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US 2010.0056488A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0056488 A1 Teicher et al. (43) Pub. Date: Mar. 4, 2010

(54) CORTICOSTEROD CONUGATES AND USES Publication Classification THEREOF (51) Int. Cl. (75) Inventors: Martin H. Teicher, Rye, NH (US); A6II 3/56 (2006.01) Susan L. Andersen-Navalta, C073/00 (2006.01) C07J 53/00 (2006.01) Medfield, MA (US) C07K I4/00 (2006.01) Correspondence Address: C07. 4I/00 (2006.01) CLARK & ELBNG LLP C08F 290/4 (2006.01) 101 FEDERAL STREET C07K 2/00 (2006.01) BOSTON, MA 02110 (US) COSB 37/00 (2006.01) C08G 69/48 (2006.01) (73) Assignee: The McLean Hospital A6IP37/06 (2006.01) Corporation, Belmont, MA (US) A6IP 29/00 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl...... 514/177: 552/611; 552/514; 530/395; (21) Appl. No.: 12/612,273 536/5: 525/50, 530/300; 536/55.1: 525/419 (22) Filed: Nov. 4, 2009 (57) ABSTRACT The invention features conjugated to either a Related U.S. Application Data charged group or a bulky group in a manner that resists in vivo Continuation of application No. 10/646,063, filed on cleavage, the resulting conjugate is a peripherally acting Ste (63) roid with reduced activity in the central nervous system. The Aug. 22, 2003, now abandoned. invention provides a method for treating a patient having an (60) Provisional application No. 60/405,688, filed on Aug. inflammatory disease by administering to the patient a corti 23, 2002. costeroid conjugate. US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

CORTICOSTEROD CONUGATES AND USES 25:643-50 (1983)). sodium succinate is also THEREOF CNS active (see Kasperlik-Zaluska et al., Horm. Metab. Res., 12:676-9 (1980) and Posener et al., Psychoneuroendocrinol CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED ogy, 22:169-76 (1997)). Because these compounds are APPLICATIONS designed to be rapidly cleaved in Vivo, producing their par ents and hydrocortisone, respectively, no 0001. This application is a Continuation of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 10/646,063, filed Aug. 22, 2003, which reduction in CNS activity is achieved. claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/405, 688, filed Aug. 23, 2002, each of which is incorporated herein SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION by reference. 0008 We have discovered that when a is conjugated to either a charged group or a bulky group in a BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION manner that resists in vivo cleavage, the resulting conjugate is a peripherally acting with reduced activity in the cen 0002. The invention relates to the field of corticosteroids. tral nervous system. The invention provides structurally 0003. The mineralocorticoid, aldosterone, and the gluco modified corticosteroids with altered biodistributions, corticoids, and , are produced in the thereby reducing the occurrence of adverse reactions associ adrenal cortex. These act by binding to receptors ated with this class of drug. which then act to modulate gene transcription in target tis 0009. The invention features a corticosteroid conjugate SUS. comprising a corticosteroid covalently attached via a linkerto 0004 Corticosteroids are used to treat swelling, redness, a bulky group of greater than 400 daltons or a charged group itching, allergic reactions, and a wide range of conditions of less than 400 daltons. The corticosteroid conjugate has including: allergic rhinitis, ankylosing spondylitis, asthma, anti-inflammatory activity in vivo and reduced activity in the atopic dermatitis, autoimmune disorders, bursitis, Crohn's central nervous system in comparison to the parent corticos disease, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, contact dermatitis, teroid. dermatological disorders, drug hypersensitivity reactions, endocrine disorders, hypercalcemia associated with cancer, 0010. The corticosteroid conjugate is further described by iritis and iridocyclitis, nonsuppurative thyroiditis; primary or formula I: secondary adrenocortical insufficiency, psoriatic and rheu

