Synthesis and antitumor activity of 10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin

Successive alkylation of dimethyl homoterephthalate with propargyl bromide and 2,4-diamino-6-(bromomethyl)pteridine followed by ester saponification at room temperature afforded 2,4-diamino-4-deoxy-10-carboxy-10-propargyl-10-deazapteroic acid. The 10-COOH was readily decarboxylated by heating in DMSO at a temperature of only 120 degrees C to yield the diamino-10-propargyl-10-deazapteroic acid intermediate. Coupling with diethyl L-glutamate and ester hydrolysis gave the title compound. The 10-propargyl analogue was about 5 times more potent than MTX as an inhibitor of growth in L1210 cells, but was only one-third as potent as an inhibitor of DHFR from L1210. The analogue was transported inward very effectively in L1210 cells showing a 10-fold advantage over MTX. At a dose of 36 mg/kg the 10-propargyl compound caused shrinkage of the E0771 solid murine mammary tumor to only 1% of untreated controls.