U.S. patent application number 16/878872 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-10 for cd44v6-derived cyclic peptides for treating cancers and angiogenesis related diseases.
The applicant listed for this patent is AMCURE GMBH, RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAT. Invention is credited to Uwe HABERKORN, Thomas LINDNER, Alexandra MATZKE-OGI, Walter MIER, Veronique ORIAN-ROUSSEAU.
Application Number | 20200283503 16/878872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004845433 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-10 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200283503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATZKE-OGI; Alexandra ; et
al. |
September 10, 2020 |
CD44V6-DERIVED CYCLIC PEPTIDES FOR TREATING CANCERS AND
ANGIOGENESIS RELATED DISEASES
Abstract
The present invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical
compositions and methods for treating different forms of cancer and
angiogenesis related diseases using cyclic peptides.
Inventors: |
MATZKE-OGI; Alexandra;
(Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, DE) ; ORIAN-ROUSSEAU;
Veronique; (Rittershofen, FR) ; HABERKORN; Uwe;
(Schwetzingen, DE) ; LINDNER; Thomas; (Eppelheim,
DE) ; MIER; Walter; (Bensheim, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AMCURE GMBH
RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAT |
Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen
Heidelberg |
|
DE
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004845433 |
Appl. No.: |
16/878872 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15532817 |
Jun 2, 2017 |
10703796 |
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PCT/EP2015/078892 |
Dec 7, 2015 |
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16878872 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 14/70585 20130101;
A61K 45/06 20130101; A61K 9/0019 20130101; A61K 38/177 20130101;
A61K 38/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C07K 14/705 20060101
C07K014/705; A61K 9/00 20060101 A61K009/00; A61K 38/17 20060101
A61K038/17; A61K 45/06 20060101 A61K045/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 5, 2014 |
GB |
1421647.7 |
Claims
1. A compound comprising: a cyclic peptide comprising at least (a)
an amino acid X.sub.1 being selected from the group consisting of
the amino acids A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T,
V, W and Y, further (b) an amino acid sequence R-W-H, and further
(c) an amino acid X.sub.11 being selected from the group consisting
of the amino acids A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S,
T, V, W and Y, or a peptidomimetic thereof, or a cyclic peptide
comprising at least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein the amino acid X.sub.1 is
selected from the group consisting of the amino acids A, C, D, E,
F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, wherein the
amino acids X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6, X.sub.7,
X.sub.11, X.sub.12, X.sub.13 and X.sub.14 are independently
selected from the group consisting of the amino acids A, C, D, E,
F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W and Y, and wherein
X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6, X.sub.7, X.sub.12,
X.sub.13 and X.sub.14 are optionally present in the amino acid
sequence, or a peptidomimetic thereof, the compound comprising a
chemical bond between two adjacent amino acids of the cyclic
peptide which is not a chemical bond between the N-terminus of a
first amino acid and the C-terminus of a second amino acid of the
two adjacent amino acids.
2. The compound of claim 1, wherein the amino acid X.sub.1 is an
amino acid having an NH.sub.2 group in the amino acid side chain,
such as the amino acids K, R, N, or Q, and/or wherein X.sub.2 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids with negatively charged side chains such
as the amino acid E or D, or amino acids with non-polar side chains
such as the amino acids A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.3 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids with an NH.sub.2 group in the amino acid side chain, such as
the amino acids K, R, N, or Q, and amino acids with non-polar side
chains, such as the amino acids A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids with non-polar or non-charged side chains
and aromatic ring structures, such as the amino acids F, W, or Y,
and amino acids with non-polar side chains, such as the amino acids
A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.5 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids with non-polar or
non-charged side chains and aromatic rings structures, such as the
amino acids F, W, or Y, and amino acids with non-polar side chains,
such as the amino acids A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.6 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of the
amino acid G and amino acids with non-polar side chains, such as
the amino acids A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.7 is optionally present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids
with an NH.sub.2 group in the side chain, such as the amino acids
K, R, N or Q, and amino acids with non-polar side chains, such as
the amino acids A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.11 is selected from the
group consisting of amino acids with negatively charged side
chains, such as the amino acid E or D, and amino acids with
non-polar side chains, such as the amino acids A, V, L or I,
wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of the amino acid G and amino acids with
non-polar side chains such as the amino acids A, V, L or I, wherein
X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids with non-polar or non-charged side
chains and aromatic rings structures, such the amino acids F, W or
Y, and amino acids with non-polar side chains, such as the amino
acids A, V, L or I, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids with
an NH.sub.2 group in the side chain, such as the amino acids K, R,
N or Q, and amino acids with non-polar side chains, such as the
amino acids A, V, L or I.
3. The compound of claim 1, wherein X.sub.1 is selected from the
group consisting of K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.2 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q,
wherein X.sub.4 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R,
N and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is present and optionally the amino acid
E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, and wherein
X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q.
4. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at
least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N and Q, preferably the
amino acid K, wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein
X.sub.3 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A,
V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.11
is present and the amino acid E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof.
5. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at
least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N and Q, preferably the
amino acid K, wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein
X.sub.3 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is
present and the amino acid E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, or
a peptidomimetic thereof.
6. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at
least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably
the amino acid K, wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids E and
D, wherein X.sub.3 is optionally present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein
X.sub.4 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is the
amino acid E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A,
V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, and
wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, or a
peptidomimetic thereof.
7. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at
least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N and Q, preferably the
amino acid K, wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein
X.sub.3 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y,
wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is present and optionally E
or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and wherein
X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof.
8. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at
least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably
the amino acid K, wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids E and
D, wherein X.sub.3 is present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.5 present and is optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y,
wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q,
wherein X.sub.11 is present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12
is optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof.
9. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at
least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R,
N and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
present and is optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is
present and optionally the amino acid E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y and wherein X.sub.14 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof.
10. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises
at least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N and Q, preferably the
amino acid K, wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3
is present and is optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and is
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W
and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is
present and is optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R,
N and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is optionally the amino acid E or D,
wherein X.sub.12 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof.
11. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises
at least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N and Q, preferably the
amino acid K, wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3
is present and is optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W
and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N and Q,
wherein X.sub.11 is present and optionally the amino acid E or D,
wherein X.sub.12 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R,
N and Q, or a peptidomimetic thereof.
12. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises
at least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N and Q, preferably the
amino acid K, wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3
is present and is optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids K, R, N and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W
and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
wherein X.sub.11 is present and optionally the amino acid E or D,
wherein X.sub.12 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is present and is optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
or a peptidomimetic thereof.
13. The compound of claim 1, wherein X.sub.1 is selected from the
group consisting of the amino acids K, R, N, and Q, preferably the
amino acid K, wherein X.sub.2, if present, is selected from the
group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3, if
present, is selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R,
N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4, if present, is selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5, if present,
is selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y,
wherein X.sub.6, if present, is selected from the group consisting
of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7, if present, is
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
wherein X.sub.11 is the amino acid D or E, wherein X.sub.12, if
present, is selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A,
V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13, if present, is selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and wherein X.sub.14,
if present, is selected from the group consisting of amino acids K,
R, N, and Q.
14. The compound of claim 1, wherein X.sub.1 is the amino acid K,
wherein X.sub.2, if present, is the amino acid E, wherein X.sub.3,
if present, is the amino acid Q, wherein X.sub.4, if present, is
the amino acid W, wherein X.sub.5, if present, is the amino acid F,
wherein X.sub.6, if present, is the amino acid G, wherein X.sub.7,
if present, is the amino acid N, wherein X.sub.11 is the amino acid
E, wherein X.sub.12, if present, is the amino acid G, wherein
X.sub.13, if present, is the amino acid Y, and wherein X.sub.14, if
present, is the amino acid R.
15. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises
at least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11, wherein the amino acid
X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of the amino acids K,
R, N, or Q, preferably X.sub.1 is the amino acid K, wherein the
amino acid X.sub.6 is optionally present and selected from the
group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, preferably
X.sub.6 is the amino acid G, wherein X.sub.7 is optionally present
and selected from a group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
preferably X.sub.7 is N, and wherein X.sub.11 is the amino acid D
or E, preferably X.sub.11 is the amino acid E, or a peptidomimetic
thereof, the compound comprising a chemical bond between two
adjacent amino acids of the cyclic peptide which is not a chemical
bond between the N-terminus of a first amino acid and the
C-terminus of a second amino acid of the two adjacent amino acids
or the cyclic peptide comprising a chemical bond selected from the
group consisting of a chemical bond between an N-terminal amino
group of an amino acid and an amino acid side chain, a chemical
bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an amino acid and an
amino acid side chain, and a chemical bond between an amino acid
side chain of a first amino acid of the cyclic peptide and an amino
acid side chain of a second amino acid of the cyclic peptide.
16. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises,
optionally consists of, the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID
No.: 34), K-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 35), K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No:
36), or a peptidomimetic thereof.
17. The compound of claim 1, wherein said peptide does not comprise
the amino acid sequence N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 2), the amino acid
sequence K-R-W-H-E and a DOTA modification, the amino acid sequence
K-G-N-R-W-H-E-G, the amino acid sequence
K-E-Q-W-F-G-N-R-W-H-E-G-Y-R (SEQ ID No.: 6), or a peptidomimetic
thereof.
18. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide or
peptidomimetic thereof comprises a modification.
19. The compound of claim 18, wherein the modification comprises an
amino acid, amino acid derivative, a lipophilic modification, or an
aromatic hydrophobic modification, optionally the modification
comprises phenyl acetic acid or 3-indole acetic acid.
20. The compound of claim 18, wherein the modification is not DOTA
or a myristoyl group.
21. The compound of claim 1, wherein the chemical bond between the
two adjacent amino acids involves the amino acid side chain of at
least one of said two adjacent amino acids.
22. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises a
chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond
between an N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and an amino
acid side chain, a chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl
group of an amino acid and an amino acid side chain, and a chemical
bond between an amino acid side chain of a first amino acid of the
peptide and an amino acid side chain of a second amino acid of the
peptide.
23. The compound of claim 1, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises a
chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond
between an N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and a carboxyl
group of an amino acid side chain, preferably of the amino acids E
or D, a chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an
amino acid and an amino group of an amino acid side chain,
preferably of the amino acids K, R, N or Q, and a chemical bond
between an amino group of an amino acid side chain of a first amino
acid of the peptide, preferably of the amino acids K, R, N or Q,
and a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of a second amino
acid of the peptide, preferably of the amino acids E or D.
24. The compound of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.:34), K-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID
No.: 35) or K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 36), comprising a chemical
bond selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond between
an N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and an amino acid side
chain, optionally a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, a
chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an amino acid
and an amino acid side chain, optionally an amino group of an amino
acid side chain, and a chemical bond between an amino acid side
chain of a first amino acid of the peptide and an amino acid side
chain of a second amino acid of the peptide, optionally between a
carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the first amino acid
and an amino group of the amino acid side chain of the second amino
acid.
25. The compound of claim 23, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34) and comprises a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of a first amino
acid, preferably of the amino acid K, and an amino acid side chain,
preferably a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, of a
second amino acid, preferably of the amino acid E.
26. The compound of claim 23, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.: 35 and comprises a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of a first amino
acid, preferably of the amino acid K, and an amino acid side chain,
preferably a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, of a
second amino acid, preferably of the amino acid E.
27. The compound of claim 23, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.: 36 and comprises a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of a first amino
acid, preferably of the amino acid K, and an amino acid side chain,
preferably a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, of a
second amino acid, preferably of the amino acid E.
28. The compound of claim 23, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34) and comprises a
chemical bond between an amino acid side chain, preferably the
amino group of an amino acid side chain, of a first amino acid,
preferably of the amino acid K, and the C-terminal carboxyl group
of a second amino acid, preferably of E.
29. The compound of claim 1, wherein the amino acid side chain is
the amino acid side chain of an amino acid selected from the group
consisting of the amino acids E, D, K, R, N and Q.
30. The compound of claim 1, wherein the chemical bond comprises
the carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of an amino acid E
or D and/or wherein the chemical bond comprises the amino group of
an amino acid side chain of any one of the amino acids K, R, N or
Q.
31. The compound of claim 1, wherein the amino acid side chain is
modified or truncated.
32. The compound of claim 1, wherein at least one amino acid of the
cyclic peptide is a D-amino acid.
33. The compound of claim 32, wherein 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13 or 14 amino acids are D-amino acids.
34. The compound of claim 32, wherein at least one amino acid of
the amino acid sequence R-W-H is a D-amino acid.
35. The compound of claim 34, wherein at least W is a D-amino
acid.
36. The compound of claim 34, wherein at least H is a D-amino
acid.
37. The compound of claim 34, wherein at least R is a D-amino
acid.
38. The compound of claim 34, wherein W is a D-amino acid or
wherein R is a D-amino acid, or wherein H is a D-amino acid.
39. The compound of claim 34, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34), K-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID
No.: 35) or K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO.: 36), comprising a chemical
bond selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond between
an N-terminal amino group of a first amino acid and an amino acid
side chain, optionally a carboxyl group of an amino acid side
chain, of a second amino acid, a chemical bond between a C-terminal
carboxyl group of a first amino acid and an amino acid side chain,
optionally an amino group of an amino acid side chain, of a second
amino acid, and a chemical bond between an amino acid side chain of
a first amino acid of the peptide and an amino acid side chain of a
second amino acid of the peptide, optionally between a carboxyl
group of the amino acid side chain of the first amino acid and an
amino group of the amino acid side chain of the second amino acid,
wherein at least one amino acid is a D-amino acid, preferably at
least one amino acid of the amino acid sequence R-W-H is a D-amino
acid.
40. The compound of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34) comprising a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of a first amino
acid and an amino acid side chain, preferably a carboxyl group of
an amino acid side chain, of a second amino acid, preferably
comprising a chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of K
and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of E, wherein
at least one amino acid is a D-amino acid, preferably at least one
amino acid of the amino acid sequence R-W-H is a D-amino acid,
preferably the amino acid W is a D-amino acid.
41. The compound of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises or has
the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34) and comprises a
chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of the amino acid
K and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the amino
acid E, and wherein the amino acid W is a D-amino acid.
42. The compound of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.: 35 and comprises a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of a first amino
acid, preferably of the amino acid K, and an amino acid side chain,
preferably a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of a second
amino acid, preferably of the amino acid E, wherein at least one
amino acid is a D-amino acid.
43. The compound of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.: 36 and comprises a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of a first amino
acid, preferably of the amino acid K, and an amino acid side chain,
preferably a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of a second
amino acid, preferably of the amino acid E, wherein the amino acid
H is a D-amino acid.
44. The compound of claim 1, wherein the peptide comprises the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34) and comprises a
chemical bond between an amino acid side chain, preferably the
amino group of an amino acid side chain of a first amino acid,
preferably of the amino acid K, and the C-terminal carboxyl group
of a second amino acid, preferably of the amino acid E, wherein the
amino acid R is a D-amino acid.
45. The compound of claim 1, wherein the peptide is selected from
the group consisting of a peptide having the amino acid sequence
K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34), comprising a chemical bond between the
N-terminal amino group of the amino acid K and the carboxyl group
of the amino acid side chain of the amino acid E, and wherein the
amino acid W is a D-amino acid, a peptide having the amino acid
sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.: 35, comprising a chemical bond
between the N-terminal amino group of the amino acid K and the
carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the amino acid E, a
peptide comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID No.: 36,
comprising a chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of
the amino acid K and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side
chain of the amino acid E, wherein the amino acid H is a D-amino
acid, and a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E
(SEQ ID No.: 34), comprising a chemical bond between the amino
group of the amino acid side chain of the amino acid K and the
C-terminal carboxyl group of the amino acid E, wherein the amino
acid R is a D-amino acid.
46. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1
and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
47. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is formulated for
intravenous, oral, nasal, or subcutaneous administration.
48. The compound of claim 1, wherein the compound is administered
in combination with a cytotoxic compound, an immunopharmaceutical,
an antibody against a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and/or a
chemotherapeutic agent, preferably the compound of the invention is
administered in combination with a compound selected from the group
consisting of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor,
preferably selected from the group consisting of gefitinib,
erlotinib, lapatinib, cetuximab, panitumumab, vandetanib and
mixtures thereof, an hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGF/c-Met)
inhibitor, preferably selected from the group consisting of
ficlatuzumab, crizotinib, tivantinib, cabozantinib, capmatinib,
MGCD265, volitinib, MK8033, MK-2461, and mixtures thereof, a
programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor, preferably
selected from the group consisting of nivolumab/BMS-936558,
lambrolizumab, pidilizumab, AMP-224, pembrolizumab and mixtures
thereof, a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor, preferably
selected from the group consisting of BMS-936559, RG7446/MPDL3280A.
MEDI4736, MSB0010718C/Avelumab and mixtures thereof, a cytotoxic
T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor, preferably
ipilimumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)
inhibitors, preferably selected from the group consisting of
bevacicumab, pazopanib, sorafenib, sunitinib, axitinib, ponatinib,
regorafenib, vandetanib, cabozantinib, lenvatinib, ramucirumab and
mixtures thereof, a chemotherapeutic agent, preferably selected
from the group consisting of an alkylating agent, preferably
selected from the group consisting of a nitrogen mustard, such as
mechlorethamine, chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and
melphalan, nitrosourea, such as streptozocin, carmustine (BCNU) and
lomustine, an alkyl sulfonate, such as busulfan, a triazine, such
as dacarbazine (DTIC) and temozolomide, an ethylenimine, such as
thiotepa and altretamine (hexamethylmelamine), and mixtures
thereof, a platinum drug, preferably selected from the group
consisting of cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin and a mixture
thereof, an antimetabolite, preferably selected from the group
consisting of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP),
capecitabine, cytarabine, floxuridine, fludarabine, gemcitabine,
hydroxyurea, methotrexate, pemetrexed, and mixtures thereof, an
taxane, an eribulin, folfirinox, folfox, an anthracycline,
preferably selected from the group consisting of daunorubicin,
doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin and a mixture thereof and a
mixture thereof and combinations thereof.
