Schinazi, Raymond F. (Decatur, GA, US)
Liotta, Dennis C. (McDonough, GA, US)
Chu, Chung K. (Athens, GA, US)
Mcatee, Jeffrey J. (Mobile, AL, US)
Shi, Junxing (Decatur, GA, US)
Choi, Yongseok (Athens, GA, US)
Lee, Kyeong (Athens, GA, US)
Hong, Joon H. (Athens, GA, US)

Plaque It! Sponsored by: Flash of Genius

10/061128

12/26/2002

01/30/2002

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514/48

514/263.230, 514/81, 514/47

(IPC1-7): A61K031/522; A61K031/7105; A61K031/52; A61K031/675

KING & SPALDING (191 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E., ATLANTA, GA, 30303-1763, US)

We claim:

1. A method for the treatment of hepatitis B infection in humans, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′fluoro-β-D-nucleoside of the formula: 25 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

2. A method for the treatment of hepatitis C infection in humans, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective treatment amount of the compound of the formula: 26 wherein base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino, or alkoxy, and base refers to a purine or pyrimidine base; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

3. A method for the treatment of abnormal cell proliferation in humans, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 27 wherein base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, phosphate, including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloky, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

4. A 2′-fluoro-(β-D or β-L)-nucleoside of the formula: 28 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

5. The compound of claim 4, wherein the base is a purine base, R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate or acyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

6. The compound of claim 4, wherein the purine base is selected from the group consisting of guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine and 6-chloropurine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

7. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-(β-D or β-L)-nucleoside of the formula: 29 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the base is a purine base selected from the group consisting of guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine and 6-chloropurine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

9. A method for the treatment of hepatitis B infection comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-(β-D or β-L)-nucleoside of the formula: 30 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug; acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

10. A method for the treatment of hepatitis C infection comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-nucleoside of the formula: 31 wherein base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R¹ is H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

11. A method for inhibiting the replication of HIV comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-(β-D or β-L)-nucleoside of the formula: 32 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

12. A method for the treatment of abnormal cell proliferation in humans comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-nucleoside of the formula: 33 wherein base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R¹ is H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

13. A 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 34 wherein X is S; base is a purine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

14. The compound of claim 13, wherein the base is a purine base, R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate or acyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

15. The comound of claim 14, wherein the purine base is selected from the group consisting of guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine and 6-chloropurine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 35 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

17. The composition of claim 16, wherein the base is a pyrimidine base selected from the group consisting of guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine and 6-chloropurine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

18. A method for the treatment of hepatitis B infection comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 36 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug; acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

19. A method for the treatment of hepatitis C infection comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-(β-L)-nucleoside of the formula: 37 wherein base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug; acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

20. A method for the inhibition of HIV comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 38 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug; acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

21. A method for the treatment of abnormal cellular proliferation in humans comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-nucleoside of the formula: 39 wherein base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

22. A 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 40 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

23. The compound of claim 22, wherein the base is a purine base, R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate or acyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

24. The compound of claim 23, wherein the purine base is selected from the group consisting of guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine and 6-chloropurine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

25. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 41 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

26. The composition of claim 25, wherein the base is a purine base selected from the group consisting of guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine and 6-chloropurine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

27. A method for the treatment of hepatitis B infection comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-β-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 42 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

28. A method for the treatment of hepatitis C infection comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 43 wherein base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

29. A method for the inhibition of HIV comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 44 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OH, H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

30. A method for the treatment of abnormal cellular proliferation in humans comprising administering to a host in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 45 wherein base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R¹ is H, OR³, N₃, CN, halogen, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

31. A 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 46 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OR³, N₃, CN, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

32. The 2′-fluoronucleoside of claim 31, wherein the base is a purine base, R² is hydrogen, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate or acyl, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

33. The 2′-fluoronucleoside of claim 31, wherein the purine base is selected from the group consisting of guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine and 6-chloropurine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

34. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 47 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OR³, N₃, CN, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate, a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

35. The composition of claim 34, wherein the purine base is selected from the group consisting of guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine and 6-chloropurine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

36. A method for the treatment of hepatitis B infection comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-(β-D or β-L)-nucleoside of the formula: 48 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OR³, N₃, CN, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

37. A method for the treatment of hepatitis C infection comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-nucleoside of the formula: 49 wherein base is a purine or pyrimidine base; R¹ is OH, OR³, N₃, CN, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino, and base refers to a purine or pyrimidine base; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

38. A method for inhibiting the replication of HIV comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective treatment amount of a 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of the formula: 50 wherein base is a purine base; R¹ is OR³, N₃, CN, CF₃, lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, or di(lower)alkylamino; R² is H, monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, a stabilized phosphate prodrug, acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate; a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and R³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

39. The 2′-fluoro-β-D or β-L-nucleoside of claim 25, wherein R¹ and R² are hydrogen.

40. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein R¹ and R² of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside are hydrogen.

41. The method of claim 18, wherein R¹ and R² of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside are hydrogen.

42. The method of claim 20, wherein R¹ and R² of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside are hydrogen.

43. The method of claim 21, wherein X of the 2′-fluoro-nucleoside is S.

44. The 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of claim 22, wherein R¹ and R² are hydrogen.

45. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 25, wherein R¹ and R² of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside are hydrogen.

46. The method of claim 27, wherein R¹ and R² of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-arabinonucleoside are hydrogen.

47. The method of claim 29, wherein R¹ and R² of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-arabinonucleoside are hydrogen.

48. The method of claim 30, wherein X of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-arabinonucleoside is CH₂.

49. The 2′-fluoro-β-D or β-L-nucleoside of claim 13, wherein R¹ is OH or OR³.

50. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 16, wherein R¹ of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside is OH or OR³.

51. The method of claim 18, wherein R¹ of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside is OH or OR³.

52. The method of claim 20, wherein R¹ of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside is OH or OR³.

53. The 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside of claim 22, wherein R¹ is OH or OR³.

54. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 25, wherein R¹ of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-nucleoside is OH or OR³.

55. The method of claim 27, wherein R¹ of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-arabinonucleoside is OH or OR³.

56. The method of claim 27, wherein R¹ of the 2′-fluoro-β-L-arabinonucleoside is OH or OR³.

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Nos. 60/075,893, filed on Feb. 25, 1998 and 60/080,569, filed on Apr. 3, 1998.

