Synthesis of new cotelomers derived from tris(hydroxymethyl) aminomethane bearing arabinofuranosylcytosine moieties. Preliminary results on their in vitro and in vivo antitumoral activities

As an approach to the development of drug delivery systems, a new class of low macromolecular carriers called telomers bearing both antitumor agent such as arabinofuranosylcytosine (Ara-C) and galactose moieties were synthesized. These compounds were prepared by telomerization of tris(hydroxymethyl) acrylamidomethane (THAM) or monogalactosylated THAM and Ara-C polymerizable derivatives in the presence of transfer reagent such as alkanethiol or perfluoroalkanethiol. Their antitumor activities were assessed both in vitro and in vivo against a mouse cell Line, murine B16 melanoma. The biological results show that the cytotoxic effect of Ara-C is preserved in vitro and in vivo when the drug is grafted to the telomeric structure. (C) Elsevier, Paris.