Conjugates of somatostatin analogues

Abstract

Conjugates of carriers and hydrogels for controlling the biological half-life of somatostatin and its analogs are disclosed.

Claims

1. A conjugate of the formula (1)
P-(L-D).sub.n(1) wherein P is a hydrogel crosslinked with linkers that undergo beta elimination; D is a somatostatin or its analog; n is a multiplicity; and L is a moiety of formula (2) ##STR00020## wherein in formula (2) m =0; at R.sup.1 is CN; or is SO.sub.2R.sup.3 wherein R.sup.3 is H or optionally substituted alkyl; aryl or arylalkyl, each optionally substituted; heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted; or OR.sup.9 or NR.sup.9.sub.2 wherein each R is independently H or optionally substituted alkyl, or both R.sup.9 groups taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring; and R.sup.2 is H or alkyl, arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted; and each one R.sup.5 is H or is alkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, (CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.p wherein p=1-1000, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted; and the other R.sup.5 is connected to P via a triazole linkage to a cyclooctyne, wherein D is attached to the ##STR00021## group of L through the N.sub.-amino or N.sub.-amino groups of the somatostatin or its analog; and wherein P is composed of 4-arm polyethylene glycols crosslinked by crosslinkers of said formula (2) wherein one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, or R.sup.5 is connected to one of the hydrogel PEG units and the ##STR00022## group is connected to another of the hydrogel PEG units; and wherein the somatostatin or analog thereof is coupled to ##STR00023## wherein the azide has been reacted with ##STR00024##

2. The conjugate of claim 1 wherein R.sup.2 is H; R.sup.1 is CN or SO.sub.2R.sup.3; one R.sup.5 is H and the other is coupled to said hydrogel.

3. The conjugate of claim 1 wherein D is somatostatin, octreotide, lanreotide, or pasireotide.

4. A method to treat a condition treatable with an analog of somatostatin, which method comprises administering to a subject in need of such amelioration an effective amount of the conjugate of claim 1.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the condition is associated with growth hormone producing tumors, pituitary tumors that secrete thyroid stimulating hormone, diarrhea, flushing episodes associated with carcinoid syndrome, or diarrhea in patients with vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a soluble conjugate of the invention wherein octreotide is releasably linked using a DBCO-derived triazole to a 4-arm PEG via the alpha-amine.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a soluble conjugate of the invention wherein octreotide is releasably linked using a DBCO-derived triazole to a 4-arm PEG via the epsilon-amine.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a soluble conjugate of the invention wherein octreotide is releasably linked using an amide to a 4-arm PEG via the alpha-amine.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates method for the preparation of the linkers.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates a method for the preparation of epsilon-linked azido-linker-octreotides.

(6) FIG. 6 illustrates a method for the preparation of alpha-linked azido-linker-octreotides.

(7) FIG. 7 illustrates a method for the preparation of a soluble conjugate of the invention wherein octreotide is releasably linked using an amide to a 4-arm PEG via the alpha-amine. In the Figure, PEG represents a multi-armed PEG.

(8) FIG. 8 shows the structure of a soluble octreotide conjugate of formula (1) wherein P is a 40-kDa 4-branched polyethylene glycol; L is a linker wherein R.sup.1=(4-methylphenyl)SO.sub.2, R.sup.2 is H, one R.sup.5 is H and the other is (CH.sub.2).sub.5Z, wherein Z is a triazole formed by reaction of a BCN cyclooctyne with an azide; D=N-alpha-linked octreotide, and n=1. For the 40-kDa PEG, m is approximately 170 (7.5 kDa segments) and p is approximately 114 (5 kDa segments).

(9) FIG. 9 shows the kinetics of in vitro release of octreotide from the conjugate of FIG. 8 at pH 9.4, 37 C. Octreotide is released from the conjugate with a first-order half-life of 4 hours, corresponding to a half-life of 400 hours at pH 7.4.

(10) FIG. 10 shows the pharmacokinetics of octreotide released from the conjugate of FIG. 8 after i.v. administration to rats.

(11) FIG. 11 illustrates a method for the preparation of hydrogels that release a somatostatin or analog peptide. In this method, an 8-armed PEG-(cyclooctyne).sub.8 macromonomer is reacted with 4 equivalents of azido-linker-peptide to connect up to 4 linker-peptides per 8-arm PEG macromonomer. The remaining cyclooctyne units are then used to form the hydrogel matrix by reaction with an azide-containing crosslinking reagent. In this figure, C represents a multi-armed core.

(12) FIG. 12 illustrates the first step in a second method for the preparation of hydrogels that release a somatostatin or analog peptide. In this method, a four-armed PEG macromonomer comprising two orthogonally-reactive functional groups on each arm is reacted with a linker-peptide wherein the linker comprises a functional group that reacts with one of the two macromonomer functional groups. The resulting peptide-loaded macromonomer is then reacted with a crosslinking reagent having functional groups reactive with the remaining functional group on the PEG macromonomer. In the first step illustrated, the PEG-macromonomer comprises a succinimidyl ester for connecting to an amino-linker-somatostatin/analog and an azide for subsequent crosslinking with a second macromonomer comprising a cyclooctyne. In this Figure, PEG is multi-armed.

(13) FIG. 13 shows the formation of a hydrogel by coupling a drug-bearing macromonomer with an azido functional group to a crosslinking macromonomer with a cyclooctyne functional group.

(14) FIG. 14 shows loading of the resulting hydrogel with an azido-coupled dendrimer containing the somatostatin or its analog.

Modes of Carrying Out the Invention

(15) The term somatostatin analog encompasses somatostatin and peptidic analogs thereof, including octreotide, lanreotide, and pasireotide. Thus although somatostatin analog is sometimes used for economy of verbiage, this term means somatostatin or its analogs.

(16) The term PEG is meant to encompass linear, branched, or multi-arm polymers of ethylene oxide having average molecular weights between 10,000 and 100,000 comprising at least one functional group Z that allows for covalent attachment of a releasable linker. Suitable functional groups Z include amines; alkoxyamines; ketones; aldehydes; carboxylates; active esters such as N-hydroxysuccinimide esters, nitrophenyl esters, and pentahalophenyl esters; active carbonates and carbamates; thiols; maleimides; azides; terminal alkynes; strained cyclooctynes; trans-cyclooctenes; cyclopropenes; norbornenes; tetrazines; nitrile oxides; cyclopentadienes; and furans.

(17) By the term hydrogel is meant an insoluble cross-linked network of hydrophilic polymer chains. The hydrogel may be comprised of one or more synthetic or natural polymers, including PEG, polyacrylamide, hyaluronate, dextran, or similar polymers.

(18) By the term conjugate is meant a compound prepared by the covalent attachment of a somatostatin or its analog to a carrier molecule or to a derivatized hydrogel, wherein the carrier molecule or hydrogel serves to extend the lifetime of the somatostatin or its analog in vivo. The carrier molecule may be biologically inactive with respect to the condition or disease being treated with the conjugate or may serve to direct the therapeutic agent to a particular target or tissue relevant to the condition or disease.

(19) By the term beta-elimination is meant a chemical reaction through which a compound comprising the substructure CH(CHCH).sub.mCX, where m=0-1, is converted into a compound comprising the substructure C(CC).sub.mC through loss of the elements of HX.