[0002] The invention described herein was made with Government support under grant number AI3235 1 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The United States Government has certain rights to this invention.

[0003] This invention is in the area of pharmaceutical chemistry, and in particular, includes 2′-fluoronucleosides and methods for their preparation and use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Synthetic nucleosides such as 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine and 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine have been used for the treatment of cancer and herpes viruses for a number of years. Since the 1980's, synthetic nucleosides have also been a focus of interest for the treatment of HIV, hepatitis, and Epstein-Barr viruses.

[0005] In 1981, acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was identified as a disease that severely compromises the human immune system, and that almost without exception leads to death. In 1983, the etiological cause of AIDS was determined to be the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In 1985, it was reported that the synthetic nucleoside 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) inhibits the replication of human immunodeficiency virus. Since then, a number of other synthetic nucleosides, including 2′,3′-dideoxyinosine (DDI), 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (DDC), and 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydrothymidine (D4T), have been proven to be effective against HIV. After cellular phosphorylation to the 5′-triphosphate by cellular kinases, these synthetic nucleosides are incorporated into a growing strand of viral DNA, causing chain termination due to the absence of the 3′-hydroxyl group. They can also inhibit the viral enzyme reverse transcriptase.

[0006] The success of various synthetic nucleosides in inhibiting the replication of HIV in vivo or in vitro has led a number of researchers to design and test nucleosides that substitute a heteroatom for the carbon atom at the 3′-position of the nucleoside. European Patent Application Publication No. 0 337 713 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,449, assigned to BioChem Pharma, Inc., disclose racemic 2-substituted-4-substituted-1,3-dioxolanes that exhibit antiviral activity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,407 and European Patent Application No. 0 382 526, also assigned to BioChem Pharma, Inc., disclose that a number of racemic 2-substituted-5-substituted-1,3-oxathiolane nucleosides have antiviral activity, and specifically report that the racemic mixture of 2-hydroxymethyl-5-(cytosin-1-yl)-1,3-oxathiolane (referred to below as BCH-189) has approximately the same activity against HIV as AZT, with little toxicity. The (−)-enantiomer of the racemate BCH-189, known as 3TC, which is covered by U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,116 to Liotta et al., is currently sold for the treatment of HIV in combination with AZT in humans in the U.S.

[0007] It has also been disclosed that cis-2-hydroxymethyl-5-(5-fluorocytosin-1-yl)-1,3-oxathiolane (“FTC”) has potent HIV activity. Schinazi, et al., “Selective Inhibition of Human Immunodeficiency viruses by Racemates and Enantiomers of cis-5-Fluoro-1-[2-(Hydroxymethyl)-1,3 -Oxathiolane-5-yl] Cytosine” Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, November 1992, pp. 2423-2431. See also U.S. Pat. No. 5,210,085; WO 91/11186, and WO 92/14743.

[0008] Another virus that causes a serious human health problem is the hepatitis B virus (referred to below as “HBV”). HBV is second only to tobacco as a cause of human cancer. The mechanism by which HBV induces cancer is unknown. It is postulated that it may directly trigger tumor development, or indirectly trigger tumor development through chronic inflammation, cirrhosis, and cell regeneration associated with the infection.

[0009] After a two to six month incubation period in which the host is unaware of the infection, HBV infection can lead to acute hepatitis and liver damage, that causes abdominal pain, jaundice, and elevated blood levels of certain enzymes. HBV can cause fulminate hepatitis, a rapidly progressive, often fatal form of the disease in which massive sections of the liver are destroyed.

[0010] Patients typically recover from acute hepatitis. In some patients, however, high levels of viral antigen persist in the blood for an extended, or indefinite, period, causing a chronic infection. Chronic infections can lead to chronic persistent hepatitis. Patients infected with chronic persistent HBV are most common in developing countries. By mid-1991, there were approximately 225 million chronic carriers of HBV in Asia alone, and worldwide, almost 300 million carriers. Chronic persistent hepatitis can cause fatigue, cirrhosis of the liver, and hepatocellular carcinoma, a primary liver cancer.

[0011] In western industrialized countries, high risk groups for HBV infection include those in contact with HBV carriers or their blood samples. The epidemiology of HBV is very similar to that of acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which accounts for why HBV infection is common among patients infected with HIV or AIDS. However, HBV is more contagious than HIV.

[0012] Both FTC and 3TC exhibit activity against HBV. Furman, et al., “The Anti-Hepatitis B Virus Activities, Cytotoxicities, and Anabolic Profiles of the (−) and (+) Enantiomers of cis-5-Fluoro-1-[2-(Hydroxymethyl)-1,3-oxathiolane-5-yl]-Cyto sine Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, December 1992, pp. 2686-2692; and Cheng, et al., Journal of Biological Chemistry, Volume 267(20), pp.13938-139 ⁴ 2 (1992).

[0013] A human serum-derived vaccine has been developed to immunize patients against HBV. While it has been found effective, production of the vaccine is troublesome because the supply of A human serum from chronic carriers is limited, and the purification procedure is long and expensive. Further, each batch of vaccine prepared from different serum must be tested in chimpanzees to ensure safety. Vaccines have also been produced through genetic engineering. Daily treatments with a-interferon, a genetically engineered protein, has also shown promise.

[0014] Hepatitis C virus (“HCV”) is the major causative agent for post-transfusion and for sporadic non A, non B hepatitis (Alter, H. J. (1990) J. Gastro. Hepatol. 1:78-94; Dienstag, J. L. (1983) Gastro 85:439-462). Despite improved screening, HCV still accounts for at least 25% of the acute viral hepatitis in many countries (Alter, H. J. (1990) supra; Dienstag, J. L. (1983) supra; Alter M. J. et al. (1990a) J.A.M.A. 264:2231-2235; Alter M. J. et al (1992) N. Engl. J. Med. 327:1899-1905; Alter, M. J. et al. (1990b) N. Engl. J. Med. 321:1494-1500). Infection by HCV is insidious in a high proportion of chronically infected (and infectious) carriers who may not experience clinical symptoms for many years. The high rate of progression of acute infection to chronic infection (70-100%) and liver disease (>50%), its world-wide distribution and lack of a vaccine make HCV a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.

[0015] A tumor is an unregulated, disorganized proliferation of cell growth. A tumor is malignant, or cancerous, if it has the properties of invasiveness and metastasis. Invasiveness refers to the tendency of a tumor to enter surrounding tissue, breaking through the basal laminas that define the boundaries of the tissues, thereby often entering the body's circulatory system. Metastasis refers to the tendency of a tumor to migrate to other areas of the body and establish areas of proliferation away from the site of initial appearance.