49. The compound of claim 1 for use as a medicament.
50. The compound of claim 1 for use in treating a disease selected
from the group consisting of cancer, an angiogenesis related
disease, a disease from the field of ophthalmology, diseases
associated with an increased invasive potential of cells, and
inflammatory disorders in a human being.
51. The compound of claim 50, wherein the cancer is a metastasizing
cancer.
52. The compound of claim 50, wherein the disease is selected from
the group consisting of estrogen receptor-dependent breast cancer,
estrogen receptor-independent breast cancer, hormone
receptor-dependent prostate cancer, hormone receptor-independent
prostate cancer, brain cancer, renal cancer, colon cancer, familial
adenomatous polyposis (FAP), colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer,
bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, genitourinary
cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer,
astrocytomas, gliomas, skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma,
Keratoakantoma, Bowen disease, cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, melanoma,
basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis; ichtiosis; acne, acne
vulgaris, sarcomas, Kaposi's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, head and neck
cancer, small cell lung carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma,
leukemia, lymphomas and/or other blood cell cancers, thyroid
resistance syndrome, diabetes, thalassemia, cirrhosis, protozoal
infection, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, all forms
of rheumatism, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, multiple sclerosis,
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, non-insulin dependent
diabetes, asthma, rhinitis, uveithis, lupus erythematoidis,
ulcerative colitis, Morbus Crohn, inflammatory bowel disease,
chronic diarrhea, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, bone disease,
fibroproliferative disorders, atherosclerosis, aplastic anemia,
DiGeorge syndrome, Graves' disease, epilepsia, status epilepticus,
alzheimer's disease, depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective
disorder, mania, stroke, mood-incongruent psychotic symptoms,
bipolar disorder, affective disorders, meningitis, muscular
dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, agitation, cardiac hypertrophy,
heart failure, reperfusion injury, diabetic retinopathy,
age-related macular degeneration, allergic diseases, e.g. asthma,
due to an increase in eosinophil granulocytes, rejection of heart
transplantation, and obesity in a human being.
53. The compound of claim 50, wherein said cancer shows expression
of CD44v6.
54. The compound of a claim 50, wherein said cancer is classifiable
as Stage III or Stage IV according to the TNM anatomic/prognostic
group system of the cancer staging system of the American Joint
Committee on Cancer.
55. The compound of claim 50, wherein said cancer is classifiable
as Stage IV according to the TNM anatomic/prognostic group system
of the cancer staging system of the American Joint Committee on
Cancer.
56. The compound of claim 50, wherein said cancer is a
metastasizing cancer selected from the group consisting of
metastasizing forms of Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer,
cervical cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer such as squamous cell
cancer or basal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, gastric
cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck squamous cell cancer, and
breast cancer.
57. The compound of claim 50, wherein said cancer is a
metastasizing cancer selected from the group consisting of
metastasizing forms of Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer,
cervical cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer such as squamous cell
cancer or basal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, gastric
cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer, wherein said
metastasizing cancer is classifiable as Stage IV according to the
TNM anatomic/prognostic group system of the cancer staging system
of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, and wherein said
metastasizing cancer shows expression of CD44v6.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 15/532,817 filed Jun.
2, 2017, which is a U.S. National Phase Application under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 371 of International Patent Application No.
PCT/EP2015/078892, filed Dec. 7, 2015, which claims priority to GB
Great Britain Application No. 1421647.7, filed Dec. 5, 2014, each
of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. The
International Application was published on Jun. 9, 2016, as
International Publication No. WO 2016/087680 A1.
SEQUENCE LISTING
[0002] The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which
has been filed electronically in ASCII format and is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created
on May 18, 2020, is named 46310US_sequencelisting.txt and is 36,864
bytes in size.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical
compositions and methods for treating forms of cancer and
angiogenesis related diseases.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Different types of cancer have been shown to involve at
least in part over activation of receptor-tyrosine-kinases such as
cMET, and VEGFR. Cancers include e.g. colorectal cancer, breast
cancer, liver cancer and pancreatic cancer.
[0005] CD44 has been discussed as having a role in e.g. HGF and
VEGF dependent activation of receptor-tyrosine-kinases such cMET,
RON and VEGFR (see inter alia, Ponta et al., Nature Reviews (2003),
4, 33-45 and Tremmel et al., Blood (2009), 25, 5236-5244) which
activate downstream MAP kinases like Erk. Further, expression of an
alternatively spliced form of CD44, namely CD44v6 has been shown to
occur in some of the cancers being characterized by over-activation
of receptor-tyrosine-kinases. Peptides, which are able to block
CD44v6 mediated activation of receptor-tyrosine-kinases have been
discussed as being potentially useful in treatment of such
cancers.
[0006] However, there is a continuing interest for pharmaceutically
active agents that allow treatment of such cancers.
[0007] For example, treatment of pancreatic cancer typically
depends on the stage of the cancer. Although only localized cancer
is considered suitable for surgery with curative intent at present,
only about 20% of cases are diagnosed with localized disease.
Surgery can also be performed for palliation, if the malignancy is
invading or compressing the duodenum or colon. Further treatment
options include radiation and palliative chemotherapy. At present
chemotherapy includes treatment with gemcitabine or combination
therapies with gemcitabine such as gemcitabine/oxaliplatin or
gemcitabine/cisplatin. Despite intensive research efforts, no
treatment is currently available which would be considered to
provide a long-term progression-free survival. Pancreatic cancer is
therefore to date one of the malignancies with the worst prognosis
of all neoplasias. Particularly if metastases have spread across
the body such as to the liver, the peritoneal cavity and the lungs,
no efficient treatment is available, which would allow to
effectively regression of existing metastases.
[0008] Similar problems exist for other cancers, which have already
formed metastases. For many of these cancers, palliative
chemotherapy may be the only therapeutic option.
[0009] Angiogenesis denotes the formation of new blood vessels from
already existing vessels. Although angiogenesis is in general a
normal process in growth and development, it plays an essential
role in malignant tumors since new blood vessels are required to
provide the growing tumor with nutrients and oxygen. Tumors induce
angiogenesis by secreting various growth factors, such as bFGF and
VEGF which induce capillary growth into the tumor. Therefore,
anti-angiogenesis reagents have gained increasing importance in
cancer treatment.
[0010] Thus, there is a need for new compounds and methods which
can be used to treat cancers such as pancreatic and liver cancers,
before metastasis and when metastatic spreading has already
occurred. It is further desirable that these compounds act as
anti-angiogenesis agents to prevent the formation of new blood
vessels which could provide the tumor with nutrients.
OBJECTIVE AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] It is one objective of the present invention to provide
compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising such
compounds, useful as medicament and in the treatment of cancer, and
angiogenesis related diseases, diseases from the field of
ophthalmology, diseases associated with an increased invasive
potential of cells, and inflammatory disorders, in particular
cancer and angiogenesis related diseases, in a human being before
and after metastatic spreading. Another objective is to provide new
methods for treating cancer in a human being before and after
metastatic spreading and for treating angiogenesis related
diseases.
[0012] These and other objectives as they will become apparent from
the ensuing description are attained by the subject-matter of the
independent claims. Some of the preferred embodiments of the
present invention are mentioned in the dependent claims.
[0013] The present invention, to some extent, is based on the
experimental data described hereinafter showing that the cyclic
peptides described herein are able to block activation of cMET and
Erk. Based on this, these peptides also inhibit/reduce metastasis
and lead to a regression of metastases. CD44v6 has also been
implicated for other cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal
cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, gastric cancer and
breast cancer, probably due to its role in HGF dependent activation
of receptor-tyrosine-kinases such cMET, RON and VEGFR.
[0014] The experiments described hereinafter further show that a
compound comprising a cyclic peptide having as a minimal
requirement the peptide sequence R-W-H, an amino acid X.sub.1, and
further X.sub.11, both being selected from the group comprising
consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V,
W, or and Y is capable of blocking the formation of metastases in
an animal model of human cancer.
[0015] As already mentioned above, it has been found that the
peptides described herein are efficient for inhibiting metastasis
if the tri-peptide sequence R-W-H is embedded in a cyclic peptide.
Surprisingly, the cyclic peptides show a high pharmacological
effectiveness as demonstrated in the experiments presented herein.
The high pharmacological activity was surprising since cyclic
peptides are characterized by a comparably rigid structure in the
circle in comparison to non-cyclic peptides. Due to this, it would
have been expected that the less flexible cyclic peptides interact
less efficiently with the receptors. However, the opposite was
found to be the case as shown in the experimental section below.
Without intention to be bound by a particular theory, it is also
believed that the cyclic structure of the claimed peptides reduces
the peptides' susceptibility for proteolytic degradation. Thereby,
the amount of peptide in the blood is increased so that more active
peptide is available for interaction with the receptor. This leads
to a higher overall pharmacological effect.
[0016] There are two further features which were found to
additionally improve the pharmacological usefulness of the cyclic
peptides and are therefore currently particularly preferred
embodiments of the present invention. These two features improve
the pharmacological activity of the claimed cyclic peptides
preferably alone or--even more preferred--in combination.
[0017] Firstly, the cyclic peptides preferably comprise at least
one chemical bond between a first and a second amino acid, in
particular two adjacent amino acids, of the peptide which is not a
chemical bond between the N-terminus of the first amino acid and
the C-terminus of the second amino acid of the two amino acids, in
particular of the two adjacent amino acids.
[0018] Hence, it is preferred that the circle or ring of the cyclic
peptide not solely comprises chemical bonds between the N-terminal
amino groups and the C-terminal carboxyl groups of the amino acids
in the circle but e.g. between an N-terminal amino group and an
amino acid side chain, preferably the carboxyl group of an amino
acid side chain, a C-terminal carboxyl group and an amino acid side
chain, preferably an amino group of an amino acid side chain, or
between (at least) two amino acid side chains. Preferably one of
said amino acid side chains bears a carboxyl group whereas the
other amino acid side chain bears an amino group.
[0019] Thus, it is preferred that the chemical bond between two
adjacent amino acids involves the amino acid side chain of at least
one of said two adjacent amino acids. Usually, cyclic peptides only
comprise classical peptide bonds, i.e. all amino acids which
participate in the circle of the cyclic peptide are connected via
the C-terminal carboxyl group of one amino acid and the N-terminal
amino group of a next or adjacent amino acid. However, according to
the present invention it is particularly preferred that at least
one chemical bond between two adjacent amino acids in the circle is
not a classical peptide bond. It is particularly preferred that the
chemical bond between the two adjacent amino acids involves the
amino acid side chain of one of these adjacent amino acids. Such
chemical bond forms the cyclic peptide structure via at least one
amino acid side chain of one amino acid in the peptide circle.
These chemical bonds are assumed to positively influence the
pharmacological activity in two ways: (i) this kind of bond is not
found in proteins or peptides in nature so that--again--standard
proteases are not active on these chemical bonds and moieties.
Hence, proteolytic cleavage is reduced. (ii) These chemical bonds
which preferably involve at least one amino acid side chain seem to
enhance the flexibility of the rigid structure of the cyclic
peptides in comparison to cyclic peptides having only classical
peptide bonds within the ring structure. This increases the number
of conformations accessible for ligand interaction and may
consequently lead to an improved binding of the cyclic peptide to
the receptor in comparison to cyclic peptides solely with chemical
bonds between the N- and C-terminus of the amino acids in the
circle. However, the increased pharmacological activity of the
cyclic peptides having such a chemical bond was surprising since
these chemical bonds which are not the standard peptide bonds
further differentiate the peptide from the natural peptide which
binds to the receptor. Hence, preferably the cyclic peptides
include at least one chemical bond between two adjacent amino acids
which involves the amino acid side chain of at least one of two
adjacent amino acids. In other words, at least one chemical bond
between two adjacent amino acids is not formed between the
N-terminal amino group of one of the two adjacent amino acids and
the C-terminal carboxyl group of the other amino acid of the two
adjacent amino acids. Preferably, the cyclic peptide comprises a
chemical bond between two adjacent amino acids selected from the
group consisting of a chemical bond between an N-terminal amino
group of an amino acid and an amino acid side chain, a chemical
bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an amino acid and an
amino acid side chain, and a chemical bond between an amino acid
side chain of a first amino acid of the peptide and an amino acid
side chain of a second amino acid of the peptide.
[0020] Alternatively or additionally, it is highly preferred that
the cyclic peptides include at least one D-amino acid. It is
believed that the presence of at least one D-amino acid in the
cyclic peptides further reduces the peptide's susceptibility to
proteolytic cleavage since proteases are not evolutionary designed
to act on D-amino acid containing proteins or peptides. This is in
particular confirmed by the experimental data presented herein
below. However, also with respect to this feature, the
pharmacological inhibitory effect was absolutely surprising since
the presence of D-amino acids further differentiates the peptide
from the natural peptide which binds to the receptor. Thereby, the
amount of peptide which is available for an interaction with the
receptor is increased. In particular, the cyclic pentapeptide
K-R-W-H-E having a D-amino acid W (D3alga1) (SEQ ID NO: 41) has
been shown to be effective for inhibiting CD44v6-mediated
activation of Met signaling. Hence, D-amino acids do not diminish
the inhibitory effect of the peptides. In fact, D3alga1 even shows
a higher inhibitory effect in the wound healing assay the results
of which are presented in the Examples and FIG. 5. A "D-amino acid"
is a term well understood by the skilled person. Usually, all of
the amino acids derived from natural proteins are of the L
configuration. D-amino acids are also found in nature, especially
as components of certain peptide antibiotics, in walls of certain
microorganisms and to some extent also in mammals including Homo
sapiens. The L and D convention for amino acid configuration does
not refer to the optical activity of the amino acid itself but
rather to the optical activity of the isomer of glyceraldehyde from
which that amino acid can, in theory, be synthesized
(D-glyceraldehyde is dextrorotatory; L-glyceraldehyde is
levorotatory).
[0021] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cyclic peptide
comprises a chemical bond between two adjacent amino acids of the
peptide which is not a chemical bond between the N-terminus of the
first amino acid and the C-terminus of the second amino acid of the
two adjacent amino acids, preferably the chemical bond between the
two adjacent amino acids involves the amino acid side chain of at
least one of said two adjacent amino acids, and at least one
D-amino acid. The experimental data presented herein below
demonstrates impressively that the combination of these two
features in the cyclic peptide leads to an even more increased
pharmacological activity which was clearly unexpected and
surprising since these cyclic peptides differ in many aspects from
the natural peptide which binds to the receptor.
[0022] In a currently most preferred embodiment, the compound
comprises the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 41), a
chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of K and the
carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of E, and wherein W is
a D-amino acid (D3alga1, cf. FIG. 9).
[0023] In another currently most preferred embodiment, the compound
comprises a peptide which comprises the amino acid sequence as
depicted in SEQ ID No.: 35 and comprises a chemical bond between an
N-terminal amino group of K, and the carboxyl group of the amino
acid side chain of E, such as alga-2 (FIG. 12).
[0024] Currently most preferred is a compound of the invention,
wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence as depicted
in SEQ ID No.: 36 and comprises a chemical bond between the
N-terminal amino group of the amino acid K, and the carboxyl group
of the amino acid side chain of the amino acid E, wherein the amino
acid H is a D-amino acid, such as D6-alga-3 (cf. FIG. 10).
[0025] Currently most preferred is a compound of the invention,
wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E
(SEQ ID No.: 42) and comprises a chemical bond between the amino
group of the amino acid side chain of the amino acid K, and the
C-terminal carboxyl group of the amino acid E, wherein the amino
acid R is a D-amino acid, such as D2-epal-1 (cf. FIG. 11).
[0026] Thus, the present invention relates to a compound
comprising: [0027] a cyclic peptide comprising at least [0028] (a)
an amino acid X.sub.1 being selected from the group consisting of
A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y,
further [0029] (b) an amino acid sequence R-W-H, and further [0030]
(c) an amino acid X.sub.11 being selected from the group consisting
of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y,
or a peptidomimetic thereof, or [0031] a cyclic peptide comprising
at least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein the amino acid X.sub.1 is
selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L,
M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y, wherein the amino acids X.sub.2,
X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6, X.sub.7, X.sub.11, X.sub.12,
X.sub.13, and X.sub.14 are independently selected from the group
consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V,
W, and Y, and wherein X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6,
X.sub.7, X.sub.12, X.sub.13, and X.sub.14 are optionally present in
the amino acid sequence, or a peptidomimetic thereof.
[0032] Preferred, the present invention relates to a compound
comprising: [0033] a cyclic peptide comprising at least [0034] (a)
an amino acid X.sub.1 being selected from the group consisting of
A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y,
further [0035] (b) an amino acid sequence R-W-H, and further [0036]
(c) an amino acid X.sub.11 being selected from the group consisting
of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y,
or a peptidomimetic thereof, or a cyclic peptide comprising at
least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein the amino acid X.sub.1 is
selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L,
M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y, wherein the amino acids X.sub.2,
X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6, X.sub.7, X.sub.11, X.sub.12,
X.sub.13, and X.sub.14 are independently selected from the group
consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V,
W, and Y, and wherein X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6,
X.sub.7, X.sub.12, X.sub.13, and X.sub.14 are optionally present in
the amino acid sequence, or a peptidomimetic thereof the compound
comprising a chemical bond between two adjacent amino acids of the
cyclic peptide which is not a chemical bond between the N-terminus
of a first amino acid and the C-terminus of a second amino acid of
the two adjacent amino acids.