(20) By the term substituted is meant an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl group comprising one or more substituent groups in place of one or more hydrogen atoms. Substituent groups may generally be selected from halogen including F, Cl, Br, and I; lower alkyl including linear, branched, and cyclic; lower haloalkyl including fluoroalkyl, chloroalkyl, bromoalkyl, and iodoalkyl; OH; lower alkoxy including linear, branched, and cyclic; SH; lower alkylthio including linear, branched, and cyclic; amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, silyl including alkylsilyl, alkoxysilyl, and arylsilyl; nitro; cyano; carbonyl; carboxylic acid, carboxylic ester, carboxylic amide; aminocarbonyl; aminoacyl; carbamate; urea; thiocarbamate; thiourea; ketone; sulfone; sulfonamide; aryl including phenyl, naphthyl, and anthracenyl; heteroaryl including 5-member heteroaryls including as pyrrole, imidazole, furan, thiophene, oxazole, thiazole, isoxazole, isothiazole, thiadiazole, triazole, oxadiazole, and tetrazole, 6-member heteroaryls including pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, and fused heteroaryls including benzofuran, benzothiophene, benzoxazole, benzimidazole, indole, benzothiazole, benzisoxazole, and benzisothiazole.

(21) The terms alkyl, alkenyl, and alkynyl include linear, branched or cyclic hydrocarbon groups of 1-8 carbons or 1-6 carbons or 1-4 carbons wherein alkyl is a saturated hydrocarbon, alkenyl includes one or more carbon-carbon double bonds and alkynyl includes one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds. Unless otherwise specified these contain 1-6C.

(22) The term aryl includes aromatic hydrocarbon groups of 6-18 carbons, preferably 6-10 carbons, including groups such as phenyl, naphthyl, and anthracenyl. The term heteroaryl includes aromatic rings comprising 3-15 carbons containing at least one N, O or S atom, preferably 3-7 carbons containing at least one N, O or S atom, including groups such as pyrrolyl, pyridyl, pyrimidinyl, imidazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, quinolyl, indolyl, indenyl, and similar.

(23) The term halogen includes fluoro, chloro, bromo and iodo.

(24) The term maleimido is a group of the formula

(25) ##STR00006##

(26) By the term releasable linker is meant a moiety that covalently connects the somatostatin or its analog to the carrier molecule or hydrogel in a conjugate, and which is capable of releasing the therapeutic molecule from the carrier molecule or hydrogel under defined conditions. In the conjugates of the present invention, the releasable linker is capable of releasing the somatostatin or its analog through a beta-elimination reaction. Thus, the releasable linkers of the invention may be described by formula (2)

(27) ##STR00007##

(28) R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently CN; NO.sub.2; optionally substituted aryl; optionally substituted heteroaryl; optionally substituted alkenyl; optionally substituted alkynyl; COR.sup.3 or SOR.sup.3 or SO.sub.2R.sup.3 wherein R.sup.3 is H or optionally substituted alkyl; aryl or arylalkyl, each optionally substituted; heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted; or OR.sup.9 or NR.sup.9.sub.2 wherein each R.sup.9 is independently H or optionally substituted alkyl, or both R.sup.9 groups taken together with the nitrogen to which they are attached form a heterocyclic ring; SR.sup.4 wherein R.sup.4 is optionally substituted alkyl; aryl or arylalkyl, each optionally substituted; or heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted; or wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be joined to form a 3-8 membered ring. One and only one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be H or may be alkyl, arylalkyl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted.

(29) As described in PCT Publication WO2009/158668 A1, the electronic properties of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the primary determinants of the rate of release from the linker. The properties of R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be modulated by the optional addition of electron-donating or electron-withdrawing substituents. By the term electron-donating group is meant a substituent resulting in a decrease in the acidity of the R.sup.1R.sup.2CH; electron-donating groups are typically associated with negative Hammett s or Taft s* constants and are well-known in the art of physical organic chemistry. (Hammett constants refer to aryl/heteroaryl substituents, Taft constants refer to substituents on non-aromatic moieties.) Examples of suitable electron-donating substituents include but are not limited to lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, and silyl. Similarly, by electron-withdrawing group is meant a substituent resulting in an increase in the acidity of the R.sup.1R.sup.2CH group; electron-withdrawing groups are typically associated with positive Hammett s or Taft s* constants and are well-known in the art of physical organic chemistry. Examples of suitable electron-withdrawing substituents include but are not limited to halogen, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, nitro, cyano, C(O)R.sup.X, wherein R.sup.X is H, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, or amino, or S(O).sub.mR.sup.Y, wherein m=1-2 and R.sup.Y is lower alkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl. As is well-known in the art, the electronic influence of a substituent group may depend upon the position of the substituent. For example, an alkoxy substituent on the ortho- or para-position of an aryl ring is electron-donating, and is characterized by a negative Hammett s constant, while an alkoxy substituent on the meta-position of an aryl ring is electron-withdrawing and is characterized by a positive Hammett s constant. A table of Hammett s and Taft s* constants values is given below.

(30) TABLE-US-00001 Substituent (meta) (para) * H 0.00 0.00 0.49 CH.sub.3 0.07 0.17 0 C.sub.2H.sub.5 0.07 0.15 0.10 n-C.sub.3H.sub.7 0.07 0.13 0.115 i-C.sub.3H.sub.7 0.07 0.15 0.19 n-C.sub.4H.sub.9 0.08 0.16 0.13 t-C.sub.4H.sub.9 0.10 0.20 0.30 H.sub.2CCH 0.05 0.02 C.sub.6H.sub.5 0.06 0.01 0.60 CH.sub.2Cl 0.11 0.12 1.05 CF.sub.3 0.43 0.54 CN 0.56 0.66 CHO 0.35 0.42 COCH.sub.3 0.38 0.50 CO.sub.2H 0.37 0.45 Si(CH.sub.3).sub.3 0.04 0.07 F 0.34 0.06 Cl 0.37 0.23 Br 0.39 0.23 I 0.35 0.18 OH 0.12 0.37 OCH.sub.3 0.12 0.27 OCH.sub.2CH.sub.3 0.10 0.24 SH 0.25 0.15 SCH.sub.3 0.15 0.00 NO.sub.2 0.71 0.78 NO 0.62 0.91 NH.sub.2 0.16 0.66 NHCHO 0.19 0.00 NHCOCH.sub.3 0.07 0.15 N(CH.sub.3).sub.2 0.15 0.83 N(CH.sub.3).sup.+ 0.88 0.82 CCl.sub.3 2.65 CO.sub.2CH.sub.3 2.00 CH.sub.2NO.sub.2 1.40 CH.sub.2CF.sub.3 0.92 CH.sub.2OCH.sub.3 0.52 CH.sub.2Ph 0.26

(31) In embodiments of the invention, m=0-1. In particular embodiments, m=0.

(32) Each R.sup.5 is independently H or is alkyl, alkenylalkyl, alkynylalkyl, (CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.p wherein p=1-1000, aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl or heteroarylalkyl, each optionally substituted; and wherein one R.sup.5 further comprises a functional group Z allowing for connection to a macromolecular carrier.

(33) In one aspect of the invention, soluble conjugates of somatostatin or a somatostatin analog having controlled release are provided. The soluble conjugates of the invention are of the formula (1)
P-(L-D).sub.n(1) wherein P is a soluble carrier molecule or is a hydrogel, L is a releasable linker capable of releasing D through a beta-elimination reaction as described above, D is somatostatin or its analog, and n=1-8 when P is a carrier molecule. When P is a hydrogel, n is a larger number dependent on the number of macromolecular units in the gel.

(34) In various embodiments of the invention, the somatostatin or its analog D is connected to the releasable linker L through a carbamate linkage to an amine group on D. In certain embodiments of the invention, D is connected to L through the N-terminal alpha-NH.sub.2 group. In other embodiments of the invention, D is connected to L through the epsilon-NH.sub.2 group of a lysine residue. In yet other embodiments of the invention, D is connected to L through the NH.sub.2 group of a 2-aminoethyl-carbamate group.