[0016] Cancer is now the second leading cause of death in the United States. Over 8,000,000 persons in the United States have been diagnosed with cancer, with 1,208,000 new diagnoses expected in 1994. Over 500,000 people die annually from the disease in this country.

[0017] Cancer is not fully understood on the molecular level. It is known that exposure of a cell to a carcinogen such as certain viruses, certain chemicals, or radiation, leads to DNA alteration that inactivates a “suppressive” gene or activates an “oncogene”. Suppressive genes are growth regulatory genes, which upon mutation, can no longer control cell growth. Oncogenes are initially normal genes (called prooncongenes) that by mutation or altered context of expression become transforming genes. The products of transforming genes cause inappropriate cell growth. More than twenty different normal cellular genes can become oncogenes by genetic alteration. Transformed cells differ from normal cells in many ways, including cell morphology, cell-to-cell interactions, membrane content, cytoskeletal structure, protein secretion, gene expression and mortality (transformed cells can grow indefinitely).

[0018] All of the various cell types of the body can be transformed into benign or malignant tumor cells. The most frequent tumor site is lung, followed by colorectal, breast, prostate, bladder, pancreas, and then ovary. Other prevalent types of cancer include leukemia, central nervous system cancers, including brain cancer, melanoma, lymphoma, erythroleukemia, uterine cancer, and head and neck cancer.

[0019] Cancer is now primarily treated with one or a combination of three years of therapies: surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Surgery involves the bulk removal of diseased tissue. While surgery is sometimes effective in removing tumors located at certain sites, for example, in the breast, colon, and skin, it cannot be used in the treatment of tumors located in other areas, such as the backbone, nor in the treatment of disseminated neoplastic conditions such as leukemia.

[0020] Chemotherapy involves the disruption of cell replication or cell metabolism. It is used most often in the treatment of leukemia, as well as breast, lung, and testicular cancer.

[0021] There are five major classes of chemotherapeutic agents currently in use for the treatment of cancer: natural products and their derivatives; anthacyclines; alkylating agents; antiproliferatives (also called antimetabolites); and hormonal agents. Chemotherapeutic agents are often referred to as antineoplastic agents.

[0022] The alkylating agents are believed to act by alkylating and cross-linking guanine and possibly other bases in DNA, arresting cell division. Typical alkylating agents include nitrogen mustards, ethyleneimine compounds, alkyl sulfates, cisplatin, and various nitrosoureas. A disadvantage with these compounds is that they not only attach malignant cells, but also other cells which are naturally dividing, such as those of bone marrow, skin, gastrointestinal mucosa, and fetal tissue.

[0023] Antimetabolites are typically reversible or irreversible enzyme inhibitors, or compounds that otherwise interfere with the replication, translation or transcription of nucleic acids.

[0024] Several synthetic nucleosides have been identified that exhibit anticancer activity. A well known nucleoside derivative with strong anticancer activity is 5-fluorouracil. 5-Fluorouracil has been used clinically in the treatment of malignant tumors, including, for example, carcinomas, sarcomas, skin cancer, cancer of the digestive organs, and breast cancer. 5-Fluorouracil, however, causes serious adverse reactions such as nausea, alopecia, diarrhea, stomatitis, leukocytic thrombocytopenia, anorexia, pigmentation, and edema. Derivatives of 5-fluorouracil with anti-cancer activity have been described in U.S. Pat. No 4,336,381.

[0025] U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,137 discloses that the peroxidate oxidation product of inosine, adenosine, or cytidine with methanol or ethanol has activity against lymphocytic leukemia.

[0026] Cytosine arabinoside (also referred to as Cytarabin, araC, and Cytosar) is a nucleoside analog of deoxycytidine that was first synthesized in 1950 and introduced into clinical medicine in 1963. It is currently an important drug in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia. It is also active against acute lymphocytic leukemia, and to a lesser extent, is useful in chronic myelocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The primary action of araC is inhibition of nuclear DNA synthesis. Handschumacher, R. and Cheng, Y., “Purine and Pyrimidine Antimetabolites”, Cancer Medicine, Chapter XV-1, 3rd Edition, Edited by J. Holland, et al., Lea and Febigol, publishers.

[0027] 5-Azacytidine is a cytidine analog that is primarily used in the treatment of acute myelocytic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome.

[0028] 2-Fluoroadenosine-5′-phosphate (Fludara, also referred to as FaraA)) is one of the most active agents in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The compound acts by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Treatment of cells with F-araA is associated with the accumulation of cells at the G1/S phase boundary and in S phase; thus, it is a cell cycle S phase-specific drug. Incorporation of the active metabolite, F-araATP, retards DNA chain elongation. F-araA is also a potent inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase, the key enzyme responsible for the formation of dATP.

[0029] 2-Chlorodeoxyadenosine is useful in the treatment of low grade B-cell neoplasms such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkins' lymphoma, and hairy-cell leukemia.

[0030] In designing new biologically active nucleosides, there have been a number of attempts to incorporate a fluoro substituent into the carbohydrate ring of the nucleoside. Fluorine has been suggested as a substituent because it might serve as an isopolar and isosteric mimic of a hydroxyl group as the C—F bond length (1.35 Å) is so similar to the C—O bond length (1.43 Å) and because fluorine is a hydrogen bond acceptor. Fluorine is capable of producing significant A electronic changes in a molecule with minimal steric perturbation. The substitution of fluorine for another group in a molecule can cause changes in substrate metabolism because of the high strength of the C—F bond (116 kcal/mol vs. C—H=100 kcal/mol).