[0037] Preferably, the present invention relates to a compound
comprising: [0038] a cyclic peptide comprising at least [0039] (a)
an amino acid X.sub.1 being selected from the group consisting of
A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y,
further [0040] (b) an amino acid sequence R-W-H, and further [0041]
(c) an amino acid X.sub.11 being selected from the group consisting
of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y,
or a peptidomimetic thereof, or a cyclic peptide comprising at
least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein the amino acid X.sub.1 is
selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L,
M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y, wherein the amino acids X.sub.2,
X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6, X.sub.7, X.sub.11, X.sub.12,
X.sub.13, and X.sub.14 are independently selected from the group
consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V,
W, and Y, and wherein X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6,
X.sub.7, X.sub.12, X.sub.13, and X.sub.14 are optionally present in
the amino acid sequence, or a peptidomimetic thereof, comprising a
chemical bond between an amino acid side chain of a first amino
acid and a member selected from the group consisting of the
C-terminus, the N-terminus and the amino acid side chain of a
second or a second adjacent amino acid.
[0042] Optionally, in the compound of the present invention, the
amino acid X.sub.1 is an amino acid having an NH.sub.2 group in the
amino acid side chain, such as K, R, N, or Q, X.sub.2 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids with negatively charged side chains such as E or D, or amino
acids with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I, X.sub.3 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids with an NH.sub.2 group in the amino acid
side chain, such as K, R, N, or Q, and amino acids with non-polar
side chains such as A, V, L or I, X.sub.4 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids with
non-polar or non-charged side changes and aromatic ring structures
such as F, W, or Y, and amino acids with non-polar side chains such
as A, V, L or I, X.sub.5 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids with non-polar or
non-charged side changes and aromatic rings structures such as F,
W, or Y, and amino acids with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L
or I, X.sub.6 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of G and amino acids with non-polar side
chains such as A, V, L or I, X.sub.7 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids with
an NH.sub.2 group in the amino acid side chain, such as K, R, N, or
Q, and amino acids with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I,
X.sub.11 is selected from the group consisting of amino acids with
negatively charged side chains such as E or D, and amino acids with
non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I, X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of G and
amino acids with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I,
X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids with non-polar or non-charged side
chains and aromatic rings structures such F, W, or Y, and amino
acids with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I, and X.sub.14
is optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids with an NH.sub.2 group in the amino acid
side chain, such as K, R, N, or Q, and amino acids with non-polar
side chains such as A, V, L or I.
[0043] In another embodiment, in the compound of the invention,
X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q,
X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids E and D, X.sub.3 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N, and Q, X.sub.4 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y,
X.sub.5 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, X.sub.6 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, X.sub.7 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R,
N, and Q, X.sub.11 is present and optionally E or D, X.sub.12 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, X.sub.13 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W, and Y, and X.sub.14 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R,
N, and Q.
[0044] In another preferred embodiment, in the compound of the
invention the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is present and E or D,
wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein
X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and wherein X.sub.14
is optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof.
[0045] In another preferred embodiment, in the compound of the
invention the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G,
A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein
X.sub.11 is present and E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
or a peptidomimetic thereof.
[0046] In another preferred embodiment, in the compound of the
invention the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F,
W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein
X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is E or
D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein
X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and wherein X.sub.14
is optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof.
[0047] In another preferred embodiment, in the compound of the
invention the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y,
wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is present and optionally E
or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and wherein
X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof.
[0048] In another preferred embodiment, in the compound of the
invention the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y,
wherein X.sub.5 present and is optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G,
A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is
present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
or a peptidomimetic thereof.
[0049] In another preferred embodiment, in the compound of the
invention the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R,
N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
present and is optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is
present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
or a peptidomimetic thereof.
[0050] In another preferred embodiment, in the compound of the
invention the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is present and
is optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K,
R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and is optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein
X.sub.5 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present
and is optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids
G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
wherein X.sub.11 is optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G,
A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
or a peptidomimetic thereof.
[0051] In another preferred embodiment, in the compound of the
invention the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is present and
is optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K,
R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein
X.sub.5 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G,
A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein
X.sub.11 is present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and
wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a
peptidomimetic thereof.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment, in the compound of the invention
the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14 (SEQ ID NO: 9), wherein X.sub.1 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and
Q, preferably K, wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3
is present and is optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
wherein X.sub.11 is present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12
is present and optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is present and is optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a
peptidomimetic thereof.
[0053] In a more preferred embodiment, in the compound of the
invention X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of K, R, N,
and Q, preferably K, X.sub.2, if present, is selected from the
group consisting of amino acids E and D, X.sub.3, if present, is
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
X.sub.4, if present, is selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W, and Y, X.sub.5, if present, is selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, X.sub.6, if present, is
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
X.sub.7, if present, is selected from the group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N, and Q, X.sub.11 is D or E, X.sub.12, if present, is
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
X.sub.13, if present, is selected from the group consisting of
amino acids F, W, and Y, and X.sub.14, if present, is selected from
the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q.
[0054] In an even more preferred embodiment of the invention,
X.sub.1 is K, X.sub.2, if present, is E, X.sub.3, if present, is Q,
X.sub.4, if present, is W, X.sub.5, if present, is F, X.sub.6, if
present, is G, X.sub.7, if present, is N, X.sub.11 is E, X.sub.12,
if present, is G, X.sub.13, if present, is Y, and X.sub.14, if
present, is R.
[0055] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the
compound comprises a cyclic peptide which comprises at least the
amino acid sequence X.sub.1-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11, wherein
the amino acid X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of the
amino acids K, R, N, or Q, preferably X.sub.1 is the amino acid K,
wherein the amino acid X.sub.6 is optionally present and selected
from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
preferably X.sub.6 is the amino acid G, wherein X.sub.7 is
optionally present and selected from a group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N, and Q, preferably X.sub.7 is N, and wherein X.sub.11
is the amino acid D or E, preferably X.sub.11 is the amino acid E,
or a peptidomimetic thereof, the compound comprising a chemical
bond between two adjacent amino acids of the cyclic peptide which
is not a chemical bond between the N-terminus of a first amino acid
and the C-terminus of a second amino acid of the two adjacent amino
acids or the cyclic peptide comprising a chemical bond selected
from the group consisting of a chemical bond between an N-terminal
amino group of an amino acid and an amino acid side chain, a
chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an amino acid
and an amino acid side chain, and a chemical bond between an amino
acid side chain of a first amino acid of the cyclic peptide and an
amino acid side chain of a second amino acid of the cyclic
peptide.
[0056] In another very preferred embodiment, the cyclic peptide
comprises, optionally consists of, the amino acid sequence
K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34), K-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 35),
K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No: 36), or a peptidomimetic thereof. Further
preferably, the peptide of the invention does not comprise the
amino acid sequence N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 2), the amino acid
sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO: 34) and a DOTA modification, the
amino acid sequence K-G-N-R-W-H-E-G (SEQ ID NO: 18), the amino acid
sequence K-E-Q-W-F-G-N-R-W-H-E-G-Y-R (SEQ ID No.: 6), or a 6mer or
a peptidomimetic thereof.
[0057] Optionally, the cyclic peptide or peptidomimetic thereof
comprises a modification. Optionally, the modification comprises an
amino acid, amino acid derivative, a lipophilic modification or an
aromatic hydrophobic modification, optionally the modification
comprises phenyl acetic acid or 3-indole acetic acid. Examples of
lipophilic modifications are fatty acids, isoprenoids, sterols,
phospholipids, fatty acylation, attachment of a glycosyl
phosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor or attachment of palmitate,
myristoylation, isoprenylation or prenylation, such as with
farnesyl or geranylgeranyl moieties. In a preferred embodiment, the
modification is not DOTA or a myristoyl group. The modification may
be attached to the circle/ring of the peptide or to an amino acid
side chain. It is further possible to modify the amino acid side
chain or amino acid side chains which are involved in the
circle/ring of the cyclic peptide. In particular, an amino acid
side chain which is involved in the circle of the cyclic peptide,
i.e. is--after ring/circle formation--a part of the circle, may be
modified and/or truncated. "Modified" is to be understood according
to its general meaning in the field of protein chemistry and
denotes the chemical amendment by another chemical moiety. By a
modification an additional chemical group is covalently attached to
the respective part of the peptide. The position of the
modification of the peptide is not limited. Further, more than one
modification can be present at the peptide or even an amino acid
side chain.
[0058] "Truncated" means that the amino acid side chain can be
shortened in respect to the natural side chain of the amino
acid.
[0059] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compound of the
invention comprises a chemical bond between two adjacent amino
acids of the peptide which is not a chemical bond between the
N-terminus of the first amino acid and the C-terminus of the second
amino acid of the two adjacent amino acids.
[0060] "Adjacent" in the sense of the present invention denotes
that the amino acids are located next to each other, in particular
after formation of the circle of the cyclic peptide. Hence, the
term adjacent includes that the two amino acids are next to each
other when the circle of the cyclic peptide is closed. A first
amino acid can be adjacent on the N-terminal or C-terminal side of
a second amino acid. However, it is preferred that the chemical
bond between at least two adjacent amino acids is not a peptide
bond but e.g. involves at least the amino acid side chain of one of
the two adjacent amino acids. In a preferred embodiment, the
chemical bond which is not a chemical bond between the N-terminus
of the first amino acid and the C-terminus of the second amino acid
of the two adjacent amino acids forms the circle of the cyclic
peptide. Hence, in a preferred embodiment said first and said
second amino acid are the N-terminal and C-terminal amino acids of
the peptide, respectively, before the circle of the cyclic peptide
is formed. After forming the circle of the cyclic peptide, said
first and second amino acids are adjacent to each other. More
preferably, the chemical bond between the two adjacent amino acids
involves the amino acid side chain of at least one of said two
adjacent amino acids. Before the peptide is made cyclic, the first
of the two adjacent amino acids is on the N-terminal side of the
central RWH amino acid sequence motif and the second adjacent amino
acid is on the C-terminal side of this central sequence motif. The
numbers of amino acids which are present between the two adjacent
amino acids and the central sequence motif RWH is variable on the
N-or C-terminal side of the RWH motif and further explained
hereinbelow. "Involves" in connection with the chemical bond
between the two adjacent amino acids under participation of at
least one amino acid side chain denotes that at least one atom of
the amino acid side chain participates in a covalent bond which is
localized between the two adjacent amino acids in the formed circle
of the cyclic peptide. From the context it also becomes clear that
the term "chemical bond" does not mean that there is necessarily
only a single chemical bond between the two adjacent amino acids.
In general, the term "chemical bond" is to be understood according
to its meaning in the art of chemistry and is preferably a covalent
atom bond. The chemical bond in the context of how the circle of
the peptide is formed refers to the chemical bond which in fact
connects the two amino acids: this can be the chemical bond between
the N-terminal amino group of a first amino acid and the amino acid
side chain of a second amino acid of the circle, the chemical bond
between a C-terminal carboxyl group of a first amino acid and an
amino acid side chain of a second amino acid, or the chemical bond
between an amino acid side chain of a first amino acid of the
peptide and an amino acid side chain of a second amino acid of the
peptide. Hence the chemical bond described herein forms the circle
so that the two amino acids which are denoted as "adjacent amino
acids" become adjacent. A cyclic peptide of the invention can also
comprise more than one chemical bond between two adjacent amino
acids of the cyclic peptide which is not a chemical bond between
the N-terminus of a first amino acid and the C-terminus of a second
amino acid of the two adjacent amino acids
[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the cyclic peptide comprises a
chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond
between an N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and an amino
acid side chain, a chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl
group of an amino acid and an amino acid side chain, and a chemical
bond between an amino acid side chain of a first amino acid of the
peptide and an amino acid side chain of a second amino acid of the
peptide.
[0062] As discussed, preferred is a chemical bond between the amino
group of the N-terminus (alpha) and the carboxyl group of amino
acid side chain (beta position in case of amino acid D and gamma
position in case of amino acid E). Also preferred is the chemical
bond between an amino group of an amino acid side chain and the
carboxyl group of the C-terminus. Greek letters are used to denote
the atoms of the amino acid and also the amino acid side chains,
which are involved in the chemical bond between the amino acids
that form the circle, such as the two adjacent amino acids, wherein
the first atom of the side chain is denoted as alpha, the second
beta, the third gamma, the fourth delta, the fifth epsilon and so
forth. The "circle" or "ring" of the peptide is the ring or circle
formed from the peptide backbone, and if applicable, the amino acid
side chain or side chains or one or more CH.sub.2 groups which
participate(s) in the chemical bond which forms the ring or circle
of the peptide. This is illustrated in FIG. 9. As cyclisation step
in general the last chemical reaction is meant which leads to the
chemical bond which finally closes the ring/circle. "In the circle"
includes all atoms which participate in forming the circle. These
can be the peptide backbone and one or more amino acid side chains
or one or more CH.sub.2 groups. The term does generally not include
amino acid side chains which are not linked to another amino acid
or another amino acid side chain of the peptide in a way that they
participate in the circle but are attached to the peptide backbone
as usual in naturally occurring peptides and proteins.
[0063] The high biological activity of cyclic peptides having a
chemical bond between the N- or C-terminus and an amino acid side
chain is proven by the compounds which are tested in the Examples,
such as given in FIGS. 1, 2 and 9 to 14. Particularly, a chemical
bond employing the amino group of the N-terminus and the carboxyl
group of the amino acids E and D is preferred for circle formation.
Cyclic peptides comprising at least one chemical bond in the circle
which is not between the N- and C-terminus but either between the
C- or the N-terminus of a first amino acid and the amino acid side
chain of a second amino acid or between two amino acid side chains
are preferred. As already explained above, the good pharmacological
activity was surprising since these peptides of the invention
differ significantly in their structure from the natural peptide
which binds to the receptor. It is assumed that the reason for this
is that the peptides are on the one hand particularly stable and
less susceptible to proteolytic cleavage and on the other hand do
not have the comparably rigid peptide backbone structure but are
supposed to interact more flexibly and effectively with the
receptor than a cyclic peptide, wherein all amino acids are
connected via standard peptide bonds.
[0064] In a more preferred embodiment, the cyclic peptide comprises
a chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a chemical
bond between an N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and a
carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, preferably of E or D, a
chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an amino acid
and an amino group of an amino acid side chain, preferably of K, R,
N or Q, and a chemical bond between an amino group of an amino acid
side chain of a first amino acid of the peptide, preferably of K,
R, N or Q, and a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of a
second amino acid of the peptide, preferably of E or D.
Alternatively, the cyclic peptide of the compound of the invention
comprises a chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of an amino acid
and an amino acid side chain, a chemical bond between a C-terminal
carboxyl group of an amino acid and an amino acid side chain, and a
chemical bond between an amino acid side chain of a first amino
acid of the two adjacent amino acids of the cyclic peptide and an
amino acid side chain of a second amino acid of the two adjacent
amino acids of the peptide. Alternatively, the cyclic peptide
comprises a chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of a first amino
acid and a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of a second
amino acid, preferably being E or D, a chemical bond between a
C-terminal carboxyl group of a first amino acid and an amino group
of an amino acid side chain of a second amino acid, preferably
being K, R, N or Q, and a chemical bond between an amino group of
an amino acid side chain of a first amino acid of the cyclic
peptide, preferably being K, R, N or Q, and a carboxyl group of an
amino acid side chain of a second amino acid of the cyclic peptide,
preferably being E or D.
[0065] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the peptide has the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34), K-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID
No.: 35) or K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO.: 36), and comprises a
chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond
between an N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and an amino
acid side chain, optionally a carboxyl group of an amino acid side
chain, a chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an
amino acid and an amino acid side chain, optionally an amino group
of an amino acid side chain, and a chemical bond between an amino
acid side chain of a first amino acid of the peptide and an amino
acid side chain of a second amino acid of the peptide, optionally
between a carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the first
amino acid and an amino group of the amino acid side chain of the
second amino acid.
[0066] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the peptide has the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34), K-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID
No.: 35) or K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO.: 36), and comprises a
chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond
between an N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and an amino
acid side chain, optionally a carboxyl group of an amino acid side
chain, a chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an
amino acid and an amino acid side chain, optionally an amino group
of an amino acid side chain, and a chemical bond between an amino
acid side chain of a first amino acid of the peptide and an amino
acid side chain of a second amino acid of the peptide, optionally
between a carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the first
amino acid and an amino group of the amino acid side chain of the
second amino acid, wherein the peptide comprises at least one
D-amino acid.
[0067] In an even more preferred embodiment, the compound of the
invention comprises a cyclic peptide, wherein the peptide has the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34) and comprises a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of a first amino
acid and an amino acid side chain, preferably between an N-terminal
amino group of a first amino acid, preferably of the amino acid K,
and a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of a second amino
acid, optionally of E. Preferably, the amino acid side chain is the
amino acid side chain of an amino acid selected from the group
consisting of the amino acids E, D, K, R, N and Q.
[0068] In an even more preferred embodiment, the compound comprises
a peptide which comprises the amino acid sequence as depicted in
SEQ ID No.: 35 and comprises a chemical bond between an N-terminal
amino group of a first amino acid, preferably of the amino acid K,
and an amino acid side chain, preferably a carboxyl group of an
amino acid side chain, of a second amino acid, preferably of the
amino acid E, such as alga-2 (FIG. 12).