(35) In embodiments of the invention, the releasable linker L is connected to P using a functional group Z on one of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, or R.sup.5 of the releasable linker and a cognate functional group Z* on P. Examples of cognate pairs of functional groups Z/Z* are given in Table 1 below. It will be recognized that the positions of Z and Z* may be reversed.

(36) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Selected pairs of reactive functional groups Azide + acetylene, cyclooctyne, maleimide Thiol + maleimide, acrylate, acrylamide, vinylsulfone, halogen Amine + carboxylate, active ester Maleimide + thiol, azide, 1,3-diene, furan, cyclopentadiene Tetrazine + cyclopropene, norbornene, trans-cyclooctene RCO + amino-ether

(37) P will comprise at least one functional group Z* (or Z) allowing for attachment of a reversible linker as discussed above. The Z* (or Z) group may be naturally occurring in P or may be added by chemical derivatization using methods well known in the art of conjugation.

(38) When P is a soluble carrier molecule, P may be a synthetic or natural polymer, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), dextran, hyaluronic acid, or protein, including albumins and antibodies. In one embodiment of the invention, P is a PEG having an average molecular weight between 10,000 and 100,000, preferably between 20,000 and 60,000, and most preferably approximately 40,000. P may be linear, branched, or multi-arm. In some embodiments of the invention, P is a multi-arm PEG having 2-8 arms, each arm terminated with a functional group Z* (or Z). Examples of such multi-arm PEGs are those with Z* (or Z) groups at each end of a linear chain (2 arms) and those formed starting from pentaerythritol (4 arms), hexaglycerin (8 arms), tripentaerythritol (8 arms), or other similar branching cores.

(39) ##STR00008##

(40) In a specific embodiment of the invention, P is a 4-armed PEG, L is a releasable linker of formula (2), D is somatostatin or its analog, and n=4. In a more specific embodiment of the invention, P is a 4-armed PEG, L is a releasable linker of formula (2) wherein m=0, R.sup.1CN or R.sup.3SO.sub.2, R.sup.2H, one R.sup.5H and the other R.sup.5 is connected to P through functional groups Z and Z*.

(41) Specific embodiments of the conjugates of formula (1) when P is a carrier molecule are illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. FIG. 1 shows the structure of a conjugate wherein P is a 4-armed PEG connected to L via a triazole linkage formed by reaction of Z=azide and Z*=cyclooctyne, and where L is connected to D via a carbamate to the N.sub.-amino group of octreotide. The specific cyclooctyne used in this example is the dibenzoazacyclooctyne DBCO, but it is recognized that other cyclooctynes will work, including the bicyclononynes (BCN) and fluorinated cyclooctynes. To prepare such conjugates, a 4-armed PEG-tetraamine is derivatized with a cyclooctyne reagent, in this instance the active NHS ester of DBCO-succinic acid, to provide 4-armed PEG-(cyclooctyne).sub.4. Octreotide is mostly readily acylated at the N.sub.e-amine of the lysine residue, and the linker can be attached to this position simply by treatment with an azido-linker-succinimidyl carbonate (PCT Publication WO2009/158668 A1; Santi et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2011) 109:6211-6216). To prepare azido-linker-octreotides linked via the alpha-amine, the lysine epsilon-amine group is first protected by reaction with an easily removable blocking group such as tert-butoxycarbonyl (BOC) (FIG. 6). The N.sub.e-BOC-octreotide is then reacted with an azide-linker-OSu to acylate the remaining N.sub.a-amino group, and the BOC is removed by treatment with acid. The resulting azido-linker-octreotide is then allowed to react with the PEG-(cyclooctyne).sub.4 to produce the conjugate of formula (1) wherein P=PEG, L=a releasable linker, D=octreotide linked via the N.sub.a-amine, n=4, Z=azide, and Z*=cyclooctyne.

(42) FIG. 2 shows the similar conjugate where L is connected to D via a carbamate to the N.sub.-amino group of octreotide. In this instance, octreotide is directly acylated with the azido-linker-OSu (FIG. 5), and the resulting N.sub.e-linked azido-linker-octreotide is reacted with PEG-(cyclooctyne).sub.4 to produce the conjugate of formula (1) wherein P=PEG, L=a releasable linker, D=octreotide linked via the N.sub.e-amine, n=4, Z=azide, and Z*=cyclooctyne.

(43) FIG. 3 shows the structure of a conjugate wherein P is a 4-armed PEG connected to L via an amide linkage formed by reaction of Z=amino and Z*=carboxylic active ester, and where L is connected to D via a carbamate to the N.sub.-amino group of octreotide. This conjugate is prepared by reaction of a PEG-tetra(active ester), for example PEG-(succinimidyl succinate).sub.4 or PEG-(succinimidyl glutarate).sub.4, with an amino-linker-octreotide suitably protected on the non-conjugating amino group. The preparation of one such amino-linker-octreotide conjugate is illustrated in FIG. 7. The N.sub.e-BOC-octreotide of FIG. 6 is reacted with a protected amino-linker wherein the protecting group is removable in the presence of the BOC group. One such suitable protecting group is monomethyltrityl (MMT), prepared as illustrated in FIG. 4. The MMT-linker-octreotide(BOC) is partially deprotected using mild acid, and the resulting amino-linker-octreotide is reacted with the PEG-(active ester).sub.4. A final deblocking with trifluoroacetic acid is then used to produce the final conjugate.

(44) It will be recognized that similar conjugates can be prepared in analogous fashion by conjugation of other somatostatin analogs. Further, since most somatostatin analogs are synthetic peptides, the position of linker attachment can also be controlled by attachment during peptide synthesis.

(45) In one embodiment of the invention, P is am insoluble hydrogel. The preparation of hydrogels having controllable drug release and degradation has been disclosed in PCT Publication WO2013/036847 A1. The above-described linker-somatostatin/analogs may further be attached to such hydrogels using chemistries analogous to those described above for soluble PEG conjugates.

(46) The use of hydrogel conjugates of somatostatin/analogs may be favored over that of soluble conjugates in certain situations. For example, depending upon the location of conjugation, the somatostatin/analog may retain some degree of biological activity while conjugated. This may result in receptor-mediated endocytosis of the conjugate. Once inside the endosomal compartment, the conjugate may be degraded to release the carrier molecule; when the carrier molecule is PEG, it is stable to further degradation and is trapped in the endosomal compartment. This may lead to vacuole formation and associated toxicities. With non-circulating conjugates like hydrogels, this is not an issue.

(47) To form hydrogels, a linker-somatostatin/analog such as those described above is allowed to react with a first macromonomer to form a drug-loaded macromonomer. This drug-loaded macromonomer is then allowed to react with a cross-linking macromonomer to form a cross-linked polymeric gel. Alternatively, the cross-linked polymeric gel may be formed first by reacting the two macromonomers, followed by attachment of the linker-somatostatin/analog, or all three components may be mixed and allowed to react simultaneously.