[0031] A number of references have reported the-synthesis and use of 2′-arabinofluoro-nucleosides (i.e., nucleosides in which a 2′-fluoro group is in the “up”-configuration). There have been several reports of 2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl nucleosides that exhibit activity against hepatitis B and herpes. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,892 to Fox, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,211,773 to Lopez, et al; Su, et a[., Nucleosides. 136, “Synthesis and Antiviral Effects of Several 1-(2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-5-alkyluracils.� � “Some Structure-Activity Relationships,” J. Med. Chem., 1986, 29, 151-154; Borthwick, et al., “Synthesis and Enzymatic Resolution of Carbocyclic 2′-Ara-fluoro-Guanosine: A Potent New Anti-Herpetic Agent,” J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun, 1988; Wantanabe, et al., “Synthesis and Anti-HIV Activity of 2′-”Up”-Fluoro Analogues of Active Anti-Aids Nucleosides 3′-Azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) and 2′,3′-dideoxycytidine (DDC),” J. Med. Chem. 1990, 33, 2145-2150; Martin, et al., “Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Monofluoro and Difluoro Analogues of Pyrimidine Deoxyribonucleosides against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1),” J. Med., Chem. 1,990, 33, 2137-2145; Sterzycki, et al., “Synthesis and Anti-HIV Activity of Several 2′-Fluoro-Containing Pyrimidine Nucleosides,” J. Med. Chem. 1990, as well as EPA 0 316 017 also filed by Sterzycki, et al.; and Montgomery, et al., “9-(2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabinofuranosyl)guanine: A Metabolically Stable Cytotoxic Analogue of 2′-Deoxyguanosine.” U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,924 discloses a method for treating a hepatitis infection that includes the administration of 1-(2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro-β-D-arabinofiuranosyl)-3-ethylura cil), also referred to as “FEAU.” U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,518 discloses 2-fluoro-9-(2-deoxy-2-fluoro-β-D-arabino-furanosyl)adenine nucleosides which exhibit anticancer activity by altering the metabolism of as adenine nucleosides by reducing the ability of the compound to serve as a substrate for adenosine. EPA 0 292 023 discloses that certain β-D-2′-fluoroarabinonucleosides are active against viral infections.

[0032] U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,458 discloses β-D-2′,3′-dideoxy-4′-thioribonucleosides as antiviral agents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,029 discloses that 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-fluoronucleosides have antihepatitis activity.

[0033] European Patent Application No. 0 409 227 A2 discloses certain 3′-substituted β-D-pyrimidine and purine nucleosides for the treatment of hepatitis B.

[0034] It has also been disclosed that L-FMAU (2′-fluoro-5-methyl-β-L-arabinofuranosyluracil) is a potent anti-HBV and anti-EBV agent. See Chu, et al., “Use of 2′-Fluoro-5-methyl-β-L-arabinofuranosyluracil as a Novel Antiviral Agent for Hepatitis B Virus and Epstein-Barr Virus” Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, April 1995 pages. 979-981; Balakrishna, et al., “Inhibition of Hepatitis B Virus by a Novel L-Nucleoside, 2′-Fluoro-5-Methyl-β-L-arabinofuranosyl Uracil,” Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, February 1996, pages 380-356; U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,587,362; 5,567,688; and 5,565,438.

[0035] U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,426,183 and 5,424,416 disclose processes for preparing 2′-deoxy-2′,2′-difluoronucleosides and 2′-deoxy-2′-fluoro nucleosides. See also “Kinetic Studies of 2′,2′-difluorodeoxycytidine (Gemcitabine) with Purified Human Deoxycytidine Kinase and Cytidine Deaminase,” BioChemical Pharmacology, Vol. 45 (No. 9) pages 4857-1861, 1993.

[0036] U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,029 to Eriksson, et al., discloses that certain 2′,3′-dideoxy-3′-fluoronucleosides have hepatitis B activity. U.S. Patent No. 5,128,458 discloses certain 2′,3′-dideoxy-4′-thioribonucleosides wherein the 3′-substituent is H, azide or fluoro. WO 94/14831 discloses certain 3′-fluoro-dihydropyrimidine nucleosides. WO 92/08727 discloses β-L-2′-deoxy-3′-fluoro-5-substituted uridine nucleosides for the treatment of herpes simplex 1 and 2.

[0037] EPA Publication No. 0 352 248 discloses a broad genus of L-ribofuranosyl purine nucleosides for the treatment of HIV, herpes, and hepatitis. While certain 2′-fluorinated purine nucleosides fall within the broad genus, there is no information given in the specification on how to make these compounds in the specification, and they are not among specifically disclosed or the preferred list of nucleosides in the specification. The specification does disclose how to make 3′-ribofuranosyl fluorinated nucleosides. A similar specification is found in WO 88/09001, filed by Aktiebolaget Astra.

[0038] European Patent Application 0 357 571 discloses a broad group of β-D and α-D pyrimidine nucleosides for the treatment of AIDS which among the broad class generically includes nucleosides that can be substituted in the 2′ or 3′ position with a fluorine group. Among this broad class, however, there is no specific disclosure of 2′-fluorinated nucleosides or a method for their production.

[0039] EPA 0 463 470 discloses a process for the preparation of (5S)-3-fluoro-tetrahydro-5-[(hydroxy)methyl]-2-(3H)-furanone , a known intermediate in the manufacture of 2′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxynucleosides such as 2′-fluoro-2′,3′-dideoxycytidine.

[0040] U.S. Ser. No. 07/556,713 discloses β-D-2′-fluoroarabinofuranosyl nucleosides, and a method for their production, which are intermediates in the synthesis of 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′-fluoroarabinosyl nucleosides.

[0041] U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,020 discloses a method of producing 1-halo-2-deoxy-2-fluoroarabinofuranosyl derivatives bearing protective ester groups from 1,3,5-tri-O-acyl-ribofuranose.

[0042] There appears to be a lack of disclosure of β-L-2′-fluoro-ribofaranosyl nucleosides for medicinal uses, including for HIV, hepatitis (B or C), or proliferative conditions. At least with respect to 2′-ribofuranosyl nucleosides, this may be because of the prior perceived difficulty in placing a fluoro group in the 2′-ribofuranosyl configuration. With respect to L-2′-fluoro-2′,3′-unsaturated purine nucleosides, it may be because the purine nucleosides are unstable in acidic media, resulting in glycosyl bond cleavage.

[0043] In light of the fact that HIV acquired immune deficiency syndrome, AIDS-related complex, and hepatitis B and C viruses have reached epidemic levels worldwide, and have tragic effects on the infected patient, there remains a strong need to provide new effective pharmaceutical agents to treat these diseases that have low toxicity to the host. Further, there is a need to provide new antiproliferative agents.

[0044] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and composition for the treatment of human patients infected with hepatitis B or C.

[0045] It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and composition for the treatment of human patients infected with HIV.

[0046] It is a further object of the present invention to provide new antiproliferative agents.

[0047] It is still another object of the present invention to provide a new process for the preparation of 2′-fluoro-ribofuranosyl nucleosides.

