, it concerns doxorubicin (DOX) or its daunosamine modified derivatives (DM-DOX) linked covalently to analogs of peptide hormones such as LH-RH, bombesin and somatostatin. These covalent conjugates are targeted to various tumors bearing receptors for the peptide hormone analogs. The compounds of this invention are represented by General Formula Q.sup.14 --O--R--P wherein Q has the general formula ##STR1## wherein: Q.sup.14 signifies a Q moiety with a side chain at the 14 position, R-- is H or --C(O)--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --C(O)-- and n=0-7, R' is NH.sub.2 or an aromatic, saturated or partially saturated 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic compounds having at least one ring nitrogen and optionally having a butadiene moiety bonded to adjacent carbon atoms of said ring to form a bicyclic system; P is H or a peptide moiety, suitably an LHRH, somatostatin or bombesin analogs. Nevertheless where R' is NH.sub.2 then R and P are other than H. When R and P are H, then R' is other than NH.sub.2. A novel synthetic reaction has been discovered in the course of this work to form partially saturated heterocyclic moieties from vicinal and disjunct i.e., .alpha., .beta., or .alpha., .gamma. hydroxy primary amines.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.