[0069] In an even more preferred embodiment, the compound comprises
a peptide which comprises the amino acid sequence as depicted in
SEQ ID No.: 36 and comprises a chemical bond between an N-terminal
amino group of a first amino acid, preferably of the amino acid K,
and an amino acid side chain, preferably a carboxyl group of an
amino acid side chain, of a second amino acid, preferably of the
amino acid E.
[0070] In an even more preferred embodiment, the compound comprises
a peptide which comprises the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID
No.: 34) and comprises a chemical bond between an amino acid side
chain, preferably the amino group of an amino acid side chain, of a
first amino acid, preferably of the amino acid K, and the
C-terminal carboxyl group of a second amino acid, preferably of
E.
[0071] In another preferred embodiment, the chemical bond comprises
the carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of an amino acid E
or D and/or the chemical bond comprises the amino group of an amino
acid side chain of any one of the amino acids K, R, N or Q.
Optionally, the amino acid side chain is modified or truncated.
[0072] In particular preferred are also compounds, wherein the
cyclic peptide in the circle comprises at least one CH.sub.2 group,
preferably two CH.sub.2 groups or more.
[0073] In a particularly very preferred embodiment, the compound
comprises at least one D-amino acid, alternatively at least one
amino acid of the cyclic peptide is a D-amino acid, optionally, 2,
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 or 14 amino acids of the cyclic
peptide are D-amino acids. In one preferred embodiment, in the
compound at least one amino acid of the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H
(SEQ ID NO: 43), K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO: 34) or R-W-H is a D-amino
acid, preferably H, R and/or W is a D-amino acid, most preferably W
or R or H.
[0074] In a more preferred embodiment of the invention, the peptide
has the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34), K-N-R-W-H-E
(SEQ ID No.: 35) or K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO.: 36), comprising a
chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond
between an N-terminal amino group of a first amino acid and an
amino acid side chain, optionally a carboxyl group of an amino acid
side chain, of a second amino acid, a chemical bond between a
C-terminal carboxyl group of a first amino acid and an amino acid
side chain, optionally an amino group of an amino acid side chain,
of a second amino acid, and a chemical bond between an amino acid
side chain of a first amino acid of the peptide and an amino acid
side chain of a second amino acid of the peptide, optionally
between a carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the first
amino acid and an amino group of the amino acid side chain of the
second amino acid, wherein at least one amino acid is a D-amino
acid, preferably at least one amino acid of the amino acid sequence
R-W-H is a D-amino acid.
[0075] Currently even more preferred is a compound of the
invention, wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence
K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34) comprising a chemical bond between an
N-terminal amino group of a first amino acid and an amino acid side
chain, preferably a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, of
a second amino acid, more preferably between the N-terminal amino
group of K and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of
E, wherein at least one amino acid is a D-amino acid, preferably at
least one amino acid of the amino acid sequence R-W-H is a D-amino
acid, more preferably W is a D-amino acid.
[0076] Currently most preferred is a compound of the invention,
wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID
No.: 41) comprising a chemical bond between the N-terminal amino
group of K and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of
E, and wherein W is a D-amino acid, such as D3alga1 (cf. FIG.
9).
[0077] Currently most preferred is a compound of the invention,
wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence as depicted
in SEQ ID No.: 35 and comprises a chemical bond between an
N-terminal amino group of a first amino acid, preferably of the
amino acid K, and an amino acid side chain, preferably a carboxyl
group of an amino acid side chain of a second amino acid,
preferably of the amino acid E, wherein at least one amino acid is
a D-amino acid.
[0078] Currently most preferred is a compound of the invention,
wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence as depicted
in SEQ ID No.: 36 and comprises a chemical bond between an
N-terminal amino group of a first amino acid, preferably of the
amino acid K, and an amino acid side chain, preferably a carboxyl
group of an amino acid side chain of a second amino acid,
preferably of the amino acid E, wherein the amino acid H is a
D-amino acid, such as D6-alga-3 (cf. FIG. 10).
[0079] Currently most preferred is a compound of the invention,
wherein the peptide comprises the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E
(SEQ ID No.: 42) and comprises a chemical bond between an amino
acid side chain, preferably the amino group of an amino acid side
chain of a first amino acid, preferably of the amino acid K, and
the C-terminal carboxyl group of a second amino acid, preferably of
the amino acid E, wherein the amino acid R is a D-amino acid, such
as D2-epal-1 (cf. FIG. 11).
[0080] The compound of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the
peptide is selected from the group consisting of a peptide having
the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 41), comprising a
chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of the amino acid
K and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the amino
acid E, and wherein the amino acid W is a D-amino acid, such as
D3-alga-1, a peptide having the amino acid sequence as depicted in
SEQ ID No.: 35, comprising a chemical bond between the N-terminal
amino group of the amino acid K and the carboxyl group of the amino
acid side chain of the amino acid E, such as alga-2, a peptide
comprising the amino acid sequence SEQ ID No.: 36, comprising a
chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of the amino acid
K and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the amino
acid E, wherein the amino acid H is a D-amino acid, such as
D6-alga-3, and a peptide comprising the amino acid sequence
K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 42), comprising a chemical bond between the
amino group of the amino acid side chain of the amino acid K and
the C-terminal carboxyl group of the amino acid E, wherein the
amino acid R is a D-amino acid, such as D2-epal-1.
[0081] Also provided is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a
compound of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable
carrier. Optionally, the compound or the pharmaceutical composition
is formulated for intravenous, oral, nasal, or subcutaneous
administration.
[0082] Also provided is the compound of the invention or the
pharmaceutical composition of the invention for use as a
medicament. Also provided is the use of a compound of the invention
or a pharmaceutical composition of the invention in the
manufacturing of a medicament for treating any of the diseases
herein listed below.
[0083] In a preferred embodiment, the compound or the
pharmaceutical composition of the invention is for use in treating
a disease selected from the group consisting of cancer, an
angiogenesis related disease, a disease from the field of
ophthalmology, diseases associated with an increased invasive
potential of cells, and inflammatory disorders in a human being.
Preferably, the cancer is a metastasizing cancer. A "metastasizing
cancer" is a cancer which may form or often forms metastases. A
metastasizing cancer which has already spread from the part of the
body where it started, i.e. the primary site, to other parts of the
body, is also denoted metastatic cancer. When cancer cells break
away from a tumor, they can travel to other areas of the body
through the bloodstream or the lymph system. Such cancer cells may
then form new tumors in other areas of the body.
[0084] In another preferred embodiment, the disease is selected
from the group consisting of estrogen receptor-dependent breast
cancer, estrogen receptor-independent breast cancer, hormone
receptor-dependent prostate cancer, hormone receptor-independent
prostate cancer, brain cancer, renal cancer, colon cancer, familial
adenomatous polyposis (FAP), colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer,
bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, genitourinary
cancer, gastrointestinal cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer,
astrocytomas, gliomas, skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma,
Keratoakantoma, Bowen disease, cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma, melanoma,
basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis; ichtiosis; acne, acne
vulgaris, sarcomas, Kaposi's sarcoma, osteosarcoma, head and neck
cancer, small cell lung carcinoma, non-small cell lung carcinoma,
leukemia, lymphomas and/or other blood cell cancers, thyroid
resistance syndrome, diabetes, thalassemia, cirrhosis, protozoal
infection, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, all forms
of rheumatism, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, multiple sclerosis,
insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, non-insulin dependent
diabetes, asthma, rhinitis, uveithis, lupus erythematoidis,
ulcerative colitis, Morbus Crohn, inflammatory bowel disease,
chronic diarrhea, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, bone disease,
fibroproliferative disorders, atherosclerosis, aplastic anemia,
DiGeorge syndrome, Graves' disease, epilepsia, status epilepticus,
alzheimer's disease, depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective
disorder, mania, stroke, mood-incongruent psychotic symptoms,
bipolar disorder, affective disorders, meningitis, muscular
dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, agitation, cardiac hypertrophy,
heart failure, reperfusion injury, diabetic retinopathy,
age-related macular degeneration, allergic diseases, e.g. asthma,
due to an increase in eosinophil granulocytes, rejection of heart
transplantation, and obesity in a human being.
[0085] Preferably, the said cancer shows expression of CD44v6.
[0086] In another preferred embodiment, said cancer is classifiable
as Stage III or Stage IV according to the TNM anatomic/prognostic
group system of the cancer staging system of the American Joint
Committee on Cancer. More preferably, said cancer is classifiable
as Stage IV according to the TNM anatomic/prognostic group system
of the cancer staging system of the American Joint Committee on
Cancer.
[0087] In another preferred embodiment, said cancer is a
metastasizing cancer selected from the group consisting of
metastasizing forms of Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer,
cervical cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer such as squamous cell
cancer or basal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, gastric
cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck squamous cell cancer, and
breast cancer. In another more preferred embodiment of the
invention, said cancer is a metastasizing cancer selected from the
group consisting of metastasizing forms of Hodgkin lymphoma,
colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer such
as squamous cell cancer or basal cell carcinoma, head and neck
cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast cancer,
wherein said metastasizing cancer is classifiable as Stage IV
according to the TNM anatomic/prognostic group system of the cancer
staging system of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, and
wherein said metastasizing cancer shows expression of CD44v6.
[0088] Preferred cancers may be metastasizing forms of Hodgkin
lymphoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer,
gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer, as for these
cancers an expression of CD44v6 has been shown. In a preferred
embodiment, the compound and pharmaceutical composition of the
invention are for use in treating cancers when metastases have
already formed, such as metastasizing forms of Hodgkin lymphoma,
colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, gastric
cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer in a human being
[0089] A person skilled in the art will understand that any
compound that provides for the same amino acids or at least the
same overall configuration of the cyclic peptide as cyclic peptides
described herein will also be efficient in not only preventing
formation of metastasis, but also removing already formed
metastases in cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer,
cervical cancer, head and neck cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic
cancer and breast cancer, as well as angiogenesis related diseases,
a disease from the field of ophthalmology, diseases associated with
an increased invasive potential of cells, and inflammatory
disorders.
[0090] The invention therefore in some embodiments contemplates the
use of peptidomimetics of any of the cyclic peptides described
herein. These peptidomimetics will preferably have the same amino
acids but an altered backbone which provides for the same overall
configuration of the peptidomimetic as does the cyclic peptide
itself, but which is e.g. more resistant to protease cleavage.
Preferred peptidomimetics are e.g. isosteric peptoids, which
comprise poly-N-substituted glycines in the peptide bonds of the
backbone.
[0091] The present invention also considers further modified forms
of the cyclic peptides and peptidomimetics described herein. Such
modified cyclic peptides or peptidomimetics may comprise e.g.
chemically or enzymatically attached modifications that render the
peptides more stable, e.g. against protease degradation, that allow
to provide the peptides or peptidomimetics as pharmaceutically
acceptable salts, or which e.g. improve the biological properties
of the cyclic peptides or peptidomimetics such as half-life.
Exemplary modifications comprise amino acids, amino acid
derivatives, and aromatic-hydrophobic modifications, optionally
phenyl acetic acid or 3-indole acetic acid. In a preferred
embodiment, the modification is not DOTA or a myristoyl group.
Further modifications of peptides are known to the skilled person.
Such modified cyclic peptides or peptidomimetics are generally
referred to, in the context of the present invention, as compounds
or peptide compounds. These compounds or cyclic peptide compounds
may be formulated for oral administration, e.g. by inhalation, for
nasal administration, or administration by injection such as
intravenous or subcutaneous administration.
[0092] In one embodiment the present invention also relates to
compounds and pharmaceutical compositions for use in treating
cancers when metastases have already formed such as metastasizing
forms of Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, head
and neck cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast
cancer in a human being wherein these pharmaceutical compositions
comprise the compounds/peptide compounds as described above. These
pharmaceutical compositions may comprise pharmaceutically
acceptable excipients and the compounds and pharmaceutical
compositions may be formulated for oral administration such as by
inhalation, nasal administration or administration by
injection.
[0093] The invention also relates to methods of treating cancer, an
angiogenesis related disease, a disease from the field of
ophthalmology, diseases associated with an increased invasive
potential of cells, and inflammatory disorders in a human being.
Further, the invention relates to methods of treating cancers when
metastases have already formed such as metastasizing forms of
Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck
cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer in a
human being in need thereof by administering the cyclic peptides,
peptidomimetics thereof or modified forms thereof, i.e. the
compounds in accordance with the present invention, or
pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds in accordance with
the present invention to a human being in need thereof.
[0094] The compounds in accordance with the present invention, i.e.
the cyclic peptides, peptidomimetics thereof or modified forms
thereof, the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention,
and the methods in accordance with the present invention are
considered for treating cancers where metastases have already
formed and may have even spread across the body. These cancers are
also designated as metastasizing cancers.
[0095] Metastasizing cancers in accordance with the invention
include metastasizing forms of cancers for which expression of
CD44v6 has been observed on cancer tissues or can be observed upon
corresponding testing e.g. with CD44v6 antibodies. Metastasizing
cancers in accordance with the invention include metastasizing
forms of Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, head
and neck cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck
squamous cell cancer and breast cancer and other forms of cancer
mentioned above and in the claims.
[0096] Such metastasizing cancer forms of the various cancers such
as Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, head and
neck cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer and breast cancer
can be identified according to the TNM Anatomic Stage/Prognostic
Group System of the Cancer Staging Manual of the American Joint
Committee on Cancer (7.sup.th edition, 2010, Springer).
Metastasizing cancers in accordance with the invention will
typically be classified as a Stage IV cancer according to the TNM
Anatomic Stage/Prognostic Group System, particularly if M is set as
1. The Cancer Staging Manual of the American Joint Committee on
Cancer (7.sup.th edition, 2010, Springer) describes the TNM
Anatomic Stage/Prognostic Group System and under which conditions a
cancer is considered to be of e.g. Stage I, II, III and IV for the
various cancers mentioned herein and is thus included by reference
as far.
[0097] For example, in a particularly preferred embodiment the
present invention considers the compounds of the present invention,
i.e. the cyclic peptides, preferably comprising D2-epal1, D6-alga3,
Alga-2, Alga1 and D3-alga1, peptidomimetics thereof or modified
forms thereof, the pharmaceutical compositions described
hereinafter and methods described hereinafter for treating breast
cancer or colorectal cancer in a human subject, for which the
breast or colorectal cancer is classifiable as Stage IV according
to the TNM Anatomic Stage/Prognostic Group System of the Cancer
Staging Manual of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (7.sup.th
edition, 2010, Springer, see pages 145 to 166 for colorectal cancer
and pages 347 to 378 for breast cancer).
[0098] It is to be understood that for all aspects and embodiments
of the present invention, i.e. the compounds, cyclic peptides,
pharmaceutical compositions and methods as described hereinafter,
it is always preferred to use the cyclic peptides as described
herein for treating metastasizing cancers in a human being, and in
particular for treating metastasizing cancers which are
classifiable as Stage IV according to the TNM Anatomic
Stage/Prognostic Group System of the Cancer Staging Manual of the
American Joint Committee on Cancer (7.sup.th edition, 2010,
Springer).
[0099] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical
composition of the invention comprises a cyclic peptide comprising
the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 41) and comprising a
chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of the amino acid
K and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the amino
acid E, wherein the amino acid W is a D-amino acid, such as D3alga1
(cf. FIG. 9), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,
optionally, formulated for intravenous, oral, nasal, or
subcutaneous administration, preferably for formulated for
intravenous administration. The invention also provides in a
particularly preferred embodiment, a cyclic peptide comprising the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 41) comprising a
chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of K and the
carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of E, wherein W is a
D-amino acid, such as D3alga1 (cf. FIG. 9) for use as a medicament.
Preferably, this particular cyclic peptide is for use in treating a
disease selected from the group consisting of cancer, an
angiogenesis related disease, a disease from the field of
ophthalmology, diseases associated with an increased invasive
potential of cells, and inflammatory disorders in a human being,
more preferably for use in the treatment of cancer, preferably
metastasizing cancer and more preferably metastasizing cancer which
has already formed metastases.
[0100] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical
composition of the invention comprises a cyclic peptide comprising
the amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.: 35 and a
chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of the amino acid
K, and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the amino
acid E, such as Alga-2 (cf. FIG. 12), and a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier, optionally, formulated for intravenous, oral,
nasal, or subcutaneous administration, preferably for formulated
for intravenous administration. The invention also provides in a
particularly preferred embodiment, a cyclic peptide comprising the
amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.: 35 and a chemical
bond between the N-terminal amino group of K and the carboxyl group
of the amino acid side chain of E, such as Alga-2 (cf. FIG. 12) for
use as a medicament. Preferably, this particular cyclic peptide is
for use in treating a disease selected from the group consisting of
cancer, an angiogenesis related disease, a disease from the field
of ophthalmology, diseases associated with an increased invasive
potential of cells, and inflammatory disorders in a human being,
more preferably for use in the treatment of cancer, preferably
metastasizing cancer and more preferably metastasizing cancer which
has already formed metastases.
[0101] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical
composition of the invention comprises a cyclic peptide comprising
the amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.: 36 and a
chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of the amino acid
K and the carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of the amino
acid E, wherein the amino acid H is a D-amino acid, such as
D6-alga3 (cf. FIG. 10), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,
optionally, formulated for intravenous, oral, nasal, or
subcutaneous administration, preferably for formulated for
intravenous administration. The invention also provides in a
particularly preferred embodiment, a cyclic peptide comprising an
amino acid sequence as depicted in SEQ ID No.: 36 and a chemical
bond between the N-terminal amino group of the amino acid K and the
carboxyl group of the amino acid E, wherein the amino acid H is a
D-amino acid, such as D6-alga3 (cf. FIG. 10) for use as a
medicament. Preferably, this particular cyclic peptide is for use
in treating a disease selected from the group consisting of cancer,
an angiogenesis related disease, a disease from the field of
ophthalmology, diseases associated with an increased invasive
potential of cells, and inflammatory disorders in a human being,
more preferably for use in the treatment of cancer, preferably
metastasizing cancer and more preferably metastasizing cancer which
has already formed metastases.