[0048] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new process for the preparation of 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydro-2′-fluoro-L-glycero- pent-2-eno-furanosyl nucleosides.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0049] In one embodiment of the invention, a 2′-α-fluoro-nucleoside is provided of the structure: 2

[0050] wherein

[0051] Base is a purine or pyrimidine base as defined further herein;

[0052] R ¹ is OH, H, OR ³ , N ₃ , CN, halogen, including F, or CF ₃ , lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino, or alkoxy, and base refers to a purine or pyrimidine base;

[0053] R ² is H, phosphate, including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug; acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R ² is H or phosphate; sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given above, a lipid, including a phospholipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and

[0054] R ³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound.

[0055] In a second embodiment, a 2′-fluoronucleoside is provided of the formula: 3

[0056] wherein the substituents are as defined above.

[0057] In a third embodiment, a 2′-fluoronucleoside is provided of the formula: 4

[0058] wherein the substituents are as defined above.

[0059] In a fourth embodiment, a 2′-fluoronucleoside is provided of the structure: 5

[0060] wherein the substituents are as defined above.

[0061] These 2′-fluoronucleosides can be either in the β-L or β-D configuration. The β-L configuration is preferred.

[0062] The 2′-fluoronucleosides are biologically active molecules which are useful in the treatment of hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV. The compounds are also useful for the treatment of abnormal cellular proliferation, including tumors and cancer. One can easily determine the spectrum of activity by evaluating the compound in the assays described herein or with another confirmatory assay.

[0063] In another embodiment, for the treatment of hepatitis or HIV, the active compound or its derivative or salt can be administered in combination or alternation with another antiviral agent, such as an anti-HIV agent or anti-hepatitis agent, including those of the formula above. In general, in combination therapy, an effective dosage of two or more agents are administered together, whereas during alternation therapy, an effective dosage of each agent is administered serially. The dosages will depend on absorption, inactivation, and excretion rates of the drug as well as other factors known to those of skill in the art. It is to be noted that dosage values will also vary with the severity of the condition to be alleviated. It is to be further understood that for any particular subject, specific dosage regimens and schedules should be adjusted over time A according to the individual need and the professional judgment of the person administering or supervising the administration of the compositions.

[0064] Nonlimiting examples of antiviral agents that can be used in combination with the compounds disclosed herein include 2-hydroxymethyl-5-(5-fluorocytosin-1-yl)-1,3-oxathiolane (FTC); the (−)-enantiomer of 2-hydroxymethyl-5(cytosin-1-yl)-1,3-oxathiolane (3TC); carbovir, acyclovir, interferon, famciclovir, penciclovir, AZT, DDI, DDC, D4T, abacavir, L-(−)-FMAU, L-DDA phosphate prodrugs, and β-D-dioxolane nucleosides such as β-D-dioxolanyl-guanine (DG), β-D-dioxolanyl-2,6-diaminopurine (DAPD), and β-D-dioxolanyl-6-chloropurine (ACP), non-nucleoside RT inhibitors such as nevirapine, MKC-442, DMP-266 (sustiva) and also protease inhibitors such as indinavir, saquinavir, AZT, DMP-450 and others.

[0065] The compounds can also be used to treat equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV), feline immunodeficiency virus, and simian immunodeficiency virus. (Wang, S., Montelaro, R., Schinazi, R. F., Jagerski, B., and Mellors, J. W.: “Activity of nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) against equine infectious anemia virus (EIAV).” First National Conference on Human Retro viruses and Related Infections, Washington, DC, Dec. 12-16, 1993; Sellon D. C., “Equine Infectious Anemia,” Vet. Clin. North Am. Equine Pract. United States, 9: 321-336, 1993; Philpott, M. S., Ebner, J. P., Hoover, E. A., “Evaluation of 9-(2-phosphonylmethoxyethyl) adenine therapy for feline immunodeficiency virus using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction,” Vet. ImmunoL Immunopathol. 35:155166, 1992.)

[0066] A new and completely diastereoselective method for the introduction of fluorine into a non-carbohydrate sugar ring precursor is also provided. The method includes reacting a chiral, non-carbohydrate sugar ring precursor (4S)-5-(protected oxy)-pentan4-olide, which can be prepared from L-glutamic acid, with an electrophilic source of fluorine, including but not limited to N-fluoro-(bis)benzenesulfonimide, to yield key intermediate fluorolactone 6. The fluorolactone is reduced to the lactol and acetylated to give the anomeric acetate and then used for the synthesis of a number of novel P-L-a-2′-fluoronucleosides. The corresponding D-enantiomer can also be synthesized using D-glutamic acid as a starting material.

[0067] In an alternative embodiment, a fluorinated glycol is prepared which is dehydrogenated and then converted to a 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydro-2′-fluoronucleoside or a β-L or β-D-arabinosyl-2′-fluoronucleoside, as discussed further below.

[0068] A method for the facile preparation of 2′,3′-dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydro-2′-fluoronucleosides is also presented that includes the direct condensation of silylated 6-chloropurine with key immediate, which is prepared from L-2,3-0-isopropylidene glyceraldehyde.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0069] The invention as disclosed herein is a compound, method and composition for the treatment of HIV, hepatitis (B or C), or abnormal cellular proliferation, in humans or other host animals, that includes administering an effective amount of a 2′-fluoro-nucleoside, a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative, including a compound which has been alkylated or acylated at the 5′-position or on the purine or pyrimidine, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, optionally in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compounds of this invention either possess antiviral (i.e., anti-HIV-1, anti-HIV-2, or anti-hepatitis (B or C)) activity, or antiproliferative activity, or are metabolized to a compound that exhibits such activity.

[0070] In summary, the present invention includes the following features:

[0071] (a) β-L and β-D-2′-fluoronucleosides, as described herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and salts thereof;

[0072] (b) β-L and β-D-2′-fluoronucleosides as described herein, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and salts thereof for use in medical therapy, for example for the treatment or prophylaxis of an HIV or hepatitis (B or C) infection or for the treatment of abnormal cellular proliferation;

[0073] (c) 2′,3′-Dideoxy-2′,3′-didehydro-2′-fluoro-L-glycero- pen-2-eno-furanosyl nucleosides, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and salts thereof for use in medical therapy, for example for the treatment or prophylaxis of an HIV or hepatitis (B or C) infection or for the treatment of abnormal cellular proliferation

[0074] (d) use of these 2′-fluoronucleosides, and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives and salts thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment of an MV or hepatitis infection or for the treatment of abnormal cellular proliferation;

[0075] (e) pharmaceutical formulations comprising the 2′-fluoronucleosides or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative or salt thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent;

[0076] (f) processes for the preparation of β-L and β-D-2′-α-fluoronucleosides, as described in more detail below, and

[0077] (g) proceseses for the preparation of 2′,3′-dideoxy2′,3′-didehydro-2′-fluoro-L-glycero-p ent-2-eno-furanosyl nucleosides.

