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Cevipabulin

Cevipabulin (TTI-237), an antimicrotubule agent,  is a small synthetic molecule of triazolopyrimidine derivative with potential antitumor activity. With a novel mechanism of action distinct from the action of other vinca alkaloid compounds, TTI-237 specifically binds to tubulin at the vinca site, and promotes the polymerization of tubulin into microtubules. TTI-237 stabilizes tubulin and inhibits microtubule disassembly. This results in cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase, and leading to cell death. Check for active clinical trials or closed clinical trials using this agent. (NCI Thesaurus).

Current developer: Wyeth/Pfizer

Phase I study of Cevipabulin: Twenty-eight patients were enrolled and treated with TTI-237 at dose of 4.5, 9, 15, 22.5 and 31.5 mg/m(2). One dose-limiting toxicity neutropenia fever was observed at 31.5 mg/m(2), and all seven patients developed grade 3 or 4 neutropenia at that dose level. TTI-237 dosage was de-escalated to 22.5 and 18 mg/m(2). Six patients were treated at the 18 mg/m(2) dose level without dose-limiting toxicity prior to trial termination. The mean terminal-phase elimination half-life (t(1/2)) for TTI-237 was 25-29 h, and the mean area under the concentration time curve at 31.5 mg/m(2) was 2,768 ng•h/mL. Conclusion: A protocol defined maximum tolerated dose was not determined because of early termination of the TTI-237 trial by the sponsor. 18 mg/m(2) may be a tolerable dose of TTI-237. (source: Invest New Drugs. 2012 Feb;30(1):266-72.)

Preclinical study of Cevipabulin (TTI-237):  Cevipabulin (TTI-237) appears to bind at the vinca site, but exhibits some properties similar to those of taxane-site ligands, such as enhancing tubulin polymerization. The compound works against a variety of tumors, including those resistant to paclitaxel and vincristine. Furthermore, cevipabulin is stable and water-soluble, and can be administered i.v. or p.o. in saline. It can be synthesized in bulk quantities efficiently. Based on these properties, cevipabulin was selected for clinical development. (source: Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Sep;31(7):443-7.)

1: Wang-Gillam A, Arnold SM, Bukowski RM, Rothenberg ML, Cooper W, Wang KK, Gauthier E, Lockhart AC. A phase I dose escalation study of TTI-237 in patients with advanced malignant solid tumors. Invest New Drugs. 2012 Feb;30(1):266-72. Epub 2010 Aug 10. PubMed PMID: 20697774.

2: Ayral-Kaloustian S, Zhang N, Beyer C. Cevipabulin (TTI-237): preclinical and clinical results for a novel antimicrotubule agent. Methods Find Exp Clin Pharmacol. 2009 Sep;31(7):443-7. Review. PubMed PMID: 19907719.

3: Beyer CF, Zhang N, Hernandez R, Vitale D, Nguyen T, Ayral-Kaloustian S, Gibbons JJ. The microtubule-active antitumor compound TTI-237 has both paclitaxel-like and vincristine-like properties. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol. 2009 Sep;64(4):681-9. Epub 2009 Jan 10. PubMed PMID: 19132373.

4: Beyer CF, Zhang N, Hernandez R, Vitale D, Lucas J, Nguyen T, Discafani C, Ayral-Kaloustian S, Gibbons JJ. TTI-237: a novel microtubule-active compound with in vivo antitumor activity. Cancer Res. 2008 Apr 1;68(7):2292-300. PubMed PMID: 18381436.

5: Zhang N, Ayral-Kaloustian S, Nguyen T, Hernandez R, Beyer C. 2-cyanoaminopyrimidines as a class of antitumor agents that promote tubulin polymerization. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2007 Jun 1;17(11):3003-5. Epub 2007 Mar 25. PubMed PMID: 17416524.