[0102] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the pharmaceutical
composition of the invention comprises a cyclic peptide comprising
the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 42) and a chemical
bond between the amino group of the amino acid side chain of the
amino acid K, and the C-terminal carboxyl group of the amino acid
E, wherein the amino acid R is a D-amino acid, such as D2-epal1
(cf. FIG. 11), and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier,
optionally, formulated for intravenous, oral, nasal, or
subcutaneous administration, preferably for formulated for
intravenous administration. The invention also provides in a
particularly preferred embodiment, a cyclic peptide comprising the
amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 42) and a chemical bond
between the amino group of the amino acid side chain of the amino
acid K and the C-terminal carboxyl group of the amino acid E,
wherein the amino acid R is a D-amino acid, such as D2-epal1 (cf.
FIG. 11) for use as a medicament. Preferably, this particular
cyclic peptide is for use in treating a disease selected from the
group consisting of cancer, an angiogenesis related disease, a
disease from the field of ophthalmology, diseases associated with
an increased invasive potential of cells, and inflammatory
disorders in a human being, more preferably for use in the
treatment of cancer, preferably metastasizing cancer and more
preferably metastasizing cancer which has already formed
metastases.
FIGURE LEGENDS
[0103] FIG. 1: FIG. 1 provides structural information on the cyclic
peptides of the present invention. It further shows the structure
of the pentapeptide K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO: 34) and possible
abbreviations depending on the kind of chemical bonds which have
been used in the method of producing for the cyclization step. For
example, the first syllable gives the chemical group on the
N-terminal side of the tripeptide R-W-H which participates in
cyclization: "al" (alpha) denotes the N-terminal amino group and
"ep" (epsilon) the amino group of the amino acid side chain of the
amino acid K. The Greek letter is thus the position in the amino
acid side chain where the reaction occurs. Greek letters are
commonly used to number the carbon atoms of an amino acid side
chains starting from the alpha carbon atom being the carbon atom in
the peptide backbone. The second syllable gives the chemical group
which participates in cyclisation on the C-terminal site of the
tripeptide R-W-H: "al" (alpha) denotes the C-terminal carboxyl
group and "ga" (gamma) the carboxyl group of the amino acid side
chain of the amino acid E. The number in the abbreviations
indicates the length of the peptide according to the list given in
FIG. 1. FIG. 1 discloses SEQ ID NOS 34, 34, 34, 34, 35, 35, 35, 35,
36, 36, 36, 36, 44 and 34, respectively, in order of
appearance.
[0104] FIG. 2: Exemplary cyclic peptides according to the present
invention and focuses in particular on modified peptides.
[0105] FIG. 3: A cyclic CD44v6 5mer (alga1, cf. FIG. 1) and a
cyclic CD44v6 5mer containing a D-amino acid at position 3
(D3alga1, cf. FIGS. 1 and 9) block activation of c-Met and Erk. A:
alga1; B: D3alga1. The first row shows the activation status of
Met, below the loading control of total Met protein. The third row
shows the activation status of the Erk, a downstream target of the
Met pathway, below total Erk protein amount is presented. "ctrl
peptide"=control peptide N-A-A-A-E (SEQ ID NO: 37)
[0106] FIG. 4: Cyclic CD44v6 5mer containing a D-amino acid at
positions 1, 2 and 3, respectively (D1alga1, D2alga1, D3alga1),
blocks activation of c-Met and Erk. The first row shows the
activation status of Met, below the loading control of total Met
protein. The third row shows the activation status of the Erk, a
downstream target of the Met pathway, below total Erk protein
amount is presented. "ctrl peptide"=control peptide N-A-A-A-E (SEQ
ID NO: 37)
[0107] FIG. 5: A: Wound healing assay. B: Quantitative evaluation
of the wound healing assay with the computer program ImageJ. "ctrl
pep"=control peptide N-A-A-A-E (SEQ ID NO: 37)
[0108] FIG. 6: Side by side comparison of the human CD44v6 14mer
(V6 14MER), alga1 and D3alga1 for their effect on tumor growth
inhibition and inhibition on tumor metastasis. A: Inhibition of
tumor growth. Bar chart representing the average tumor volume of
each treatment group. Significance was calculated using Student's t
test: ***p<0.001. B: Inhibition of metastatic spreading to the
liver. Bar chart representing the average tumor number of
metastases of each treatment group. Significance was calculated
using Student's t test: ***p<0.001. "ctrl pep"=control peptide
N-A-A-A-E (SEQ ID NO: 37)
[0109] FIG. 7: Side by side comparison of the human CD44v6 14mer
(V614MER), alga1 and D3alga1 for their effect on regression of
already established metastases. A: Inhibition of tumor growth. Bar
chart representing the average tumor volume of each treatment
group. Significance was calculated using Student's t test:
***p<0.001. B: Regression of established liver metastases. Bar
chart representing the average tumor number of metastases of each
treatment group. Significance was calculated using Student's t
test: ***p<0.001. "ctrl pep"=control peptide N-A-A-A-E (SEQ ID
NO: 37).
[0110] FIG. 8: Comparison of the tumor accumulation of the v6
14-mer linear peptide and alga1 and D3alga1 after labelling with
.sup.68Ga using PET imaging. Each image shows a coronar view of the
tumor xenograft of L3.6pl cells in comparison to the kidneys (left,
kidneys appear as two black blots, xenograft on the right for v6
14mer, on the left for alga1 and D3alga1), in comparison to the
bladder (middle, bladder appears as one black blot, xenograft on
the right of the bladder for v6 14mer, on the left of the bladder
for alga1 and D3alga1), and in an isolated view of the xenograft
(right).
[0111] FIG. 9: Structure of D3 alga1 (cf. FIG. 1, cyclic K-R-W-H-E
(SEQ ID NO: 41), wherein cyclisation is via the N-terminal amino
group and the carboxyl group in the amino acid side chain of E, and
wherein W is a D-amino acid).
[0112] FIG. 10: Structure of D6-alga3 (cy[.alpha.KGNRWHE.gamma.],
wherein cyclisation is via the N-terminal amino group of K and the
carboxyl group in the amino acid side chain of E, and wherein H is
a D-amino acid).
[0113] FIG. 11: Structure of D2-epal1
(cy[.SIGMA.KRWHE.alpha.].gamma.] (SEQ ID NO: 42), wherein
cyclisation is via the amino group in the amino acid side chain of
K and the C-terminal carboxyl group of E, and wherein R is a
D-amino acid).
[0114] FIG. 12: Structure of alga2 (cy[.alpha.KNRWHE.gamma.] (SEQ
ID NO: 35), wherein cyclisation is via the N-terminal amino group
of K and the carboxyl group in the amino acid side chain of E).
[0115] FIG. 13: List of preferred D-amino acid containing cyclic
peptides of the invention which comprise at least one non-peptide
bond between two adjacent amino acids in the circle. The sequence
information is to be read as follows: the part in square brackets
indicates the two adjacent amino acids which are connected via a
chemical bond which is not a peptide bond. The Greek letters give
further information on the chemical bond between the two adjacent
amino acids. For example, [.SIGMA.K.gamma.E] in the sequence of
D2-apga-1 denotes that the cyclic peptides comprises a bond between
the amino group at .epsilon.-position in the amino acid side chain
of lysine (K) and the carboxyl group in the .gamma.-position in the
amino acid side chain of glutamic acid (E) (cf. FIG. 1). "cy"
denotes that the peptide is a cyclic peptide. In round brackets,
the amino acid sequence of the cyclic peptide is given. Here, a
lowercase letter indicates that the amino acid is a D-amino acid,
while capital letters indicate a L-amino acid. Hence, D2-apga-1
contains the D-amino acid arginine (R). Regarding the indicated
name of the peptides, D denotes that at least one D-amino acid is
present. The Figure after the letter "D" indicates the position of
the D-amino acid in the sequence starting with the first K on the
N-terminal side of the motif R-W-H as the amino acid at position 1.
The first syllable of the second part of the name indicates the
chemical group on the N-terminal side of the central motif sequence
R-W-H which participates in the chemical bond which is not a
peptide bond: "al" (alpha) denotes the N-terminal amino group and
"ep" epsilon) the amino group of the amino acid side chain of K.
The Greek letter is thus the position in the amino acid side chain
where the cyclisation reaction occurs and which participates in the
chemical bond which is not a peptide bond. The second syllable
gives the chemical group which participates in cyclisation on the
C-terminal site of the tripeptide R-W-H: "al" (alpha) as second
syllable is the C-terminal carboxyl group and "ga" (gamma) the
carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the amino acid E.
The number in the abbreviations indicates the length of the peptide
according to the list as also given in FIG. 1. Hence, "1" indicates
a "5" mer as the minimal peptide length, "2" indicates a 6 mer, "3"
indicates a 7 mer and so forth. FIG. 13 the sequence "D3-epga-1" as
SEQ ID NO: 41 and the sequence "D2-epal-1" as SEQ ID NO: 42.
[0116] FIG. 14: List of cyclic peptides not comprising a D-amino
acid. The names and sequences are indicated as in the Figure legend
of FIG. 13. FIG. 14 discloses SEQ ID NOS 34, 34, 35 and 36,
respectively, in order of appearance.
[0117] FIG. 15: Results of the wound healing assay according to
Example 9, wherein the blocking efficiency of the indicated
peptides is tested.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0118] Before the invention is described in detail with respect to
some of its preferred embodiments, the following general
definitions are provided.
[0119] The present invention as illustratively described in the
following may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element
or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed
herein.
[0120] The present invention will be described with respect to
particular embodiments and with reference to certain figures but
the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims.
[0121] Where the term "comprising" is used in the present
description and claims, it does not exclude other elements. For the
purposes of the present invention, the term "consisting of" is
considered to be a preferred embodiment of the term "comprising
of". If hereinafter a group is defined to comprise at least a
certain number of embodiments, this is also to be understood to
disclose a group, which preferably consists only of these
embodiments.
[0122] For the purposes of the present invention, the term
"obtained" is considered to be a preferred embodiment of the term
"obtainable". If hereinafter e.g. an antibody is defined to be
obtainable from a specific source, this is also to be understood to
disclose an antibody, which is obtained from this source.
[0123] Where an indefinite or definite article is used when
referring to a singular noun, e.g. "a", "an" or "the", this
includes a plural of that noun unless something else is
specifically stated. The terms "about" or "approximately" in the
context of the present invention denote an interval of accuracy
that the person skilled in the art will understand to still ensure
the technical effect of the feature in question. The term typically
indicates deviation from the indicated numerical value of .+-.20%,
preferably .+-.15%, more preferably .+-.10%, and even more
preferably .+-.5%.
[0124] Furthermore, the terms "first", "second", "third" or "(a)",
"(b)", "(c)", "(d)" or "(i)", "(ii)", "(iii)", "(iv)" etc. and the
like in the description and in the claims, are used for
distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for
describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be
understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under
appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention
described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than
described or illustrated herein.
[0125] In case the terms "first", "second", "third" or "(a)",
"(b)", "(c)", "(d)" or "(i)", "(ii)", "(iii)", "(iv)" etc. relate
to steps of a method or use or assay there is no time or time
interval coherence between the steps unless indicated otherwise,
i.e. the steps may be carried out simultaneously or there may be
time intervals of seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months or
even years between such steps, unless otherwise indicated in the
application as set forth herein above or below.
[0126] Technical terms are used by their common sense. If a
specific meaning is conveyed to certain terms, definitions of terms
will be given in the following in the context of which the terms
are used.
[0127] As mentioned above, the present invention is concerned with
cyclic peptides or peptide compounds useful in treating
metastasizing cancer in a human being. "Cyclic peptides" in the
sense of the invention are according to the general knowledge in
the field of protein chemistry polypeptide chains wherein the
N-terminal amino group and carboxyl group of the C-terminus, the
amino group of the N-terminus and an amino acid side chain, the
C-terminal carboxyl group and an amino acid side chain, or two
amino acid side chains are linked with a covalent bond that
generates the ring or circle. Preferably, the cyclic peptides of
invention are polypeptide chains wherein at least one covalent bond
is selected from a chemical bond between the amino group of the
N-terminus and an amino acid side chain, between the C-terminal
carboxyl group and an amino acid side chain, or between two amino
acid side chains.
[0128] The present invention is based to some extent on the
experimental findings described hereinafter that a cyclic peptide,
such as of amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No. 34) with or
without D-amino acid is capable of inhibiting metastasis in a mouse
animal model. It thus seems reasonable to assume that the same
efficacy can be observed in different metastasizing cancers in
human, particularly where these cancers show expression of CD44v6.
It was moreover shown that introducing D-amino acids in the cyclic
peptide even increases the inhibitory effect of the peptide on cell
migration and metastasis. Therefore, it seems reasonable to assume
that a cyclic peptide as defined herein and in the claims can be
used for cancers in general, preferably metastasizing cancers,
angiogenesis related diseases and other related diseases. Tumors
observed in the experimental section were smaller and less
vascularized demonstrating the effectiveness of the cyclic peptides
described herein as anti-angiogenesis reagents. Additionally, the
cyclic peptides inhibited cell migration in the wound healing assay
(cf. Example 5 (cf. FIG. 5).
[0129] The term "peptide" as used herein refers to any compound
comprising at least the above mentioned five amino acids.
[0130] The term "compound comprising a cyclic peptide" refers to
compounds which comprise a cyclic peptide optionally e.g. in the
form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. The term equally refers
to peptides which have been e.g. chemically or enzymatically
modified such that the cyclic peptide comprises additional
modifications as they are described hereinafter.
[0131] The term "compound comprising a peptide" or "compound
comprising a cyclic peptide" and its grammatical variation such as
"cyclic peptide compound" or "peptide compound" thus includes
salts, preferably pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the peptides
described herein. Salts encompassed within the term
"pharmaceutically acceptable salts" refer to non-toxic salts of the
peptide compounds of this invention. Representative salts and
esters include the following: acetate, ascorbate, benzenesulfonate,
benzoate, bicarbonate, bisulfate, bitartrate, borate, caamsylate,
carbonate, citrate, dihydrochloride, methanesulfonate,
ethanesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, cyclohexylsulfamate, quinate,
edetate, edisylate, estolate, esylate, fumarate, gluconate,
glutamate, glycerophophates, hydrobromide, hydrochloride,
hydroxynaphthoate, lactate, lactobionate, laurate, malate, maleate,
mandelate, mesylate, mucate, napsylate, nitrate, n-methylglucamine,
oleate, oxalate, palmoates, pamoate (embonate), palmitate,
pantothenate, perchlorates, phosphate/diphosphate,
polygalacturonate, salicylates, stearate, succinates, sulfate,
sulfamate, subacetate, succinate, tannate, tartrate, tosylate,
trifluoroacetate, and valerate. Other salts include Ca, Li, Mg, Na,
and K salts; salts of amino acids such as lysine or arginine;
guanidine, diethanolamine or choline; ammonium, substituted
ammonium salts or aluminum salts. The salts are prepared by
conventional methods.
[0132] It is preferred that the peptide component of the invention
is an isolated cyclic peptide. The term "isolated" means altered
"by the hand of man" from the natural state. If an "isolated"
composition or substance occurs in nature, it has been changed or
removed from its original environment, or both. For example, a
polynucleotide or a polypeptide naturally present in a living
animal is not "isolated," but the same polynucleotide or
polypeptide separated from the coexisting materials of its natural
state is "isolated", as the term is employed herein.
[0133] It is also preferred that the cyclic peptide of the
invention is in a pure state. Preferably, the peptide is
.gtoreq.80% pure, preferably .gtoreq.90% pure, more preferably
.gtoreq.95% pure, even more preferably .gtoreq.99% pure and
particularly preferred is a pharmaceutically pure state that is
greater than 99.9% pure with respect to contaminating
macromolecules, particularly other peptides. It is preferred that
the peptide is free of infectious and pyrogenic agents.
[0134] Preferably, a purified cyclic peptide is substantially free
of other peptides. When used in this context, the term "pure" does
not exclude the presence of the same peptide in alternative
physical forms, such as dimers.
[0135] The peptides of the invention may be prepared by chemical
synthesis or by recombinant expression in host cells. The
preparation by chemical synthesis is preferred (cf. Examples 1 and
2). As protein products, compounds or any of the other peptides of
the present invention are amenable to production by the technique
of solution- or solid-phase peptide synthesis. The synthetic
peptide synthesis approach generally entails the use of automated
synthesizers and appropriate resin as solid phase, to which is
attached the C-terminal amino acid of the desired peptide.
Extension of the peptide in the N-terminal direction is then
achieved by successively coupling a suitably protected form of the
next desired amino acid, using either FMOC- or BOC-based chemical
protocols typically, until synthesis is complete. Protecting groups
are then cleaved from the peptide, usually simultaneously with
cleavage of peptide from the resin, and the peptide is then
isolated and purified using conventional techniques, such as by
reversed phase HPLC using acetonitrile as solvent and
tri-fluoroacetic acid as ion-pairing agent. Such procedures are
generally described in numerous publications and reference may be
made, for example, to Stewart and Young, "Solid Phase Peptide
Synthesis," 2nd Edition, Pierce Chemical Company, Rockford, III.