[0078] I. Active Compound, and Physiologically Acceptable Derivatives and Salts Thereof

[0079] A 2′-α-fluoronucleoside is provided of the structure: 6

[0080] wherein

[0081] R ¹ is H, OH, OR ³ , N ₃ , CN, halogen, including F, or CF ₃ , lower alkyl, amino, loweralkylamino, di(lower)alkylamino, or alkoxy, and base refers to a purine or pyrimidine base.

[0082] R ² is H, phosphate, including monophosphate, diphosphate, triphosphate, or a stabilized phosphate prodrug; acyl, or other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of providing a compound wherein R ² is H or phosphate, sulfonate ester including alkyl or arylalkyl sulfonyl including methanesulfonyl, benzyl, wherein the phenyl group is optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described in the definition of aryl given above, a lipid, an amino acid, peptide, or cholesterol; and

[0083] R ³ is acyl, alkyl, phosphate, or-other pharmaceutically acceptable leaving group which when administered in vivo, is capable of being cleaved to the parent compound.

[0084] In a second embodiment, a 2-fluoronucleoside is provided of the formula: 7

[0085] In a third embodiment, a 2-fluoronucleoside is provided of the formula: 8

[0086] In a fourth embodiment, a 2-fluoronucleoside is provided of the structure: 9

[0087] The term alkyl, as used herein, unless otherwise specified, refers to a saturated straight, branched, or cyclic, primary, secondary, or tertiary hydrocarbon of C ₁ to C ₁₀ , and specifically includes methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, pentyl, cyclopentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexylmethyl, 3-methylpentyl,2,2-dimethylbutyl, and 2,3-dimethylbutyl. The alkyl group can be optionally substituted with one or more moieties selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate, either unprotected, or protected as necessary, as known to those skilled in the art, for example, as taught in Greene, et al., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991, hereby incorporated by reference.

[0088] The term lower alkyl, as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refers to a C ₁ to C ₄ saturated straight, branched, or if appropriate, a cyclic (for example, cyclopropyl) alkyl group.

[0089] The term alkylamino or arylamino refers to an amino group that has one or two alkyl or aryl substituents, respectively.

[0090] The term “protected” as used herein and unless otherwise defined refers to a group that is added to an oxygen, nitrogen, or phosphorus atom to prevent its further reaction or for other purposes. A wide variety of oxygen and nitrogen protecting groups are known to those skilled in the art of organic synthesis. The term aryl, as used herein, and unless otherwise specified, refers to phenyl, biphenyl, or naphthyl, and preferably phenyl. The aryl group can be optionally substituted with one or more moieties selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, alkylamino, arylamino, alkoxy, aryloxy, nitro, cyano, sulfonic acid, sulfate, phosphonic acid, phosphate, or phosphonate, either unprotected, or protected as necessary, as known to those skilled in the art, for example, as taught in Greene, et al., Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley and Sons, Second Edition, 1991.

[0091] The term alkaryl or alkylaryl refers to an alkyl group with an aryl substituent. The term aralkyl or arylalkyl refers to an aryl group with an alkyl substituent.

[0092] The term halo, as used herein, includes chloro, bromo, iodo, and fluoro.

[0093] The term purine or pyrimidine base includes, but is not limited to, adenine, N ⁶ -alkylpurines, N ⁶ -acylpurines (wherein acyl is C(O)(alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or arylalkyl), N ⁶ -benzylpurine, N ⁶ -halopurine, N ⁶ -vinylpurine, N ⁶ -acetylenic purine, N ⁶ -acyl purine, N ⁶ -hydroxyalkyl purine, N ⁶ -thioalkyl purine, N ² -alkylpurines, N ² -alkyl-6-thiopurines, thymine, cytosine, 5-fluorocytosine, 5-methylcytosine, 6-azapyrimidine, including 6-azacytosine, 2-and/or 4-mercaptopyrmidine, uracil, 5-halouracil, including 5-fluorouracil, C ⁵ -alkylpyrimidines, C ⁵ -benzylpyrimidines, C ⁵ -halopyrimidines, C ⁵ -vinylpyrimidine, C ⁵ -acetylenic pyrimidine, C ⁵ -acyl pyrimidine, C ⁵ -hydroxyalkyl purine, C ⁵ -amidopyrimidine, C ⁵ -cyanopyrimidine, C ⁵ -nitropyrimidine, C ⁵ -aminopyrimidine, N ² -alkylpurines, N ² -alkyl-6-thiopurines, 5-azacytidinyl, 5-azauracilyl, triazolopyridinyl, imidazolopyridinyl, pyrrolopyrimidinyl, and pyrazolopyrimidinyl. Purine bases include, but are not limited to, guanine, adenine, hypoxanthine, 2,6-diaminopurine, and 6-chloropurine. Functional oxygen and nitrogen groups on the base can be protected as necessary or desired. Suitable protecting groups are well known to those skilled in the art, and include trimethylsilyl, dimethylhexylsilyl, t-butyldimethylsilyl, and t-butyldiphenylsilyl, trityl, alkyl groups, acyl groups such as acetyl and propionyl, methanesulfonyl, and p-toluenesulfonyl.

[0094] The active compound can be administered as any derivative that upon administration to the recipient, is capable of providing directly or indirectly, the parent compound, or that exhibits activity itself. Nonlimiting examples are the pharmaceutically acceptable salts (alternatively referred to as “physiologically acceptable salts”), and a compound which has been alkylated or acylated at the 5′-position or on the purine or pyrimidine base (alternatively referred to as “pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives”). Further, the modifications can affect the biological activity of the compound, in some cases increasing the activity over the parent compound. This can easily be assessed by preparing the derivative and testing its antiviral activity according to the methods described herein, or other method known to those skilled in the art.

