Most tumor cell membranes overexpress L-type amino acid transporter 1, while normal cell membranes contain L-type amino acid transporter 2; both are Na + -independent amino acid transporters. Therefore, compounds that selectively inhibit L-type amino acid transporter 1 offer researchers with a novel cancer molecular target. Synthetic chemistry efforts and in vitro screening have produced a variety of novel compounds possessing high in vitro L-type amino acid transporter 1 selectivity; KYT-0353 was one such compound. The present studies illustrate that KYT-0353 inhibited 14 C-leucine uptake and cell growth in human colon cancer-derived HT-29 cells; IC 50 s were 0.06 lM and 4.1 lM, respectively. KYT-0353 also inhibited 14 C-leucine uptake in mouse renal proximal tubule cells expressing L-type amino acid transporter 1, and inhibited cell growth; IC 50 s were 0.14 lM and 16.4 lM, respectively. Compared to control animals, intravenously administered KYT-0353 (12.5 mg/kg and 25.0 mg/kg) showed statistically significant growth inhibition against HT-29 tumors transplanted to nude mice with maximal inhibition ratios of 65.9% and 77.2%, respectively. Body weight increase with time -a safety indicator -was slightly depressed at 12.5 mg/kg and 25.0 mg/kg with maximal ratios of 3.7% (day 2) and 6.3% (day 11), respectively. Thus, KYT-0353 showed significant growth inhibitory effects on HT-29 cells both in vitro and in vivo, whereas it only caused a slight body weight depression. Therefore, KYT-0353 appears to have potential as a novel antitumor agent, presumably via selective in vivo L-type amino acid transporter 1 inhibition. (Cancer Sci 2010; 101: 173-179)

T-1095A and T-1095 are synthetic agents derived from phlorizin, a specific inhibitor of Na+-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs). Unlike phlorizin, T-1095 is absorbed into the circulation via oral administration, is metabolized to the active form, T-1095A, and suppresses the activity of SGLTs in the kidney. Orally administered T-1095 increases urinary glucose excretion in diabetic animals, thereby decreasing blood glucose levels. Indeed, the postprandial hyperglycemia after a meal load was shown to be suppressed by this compound in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. With long-term T-1095 treatment, both blood glucose and HbA1c levels were reduced in STZ-induced diabetic rats and yellow KK mice. In addition, there was amelioration of abnormal carbohydrate metabolism, i.e., hyperinsulinemia and hypertriglyceridemia, and of the development of microalbuminuria, in yellow KK mice. Thus, T-1095 may be a useful antidiabetic drug, providing a novel therapeutic approach for diabetes.

In our studies of Na(+)-glucose cotransporter (SGLT) inhibitors as antidiabetic agents, a series of novel 4'-dehydroxyphlorizin derivatives substituted on the B ring was prepared and their effects on urinary glucose excretion were evaluated in rats. Introduction of only a small alkyl group at the 4'-position increased the activity, and 3-(benzo¿bfuran-5-yl)-2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methylpropiophenone 2'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4) showed the most potent effect. To overcome hydrolysis of compound 4 by beta-glucosidase in the digestive tract, the OH groups on the glucose moiety of compound 4 were modified. Three prodrugs (5, 42, and 55) were more potent than the parent compound 4 by oral administration, and finally 3-(benzo¿bfuran-5-yl)-2',6'-dihydroxy-4'-methylpropiophenone 2'-O-(6-O-methoxycarbonyl-beta-D-glucopyranoside) (5) was selected as a new promising candidate. Compound 5 was metabolized mainly by liver esterase to the active form (4), which was about 10 times more potent than 5 in inhibiting SGLT. In oral glucose tolerance test in db/db mice, compound 5 dose-dependently suppressed the elevation of glucose levels. Single administration of 5 reduced hyperglycemia concurrently with increase of glucose excretion into urine in diabetic KK-A(y) mice. Furthermore, compound 5 suppressed the elevation of blood glucose levels but did not lower it below the normal level even in fasted conditions in KK-A(y) mice. Additionally, long-term treatment with 5 dose-dependently reduced hyperglycemia and HbA1c in KK-A(y) mice. These pharmacological data strongly suggest that compound 5 has a therapeutic potential in the treatment of NIDDM.

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