(48) In one embodiment shown in FIG. 11, an 8-arm PEG-(cyclooctyne).sub.8 is allowed to react with q molar equivalents of azido-linker-D to produce an intermediate PEG-(linker-D).sub.q(cyclooctyne).sub.8q, where q=the average number of attached linker-D per macromonomer. This drug-loaded macromonomer is then allowed to react with up to (8q)/r molar equivalents of r-arm PEG-(linker-azide).sub.r to produce the hydrogel. Hydrogel formation requires at least 1.6 crosslinks per macromonomer, and so q will be 0.01-6.4, preferably 0.1-6.0, and more preferably 0.1-4.0. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, an 8-arm PEG-(cyclooctyne).sub.8 is allowed to react with q molar equivalents of azido-linker-D to produce an intermediate PEG-(linker-D).sub.q(cyclooctyne).sub.8q. This drug-loaded macromonomer is then allowed to react with up to (8q)/4 molar equivalents of 4-arm PEG-(linker-azide).sub.4 to produce the hydrogel. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drug-loaded macromonomer having q=0.1-4.0 is allowed to react with 1 molar equivalent of 4-arm PEG-(linker-azide).sub.4 to produce a hydrogel having on average 4 crosslinks per macromonomer.

(49) In another embodiment of the invention, a 4-arm PEG is first derivatized with a molecule comprising two orthogonally-reactive functional groups Z and Y (i.e., selected from different columns but not members of the same pair in Table 1). This macromonomer is then conjugated to a Z*-linker-D through functional group Z as described above, and the second functional group Y is allowed to react with a second macromonomer comprising functional groups Y* that are complementary to Y. In this instance, up to 4 D molecules may be attached per first macromonomer, and a hydrogel having 4 crosslinks per macromonomer may be obtained.

(50) As described in PCT Publication WO2013/036847 A1, the hydrogels may comprise further linkers that degrade by beta-elimination, thus providing control over the residence time of the hydrogels. The linker used to prepare the hydrogel matrix preferably has beta-elimination rate from 2 to 10-times slower than the linker used to link the somatostatin or its analog to the hydrogel, more preferably from 3 to 6-times slower.

(51) Pharmaceutical formulations of the soluble conjugates of the invention may be formulated using pharmaceutically acceptable excipients known in the pharmaceutical arts. In one embodiment of the invention, the pharmaceutical formulation comprises a soluble conjugate of the invention and an aqueous buffer at a pH value between 4 and 8, preferably between 4 and 7, and most preferably about pH 5. The formulation may optionally be lyophilized to provide a powder which may then be reconstituted with sterile water for injection prior to use.

(52) Hydrogels of the invention may be prepared as microspheres or similar suspended particles suitable for injection, or the macromonomers may be provided as solutions or powders for reconstitution that, when mixed in the appropriate ratios immediately prior to use, may be injected as a liquid that subsequently forms a solid hydrogel in the desired compartment. Mixing may occur via a multi-barrel syringe fitted with a mixing tip.

(53) Administration and Use

(54) The conjugates of the invention and compositions thereof are useful for the same indications for which somatostatin and its analogs are currently indicated, including hydrogels comprising these analogs prepared according to the invention. Those conditions set forth in paragraphs [0002]-[0004] herein are specifically included.

(55) The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the usage of a salt form of this peptide, octreotide acetate, as an injectable depot formulation for the treatment of growth hormone producing tumors (acromegaly and gigantism), pituitary tumors that secrete thyroid stimulating hormone (thyrotropinoma), diarrhea and flushing episodes associated with carcinoid syndrome, and diarrhea in patients with vasoactive intestinal peptide-secreting tumors (VIPomas).

(56) Dosage levels and modes of administration are dependent on the nature of the conjugate or hydrogel and the rate of release as well as the condition and the parameters associated with the patient. Such dosages and modes are within the judgment of the practitioner. The compositions of the invention may thus be administered by injection or, if properly formulated, orally, topically or by suppository, etc.

(57) The following examples are intended to illustrate and not limit the invention. All references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties unless otherwise indicated.

EXAMPLE 1

MMT-Amino Linker Alcohol

(58) ##STR00009##

(59) A solution of 1.0 M trimethylphosphine in THF (2.1 mL, 2.1 mmol) was added to a solution of 7-azido-1-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-heptanol (311 mg, 1.0 mmol) and acetic acid (0.135 mL, 2.4 mmol) in 1.0 mL of THF. Gas evolved, and after 50 min water (0.05 mL, 2.8 mmol) was added. After an additional 30 min, the mixture was evaporated to dryness, and the residue was triturated with 210 mL of ether. The residue was mixed with 5 mL of ethyl acetate and 2 mL of 1 N HCl, and the aqueous phase was collected and evaporated after addition of 5 mL of ethanol. The resulting crude amine acetate salt was dissolved in 5 mL of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, and triethylamine (0.5 mL, 3.6 mmol) and monomethyltrityl chloride (450 mg, 1.5 mmol) were added. After 15 min, the mix was diluted into CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and washed twice with 0.1 M KPi, pH 6.0, followed by brine, dried over mgSO.sub.4, filtered, and evaporated. The crude product was chromatographed in SiO.sub.2 using a step gradient from 0-50% ethyl acetate/hexane to provide the product as a colorless oil (318 mg, 0.6 mmol, 60%). .sup.1H-NMR (CDCl.sub.3, 400 MHz): d 7.80 (2H, d, J=8 Hz), 7.45 (4H, m), 7.37 (2H, d, J=8 Hz), 7.33 (2H, d, J=8 Hz), 7.25 (4H, m), 7.16 (2H, m), 7.07 (2H, d, J=8 Hz), 4.12 (1H, m), 3.72 (1H, br s), 3.18 (1H, dd, J=9, 14 Hz), 3.12 (1H, dd, J=2, 14 Hz), 2.45 (3H, s), 2.30 (3H, s), 2.08 (2H, t, J=7 Hz), 1.7-1.5 (8H, m).

EXAMPLE 2

MMT-Amino Linker Succinimidyl Carbonate

(60) ##STR00010##

(61) A suspension of the MMT-amino linker alcohol of Example 1 (180 mg, 0.33 mmol), disuccinimidyl carbonate (425 mg, 1.66 mmol), and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (84 mg, 0.69 mmol) in 2 mL of dry acetonitrile was stirred for 16 h. The resulting clear solution was diluted into ethyl acetate and washed with water followed by brine, then dried over mgSO.sub.4, filtered, and evaporated. The product was purified by SiO.sub.2 chromatography using a step gradient of ethyl acetate in hexane to provide 190 mg (84%) of a colorless glass.

EXAMPLE 3

Preparation of N-ALPHA-Linked Azido-Linker-Octreotide

(62) Preparation of Octreotide(Boc). Octreotide (10.2 mg, 10 umoles, 20 mM final concentration) and di-(tert-butyl) dicarbonate (9.1 umoles, 18.2 mM final concentration) were combined in 500 uL DMF. After 4 hours the reaction was purified by semi-prep HPLC on a Hi-Q 5u C18 column (5020 mm ID, Peek scientific) with a gradient of 20% ACN 0.1% TFA to 100% ACN 0.1% TFA over 15 min at a 5 mL/min flow rate. Each 500 uL fraction was neutralized by addition of 15 uL of saturated NaHCO.sub.3 and dried under vacuum.

(63) Preparation of N-Alpha-Linked Azido-Linker-Octreotide. Octreotide(Boc) (360 nmoles, 3.6 mM final concentration) and 7-azido-1-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-heptyl succinimidyl carbonate (1.1 umoles, 11 mM final concentration) were combined in 0.1 mL DMF. After 5 hours the reaction was complete by HPLC (peak shift from 7.3 minutes to 9.3 minutes) and was purified by HPLC as above. Purified fractions were dried under vacuum and brought up in 200 uL of 50% TFA in dichloromethane to remove the Boc protecting group. To the purified product, 1 mL of 50% TFA/dichloromethane was added. After 1 hr the reaction was analyzed for completion by HPLC. DCM/TFA was removed under vacuum. The product N3-(-amine) octreotide was verified by MSMS.

