Synthesis and pharmacokinetic profile of a quaternary ammonium derivative of chlorambucil, a potential anticancer drug for the chemotherapy of chondrosarcoma.

As a part of our targeting program based on the affinity of the quaternary ammonium moiety for cartilage, our objective was to develop more selective anticancer drugs towards chondrosarcoma that would concentrate in this malignant cartilaginous tissue and so improve the therapeutic index through a reduction of side effects. For this purpose we have synthesized and labeled with 14C a quaternary ammonium (QA) derivative of chlorambucil. Biological studies performed in rats showed that [14C]-CQA and [14C]-chlorambucil exhibited different pharmacokinetic profiles. The blood elimination of [14C]-CQA was faster than that of parent compound. [14C]-CQA was principally excreted by the fecal way. However, until 15 min after administration, levels of radioactivity were measured in cartilaginous tissues of rats given [14C]-CQA which was not the case for the rats which had received [14C]-chlorambucil. Although rates of radioactivity were quantified only during 15 min, these results prove that the functionalization of chlorambucil by a quaternary ammonium group allows the molecule to be carried selectively to cartilaginous tissues.