(1984).
[0136] The term "peptidomimetic" refers to a small protein-like
chain designed to mimic a corresponding peptide. Peptidomimetics
can typically arise either from modification of an existing
peptide, or by designing similar systems that mimic peptides, such
as peptoids and (3-peptides. Irrespective of the approach, the
altered chemical structure is designed to advantageously adjust the
molecular properties such as metabolic stability and
bioavailability without negatively affecting biological
activity.
[0137] Typically a peptidomimetic will have an altered backbone
such as a methylated amide group instead of the amide group of a
peptide bond to increase the stability of the peptidomimetic
against degradation by proteases. Alternatively or in addition, the
peptidomimetic may also comprise non-natural amino acids or
D-enantiomers. A common theme of peptidomimetics is that the
molecular changes in the backbone structure and/or in the amino
acids should not have a substantial effect on the overall
conformation of the peptidomimetic in comparison to the
corresponding peptide in order to not negatively affect the
biological activity of the peptidomimetic. Thus, a peptidomimetic
is an isostere of the corresponding peptide. Preferred
peptidomimetics are e.g. isosteric peptoids, which comprise
poly-N-substituted glycines in the peptide bonds of the backbone.
In accordance with the invention, peptidomimetic shall therefore
have the same activity in the experiments described hereinafter as
the peptides as described hereinafter, such as e.g. a peptide of
SEQ ID NO. 1-36 or 41-42. The most preferred peptidomimetics are
those having five amino acids such as a peptidomimetic of a peptide
of SEQ ID No. 37, 6 amino acids (such as a peptidomimetic of SEQ ID
NO: 35) or 7 amino acids (cf. SEQ ID NO: 36). Such peptidomimetics
are preferably isosteric peptoids, which comprise
poly-N-substituted glycines in the peptide bonds of the
backbone.
[0138] The present invention also contemplates modified forms of
cyclic peptides or peptidomimetics. Such modified forms relate e.g.
to cyclic peptides or peptidomimetics which have been chemically
modified at their amino acid side chains, such as by alkylation
such as methylation to reduce degradation of the peptides or
peptidomimetics e.g. by proteases and to increase stability
thereof. Other modifications include amino acids, amino acid
derivatives, or aromatic hydrophobic modifications; wherein
optionally the modification comprises phenyl acetic acid or
3-indole acetic acid; acetylating, acylation, ADP-ribosylation,
amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a
heme moiety, covalent attachment of a nucleotide or nucleotide
derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative,
covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking,
cyclization, i.e. a cyclic peptide, disulfide bond formation,
demethylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of
cystine, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation,
gamma-carboxylation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation,
hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation,
proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization,
selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino
acids to proteins such as arginylation, ubiquitination and
sumoylation. A typical peptidomimetic can have one or more
modification, i.e. can comprise D-amino acids and have an aromatic
or hydrophobic modification. Typical examples of peptidomimetics
include those which have SEQ ID Nos: 1 to 36 or 41 to 42 with L-
and/or D-amino acids.
[0139] Cyclization of peptides is performed by methods generally
known by a person skilled in the art, such as described in Zitzmann
et al. (2005, Journal of Nuclear Medicine, 46(5):782). More
detailed information can also be taken from Example 1 and 2.
[0140] The compounds of the invention can also be administered in
combination with cytotoxic compounds, immunopharmaceuticals,
antibodies against a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), and/or
chemotherapeutic agents, preferably the compound of the invention
is administered in combination with a compound selected from the
group consisting of an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)
inhibitor, preferably selected from the group consisting of
gefitinib, erlotinib, lapatinib, cetuximab, panitumumab, vandetanib
and mixtures thereof, an hepatocyte growth factor receptor
(HGF/c-Met) inhibitor, preferably selected from the group
consisting of ficlatuzumab, crizotinib, tivantinib, cabozantinib,
capmatinib, MGCD265, volitinib, MK8033, MK-2461, and mixtures
thereof, a programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitor,
preferably selected from the group consisting of
nivolumab/BMS-936558, lambrolizumab, pidilizumab, AMP-224,
pembrolizumab and mixtures thereof, a programmed death-ligand 1
(PD-L1) inhibitor, preferably selected from the group consisting of
BMS-936559, RG7446/MPDL3280A. MEDI4736, MSB0010718C/Avelumab and
mixtures thereof, a cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4
(CTLA-4) inhibitor, preferably ipilimumab, a vascular endothelial
growth factor receptor (VEGFR) inhibitors, preferably selected from
the group consisting of bevacicumab, pazopanib, sorafenib,
sunitinib, axitinib, ponatinib, regorafenib, vandetanib,
cabozantinib, lenvatinib, ramucirumab and mixtures thereof, a
chemotherapeutic agent, preferably selected from the group
consisting of an alkylating agent, preferably selected from the
group consisting of a nitrogen mustard, such as mechlorethamine,
chlorambucil, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide and melphalan,
nitrosourea, such as streptozocin, carmustine (BCNU) and lomustine,
an alkyl sulfonate, such as busulfan, a triazine, such as
dacarbazine (DTIC) and temozolomide, an ethylenimine, such as
thiotepa and altretamine (hexamethylmelamine), and mixtures
thereof, a platinum drug, preferably selected from the group
consisting of cisplatin, carboplatin, oxalaplatin and a mixture
thereof, an antimetabolite, preferably selected from the group
consisting of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP),
capecitabine, cytarabine, floxuridine, fludarabine, gemcitabine,
hydroxyurea, methotrexate, pemetrexed, and mixtures thereof, an
taxane, an eribulin, folfirinox, folfox, an anthracycline,
preferably selected from the group consisting of daunorubicin,
doxorubicin, epirubicin, idarubicin and a mixture thereof and a
mixture thereof and combinations thereof. In addition or
alternatively preferred modified forms of peptides or
peptidomimetics in accordance with the invention include e.g.
chemically or enzymatically modified forms thereof which have
improved biological properties such as improved solubility,
absorption, biological half-life, etc. The modifications may
alternatively decrease the toxicity of the molecule, eliminate or
attenuate any undesirable side effect of the molecule, etc.
Modifications which increase e.g. the biological half-life include
pegylation, hesylation, pasylation, glycosylation with glycosyl
structure having sialic acid residues at their end, etc.
[0141] Below it is set out how the compounds in accordance with the
present invention, i.e. the cyclic peptides, peptidomimetics
thereof and modified forms thereof, the pharmaceutical compositions
comprising these compounds and methods making use of these
compounds may be used for the treatment of cancer, an angiogenesis
related disease, a disease from the field of ophthalmology,
diseases associated with an increased invasive potential of cells,
and inflammatory disorders in a human being, preferably
metastasizing cancer in a human being. It is to be understood that,
whenever reference is made in the following to the treatment of
metastasizing cancer, this reference, as a preferred embodiment,
always contemplates to use the cyclic peptides as described
hereinafter, preferably those of SEQ ID NO:34 or 41-42, SEQ ID
NO:35 and SEQ ID NO:36.
[0142] As can be taken from the experiments described hereinafter,
the cyclic peptides used in the experiments were capable of
inhibiting metastasis formation in adenocarcinoma models. As
mentioned, the invention further relates to the use of compounds,
pharmaceutical compositions and the application of methods as
described herein for the treatment of metastasizing cancers.
[0143] Metastasizing cancers in accordance with the invention
include metastasizing forms of cancers for which expression of
CD44v6 has been observed on cancer tissues or can be observed upon
corresponding testing e.g. with CD44v6 antibodies. Thus, in order
to see whether a patient is eligible for treatment with compounds
and pharmaceutical compositions as described herein, one may take a
biopsy of tumor tissue and test for expression of CD44v6. If the
tumor can be shown to express CD44v6 and if metastases have started
to form or have already formed and maybe even spread through the
body, this tumor is considered as a metastasizing cancer in
accordance with the invention. Metastasizing cancers in accordance
with the invention include metastasizing forms of Hodgkin lymphoma,
colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer such
as squamous cell cancer or basal cell carcinoma, head and neck
cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck squamous
cell cancer, breast cancer, and others.
[0144] Such metastasizing cancer forms of the various cancers such
as Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, lung
cancer, skin cancer such as squamous cell cancer or basal cell
carcinoma, head and neck cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer
and breast cancer can be identified according to the TNM Anatomic
Stage/Prognostic Group System of the Cancer Staging Manual of the
American Joint Committee on Cancer (7.sup.th edition, 2010,
Springer).
[0145] Metastasizing cancers in accordance with the invention may
be classified as Stage III or Stage IV cancers according to the TNM
Anatomic Stage/Prognostic Group System of the Cancer Staging Manual
of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (7.sup.th edition, 2010,
Springer). The TNM (tumor node metastasis) staging system of the
American Joint Committee on Cancer allows staging, i.e.
classification of cancers by the size and extent of the primary
tumor (T), the question if regional lymph nodes (N) are affected
and if distant metastases can already be detected (M). This
indication is then typically taken as an indication for different
routes to take in treating the patient and also allows a reliable
prognosis of the diseases. This is why the TNM system has become an
indispensable tool for oncologists. The parameter M receives a
value of 0, i.e. M0 if no distant metastases can be detected
clinically although they may have started to develop. If M is set
at M0, a patient depending on the values of T and N may be
classified as Stage III. Thus for e.g. any T, N3 and M0, a patient
may be classified as Stage III, or Stage IIIc in case of e.g.
breast cancer (see page 362, Cancer Staging Manual of the American
Joint Committee on Cancer (7.sup.th edition, 2010, Springer). If
such a Stage III patient or a patient having the highest subclass
of Stage III (such as Stage IIIC for breast cancer) additionally
displays circulating tumor cells and micrometastases in the bone
marrow, this will worsen the prognosis. Thus, for the purposes of
the present invention a metastasizing cancer may be classifiable as
Stage III according to the TNM Anatomic Stage/Prognostic Group
System of the Cancer Staging Manual of the American Joint Committee
on Cancer (7.sup.th edition, 2010, Springer).
[0146] Preferably, for a metastasizing cancer in accordance with
the invention M is M1, i.e. that distant metastasis can be
clinically detected so that such a metastasizing tumor can be
classified as Stage IV according to the TNM Anatomic
Stage/Prognostic Group System of the Cancer Staging Manual of the
American Joint Committee on Cancer (7.sup.th edition, 2010,
Springer).
[0147] It is to be understood that wherever the present invention
makes reference to a metastasizing cancer, this most preferably
relates to a cancer such as Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer,
cervical cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer such as squamous cell
cancer or basal cell carcinoma, head and neck cancer, gastric
cancer, pancreatic cancer, or breast cancer, which is classified as
Stage IV according to the TNM Anatomic Stage/Prognostic Group
System of the Cancer Staging Manual of the American Joint Committee
on Cancer (7.sup.th edition, 2010, Springer). The specific
requirements for classifying each cancer according to this system,
which can be found in the respective chapters of the Cancer Staging
Manual of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (7.sup.th edition,
2010, Springer), see e.g. page 143 to 146 for colorectal cancer,
page 241 to 250 for pancreatic cancer, page 301 to 314 for squamous
cell cancer, page 347 to 376, etc.), are hereby incorporated by
reference.
[0148] A particularly preferred embodiment thus refers to the use
of the cyclic peptides described hereinafter, e.g. of SEQ ID
NO:19-36 or 41-42 and most preferably of SEQ ID NO:34-36 or 41-42,
peptidomimetics thereof or modified forms thereof, and
pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds for the
treatment of metastasizing cancers such as Hodgkin lymphoma,
colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer such
as squamous cell cancer or basal cell carcinoma, head and neck
cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, or breast cancer, which
are classifiable as Stage IV according to the Cancer Staging Manual
of the American Joint Committee on Cancer.
[0149] The compounds and salts thereof can be formulated as
mentioned above as pharmaceutical compositions (e.g. liquids,
suspensions, emulsions, lozenges, sachets, ampoules, aerosols,
powders, granules, tablets, pills, capsules, injections, solutions
etc.) comprising at least one such compound alone or optionally in
a mixture with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients
and/or diluents.
[0150] The compounds/salts thereof and pharmaceutical compositions
may be formulated for intravenous or oral administration, e.g. by
inhalation, for nasal administration or for administration by
injection such as subcutaneous injection.
[0151] The following paragraphs are preferred embodiments of the
invention:
1. A compound comprising:
[0152] a cyclic peptide comprising at least
(a) an amino acid X.sub.1 being selected from the group consisting
of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y,
further (b) an amino acid sequence R-W-H, and further (c) an amino
acid X.sub.11 being selected from the group consisting of A, C, D,
E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y, or a
peptidomimetic thereof, or
[0153] a cyclic peptide comprising at least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein the amino acid X.sub.1 is
selected from the group consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L,
M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V, W, and Y, wherein the amino acids X.sub.2,
X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6, X.sub.7, X.sub.11, X.sub.12,
X.sub.13, and X.sub.14 are independently selected from the group
consisting of A, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, V,
W, and Y, and wherein X.sub.2, X.sub.3, X.sub.4, X.sub.5, X.sub.6,
X.sub.7, X.sub.12, X.sub.13, and X.sub.14 are optionally present in
the amino acid sequence, or a peptidomimetic thereof.
2. The compound of paragraph 1, wherein the amino acid X.sub.1 is
an amino acid having an NH.sub.2 group, such as K, R, N, or Q,
and/or
[0154] wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids with negatively
charged side chains such as E or D, or amino acids with non-polar
side chains such as A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.3 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids with an NH.sub.2 group such as K, R, N, or Q, and amino acids
with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids with non-polar or non-charged side
changes and aromatic ring structures such as F, W, or Y, and amino
acids with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I, wherein
X.sub.5 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids with non-polar or non-charged side
changes and aromatic rings structures such as F, W, or Y, and amino
acids with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I, wherein
X.sub.6 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of G and amino acids with non-polar side chains
such as A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.7 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids with
an NH.sub.2 group such as K, R, N, or Q, and amino acids with
non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.11 is
selected from the group consisting of amino acids with negatively
charged side chains such as E or D, and amino acids with non-polar
side chains such as A, V, L or I, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of G and
amino acids with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I,
wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids with non-polar or non-charged
side chains and aromatic rings structures such F, W, or Y, and
amino acids with non-polar side chains such as A, V, L or I, and
wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids with an NH.sub.2 group such as
K, R, N, or Q, and amino acids with non-polar side chains such as
A, V, L or I.
3. The compound of paragraph 1 or 2,
[0155] wherein X.sub.1 is selected from the group consisting of K,
R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein
X.sub.3 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is
present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and
Q.
4. The compound of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the
cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is present and E or D,
wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein
X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and wherein X.sub.14
is optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof. 5. The compound of any one of the preceding paragraphs,
wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G,
A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein
X.sub.11 is present and E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
or a peptidomimetic thereof. 6. The compound of any one of the
preceding paragraphs, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at least
the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F,
W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein
X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is E or
D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein
X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and wherein X.sub.14
is optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof. 7. The compound of any one of the preceding paragraphs,
wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
optionally present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y,
wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is present and optionally E
or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and wherein
X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a peptidomimetic
thereof. 8. The compound of any one of the preceding paragraphs,
wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at least the amino acid
sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y,
wherein X.sub.5 present and is optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G,
A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is
present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
or a peptidomimetic thereof. 9. The compound of any one of the
preceding paragraphs, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at least
the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R,
N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is
present and is optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I,
wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is
present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is optionally
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
or a peptidomimetic thereof. 10. The compound of any one of the
preceding paragraphs, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at least
the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is present and
is optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K,
R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and is optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein
X.sub.5 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present
and is optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids
G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
wherein X.sub.11 is optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G,
A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is optionally present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
or a peptidomimetic thereof. 11. The compound of any one of the
preceding paragraphs, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at least
the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14, wherein X.sub.1 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K,
wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3 is present and
is optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids K,
R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein
X.sub.5 is present and optionally selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids G,
A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein
X.sub.11 is present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, and
wherein X.sub.14 is optionally present and optionally selected from
the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a
peptidomimetic thereof. 12. The compound of any one of the
preceding paragraphs, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises at least
the amino acid sequence
X.sub.1-X.sub.2-X.sub.3-X.sub.4-X.sub.5-X.sub.6-X.sub.7-R-W-H-X.sub.11-X.-
sub.12-X.sub.13-X.sub.14 (SEQ ID NO: 9), wherein X.sub.1 is present
and optionally selected from the group consisting of K, R, N, and
Q, preferably K, wherein X.sub.2 is present and optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids E and D, wherein X.sub.3
is present and is optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, wherein X.sub.5 is present and optionally selected from the
group consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6 is
present and optionally selected from the group consisting of amino
acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.7 is present and optionally
selected from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q,
wherein X.sub.11 is present and optionally E or D, wherein X.sub.12
is present and optionally selected from the group consisting of
amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13 is present and
optionally selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14 is present and is optionally selected
from the group consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, or a
peptidomimetic thereof. 13. The compound of any one of the
preceding paragraphs, wherein X.sub.1 is selected from the group
consisting of K, R, N, and Q, preferably K, wherein X.sub.2, if
present, is selected from the group consisting of amino acids E and
D, wherein X.sub.3, if present, is selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.4, if
present, is selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, wherein X.sub.5, if present, is selected from the group
consisting of amino acids F, W, and Y, wherein X.sub.6, if present,
is selected from the group consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and
I, wherein X.sub.7, if present, is selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q, wherein X.sub.11 is D or
E, wherein X.sub.12, if present, is selected from the group
consisting of amino acids G, A, V, L and I, wherein X.sub.13, if
present, is selected from the group consisting of amino acids F, W,
and Y, and wherein X.sub.14, if present, is selected from the group
consisting of amino acids K, R, N, and Q. 14. The compound of any
one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein X.sub.1 is K, wherein
X.sub.2, if present, is E, wherein X.sub.3, if present, is Q,
wherein X.sub.4, if present, is W, wherein X.sub.5, if present, is
F, wherein X.sub.6, if present, is G, wherein X.sub.7, if present,
is N, wherein X.sub.11 is E, wherein X.sub.12, if present, is G,
wherein X.sub.13, if present, is Y, and wherein X.sub.14, if
present, is R. 15. The compound of any one of the preceding
paragraphs, wherein the cyclic peptide comprises, optionally
consists of, the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34),
K-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 35), K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No: 36), or a
peptidomimetic thereof. 16. The compound of any one of the
preceding paragraphs, wherein said peptide does not comprise the
amino acid sequence N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 2), the amino acid
sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO: 34) and a DOTA modification, the
amino acid sequence K-G-N-R-W-H-E-G (SEQ ID NO: 18), the amino acid
sequence K-E-Q-W-F-G-N-R-W-H-E-G-Y-R (SEQ ID No.: 6), or a
peptidomimetic thereof. 17. The compound of any one of the
preceding paragraphs, wherein the cyclic peptide or peptidomimetic
thereof comprises a modification. 18. The compound of paragraph 17,
wherein the modification comprises an amino acid, amino acid
derivative, a lipophilic modification, or an aromatic hydrophobic
modification, optionally the modification comprises phenyl acetic
acid or 3-indole acetic acid. 19. The compound of paragraph 17 or
18, wherein the modification is not DOTA or a myristoyl group. 20.