EXAMPLE 4

Preparation of N-Epsilon-Linked Azido-Linker-Octreotide

(64) Octreotide (6.7 umoles, 22 mM final concentration) and 7-azido-1-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-heptyl succinimidyl carbonate (8 umoles, 26.4 mM final concentration) were combined in 0.3 mL DMF. After 3 hours the reaction was purified by semi-prep HPLC on a Hi-Q 5u C18 column (5020 mm ID, Peek scientific) with a gradient of 20% ACN 0.1% TFA to 100% ACN 0.1% TFA over 15 min at a 5 mL/min flow rate. Fractions were dried under vacuum and identified by MS and MSMS analysis. Acylation of octreotide in DMF resulted in formation of the monoacyl (-amine) octreotide (91% by HPLC peak area 280 nm) and bisacyl octreotide (9%) as identified by MS and MSMS analysis. Purification by C18 column gave a 75% final yield of the monoacyl (-amine) octreotide with no noticeable contamination by HPLC.

EXAMPLE 5

Preparation of Soluble PEG-Linker-Octreotide

(65) Preparation of 4-arm PEG.sub.40 kDa-(BCN).sub.4. 4-arm PEG.sub.40 kDa amine (NOF PTE400PA) (100 mg, 2.5 umole) was combined with BCN-OPNP (SynAffix, 4 mg, 12.5 umole) in 1 mL of DMF containing N,N-diisopropylethylamine (28.8 umole). After 2 hours at room temperature, the reaction was diluted to 2.5 mL with H.sub.2O and dialyzed against 1 L of H.sub.2O with a 12 kDa dialysis membrane. Dialysis buffer was changed after 4 hours and left overnight. The dialysis buffer was changed to 1 L of MeOH and replaced after 4 hours. The product was dried by evaporation and dissolved in 1.5 mL THF. The product was precipitated by dropwise addition to 15 mL methyl tert butyl ether with stirring. After 30 minutes, the precipitate was pelleted by centrifugation, decanted and washed twice with 3 mL MTBE. The resulting powder was dried under vacuum. TNBS assay was performed to quantify any remaining free amines.

(66) Preparation of Conjugate. N-epsilon-linked azide-linker-Octreotide from Example 4 (4.4 umoles, 0.7 mM final concentration) was combined with 4-arm PEG.sub.40 kDa-BCN.sub.4 (4 umole BCN, 0.64 mM final concentration) in 600 L DMF. The reaction progress (consumption of octreotide) was followed by HPLC on a size exclusion column (BioSep SEC 2000 3007.8 mm HPLC column (Phenomenex)) with an isocratic flow of 50% ACN/H.sub.2O 0.01% TFA at 1 mL min.sup.1 using a Shimadzu Prominence HPLC with a diode array detector. After 19 hours the reaction was diluted with 5 mL of 10 mM triethanolamine pH 7.0. In 2 equivalent volumes, the reaction was purified over a 1 mL HiTrap SP FF ion exchange column (Phenomenex) equilibrated with 10 mM NaOAc pH 5.0 (pI 9). The column was washed with 6 mL 10 mM NaOAc pH 5.0 (buffer) followed by 6 mL buffer containing 50 mM NaCl, 100 mM NaCl, 150 mM NaCl, and 500 mM NaCl. The absorbance spectrum of each elution fraction was measured and fractions containing peptide absorbance were analyzed by HPLC SEC for identity (see above). The flow through and buffer wash fractions were combined and concentrated to 500 L by centrifugation using a 10 kDa MWCO spin concentrator (Millipore) followed by dilution to 5 mL with 10 mM NaOAc pH 5.0. Concentration/dilution was repeated 4 to complete buffer exchange. The product is shown schematically in FIG. 2.

(67) A stable (i.e., non-releasable) conjugate where R.sup.1R.sup.2CH is absent was prepared similarly for use as a control in the release kinetics experiments.

EXAMPLE 6

Elimination Kinetics of 4-Arm PEG40 kDa (-Linked) MePhSO2 Octreotide

(68) The kinetic assay containing 20 M 4-arm PEG.sub.40 kDa (-linked) octreotide conjugate of Example 5 (R.sup.1=4-methylphenyl-SO.sub.2) in 100 mM buffer (Na Borate, pH 9.4) containing 50 uM azido-PEG-DNP internal standard was incubated at 37 C. At intervals over five half-lives, 25 L aliquots were removed, quenched with 5 L of 4M HOAc and stored at 20 until analysis. Samples were analyzed on a Jupiter 5 C18 300A 1504.6 mm HPLC column (Phenomenex) using a linear gradient of 20-100% ACN-0.1% TFA at 1 mL min.sup.1 on a Shimadzu Prominence HPLC with a photo diode array detector. Release rates (k.sub.obsd) were calculated by fitting the % reaction vs time to the first-order rate equation. Measurement of the elimination t.sub.1/2 of the conjugate at pH 9.4 37 C. was 4 hrs (extrapolating to 400 hr at pH 7.4 37 C.). See FIG. 9.

EXAMPLE 7

In Vivo Pharmacokinetics

(69) PK assays on the conjugates of Example 5 were performed on cannulated Sprague Dawley rats. IV injections were made at 1 mL/kg body weight with stable conjugate at 348 M (13.9 mg/kg conj, 0.35 mg/kg octreotide) or 2 mL/kg body weight with the releasable conjugate (Example 6) at 697 M (56 mg/kg conj., 1.4 mg/kg octreotide) in 10 mM NaOAc at pH 5.0. Blood samples were collected at 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 120 hours. At each timepoint a 300 L blood sample was added to 30 L of a 1M citrate/0.1% Pluronic F68 solution, pH 4.5 to lower the pH and remove coagulation factors to give plasma.

(70) A portion of the plasma samples were precipitated by addition of 3 parts acetonitrile and centrifuged at 16000g for 10 minutes. The samples were analyzed by HPLC for PEG-peptide conjugate and PEG-remnant concentrations. Concentrations were calculated by comparison of peak areas to a standard curve.

(71) A portion of the releasable plasma samples was analyzed by LC/MSMS for free octreotide (MedPace). The plasma sample concentration vs time data for the free octreotide is shown in FIG. 10.

(72) When analyzed individually using PK solutions software, the stable conjugate was calculated to have a t of 35 hr, in line with previous measurements of stable PEG-peptide conjugates of 40 hr. The volume of distribution (100 mL/kg) is also in line with previous PEG conjugate, typically measured at the approximate blood volume of the rat (70 mL/kg). The free octreotide had a calculated elimination t of 50 hours.

EXAMPLE 8

Preparation of Triazole-Coupled Octreotide Hydrogels

(73) A 200 mg/mL (40 mM cyclooctyne) solution of 40-kDa eight-armed PEG-(BCN).sub.8 (ref to hydrogel paper) in DMF (250 uL, 10 umol cyclooctyne) was mixed with a 53.2 mM solution of epsilon-linked azido-linker-octreotide (modulator=CH.sub.3SO.sub.2) in DMF (75.2 uL, 4.0 umol azide) and 5 uL of 30 mM azido-fluorescein in methanol (0.15 umol azide) and allowed to stand for 1 h at 37 C. DMF (544.8 uL) was added, followed by a 200 mg/mL (40 mM azide) solution of 20-kDa 4-armed PEG-(NH(CO)OCH(CH.sub.2SO.sub.2NEt.sub.2)(CH.sub.2).sub.5N.sub.3 in DMF (125 uL, 5 umol azide). The gel mixture was quickly pipetted into 16 circular rubber gel molds (9 mm dia1 mm depth) on silanized glass slides, with 60 uL per mold, and allowed to set for 1 h. The gels were then removed from the molds and washed 110 mL of water for 1 h, 110 mL of 100 mM acetate buffer, pH 5.0, for 1 h, and finally 110 mL of 10 mM acetate, pH 5.0, 0.1% sodium azide at 4 C. overnight. Gels were sterilized by soaking in 10 mL of 70% ethanol for 24 h, then were washed 310 mL of sterile-filtered water.

