To improve both the homogeneity and the stability of ADCs, we have developed site-specific drug-conjugating reagents that covalently rebridge reduced disulfide bonds. The new reagents comprise a drug, a linker, and a bis-reactive conjugating moiety that is capable of undergoing reaction with both sulfur atoms derived from a reduced disulfide bond in antibodies and antibody fragments. A disulfide rebridging reagent comprising monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) was prepared and conjugated to trastuzumab (TRA). A 78% conversion of antibody to ADC with a drug to antibody ratio (DAR) of 4 was achieved with no unconjugated antibody remaining. The MMAE rebridging reagent was also conjugated to the interchain disulfide of a Fab derived from proteolytic digestion of TRA, to give a homogeneous single drug conjugated product. The resulting conjugates retained antigen-binding, were stable in serum, and demonstrated potent and antigen-selective cell killing in in vitro and in vivo cancer models. Disulfide rebridging conjugation is a general approach to prepare stable ADCs, which does not require the antibody to be recombinantly re-engineered for site-specific conjugation.

The conjugation of monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) to trastuzumab using a reduction bis-alkylation approach that is capable of rebridging reduced (native) antibody interchain disulfide bonds has been previously shown to produce a homogeneous and stable conjugate with a drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) of 4 as the major product. Here, we further investigate the potency of the DAR 4 conjugates prepared by bis-alkylation by comparing to lower drug loaded variants to maleimide linker based conjugates possessing typical mixed DAR profiles. Serum stability, HER2 receptor binding, internalization, in vitro potency, and in vivo efficacy were all evaluated. Greater stability compared with maleimide conjugation was observed with no significant decrease in receptor/FcRn binding. A clear dose-response was obtained based on drug loading (DAR) with the DAR 4 conjugate showing the highest potency in vitro and a much higher efficacy in vivo compared with the lower DAR conjugates. Finally, the DAR 4 conjugate demonstrated superior efficacy compared to trastuzumab-DM1 (T-DM1, Kadcyla), as evaluated in a low HER2 expressing JIMT-1 xenograft model.

Many biologically active macrocycles contain a C–C double bond through which various other derivatives are prepared; the stereochemical identity of the alkene or the resulting moieties can be critical to the beneficial properties of such molecules. Catalytic ring-closing metathesis (RCM) is a widely employed method for the synthesis of large unsaturated rings;1,2 however, cyclizations often proceed without control of alkene stereochemistry.2 Such shortcoming is particularly costly with complex molecules when cyclization is performed after a long sequence of transformations.2 Here, we outline a reliable, practical and general approach for efficient and highly stereoselective synthesis of macrocyclic alkenes by catalytic RCM; transformations deliver up to 97% Z selectivity due to control induced by a tungsten-based alkylidene. Utility is demonstrated by stereoselective preparation of anti-cancer epothilone C [Ref. 3–5] and anti-microbial nakadomarin A [Ref. 6], previously reported syntheses of which have been marred by late-stage non-selective RCM.7–15 The tungsten alkylidene can be manipulated in air, promoting reactions carried out in a fume hood to deliver products in useful yields and high Z selectivity. As a result of efficient RCM and re-incorporation of side products into the catalytic cycle with minimal alkene isomerization, desired cyclizations proceed in preference to alternative pathways even under relatively high concentration (0.1 molar).

The first broadly applicable set of protocols for efficient and highly Z-selective formation of macrocyclic disubstituted alkenes through catalytic ring-closing metathesis (RCM) is described. Cyclizations are performed in the presence of 1.2–7.5 mol % of a Mo- or W-based mono-aryloxide pyrrolide (MAP) complex at 22 °C and typically proceed to complete conversion within two hours. The utility of the catalytic strategy is demonstrated by stereoselective synthesis of representative macrocyclic alkenes, including natural products yuzu lactone (13-membered ring: 73% Z) epilachnene (15-membered ring: 91% Z), ambrettolide (17-membered ring: 91% Z), an advanced precursor to epothilones C and A (16-membered ring: up to 97% Z) and nakadomarin A (polycyclic 15-membered ring: up to 97% Z). We demonstrate the complementary nature of the Mo-based catalysts, which deliver high activity but can be more prone to causing post-RCM stereoisomerization, versus W-based variants, which furnish lower activity but are less inclined towards causing loss of kinetic Z selectivity; a number of catalytic Z-selective cases are provided to elucidate which catalyst class is best suited for which substrate and particular type of alkene RCM process. Mechanistic models that rationalize the origin and the trends in Z selectivity as a function of alterations in the catalyst structure (i.e., Mo vs W and different imido and aryloxide or alkoxide ligands) are provided; we show that reaction time can be critical in retaining the Z selectivity attained not only with MAP complexes but with the original Mo-based bis-alkoxides as well. The W-based catalysts are sufficiently stable to be manipulated in air even with humidity levels of up to 80%; the catalytic Z-selective cyclizations can be performed on gram scale with complex molecule starting materials.

A wide range of diseases have been shown to be influenced by the accumulation of senescent cells, from fibrosis to diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s and other age-related pathologies. Consistent with this, clearance of senescent cells can prolong healthspan and lifespan in in vivo models. This provided a rationale for developing a new class of drugs, called senolytics, designed to selectively eliminate senescent cells in human tissues. The senolytics tested so far lack specificity and have significant off-target effects, suggesting that a targeted approach could be more clinically relevant. Here, we propose to use an extracellular epitope of B2M, a recently identified membrane marker of senescence, as a target for the specific delivery of toxic drugs into senescent cells. We show that an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) against B2M clears senescent cells by releasing duocarmycin into them, while an isotype control ADC was not toxic for these cells. This effect was dependent on p53 expression and therefore more evident in stress-induced senescence. Non-senescent cells were not affected by either antibody, confirming the specificity of the treatment. Our results provide a proof-of-principle assessment of a novel approach for the specific elimination of senescent cells using a second generation targeted senolytic against proteins of their surfaceome, which could have clinical applications in pathological ageing and associated diseases.

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A highly diastereoselective bifunctional organocatalyst controlled Michael addition, a nitro-Mannich/lactamization cascade, a furan N-acyliminium cyclisation, a sequential alkyne RCM/syn-reduction and an alkene RCM has allowed a 19 step, highly stereoselective synthesis of (-)-nakadomarin A.

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