The compound of any one of the preceding paragraphs, comprising a
chemical bond between two adjacent amino acids of the cyclic
peptide which is not a chemical bond between the N-terminus of the
a amino acid and the C-terminus of a second amino acid of the two
adjacent amino acids. 21. The compound of paragraph 20, wherein the
chemical bond between the two adjacent amino acids involves the
amino acid side chain of at least one of said two adjacent amino
acids. 22. The compound of any one of the preceding paragraphs,
wherein the cyclic peptide comprises a chemical bond selected from
the group consisting of a chemical bond between an N-terminal amino
group of an amino acid and an amino acid side chain, a chemical
bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an amino acid and an
amino acid side chain, and a chemical bond between an amino acid
side chain of a first amino acid of the peptide and an amino acid
side chain of a second amino acid of the peptide. 23. The compound
of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the cyclic peptide
comprises a chemical bond selected from the group consisting of a
chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of an amino acid
and a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, preferably of E
or D, a chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an
amino acid and an amino group of an amino acid side chain,
preferably of K, R, N or Q, and a chemical bond between an amino
group of an amino acid side chain of a first amino acid of the
peptide, preferably of K, R, N or Q, and a carboxyl group of an
amino acid side chain of a second amino acid of the peptide,
preferably of E or D. 24. The compound of any one of the preceding
paragraphs, wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence
K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34), K-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 35) or
K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO.: 36), comprising a chemical bond selected
from the group consisting of a chemical bond between an N-terminal
amino group of an amino acid and an amino acid side chain,
optionally a carboxyl group of an amino acid side
chain, a chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an
amino acid and an amino acid side chain, optionally an amino group
of an amino acid side chain, and a chemical bond between an amino
acid side chain of a first amino acid of the peptide and an amino
acid side chain of a second amino acid of the peptide, optionally
between a carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the first
amino acid and an amino group of the amino acid side chain of the
second amino acid. 25. The compound of paragraph 23, wherein the
peptide has the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34) and
comprises a chemical bond between an N-terminal amino group of an
amino acid and an amino acid side chain, preferably between an
N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and a carboxyl group of an
amino acid side chain, optionally of E. 26. The compound of any one
of paragraphs 21 to 25, wherein the amino acid side chain is the
amino acid side chain of an amino acid selected from the group
consisting of the amino acids E, D, K, R, N and Q. 27. The compound
of any one of paragraphs 20 to 26, wherein the chemical bond
comprises the carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain of an
amino acid E or D and/or wherein the chemical bond comprises the
amino group of an amino acid side chain of any one of the amino
acids K, R, N or Q. 28. The compound of any one of paragraphs 21 to
27, wherein the amino acid side chain is modified or truncated. 29.
The compound of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein at
least one amino acid of the cyclic peptide is a D-amino acid. 30.
The compound of paragraph 29, wherein 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13 or 14 amino acids are D-amino acids. 31. The compound of
any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein at least one amino
acid of the amino acid sequence R-W-H is a D-amino acid. 32. The
compound of any one of paragraph 31, wherein at least W is a
D-amino acid. 33. The compound of any one of the preceding
paragraphs, wherein W is a D-amino acid. 34. The compound of any
one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the peptide has the amino
acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34), K-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.:
35) or K-G-N-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID NO.: 36), comprising a chemical bond
selected from the group consisting of a chemical bond between an
N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and an amino acid side
chain, optionally a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain, a
chemical bond between a C-terminal carboxyl group of an amino acid
and an amino acid side chain, optionally an amino group of an amino
acid side chain, and a chemical bond between an amino acid side
chain of a first amino acid of the peptide and an amino acid side
chain of a second amino acid of the peptide, optionally between a
carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of the first amino acid
and an amino group of the amino acid side chain of the second amino
acid, wherein at least one amino acid is a D-amino acid, preferably
at least one amino acid of the amino acid sequence R-W-H is a
D-amino acid. 35. The compound of any one of the preceding
paragraphs, wherein the peptide has the amino acid sequence
K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 34) comprising a chemical bond between an
N-terminal amino group of an amino acid and an amino acid side
chain, preferably a carboxyl group of an amino acid side chain,
more preferably between the N-terminal amino group of K and the
carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of E, wherein at least
one amino acid is a D-amino acid, preferably at least one amino
acid of the amino acid sequence R-W-H is a D-amino acid. 36. The
compound of any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein the
peptide has the amino acid sequence K-R-W-H-E (SEQ ID No.: 41)
comprising a chemical bond between the N-terminal amino group of K
and the carboxyl group of the amino acid side chain of E, and
wherein W is a D-amino acid. 37. A pharmaceutical composition
comprising the compound of any one of the preceding paragraphs and
a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 38. The compound of any one
of paragraphs 1 to 36 or the pharmaceutical composition of
paragraph 37, wherein the compound is formulated for intravenous,
oral, nasal, or subcutaneous administration. 39. The compound of
any one of paragraphs 1 to 36 or 38 or the pharmaceutical
composition of paragraph 37 or 38 for use as a medicament. 40. The
compound of any one of paragraphs 1 to 36, 38 or 39 or the
pharmaceutical composition of any one of the preceding paragraphs
37 to 39 for use in treating a disease selected from the group
consisting of cancer, an angiogenesis related disease, a disease
from the field of ophthalmology, diseases associated with an
increased invasive potential of cells, and inflammatory disorders
in a human being. 41. The compound of paragraph 40 or the
pharmaceutical composition of paragraph 40, wherein the cancer is a
metastasizing cancer. 42. The compound of paragraph 40 or 41, or
the pharmaceutical composition of paragraph 40 or 41, wherein the
disease is selected from the group consisting of estrogen
receptor-dependent breast cancer, estrogen receptor-independent
breast cancer, hormone receptor-dependent prostate cancer, hormone
receptor-independent prostate cancer, brain cancer, renal cancer,
colon cancer, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), colorectal
cancer, pancreatic cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer,
stomach cancer, genitourinary cancer, gastrointestinal cancer,
uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, astrocytomas, gliomas, skin cancer,
squamous cell carcinoma, Keratoakantoma, Bowen disease, cutaneous
T-Cell Lymphoma, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, actinic keratosis;
ichtiosis; acne, acne vulgaris, sarcomas, Kaposi's sarcoma,
osteosarcoma, head and neck cancer, small cell lung carcinoma,
non-small cell lung carcinoma, leukemia, lymphomas and/or other
blood cell cancers, thyroid resistance syndrome, diabetes,
thalassemia, cirrhosis, protozoal infection, rheumatoid arthritis,
rheumatoid spondylitis, all forms of rheumatism, osteoarthritis,
gouty arthritis, multiple sclerosis, insulin dependent diabetes
mellitus, non-insulin dependent diabetes, asthma, rhinitis,
uveithis, lupus erythematoidis, ulcerative colitis, Morbus Crohn,
inflammatory bowel disease, chronic diarrhea, psoriasis, atopic
dermatitis, bone disease, fibroproliferative disorders,
atherosclerosis, aplastic anemia, DiGeorge syndrome, Graves'
disease, epilepsia, status epilepticus, alzheimer's disease,
depression, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, mania, stroke,
mood-incongruent psychotic symptoms, bipolar disorder, affective
disorders, meningitis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis,
agitation, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, reperfusion injury,
diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and obesity
in a human being. 43. The compound of any one of paragraphs 40 to
42 or pharmaceutical composition for use of any one of paragraphs
40 to 42, wherein said cancer shows expression of CD44v6. 44. The
compound of any one of paragraphs 40 to 43 or pharmaceutical
composition for use of any one of paragraphs 40 to 43, wherein said
cancer is classifiable as Stage III or Stage IV according to the
TNM anatomic/prognostic group system of the cancer staging system
of the American Joint Committee on Cancer. 45. The compound of any
one of paragraphs 40 to 43 or pharmaceutical composition for use of
any one of paragraphs 40 to 43, wherein said cancer is classifiable
as Stage IV according to the TNM anatomic/prognostic group system
of the cancer staging system of the American Joint Committee on
Cancer. 46. The compound for use of any of paragraphs 40 to 45 or
pharmaceutical composition for use of any of paragraphs 40 to 45,
wherein said cancer is a metastasizing cancer selected from the
group consisting of metastasizing forms of Hodgkin lymphoma,
colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer such
as squamous cell cancer or basal cell carcinoma, head and neck
cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, head and neck squamous
cell cancer, and breast cancer. 47. The compound for use of any of
paragraphs 40 to 46 or pharmaceutical composition for use of any of
paragraphs 40 to 46, wherein said cancer is a metastasizing cancer
selected from the group consisting of metastasizing forms of
Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer,
skin cancer such as squamous cell cancer or basal cell carcinoma,
head and neck cancer, gastric cancer, pancreatic cancer, and breast
cancer, wherein said metastasizing cancer is classifiable as Stage
IV according to the TNM anatomic/prognostic group system of the
cancer staging system of the American Joint Committee on Cancer,
and wherein said metastasizing cancer shows expression of
CD44v6.
[0156] The invention is now described with respect to experiments
which, however, are not to be construed in a limiting sense.
EXAMPLES
Example 1--Synthesis Protocol of D3alga1 (Cf. FIGS. 1 and 9) by
Solid Phase Cyclisation
[0157] Resin loading: 200 mg (ca. 320 .mu.mol) 2-chlorotrityl
chloride (Iris Biotech GmbH, Marktredwitz, Germany; Code BR-1060)
in a filter equipped 5 mL-syringe are swelled with ca. 3 mL of
dichloromethane for 10 min; excess solvent is removed before
incubation with 40.9 mg (100 .mu.mol) Fmoc-Glu(OAll)-OH and 70
.mu.L (51.9 mg, 402 .mu.mol) DIPEA in 2 mL dichloromethane for 90
min; then capping with 10% methanol, 5% DIPEA in dichloromethane
for 2.times.10 min; final washing with each 2.times.DMF,
dichloromethane & diethylether followed by (short) drying on
vacuum line.
[0158] SPPS: resin is transferred to a reaction vessel (ABI 433A),
using standard FastmocUV0.05 mmol-chemistry (solvent: NMP; amino
acids: each 500 .mu.mol weighed in cartridges; HBTU-activation;
base: DIPEA; deprotection: 20% piperidinein NMP) building blocks
used: Fmoc-Lys(Boc)-OH, Fmoc-Arg(Pbf)-OH, Fmoc-D-Trp(Boc)-OH,
Fmoc-His(Trt)-OH (all obtained from Orpegen Peptide Chemicals GmbH,
Heidelberg, Germany); 158 mg (300 .mu.mol) Fmoc-D-Trp(Boc)-OH are
activated with 110 mg (290 .mu.mol) HATU, which are weighed in one
amino acid cartridge, then standard amount DIPEA is added and
coupling time is elongated by 15 min; final Fmoc-deprotection.
[0159] OAll-deprot.: product resin is transferred to a filter
equipped 5 mL-syringe and swollen in dichloromethane; excess
solvent is removed before incubation with ca. 5 mg (ca. 4 .mu.mol)
palladium-tetrakis(triphenylphosphine) and ca. 50 mg (ca. 850
.mu.mol) dimethylamine borane in 2 mL dichloromethane for 25 min in
the stoppered syringe; solution is removed, resin washed with
dichloromethane and incubated 2.times.5 min with 3 mL of 5%
2-aminoethanol in dichloromethane in the stoppered syringe; washing
with each 3.times. dichloromethane, NMP, methanol, dichloromethane
and diethyl ether.
[0160] Cyclisation: (next day) the resin is swollen in
dichloromethane and washed with NMP 3.times.3 mL; after removal of
excess solvent 130 mg (250 .mu.mol) PyAOP in 2 mL NMP are added; 5
min later 100 .mu.L (74.2 mg, 574 .mu.mol) DIPEA in 500 .mu.L NMP
are added and the whole reaction mixture is shaken for 30 min;
resin is washed each 3.times.NMP, methanol, dichloromethane and
diethyl ether before drying on vacuum line (300 mg product
resin).
[0161] Deprotection: dried resin is directly treated with 5 mL of
2.5% water, 2.5% triisopropylsilane in TFA for 45 min; after
filtration TFA is removed by coevaporation with 2.times.20 mL
dichloromethane; raw peptide is precipitated and washed with
diethylether, collected by centrifugation and dried in vacuo (ca.
70 mg).
[0162] Purification: raw peptide is taken up in 5 mL water and
heated to 45.degree. C. for 90 min before separation on a waters
XBridge BEH130Prep C18 (5 .mu.m, 19.times.150 mm) column; gradient:
8-20% acetonitrile/water (0.1% TFA) in 10 min flow: 20 mL/min;
ambient temperature.
[0163] Yield: 21.65 mg (29.4 .mu.mol; 29.4% based on resin loading)
after lyophilisation.
[0164] Gradient: 0-66% acetonitrile/water (0.05% TFA) in 20 min;
Thermo Scientific Hypersil gold (1.9 .mu.m 200.times.2.1 mm), flow:
200 .mu.L/min Temp: 60.degree. C.
[0165] Correct product was confirmed by mass spectronomy.
Example 2--Synthesis Protocol of Alga1 (Cf. FIG. 1) by Solution
Phase Cyclisation
[0166] Resin loading: 200 mg (ca. 320 .mu.mol) 2-chlorotrityl
chloride in a filter equipped 5 mL-syringe are swelled with ca. 3
mL of dichloromethane for 10 min; excess solvent is removed before
incubation with 40.9 mg (100 .mu.mol) Fmoc-Glu(OH)-OtBu and 70
.mu.L (51.9 mg, 402 .mu.mol) DIPEA in 2 mL dichloromethane for 90
min; then capping with 10% methanol and 5% DIPEA in dichloromethane
for 2.times.10 min; final washing with each 2.times.NMP,
dichloromethane and diethylether followed by (short) drying on the
vacuum line.
[0167] SPPS: resin is transferred to a reaction vessel (ABI 433A),
using standard FastmocUV0.05 mmol-chemistry (solvent: NMP; amino
acids: each 500 .mu.mol weighed in cartridges; HBTU-activation;
base: DIPEA; deprotection: 20% piperidine) building blocks used:
Fmoc-Lys(Boc)-OH, Fmoc-Arg(Pbf)-OH, Fmoc-Trp(Boc)-OH,
Fmoc-His(Trt)-OH (see Example 1); final Fmoc-deprotection.
[0168] Cleavage: product resin is transferred to a filter equipped
10 mL-syringe and swollen in dichloromethane; excess solvent is
removed before incubation with 7.5 mL of 10% acetic acid and 20%
trifluoroethanol in dichloromethane for 2.times.60 min in the
stoppered syringe; trifluoroethanol and dichloromethane are removed
in vacuo from the collected filtrates, acetic acid is removed by
coevaporation with 2.times.30 mL toluene.
[0169] Cyclisation: the residue is taken up in 30 mL of DMF and
69.7 .mu.L (50.6 mg, 500 .mu.mol) triethylamine before 130 mg (250
.mu.mol) PyAOP are added; reaction is carried out for 30 min after
solution turns intense yellow (otherwise 250 .mu.mol of additional
triethylamine are added); reaction is quenched by addition of 50
.mu.L of water; solvent and triethylamine are removed in high
vacuo.
[0170] Deprotection: the residue of the DMF removal is directly
treated with 5 mL of 2.5% water, 2.5% triisopropylsilane in TFA for
45 min; TFA is removed by 2.times. coevaporation with 20 mL
dichloromethane; raw peptide is precipitated and washed with
diethylether, collected by centrifugation and dried on the vacuum
line. (ca. 100 mg).
[0171] Purification: raw peptide is taken up in 5 mL water and
heated to 45.degree. C. for 90 min before separation on a waters
XBridge BEH130Prep C18 (5 .mu.m, 19.times.150 mm) column; gradient:
8-20% acetonitrile/water (0.1% TFA) in 10 min.
[0172] Yield: 42.84 mg (58.1 .mu.mol; 58.1% based on resin loading)
after lyophilisation.