(74) Gels comprising epsilon-linked azido-linker-octreotide (modulator=(4-methyl-phenyl)-SO.sub.2 were similarly prepared by adjusting the volumes of added peptide (84.4 mM in DMF; 47.4 uL, 4.0 umol azide) and DMF (572.6 uL) to account for concentration differences in the azido-linker-octreotide stocks.

(75) Gels comprising alpha-linked azido-linker-octreotide (modulator=(4-methyl-phenyl)-SO.sub.2 were similarly prepared by mixing 200 mg/mL 40-kDa PEG-(BCN).sub.8 (62.5 uL, 2.5 umol cyclooctyne) and the alpha-linked azido-linker-octreotide (modulator=4-(methylphenyl)SO.sub.2; 30 uL, 0.91 umol azide), standing for 30 min at 37 C., then adding DMF (126.2 uL) and 200 mg/mL 20-kDa PEG(-NH(CO)O(CH.sub.2).sub.6N.sub.3 in DMF (31.3 uL, 1.25 umol azide) and pipetting 60 uL of the gel mixture into each of four 91 mm circular rubber molds. After standing overnight, the gels were washed as described above.

(76) The products are shown schematically in FIG. 11.

EXAMPLE 9

Preparation of Hydrogel Macromonomers with Differentiated Functional Groups

(77) ##STR00011##

(78) N.sub.3-Glu(OtBu)-OSu. (S)-2-Azido-glutaric acid 5-tert-butyl ester (dicyclohexylammonium) salt (195 mg, 474 mol) was dissolved in 20 mL of ethyl acetate then washed successively with 6% phosphoric acid (210 mL), water (210 mL), and brine (10 mL). The organic layer was dried over mgSO.sub.4, filtered, and concentrated by rotary evaporation to provide (S)-2-azido-glutaric acid 5-tert-butyl ester (100 mg, 435 mol). The resultant colorless oil was used without further purification. N-Hydroxysuccinimide (75 mg, 0.65 mmol) and EDAC (125 mg, 0.651 mmol) were successively added to a solution of (S)-2-azido-glutaric acid 5-tert-butyl ester (100 mg, 435 mol) in 2 mL of acetonitrile. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature overnight then partitioned between 40 mL of 1:1 ethyl acetate:KHSO.sub.4 (5% aq). The layers were separated, and the organic phase was successively washed with water, NaHCO.sub.3 (sat aq), water, and brine (120 mL each). The organic layer was then dried over mgSO.sub.4, filtered, and concentrated. The crude concentrate was purified by silica gel column chromatography (pipette column) eluting with dichloromethane:hexanes (3:7 then 7:3, 3 mL each) followed by 3 mL of dichloromethane and finally acetone:dichloromethane (1:3). Hydrolysis was observed during the silica gel chromatography step (10 min). Product-containing fractions were combined and diluted with 5 mL of dichloromethane. Hydrolysis byproducts were removed by successively washing the dichloromethane solution with NaHCO.sub.3 (sat aq), water, and brine (13 mL each). The organic layer was then dried over mgSO.sub.4, filtered, and concentrated to provide 34 mg (24%) of the title compound as a tan oil.

(79) ##STR00012##

(80) [N.sub.3-Glu(OtBu)].sub.4-PEG.sub.20 kDa. A solution of N.sub.3-Glu(OtBu)-OSu (20 mg, 61 mol) in 0.5 mL of acetonitrile was added to a stirred solution of 20 kDa PEG amine*HCl (275 mg, 13.8 mol PEG, 55.0 mol amine) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (21 L, 0.12 mmol) in 2.75 mL of acetonitrile. After stirring for 1.5 h at ambient temperature, TNBS assay (LOQ=0.5%) indicated that 0.8% of the initial free amine remained in the reaction mixture. N,N-Diisopropylethylamine (21 L, 0.12 mmol) and acetic anhydride (5.2 L, 55 mol) were then added to cap any unreacted amine. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 min more then concentrated to 1 mL. The product was precipitated by dropwise addition to 15 mL of vigorously stirred tert-butyl methyl ether. The reaction vial was washed with 0.3 mL of acetonitrile, and the wash was added to the precipitation mixture. After stirring for 30 min, the mixture was vacuum filtered. The solid product was triturated with tert-butyl methyl ether (35 mL) then dissolved in 3 mL of acetonitrile and dialyzed (12-1400 MWCO) against 600 mL of acetonitrile for 60 h. The retentate was concentrated to provide 238 mg (83%) of the title compound as a white film.

(81) ##STR00013##

(82) [N.sub.3-Glu].sub.4-PEG.sub.20 kDa. Trifluoroacetic acid (2.4 mL) was added to a solution of [N.sub.3-Glu(OtBu)].sub.4-PEG.sub.20 kDa (238 mg, 11.4 mol) in 2.4 mL of dichloromethane. After stirring at ambient temperature for 3.5 h, the reaction was complete as judged by HPLC analysis. The reaction mixture was concentrated to dryness, and the resulting oil was triturated with tert-butyl methyl ether (15 mL) until a white precipitate formed. The suspension was vacuum filtered. The solid was washed with tert-butyl methyl ether (35 mL) then dried under vacuum to provide 211 mg (89%) of the title compound as a white powder.

(83) The resulting product is designated Conjugate in FIG. 12.

(84) ##STR00014##

(85) [N.sub.3-Glu(OSu)].sub.4-PEG.sub.20 kDa. N-Hydroxysuccinimide (9.2 mg, 80 mol) and EDAC (15 mg, 78 mol) were successively added to a solution of [N.sub.3-Glu].sub.4-PEG.sub.20 kDa (211 mg, 10.2 mol) in 2.5 mL of acetonitrile. The reaction mixture was stirred at ambient temperature overnight then more N-hydroxysuccinimide (9.2 mg, 80 mol) and EDAC (15 mg, 78 mol) were added. After again stirring at ambient temperature overnight (44 h total), the reaction mixture was dialyzed (12-14000 MWCO) against acetonitrile (800 mL, 18 h; then 500 mL, 24 h). The retentate was concentrated to 1.5 mL, and the product was precipitated by addition to vigorously stirred tert-butyl methyl ether (17 mL). The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h then vacuum filtered. The solid was washed with tert-butyl methyl ether (33 mL) then dried under vacuum to provide 154 mg (72%) of the title compound as a white powder. The resultant product is shown in FIG. 12.

EXAMPLE 10

Preparation of Amino-Linker-Octreotide(Boc)

(86) Preparation of N-Alpha-Linked MTT-Amino-Linker-Octreotide. Solutions of octreotide(Boc) (28.5 mM in DMSO; 350 uL, 10 umoles) and 7-(monomethyl-tritylamino)-1-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-2-heptyl succinimidyl carbonate (140 mM in THF; 140 uL, 19.6 umoles) were combined. After 16 hours the reaction was complete by HPLC (peak shift from 7.1 minutes to 9.5 minutes) and was purified by HPLC as above. Purified fractions were combined, neutralized with sodium bicarbonate, and dried under vacuum to provide the amino-linker-octreotide(Boc) where the modulator group R.sup.1 is 4-methylphenylsulfonyl. MS showed the expected [M+H].sup.+=1687.2. Similarly prepared were amino-linker-octreotide(Boc) where the modulator group R.sup.1 is CN ([M+H].sup.+=1557.7) and MeSO.sub.2 ([M+H].sup.+=1611.2). The MTT group was selectively removed using 1% CF.sub.3CO.sub.2H in chloroform. MS analysis: R.sup.1=4-methylphenylsulfonyl, [M+H].sup.+=1430.3; R.sup.1=MeSO.sub.2, [M+H].sup.+=1354.6; R.sup.1CN, [M+H].sup.+=1301.6. The resultant linker, shown in FIG. 7, is then reacted with PEG-(CO.sub.2Su).sub.4/TFA to form the soluble conjugate of FIG. 7.