[0095] The term acyl refers to a carboxylic acid ester in which the non-carbonyl moiety of the ester group is selected from straight, branched, or cyclic alkyl or lower alkyl, alkoxyalkyl including methoxymethyl, aralkyl including benzyl, aryloxyalkyl such as phenoxymethyl, aryl including phenyl optionally substituted with halogen, C ₁ to C ₄ alkyl or C ₁ to C ₄ alkoxy, sulfonate esters such as alkyl or aralkyl sulphonyl including methanesulfonyl, the mono, di or triphosphate ester, trityl or monomethoxytrityl, substituted benzyl, trialkylsilyl (e.g. dimethyl-t-butylsilyl) or diphenylmethylsilyl. Aryl groups in the esters optimally comprise a phenyl group.

[0096] As used herein, the term “substantially free of” or “substantially in the absence of” refers to a nucleoside composition that includes at least 95% to 98%, or more preferably, 99% to 100%, of the designated enantiomer of that nucleoside.

[0097] Nucleotide Prodrug Formulations

[0098] Any of the nucleosides described herein can be administrated as a nucleotide prodrug to increase the activity, bioavailability, stability or otherwise alter the properties of the nucleoside. A number of nucleotide prodrug ligands are known. In general, alkylation, acylation or other lipophilic modification of the mono, di or triphosphate of the nucleoside will increase the stability of the nucleotide. Examples of substituent groups that can replace one or more hydrogens on the phosphate moiety are alkyl, aryl, steroids, carbohydrates, including sugars, 1,2-diacylglycerol and alcohols. Many are described in R. Jones and N. Bischofberger, Antiviral Research, 27 (1995) 1-17. Any of these can be used in combination with the disclosed nucleosides to achieve a desired effect.

[0099] The active nucleoside can also be provided as a 5′-phosphoether lipid or a 5′-ether lipid, as disclosed in the following references, which are incorporated by reference herein: Kucera, L. S., N. Iyer, E. Leake, A. Raben, Modest E. K., D. L. W., and C. Piantadosi. 1990. “Novel membrane-interactive ether lipid analogs that inhibit infectious HIV-1 production and induce defective virus formation.” AIDS Res. Hum. Retro Viruses. 6:491-501; Piantadosi, C., J. Marasco C. J., S. L. Morris-Natschke, K. L. Meyer, F. Gumus, J. R. Surles, K. S. Ishaq, L. S. Kucera, N. lyer, C. A. Wallen, S. Piantadosi, and E. J. Modest. 1991. “Synthesis and evaluation of novel ether lipid nucleoside conjugates for anti-HIV activity.” J. Med. Chem. 34:1408.1414; Hosteller, K. Y., D. D. Richman, D. A. Carson, L. M. Stuhmiller, G. M. T. van Wijk, and H. van den Bosch. 1992. “Greatly enhanced inhibition of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 replication in CEM and HT4-6C cells by 3′-deoxythymidine diphosphate dimyristoylglycerol, a lipid prodrug of 3,-deoxythymidine.” Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 36:2025.2029; Hosetler, K. Y., L. M. Stuhmiller, H. B. Lenting, H. van den Bosch, and D. D. Richinan, 1990. “Synthesis and antiretroviral activity of phospholipid analogs of azidothymidine and other antiviral nucleosides.” J. Biol. Chem. 265:61127.

[0100] Nonlimiting examples of U.S. patents that disclose suitable lipophilic substituents that can be covalently incorporated into the nucleoside, preferably at the 5′-OH position of the nucleoside or lipophilic preparations, include U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,794 (Sep. 22, 1992, Yatvin et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,654 (Mar. 16, 1993, Hostetler et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,263 (Jun. 29, 1993, Hostetler et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,641 (Oct. 26, 1993, Yatvin et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,947 (May 2, 1995, Hostetler et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,092 (Oct. 31, 1995, Hostetler et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,389 (Aug. 6, 1996, Yatvin et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,390 (Aug. 6, 1996, Yatvin et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,391 (Aug. 6, 1996,Yatvin et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,728 (Sep. 10, 1996; Basava et al.), all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Foreign patent applications that disclose lipophilic substituents that can be attached to the nucleosides of the present invention, or lipophilic preparations, include WO 89/02733, WO 90/00555, WO 91/16920, WO 91/18914, WO 93/00910, WO 94/26273, WO 96/15132, EP 0 350 287, EP 93917054.4, and WO 91/19721.