[0173] The control peptide in the following Examples is N-A-A-A-E
(SEQ ID NO: 37).
Example 3--a Cyclic CD44v6 5Mer (Alga1, Cf. FIG. 1) and a Cyclic
CD44v6 5Mer Containing a D-Amino Acid at Position 3 (D3alga1, Cf.
FIGS. 1 and 9) Block Activation of c-Met and Erk (Cf. FIG. 3)
[0174] Human adenocarcinoma cells, Panc1, were seeded at
2.times.10.sup.5 cells per well in a 6-well plate. The day after
seeding the cells, they were starved for 24 h. The following day,
the cells were treated as indicated with either alga1 or D3alga1, a
control peptide (N-A-A-A-E (SEQ ID NO: 37)) at a concentration of
30 nM for 5 min at 37.degree. C. prior to induction with HGF (10
ng/ml) at 37.degree. C. for 5 min. Results are given in FIG. 3 (A:
alga1; B: D3alga1).
Example 4--Cyclic CD44v6 5Mers Containing a D-Amino Acid at
Positions 1, 2 or 3, Respectively (D-Amino Acid at Position 1:
D1alga1, at Position 2: D2alga1, at Position 3: D3alga1) Blocks
Activation of c-Met and Erk (FIG. 4)
[0175] Human adenocarcinoma cells, Panc1, were seeded at
2.times.10.sup.5 cells per well in a 6-well plate. The day after
seeding, the cells were starved for 24 h. The following day, the
cells were treated as indicated with either D1alga1, D2alga1 or
D3alga1, a human CD44v6 14mer (h14mer) or control peptide
(N-A-A-A-E (SEQ ID NO: 37)) at a concentration of 30 nM for 5 min
at 37.degree. C. prior to induction with HGF (10 ng/ml) at
37.degree. C. for 5 min. Results are given in FIG. 4.
Example 5--Wound Healing Assay (Cf. FIG. 5)
[0176] A wound healing assay is used to demonstrate the blocking
capacity of the tested reagents in respect of migration of cells.
Cell migration is connected to angiogenesis where cells need to
migrate in order to form new blood vessels. Hence, if a reagent
blocks cell migration in a wound healing assay, this also strongly
indicates the reagent's ability to prevent angiogenesis. FIG. 5A:
Panc 1 cells were seeded in 12-well plates at a concentration of
2.5.times.10.sup.5 cells per well. After 24 hours, the cells form a
confluent monolayer in which a scratch is inserted using a sterile
pipette tip. Medium was aspirated to remove scratched cells and
replaced by new growth medium containing reagents as indicated (v6
14mer, D1alga1, D2alga1 or D3alga1) at a concentration of 30 nM
tested for their blocking quality. After an incubation time of 10
min at 37.degree. C., growth factor HGF was added to induce
migration (HGF 20 ng/ml). Photos of the cells were taken 24 hours
after induction using a Canon Power Shot 5620 digital camera. FIG.
5B: The computer program ImageJ was used for quantitative
evaluation. An area in the wound was defined and the cell invaded
area was measured. The efficiency of wound closure is represented
as percentage of invasion into the scratch. In particular, D3alga1
blocks cell migration most efficiently.
Example 6--Side by Side Comparison of the Human CD44v6 14Mer (V6
14MER), Alga1 and D3alga1 for their Effect on Tumor Growth
Inhibition and Inhibition on Tumor Metastasis (FIG. 6)
[0177] To evaluate the inhibition of tumor growth, L3.6pl cells
were orthotopically implanted into nude mice. The treatment of all
animals started one week after tumor growth. The groups consisted
of 8 animals, the PBS group of 6 animals. This inhibition
experiment shows that the primary tumor was drastically inhibited
in with a dose of 20 .mu.g 3.times. weekly (cf. FIG. 6A). The
reduction of the application frequency to once weekly 60 .mu.g
resulted as well in reduction of the tumor growth. All treatments
were successful and significant compared to the control group (PBS
3.times. weekly).
[0178] To evaluate the inhibition of metastatic spreading to the
liver, the groups consisted of 8 animals, the PBS group of 6
animals. With an application of 3.times. weekly, no macroscopic
metastases were observed. Application once weekly with all
compounds resulted in tumor metastasis to the liver with the
ranking V6 14MER<D3alga1<alga1, and the number of metastases
per animal was lower compared to the control group. "ctrl
pep"=control peptide N-A-A-A-E (SEQ ID NO: 37)
Example 7--Side by Side Comparison of the Human CD44v6 14Mer (V6
14MER), Alga1 and D3alga 1 for their Effect on Regression of
Already Established Metastases (FIG. 7)
[0179] L3.6pl cells were orthotopically implanted into nude mice.
In contrast to Example 6 (FIG. 6), the treatment was started 3
weeks after tumor implantation; at this time all animals showed
liver metastases. FIG. 7A shows inhibition of the tumor growth. The
groups consisted of 8 animals, the PBS group of 6 animals. This
inhibition experiment shows that the primary tumor was drastically
inhibited in with a dose of 20 .mu.g 3.times. weekly. The reduction
of the application frequency to once weekly 60 .mu.g resulted in
reduction of the tumor growth as well. All treatments were
successful and significant compared to the control group (PBS
3.times. weekly).
[0180] FIG. 7B depicts regression of established liver metastases.
The groups consisted of 8 animals, the PBS group of 6 animals. With
an application 3.times. weekly, no macroscopic metastases could be
detected. Application once weekly with all compounds resulted in a
regression of metastases with the ranking V6
14MER<D3alga1<alga1, and the number of metastases per animal
was lower compared to the PBS control group. "ctrl pep"=control
peptide N-A-A-A-E (SEQ ID NO: 37)
Example 8--Comparison of the Tumor Accumulation of the 14-Mer
Linear Peptide and Alga1 and D3alga1 after Labelling with .sup.68Ga
Using PET Imaging
[0181] L3.6pl cells were subcutaneously implanted into nude mice.
Animals were treated using .sup.68Ga labeled forms of the 14-mer
linear peptide (V6 14MER), alga1, and D3alga and PET imaging was
performed 4 h after treatment. Given a similar accumulation in the
kidney (FIG. 8 images on the left), it can be shown, that the tumor
accumulation of the substances is increasing with the order v6
14mer<alga1<D3alga1.
Example 9--Wound Healing Assay (Cf. FIG. 15)
[0182] A wound healing assay is used to demonstrate the blocking
capacity of the indicated reagents in respect of migration of
cells. Cell migration is connected to angiogenesis where cells need
to migrate in order to form new blood vessels. Angiogenesis is
related to cancer metastasis. Hence, if a reagent blocks cell
migration in a wound healing assay, this also strongly indicates
the reagent's ability to prevent angiogenesis. Panc 1 cells were
seeded in 6-well plates at a concentration of 3.times.10.sup.5
cells per well and were allowed to adhere and form a confluent
monolayer. After a starving period of 24 hours, a scratch was
inserted using a sterile pipette tip. Medium was aspirated to
remove scratched cells and replaced by new starving medium.
containing reagents as indicated at a concentration of 30 nM tested
for their blocking quality.
[0183] The following reagents were added to the medium at a
concentration of 500 nM to test their blocking efficiency:
D3-epga1, D4-epga1, D2-epal1, D3-epal1, D4-epal1, D3-alga1,
D3-alga2, D4-alga2, D5-alga2, D6-alga3, Epga-1, Epal-1, Alga-2 and
Alga-3. After 30 min incubation at 37.degree. C., growth factor HGF
was added to induce migration (HGF 100 ng/ml). Photos of the cells
were taken immediately after scratch (Day 1), 24 hours (Day 2) and
48 hours (D3) after induction using a Canon Power Shot G12 digital
camera. As can be taken from the photo series, all tested peptides
are efficient in blocking cell migration. Most efficient blocking
of cell migration was observed for D2-epal1, D3-alga1, D6-alga3 and
Alga-2.
Example 10--Clinical Study
[0184] Monotherapy with intravenous infusion of D2-epal1, D3-alga1,
D6-alga3 and Alga-2 (cf. FIGS. 9-12) is performed. In a first step,
this includes a Phase I dose escalation study on tolerability,
safety and pharmacokinetics in patients with various end stage
epithelial cancer types and correlative studies on CD44v6
expression. Further, the expansion cohort for preliminary efficacy
in selected epithelial cancer types is tested for the
aforementioned cyclic peptides. Subsequently, a multi-center
(n=2-4) European study is performed.
Sequence CWU 1
1
4415PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly,
His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 1Xaa Arg Trp His
Xaa1 525PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptide 2Asn Arg Trp His Glu1 535PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptide 3Ala
Arg Trp His Ala1 545PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial
Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Asn, Lys, Arg, Gln, Ala,
Val, Leu or IleMOD_RES(5)..(5)Glu, Asp, Ala, Val, Leu or Ile 4Xaa
Arg Trp His Xaa1 555PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial
Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Asn, Lys, Arg or
GlnMOD_RES(5)..(5)Glu or Asp 5Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa1
5614PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptide 6Lys Glu Gln Trp Phe Gly Asn Arg Trp His Glu Gly
Tyr Arg1 5 10714PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial
Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu,
Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val,
Trp or TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gln, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Trp, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(11)..(11)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(12)..(12)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(13)..(13)Tyr, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TrpMOD_RES(14)..(14)Arg, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 7Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5
10814PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Arg, Asn, Gln, Ala, Val, Leu
or IleMOD_RES(2)..(2)Glu, Asp, Ala, Val, Leu or
IleMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gln, Lys, Arg, Asn, Ala, Val, Leu or
IleMOD_RES(4)..(4)Trp, Phe, Tyr, Ala, Val, Leu or
IleMOD_RES(5)..(5)Phe, Trp, Tyr, Ala, Val, Leu or
IleMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Val, Leu or IleMOD_RES(7)..(7)Asn, Lys,
Arg, Gln, Ala, Val, Leu or IleMOD_RES(11)..(11)Glu, Asp, Ala, Val,
Leu or IleMOD_RES(12)..(12)Gly, Ala, Val, Leu or
IleMOD_RES(13)..(13)Tyr, Phe, Trp, Ala, Val, Leu or
IleMOD_RES(14)..(14)Arg, Lys, Asn, Gln, Ala, Val, Leu or Ile 8Xaa
Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5
10914PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Arg, Asn or
GlnMOD_RES(2)..(2)Glu or AspMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gln, Lys, Arg or
AsnMOD_RES(4)..(4)Trp, Phe or TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Phe, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Val, Leu or IleMOD_RES(7)..(7)Asn, Lys,
Arg or GlnMOD_RES(11)..(11)Glu or AspMOD_RES(12)..(12)Gly, Ala,
Val, Leu or IleMOD_RES(13)..(13)Tyr, Phe or
TrpMOD_RES(14)..(14)Arg, Lys, Asn or Gln 9Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa
Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5 101014PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptide 10Lys
Glu Lys Trp Phe Glu Asn Glu Trp Gln Gly Lys Asn Pro1 5
10115PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptide 11Asn Glu Trp Gln Gly1 51211PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptide 12Trp
Phe Glu Asn Glu Trp Gln Gly Lys Asn Pro1 5 101311PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptide 13Trp
Phe Gln Asn Gly Trp Gln Gly Lys Asn Pro1 5 101411PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptide 14Trp
Phe Gly Asn Arg Trp His Glu Gly Tyr Arg1 5 10155PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptide 15Asn
Ala Ala Ala Gly1 5168PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptide 16Phe Gly Asn Arg Trp His Glu
Gly1 5178PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His,
Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(8)..(8)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 17Xaa Xaa Xaa
Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa1 5188PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptide 18Lys Gly Asn Arg Trp His Glu
Gly1 51914PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Asn, Arg or
GlnMOD_RES(2)..(2)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gln, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Trp, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(11)..(11)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(12)..(12)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(13)..(13)Tyr, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TrpMOD_RES(14)..(14)Arg, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 19Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5
102014PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Asn, Gln or
ArgMOD_RES(2)..(2)Glu or AspMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gln, Lys, Asn, Arg, Ala,
Val, Leu or IleMOD_RES(4)..(4)Trp, Ala, Phe, Ile, Leu, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Phe, Ala, Ile, Leu, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Ile, Leu or ValMOD_RES(7)..(7)Asn, Gln,
Arg or LysMOD_RES(11)..(11)Glu or AspMOD_RES(12)..(12)Gly, Ala,
Ile, Leu or ValMOD_RES(13)..(13)Tyr, Ala, Phe, Ile, Leu, Val or
TrpMOD_RES(14)..(14)Arg, Lys, Gln or Asn 20Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa
Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5 102113PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Gln, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Trp, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(10)..(10)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(11)..(11)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(12)..(12)Tyr, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TrpMOD_RES(13)..(13)Arg, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 21Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5 102212PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Trp, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Phe,
Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Trp, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro,
Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp,
Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr,
Val, Trp or TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His,
Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Gly, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(9)..(9)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Gly, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(10)..(10)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Tyr, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TrpMOD_RES(11)..(11)Tyr, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Ser, Thr, Val or Trp 22Xaa Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg1 5 102311PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gln, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Trp, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Phe, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(8)..(8)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Gly, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(9)..(9)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Asn, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(10)..(10)Tyr, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TrpMOD_RES(11)..(11)Arg, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Gly, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 23Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5 102410PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gln, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Trp, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(8)..(8)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(9)..(9)Tyr, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
AsnMOD_RES(10)..(10)Arg Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Glu, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 24Xaa Xaa
Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5 10259PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Gln, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Trp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(8)..(8)Tyr, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
GlyMOD_RES(9)..(9)Arg, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Asn, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 25Xaa Xaa Arg
Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5268PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys,
Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser,
Thr, Val, Trp or TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Gln, Phe,
Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Trp, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Tyr, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
PheMOD_RES(8)..(8)Arg Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Gly, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 26Xaa Arg Trp
His Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa1 52711PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Asn, Gln
or ArgMOD_RES(2)..(2)Glu or AspMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gln, Lys, Asn, Arg,
Ala, Val, Leu or IleMOD_RES(4)..(4)Trp, Ala, Phe, Ile, Leu, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Phe, Ala, Ile, Leu, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Ile, Leu or ValMOD_RES(7)..(7)Asn, Gln,
Arg or LysMOD_RES(11)..(11)Glu or Asp 27Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa
Arg Trp His Xaa1 5 102810PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Asn, Gln
or ArgMOD_RES(2)..(2)Gln, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Trp, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Thr, Val or TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Phe,
Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln,
Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp,
Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr,
Val, Trp or TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly,
His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(10)..(10)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 28Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa1 5 10299PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Asn, Gln or ArgMOD_RES(2)..(2)Trp, Ala,
Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg,
Ser, Thr, Val, Gln or TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu,
Trp, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr,
Val or TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Gly, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(9)..(9)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Gly, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 29Xaa Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa1 5308PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Asn, Gln
or ArgMOD_RES(2)..(2)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gln, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Trp, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Phe, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(8)..(8)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Gly, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 30Xaa Xaa Xaa
Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa1 5317PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys,
Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser,
Thr, Val, Trp or TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe,
Gln, His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Trp, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp
or Tyr 31Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa1 5326PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Gln, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Trp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or Tyr 32Xaa Xaa Arg
Trp His Xaa1 5335PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial
Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu,
Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val,
Trp or TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Gln, Phe, Gly, His,
Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 33Xaa
Arg Trp His Xaa1 5345PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideSee specification as filed for
detailed description of substitutions and preferred embodiments
34Lys Arg Trp His Glu1 5356PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideSee specification as filed for
detailed description of substitutions and preferred embodiments
35Lys Asn Arg Trp His Glu1 5367PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideSee specification as filed for
detailed description of substitutions and preferred embodiments
36Lys Gly Asn Arg Trp His Glu1 5375PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptide 37Asn
Ala Ala Ala Glu1 53813PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of
Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys,
Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser,
Thr, Val, Trp or TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly,
His, Ile, Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gln, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Trp, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(11)..(11)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(12)..(12)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(13)..(13)Tyr, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Lys, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 38Xaa
Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa Xaa1 5
103912PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence
Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly,
His, Ile, Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gln, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Trp, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr
rMOD_RES(11)..(11)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(12)..(12)Gly Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 39Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa Xaa1 5 104011PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(1)..(1)Lys, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(2)..(2)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(3)..(3)Gln, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(4)..(4)Trp, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val or
TyrMOD_RES(5)..(5)Phe, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Gly, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(6)..(6)Gly, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, His, Ile, Lys, Leu,
Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(7)..(7)Asn, Ala, Cys, Asp, Glu, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or
TyrMOD_RES(11)..(11)Glu, Ala, Cys, Asp, Phe, Gly, His, Ile, Lys,
Leu, Met, Asn, Pro, Gln, Arg, Ser, Thr, Val, Trp or Tyr 40Xaa Xaa
Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Xaa Arg Trp His Xaa1 5 10415PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(3)..(3)D-TrpSee specification as filed for detailed
description of substitutions and preferred embodiments 41Lys Arg
Trp His Glu1 5425PRTArtificial SequenceDescription of Artificial
Sequence Synthetic peptideMOD_RES(2)..(2)D-ArgSee specification as
filed for detailed description of substitutions and preferred
embodiments 42Lys Arg Trp His Glu1 5434PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic peptideSee
specification as filed for detailed description of substitutions
and preferred embodiments 43Lys Arg Trp His1445PRTArtificial
SequenceDescription of Artificial Sequence Synthetic
peptideMOD_RES(5)..(5)Aminobutyric acidSee specification as filed
for detailed description of substitutions and preferred embodiments
44Lys Arg Trp His Xaa1 5
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