EXAMPLE 11

Preparation of Amide-Linked Hydrogels

(87) The amino-linker-octreotide(Boc) (Example 10) is allowed to react with a solution of [N.sub.3-Glu(OSu)].sub.4-PEG (Example 9) to produce the amide-linked [N.sub.3-Glu(linker-Octreotide(Boc))].sub.4-PEG, which is deprotected using CF.sub.3CO.sub.sH to provide the drug-loaded macromonomer [N.sub.3-Glu(linker-Octreotide)].sub.4-PEG. A solution of this drug-loaded macromonomer is then mixed with a solution of a PEG-(cyclooctyne).sub.4 under conditions similar to those described in Ashley, et al., Hydrogel drug delivery system with predictable and tunable drug release and degradation rates, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2013) 110:2318-2323 to provide a degradable hydrogel that releases octreotide at a controlled rate.

(88) According to this general procedure, a solution containing [N.sub.3-Glu(OSu)].sub.4-PEG.sub.20 kDa(4.16 mol PEG, 16.64 mole N.sub.3, 15.5 moles NHS, 92% NHS loaded) in 1.3 mL acetonitrile was combined with N.sup.5-Boc N.sup.-amino-linker-octreotide wherein R.sup.1=MeSO.sub.2 (15.8 moles, 21.4 mg) in 0.7 mL acetonitrile with N,N-diisopropylethyl-amine (31.6 mol). The reaction progress was followed by size-exclusion HPLC. At completion, the HPLC trace showed two PEG species containing octreotide: 75% PEG-[octreotide].sub.4 (RV 7.9 mL) and 25% PEG-[octreotide].sub.3 (RV 7.8 mL). Unreacted octreotide equivalent to 9% of the total A.sub.280 was also present. The unreacted NHS was capped by addition of 16.5 mol ethanolamine. After 10 minutes the reaction pH was dropped to 3.5 by dilution in 2.5 mL of H.sub.2O containing 0.1% TFA to protect the base labile linker. The reaction was dialyzed against MeOH with one dialysate change. The retentate was dried under vacuum and triturated with 415 mL MTBE. The precipitated product was dried under vacuum to provide 100.0 mg of title compound, 93% yield, >99% purity by size-exclusion HPLC (mixture of 75% [octreotide].sub.4 and [octreotide].sub.3).

(89) A solution of this drug-loaded macromonomer was mixed with a solution of PEG-(BCN).sub.4 to form the hydrogel.

EXAMPLE 12

Preparation of Amide-Linked Soluble Multivalent Conjugates

(90) The amino-linker-octreotide(Boc) (Example 10) is allowed to react with a solution of 4-armed PEG-(succinimidyl ester).sub.4 to produce the amide-linked PEG-(linker-Octreotide(Boc)).sub.4, which is deprotected using CF.sub.3CO.sub.sH to provide the drug-loaded 4-armed PEG-(linker-Octreotide).sub.4 conjugate.

EXAMPLE 13

Preparation of Dendrimeric Connector

(91) Step 1. Boc-Lys(Boc)-NH(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.3CH.sub.2CH.sub.2N.sub.3

(92) ##STR00015##

(93) A mixture of Boc-Lys(Boc)-OSu (2.25 g, 5.1 mmol; Aldrich) and 11-azido-3,6,9-trioxaundecan-1-amine (1.0 g, 4.6 mmol; TCI) in 20 mL of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 was stirred for 2 h at ambient temperature. The mixture was diluted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, washed with water, 5% KHSO.sub.4, sat. aq. NaHCO.sub.3, and brine, then dried over mgSO.sub.4, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography on SiO.sub.2 using a gradient of 0-50% acetone/hexane provided the product as a colorless oil (2.3 g, 4.2 mmol, 91%). HPLC (ELSD detection) showed a single peak; MS [M+H].sup.+=547.4.

(94) Step 2. Boc-Lys(Boc)-Lys[Boc-Lys(Boc)]-NH(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.3CH.sub.2CH.sub.2N.sub.3

(95) ##STR00016##

(96) Boc-Lys(Boc)-NH(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2).sub.3CH.sub.2CH.sub.2N.sub.3 (550 mg, 1.0 mmol) was dissolved in 5 mL of 1:1 CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2/CF.sub.3CO.sub.2H, stirred for 10 min, and evaporated. The oily residue was washed 210 mL of ether and dried under vacuum to provide the intermediate diamine as a colorless glass (655 mg). HPLC (ELSD detection) showed a single peak; [M+H].sup.+=347.2.

(97) A mixture of the diamine (280 mg, 0.5 mmol), Boc-Lys(Boc)-OSu (480 mg, 1.1 mmol), and triethylamine (0.42 mL, 3.0 mmol) in 5 mL of acetonitrile was stirred for 2 h at ambient temperature. The mixture was diluted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, washed with water, 5% KHSO.sub.4, sat. aq. NaHCO.sub.3, and brine, then dried over mgSO.sub.4, filtered and evaporated. Chromatography on SiO.sub.2 using a gradient of 0-100% acetone/hexane provided the product as a white foam (315 mg, 0.31 mmol, 62%). HPLC (ELSD detection) showed a single peak.

(98) Step 3. pyr-Lys(pyr)-Lys(pyr-Lys(pyr))-NH(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.3CH.sub.2CH.sub.2N.sub.3

(99) ##STR00017##

(100) A solution of Boc-Lys(Boc)-Lys[Boc-Lys(Boc)]-NH(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.3CH.sub.2CH.sub.2N.sub.3 (100 mg, 0.1 mmol) in 2 mL of 1:1 CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2/CF.sub.3CO.sub.2H, stirred for 10 min, and evaporated. The oily residue was washed 210 mL of ether and dried under vacuum to provide the intermediate Lys-Lys(Lys)-NH(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.3CH.sub.2CH.sub.2N.sub.3 tetra(trifluoroacetate) as a colorless glass. LC-MS [M+H].sup.+=603.4.

(101) A solution of the Lys-Lys(Lys)-NH(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.3CH.sub.2CH.sub.2N.sub.3 tetra(trifluoroacetate) (0.1 mmol) in 2 mL of DMF was treated with 4-nitrophenyl 2,2-diethoxypropionate (LaMattina and Muse, J. Org. Chem. (1987) 52:3479-3481), (150 mg, 0.53 mmol) and N,N-diisopropylethylamine (0.20 mL, 1.15 mmol) for 16 h at ambient temperature. The mix was diluted with 10 mL of water and extracted 4 with 10 mL of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2. The organic extracts were combined, washed with 0.5 M Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, water, and brine, then dried over MgSO.sub.4, filtered, and evaporated to yield a clear glass. This was dissolved in 2 mL of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and treated with 1 mL of 50:50 CF.sub.3CO.sub.2H/H.sub.2O for 3 h. The mix was then diluted with CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 and washed with water, sat. aq. NaHCO.sub.3, and brine, then dried over MgSO.sub.4, filtered, and evaporated to yield the tetra-pyruvamide dendrimer as a clear glass, 119 mg.