[0101] Nonlimiting examples of nucleotide prodrugs are described in the following references: Ho, D. H. W. (1973) “Distribution of Kinase and deaminase of 1β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine in tissues of man and muse.” Cancer Res. 33, 2816-2820; Holy, A. (1993) Isopolar phosphorous-modified nucleotide analogues,” In: De Clercq (Ed.), Advances in Antiviral Drug Design, Vol. I, JAI Press, pp. 179-231; Hong, C. I., Nechaev, A., and West, C. R. (1979a) “Synthesis and antitumor activity of 1-β-D-arabino-furanosylcytosine conjugates of cortisol and cortisone.” Bicohem. Biophys. Rs. Commun. 88, 1223-1229; Hong, C. I., Nechaev, A., Kirisits, A. J. Buchheit, D. J. and West, C. R. (1980) “Nucleoside conjugates as potential antitumor agents. 3. Synthesis and antitumor activity of 1-(β-D-arabinofiuranosyl) cytosine conjugates of corticosteriods and selected lipophilic alcohols.” J. Med. Chem. 28, 171-177; Hosteller, K. Y., Stuhmiller, L. M., Lenting, H. B. M. van den Bosch, H. and Richlman J. Biol. Chem 265, 6112-6117; Hosteller, K. Y., Carson, D. A. and Richman, D. D. (1991); “Phosphatidylazidothymidine: mechanism of antiretroviral action in CEM cells.” J. Biol Chem. 266, 11714-11717; Hosteller, K. Y., Korba, B. Sridhar, C., Gardener, M. (1994a) “Antiviral activity of phosphatidyl-dideoxycytidine in hepatitis B-infected cells and enhanced hepatic uptake in mice.” Antiviral Res. 24, 59-67; Hosteller, K. Y., Richmnan, D. D., Sridhar. C. N. Feigner, P. L. Feigner, J., Ricci, J., Gardener, M. F. Selleseth, D. W. and Ellis, M. N. (1994b) “Phosphatidylazidothymidine and phosphatidyl-ddC: Assessment of uptake in mouse lymphoid tissues and antiviral activities in human immunodeficiency virus-infected cells and in rauscher leukemia virus-infected mice.” Antimicrobial Agents Chemother. 38, 2792-2797; Hunston, R. N., Jones, A. A. McGuigan, C., Walker, R. T., Balzarini, J., and DeClercq, E. 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Ser. 21, 1-2; Kataoka, S., Uchida, “(cAMP) benzyl and methyl triesters.” Heterocycles 32, 1351-1356; Kinchington, D., Harvey, J. J., O'Connor, T. J., Jones, B. C. N. M., Devine, K. G., Taylor-Robinson D., Jeffries, D. J. and McGuigan, C. (1992) “Comparison of antiviral effects of zidovudine phosphoramidate an dphosphorodiamidate derivates against HIV and ULV in vitro.” Antiviral Chem. Chemother. 3, 107-112; Kodama, K., Morozumi, M., Saithoh, K.I., Kuninaka, H., Yosino, H. and Saneyoshi, M. (1989) “Antitumor activity and pharmacology of 1-β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine -5′-stearylphosphate; an orally active derivative of 1 -β-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine.” Jpn. J. Cancer Res. 80, 679-685; Korty, M. and Engels, J. (1979) “The effects of adenosine-and guanosine 3′,5′phosphoric and acid benzyl esters on guinea-pig ventricular myocardium.” Naunyn- Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 310, 103-111; Kumar, A., Goe, P. L., Jones, A. S. Walker, R. T. Balzarini, J. and DeClercq, E. (1990) “Synthesis and biological evaluation of some cyclic phosphoramidate nucleoside derivatives.” J. Med. Chem, 33, 2368-2375; LeBec, C., and Huynh-Dinh, T. (199 1) “Synthesis of lipophilic phosphate triester derivatives of 5-fluorouridine an arabinocytidine as anticancer prodrugs.” Tetrahedron Lett. 32, 6553-6556; Lichtenstein, J., Barner, H. D. and Cohen, S. S. (1960) “The metabolism of exogenously supplied nucleotides by Escherichia coli.,” J. Biol. Chem. 235, 457-465; Lucthy, J., Von Daeniken, A., Friederich, J. Manthey, B., Zweifel, J., Schlatter, C. and Benn, M. H. (1981) “Synthesis and toxicological properties of three naturally occurring cyanoepithioalkanes”. Mitt. Geg. Lebensmittelunters. Hyg. 72, 131-133 ( Chem. Abstr. 95, 127093); McGigan, C. Tollerfield, S. M. and Riley, P. a. (1989) “Synthesis and biological evaluation of some phosphate triester derivatives of the anti-viral drug Ara.” Nucleic Acids Res. 17, 6065-6075; McGuigan, C., Devine, K. G., O'Connor, T. J., Galpin, S. A., Jeffries, D. J. and Kinchington, D. (1 990a) “Synthesis and evaluation of some novel phosphoramidate derivatives of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine (AZT) as anti-HIV compounds.” Antiviral Chem. Chemother. 1 107-113; McGuigan, C., O'Connor, T. J., Nicholls, S. R. Nickson, C. and Kinchington, D. (1 990b) “Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of some novel substituted dialkyl phosphate derivatives of AZT and ddCyd.” Antiviral Chem. Chemother. 1, 355-360; McGuigan, C., Nicholls, S. R., O'Connor, T. J., and Kinchington, D. (1990c) “Synthesis of some novel dialkyl phosphate derivative of 3′-modified nucleosides as potential anti-AIDS drugs.” Antiviral Chem. Chemother. 1, 25-33; McGuigan, C., Devin, K. G., O'Connor, T. J., and Kinchington, D. (1991) “Synthesis and anti-HIV activity of some haloalkyl phosphoramidate derivatives of 3′-azido-3′-deoxythylmidine (AZT); potent activity of the trichloroethyl methoxyalaninyl compound.” Antiviral Res. 15, 255-263; McGuigan, C., Pathirana, R. N., Balzarini, J. and DeClercq, E. (1993b) “Intracellular delivery of bioactive AZT nucleotides by aryl phosphate derivatives of AZT.” J. Med. Chem. 36, 1048-1052.

[0102] Alkyl hydrogen phosphate derivatives of the anti-HIV agent AZT may be less toxic than the parent nucleoside analogue. Antiviral Chem. Chemother. 5, 271-277; Meyer, R. B., Jr., Shuman, D. A. and Robins, R. K. (1973) “Synthesis of purine nucleoside 3′, 5′-cyclic phosphoramidates.” Tetrahedron Lett. 269-272; Nagyvary, J. Gohil, R. N., Kirchner, C. R. and Stevens, J. D. (1973) “Studies on neutral esters of cyclic AMP,” Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 55, 1072-1077; Namane, A. Gouyette, C., Fillion, M. P., Fillion, G. and Huynh-Dinh, T. (1992) “Improved brain delivery of AZT using a glycosyl phosphotriester prodrug.” J. Med. Chem. 35, 3039-3044; Nargeot, J. Nerbonne, J. M. Engels, J. and Leser, H.A. (1983) Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 80,2395-2399; Nelson, K. A., Bentrude, W. G. Stser, W. N. and Hutchinson, J. P. (1987) “The question of chair-twist equilibria for the phosphate rings of nucleoside cyclic 3′, 5′monophosphates. ¹ HNMR and x-ray crystallographic study of the diastereomers of thymidine phenyl cyclic 3′, 5′-monophosphate.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 109, 4058-4064; Nerbonne, J. M., Richard, S., Nargeot, J. and Lester, H. A. (1984) “New photoactivatable cyclic nucleotides produce intracellular jumps in cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP concentrations.” Nature 301, 74-76; Neumann, J. M., Herv_, M., Debouzy, J. C., Guerra, F. I., Gouyette, C., Dupraz, B. and Huyny-Dinh, T. (1989) “Synthesis and transmembrane transport studies by NMR of a glucosyl phospholipid of thymidine.” J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111, 4270-4277; Ohno, R., Tatsumi, N., Hirano, M., Imai, K. Mizoguchi, H., Nakamura, T., Kosaka, M., Takatuski, K., Yamaya, T., Toyama K., Yoshida, T., Masaoka, T., Hashimoto, S., Ohshima, T., Kimura, I., Yamada, K. and Kimura, J. (1991) “Treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes with orally administered 1-β-D-arabinouranosylcytosine-5′stearylphosphate.” Oncology 48, 451-455. Palomino, E., Kessle, D. and Horwitz, J. P. (1989) “A dihydropyridine carrier system for sustained delivery of 2′, 3′dideoxynucleosides to the brain.