4''-Demethylgentamicin C1a

Gentamicin is a commonly used antibiotic in neonates. Its components C1, C1a, C2, C2a, and C2b may have different nephrotoxic potential. We aimed to describe pharmacokinetics and nephrotoxic potential of gentamicin components in a joint model in neonates. Neonates with gestational age ≥ 32 weeks treated with gentamicin blood samples were collected at a steady state. Pharmacokinetics of C1, C1a, and C2/C2a/C2b were modelled in NONMEM and included competitive uptake into kidney proximal tubular cells and decrease in glomerular filtration rate. The nephrotoxic potential of total gentamicin, C1, C1a, and C2/C2a/C2b was evaluated by simulations. A total of 30 neonates (median (range) gestational age 36.4 (32-42) weeks, postnatal age 3 (1-5) days, creatinine value 47.5 (17-78) µmol/L) were included. Pharmacokinetics of all components was best described by a two-compartment model. Clearance of C1 was smaller than clearances of C1a and C2/C2a/C2b, and other parameters were similar. The model with different Km (concentration for which half-maximal uptake into kidney proximal tubular cells is achieved) for C1, C1a, and C2/C2a/C2b (37.5, 18, 15 mg/L) provided a better fit than the model with equal Km (15 mg/L). According to simulations, decrease in glomerular filtration rate in the case of once-daily dosing of 4 mg/kg/day was the largest for C2/C2a/C2b (median (5th and 95th percentile) 0.22% (0.00-8.12%)), followed by total gentamicin (0.20% (0.00-4.10%)), C1a (0.11% (0.00-7.57%)), and C1 (0.04% (0.00-1.55%)). Different gentamicin components C1, C1a, and C2/C2a/C2b exhibited different pharmacokinetic profiles. Once-daily dosing of 4 mg/kg/day results in low nephrotoxicity in neonates, in line with previous studies.

The therapeutic benefit of approved BRAF and MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi) in patients with brain metastatic BRAF V600E/K-mutated melanoma is limited and transient. Resistance largely occurs through the restoration of MAPK signaling via paradoxical BRAF activation, highlighting the need for more effective therapeutic options. Aiming to address this clinical challenge, we characterized the activity of a potent, brain-penetrant paradox breaker BRAFi (compound 1a, C1a) as first-line therapy and following progression upon treatment with approved BRAFi and BRAFi/MEKi therapies. C1a activity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo in melanoma cell lines and patient-derived models of BRAF V600E-mutant melanoma brain metastases following relapse after treatment with BRAFi/MEKi. C1a showed superior efficacy compared with approved BRAFi in both subcutaneous and brain metastatic models. Importantly, C1a manifested potent and prolonged antitumor activity even in models that progressed on BRAFi/MEKi treatment. Analysis of mechanisms of resistance to C1a revealed MAPK reactivation under drug treatment as the predominant resistance-driving event in both subcutaneous and intracranial tumors. Specifically, BRAF kinase domain duplication was identified as a frequently occurring driver of resistance to C1a. Combination therapies of C1a and anti-PD-1 antibody proved to significantly reduce disease recurrence. Collectively, these preclinical studies validate the outstanding antitumor activity of C1a in brain metastasis, support clinical investigation of this agent in patients pretreated with BRAFi/MEKi, unveil genetic drivers of tumor escape from C1a, and identify a combinatorial treatment that achieves long-lasting responses. Significance: A brain-penetrant BRAF inhibitor demonstrates potent activity in brain metastatic melanoma, even upon relapse following standard BRAF inhibitor therapy, supporting further investigation into its clinical utility.

Gentamicin C1a and the minor isomer C2b have been reported to have favorable properties in terms of antibacterial activity and toxicity compared to the commercial mixture from which they have previously been isolated by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. We report straightforward syntheses of both compounds from readily available sisomicin by selective oxidation of the side chain in ring I, hydrogenation of the double bond in ring I to give the 5'-epi series, inversion of configuration at position 5' under thermodynamic conditions, and installation of the 6'-amino group by reductive amination.