EXAMPLE 14

Preparation of Amino-oxy-linker-Octreotide

(102) ##STR00018##

(103) The amino linker alcohol (Example 1) is treated with 2-(Boc-aminooxy)acetic acid succinimidyl ester (1.2 eq) and DIPEA (2 eq) in CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 to produce the intermediate Boc-aminooxy-acetamido linker alcohol. This is converted to the succinimidyl carbonate using standard procedures, first converting to the chloroformate using triphosgene/pyridine then to the succinimidyl carbonate using N-hydroxy-succinimide/pyridine (Santi, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2011) 109:6211-6216). The carbonate is used to derivatize Boc-protected octreotide analogously to Example 3 and Example 4. Final treatment with 1:1 CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2/CF.sub.3CO.sub.2H provides the aminooxy-linker-octreotide as the bis(trifluoroacetate) salt.

EXAMPLE 15

Preparation of Dendrimeric Connector Tetra(Octreotide)

(104) ##STR00019##

(105) A mixture of the dendrimeric connector tetra-pyruvamide (Example 13, 1 eq) and the aminooxy-linker-octreotide (Example 14, 5 eq) in 2:1 acetonitrile/0.1 M sodium acetate, pH 3.6, is allowed to stand until oxime formation is complete.

EXAMPLE 16

Preparation of Dendrimeric-Octreotide Loaded Degradable Hydrogel

(106) Step 1. Preparation of Macromonomers. The method for preparing the hydrogel macromonomers is illustrated using the following two compounds.

(107) a. Preparation of [N.sub.a-[7-azido-1-(N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)aminosulfonyl)-2-heptyloxy]carbonyl-L-lysyl].sub.4-PEG.sub.20 kDa: Pyridine (0.80 mL, 10 mmol) was added to a solution of 7-azido-1-(N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-aminosulfonyl)-2-heptanol (1.75 g, 5.0 mmol; prepared according to the method of Santi, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (2011) 109:6211-6216) and triphosgene (2.5 g, 8.4 mmol) in 50 mL of anhydrous THF. After 10 min, the precipitate was removed by filtration and the filtrated was evaporated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was dissolved in 50 mL of THF and treated with N-hydroxysuccinimide (1.15 g, 10 mmol) and pyridine (1.25 mL, 15 mmol). After 10 min, the mixture was diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with water, 5% KHSO.sub.4, and brine, then dried over MgSO.sub.4, filtered, and evaporated to provide the crude succinimidyl carbonate as an oil. Silica gel chromatography using a gradient of ethyl acetate/hexane gave the purified succinimidyl carbonate (1.76 g, 71%). This was dissolved in 50 mL of acetonitrile and added to a solution of N.sub.e-Boc-L-lysine (1.23 g, 5.0 mmol) in 50 mL of 0.5 M NaHCO.sub.3 with vigorous stirring. A clear solution was obtained after 30 min, which was concentrated to half volume, diluted with water, and washed with ethyl acetate. The aqueous phase was acidified with 6N HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with brine, then dried over MgSO.sub.4, filtered, and evaporated to provide the crude N.sub.e-Boc-N.sub.a-[7-azido-1-(N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-aminosulfonyl)-2-heptyloxy]carbonyl-L-lysine. Silica gel chromatography using a gradient of acetone/hexane gave the purified lysine derivative (1.4 g, 50%). This was dissolved in 25 mL of THF and treated with N-hydroxysuccinimide (0.27 g, 2.35 mmol) and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (0.50 g, 2.42 mmol) at 4 C. for 24 h. The resulting suspension was filtered to provide a solution of the NHS ester in THF, a portion of which (12.5 mL, 1.12 mmol) was added to a solution of 20-kDa 4-armed PEG-tetraamine tetrahydrochloride (5.00 g, 1.0 mmol amines; JenKem Technologies) and DIPEA (0.35 mL, 2.0 mmol) in 40 mL of acetonitrile. After 2 h, a trinitrobenzenesulfonate assay indicated <1% free amines remaining. The mix was concentrated, redissolved in THF and precipitated by slow addition to 200 mL of stirred methyl t-butyl ether. The precipitate was collected and dried under vacuum to provide 5.46 g (98%) of the Boc-protected macromonomer. This material was dissolved in 25 mL of CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2, cooled on ice, and treated with 25 mL of CF.sub.3CO.sub.2H. After warming to ambient temperature, the mix was kept and additional 30 min, then concentrated, diluted with THF, and precipitated by slow addition to 200 mL of ether. The precipitate was collected, washed with ether and MTBE, then dried under vacuum to provide 5.2 g of the macromonomer.

(108) b. Preparation of PEG.sub.20 kDa-(MFCO).sub.4. A mixture of 20-kDa 4-armed PEG-tetraamine tetrahydrochloride (1.7 g, 0.34 mmol amines; JenKem Technologies), DIPEA (0.12 mL, 0.69 mmol), and pentafluorophenyl 3-fluorocyclooctyne-3-carboxylate (0.40 mL of a 1 M solution in acetonitrile, 0.40 mmol) in 6 mL of acetonitrile was kept for 20 h. Any unreacted amines were then capped by addition of 32 uL of acetic anhydride. The mixture was concentrated, redissolved in 10 mL of THF and precipitated by slow addition to 100 mL of stirred methyl t-butyl ether. The precipitate was collected, washed with MTBE, and dried under vacuum to provide the second macromonomer (1.7 g).

(109) Step 2. Preparation of Amino-Hydrogel Microspheres. Solutions of the two macromonomers from above were prepared in 10 mM acetate, pH 5, at reactive group concentrations of 10 mM. A flow-focusing microfluidics device (Dolomite Microfluidics) was used with a continuous immiscible phase of HFE-7500 (3M Novec) containing 2% w/v FSA (RAN Biotechnologies) surfactant to mix the two macromonomer solutions in a 1:1 ratio. The resulting suspension of microspheres was concentrated by centrifugation, and the resulting paste was partitioned between 0.1% NaN.sub.3 in water and a solution of 10% w/v perfluorooctanol in HFE-7500 to strip the surfactant. The microspheres were collected by centrifugation. This step was repeated, then the microspheres were washed 3 with HFE-7500 followed by 4 with water.

(110) Step 2. Amine Derivatization. A slurry of amino microspheres in acetonitrile (31 mg of dry microsphere/g of slurry, 675 mg slurry, 2.0 mol NH.sub.2) is added to a tared 5 mL BD luer lock syringe. Next is successively added DIPEA (1.7 L, 10 mol) and pentafluorophenyl 3-fluorocyclooctyne-1-carboxylate (20 mM by mass in acetonitrile, 0.20 mL, 4.0 mol). The syringe is capped then agitated on an orbital shaker at ambient temperature overnight. Ac.sub.2O (1.9 L, 20 mol) and DIPEA (1.7 L, 10 mol) are added to cap any unreacted amines. After 1 h, the syringe is centrifuged (3000 g, 10 min) to pellet the derivatized microspheres, and the supernatant is removed through a needle with an inline filter. The microspheres are diluted with 4 mL of acetonitrile, and the suspension incubated for 10 min. The syringe is centrifuged, and the supernatant was removed. Washing is repeated three times as described above (4 total washes4 mL, 10 min each). The microspheres are then similarly washed with H.sub.2O (44 mL, 10 min each) to yield a loosely packed slurry of MFCO-derivatized microspheres.

(111) Step 3. Loading. A slurry of MFCO-derivatized PEG microspheres and the azido-dendrimer of Example 15 is shaken for 24 h, then the microspheres are collected by centrifugation and washed with acetonitrile to remove any unreacted azido-dendrimer.