matoid arthritis, tendinitis and non-specific tenosynovitis, and ulcerative colitis. 0005. The brain is well protected from outside influences by the blood-brain barrier, which prevents the free entry of many circulating molecules, cells or micro-organisms into the brain interstitial space. However, this is not true for cor ticosteroids, which penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Thus, in the treatment of peripheral disorders (e.g., asthma or arthri tis), the brain is exposed to the corticosteroid without any therapeutic benefit and with the possibility of severe adverse effects. These adverse effects, which are described in the PDR, include: insomnia, euphoria, mood changes, nervous ness, personality changes, depression, severe nausea, head aches, and convulsions. 0011 Informula I, the bond between C and C is a double 0006 Even topical and ocular administration of corticos or a single bond; X, represents H or a halogen atom: X teroids can enter the systemic circulation, cross the blood represents H, CH, or a halogen atom; X represents H or a brain-barrier, and effect the regulation of the hypothalamic halogen atom; R represents =O or OH: R represents CH, pituitary-adrenal axis (see, for example, Krupin et al., Arch SCHF, CHC1, CHG, CHOH, CHO P(O)(O), Opthalmol, 94:919-20 (1976) and Meredig et al., Klin CHO-acyl, CHNHG, CHSG', or CHOG'; R and R. MonatsblAugenheilkd, 176:907-10 (1980)). Thus, even topi each independently represent H. Co alkyl, -OH, -O- cal administration of corticosteroids for the treatment of acyl, —OR, or R and R combine to form a cyclic acetal chronic conditions can have untoward CNS effects. described by formula II: 0007 21-phosphate and 21-succinate esters of corticoster oids, which are clinically well known, are modified by inclu sion of a charged moiety to render them soluble in aqueous II Solutions for intravenous injection. Both 21-phosphate and O 21-succinate esters of corticosteroids are rapidly hydrolyzed X (CRR)-W1 in the bloodstream to produce the free steroid (see, for R example, Miyabo et al., Eur. Clin. Pharmacol. 20:277-82 O 5 (1981)). These modifications do not reduce CNS activity. For example, dexamethasone sodium phosphate is CNS active, producing Suppression of cortisol production or ACTH (see, where n is a whole integer from 0 to 6: Rs. R and R, each Abou Samra et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., 6 1:116-9 independently represent H or Co alkyl; W represents H. (1985), Kemppainen R. J., and Sartin J. L., Am. J. Vet. Res., CH, G', NRG', OG, SG, NH NH-G', C(O)-G', or 45.742-6 (1984), Linquette et al., Pathol. Biol. (Paris), C(S)-G'; Rs is H. Clio alkyl or Cso aryl; and G' is a bond 28:85-9 (1980), and Petersen et al., Fur. J. Clin. Pharmacol., between the corticosteroid and the linker. US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

0012 Desirably, linker L is described by formula III: 0018. The invention features a pharmaceutical composi G'-(Z)-(Y), (Z), (Rio)—(Z), (Y)' (Z) tion that includes an effective amount of a corticosteroid P-G2 III conjugate described herein in any pharmaceutically accept 0013 Informula III, G' is a bond between the corticoster able form, along with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier oid and the linker, G is a bond between the linker and the or diluent. bulky group or between the linker and the charged group, 0019. By “Clio alkyl is meant a branched or unbranched each of Z', Z, Z, and Z' is, independently, selected from O, saturated hydrocarbon group, having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, S, and NR; R is hydrogen or a Co alkyl group; each of inclusive. An alkyl may optionally include monocyclic, bicy Y' and Y is, independently, selected from carbonyl, thiocar clic, or tricyclic rings, in which each ring desirably has three bonyl, Sulphonyl, phosphoryl or similar acid-forming groups; to six members. The alkyl group may be substituted or unsub o, p, s, t, u, and V are each independently 0 or 1; and Ro is a stituted. Exemplary Substituents include alkoxy, aryloxy, Co alkyl, a linear or branched heteroalkyl of 1 to 10 atoms, Sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, hydroxyl, fluoro a Coalkene, a Co alkyne, a Cso aryl, a cyclic System of alkyl, perfluoralkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, disubstituted amino, 3 to 10 atoms, -(CH2CH2O). CHCH in which q is an quaternary amino, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and carboxyl integer of 1 to 4, or a chemical bond linking G'-(Z"). (Y') groups. —(Z)- tO —(Z), (Y), (Z)-G. 0020. By “Clio alkene' is meant a branched or 0014. The bulky group can be a naturally occurring poly unbranched hydrocarbon group containing one or more mer or a synthetic polymer. Examples of natural polymers double bonds, desirably having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. A that can be used include, without limitation, glycoproteins, Coalkene may optionally include monocyclic, bicyclic, or polypeptides, or polysaccharides. Desirably, when the bulky tricyclic rings, in which each ring desirably has five or six group includes a natural polymer, the natural polymer is members. The Coalkene group may be substituted or selected from alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and hyaluronic acid. unsubstituted. Exemplary Substituents include alkoxy, ary Examples of synthetic polymers that can be used as bulky loxy, Sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, hydroxyl, fluo groups include, without limitation, polyethylene glycol, and roalkyl, perfluoralkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, disubstituted the synthetic polypetide N-hxg. The bulky group may also amino, quaternary amino, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and include another corticosteroid. carboxyl groups. 0015 The charged group can be a cation or an anion. Desirably, the charged group is a polyanion including at least 0021. By “Co alkyne” is meant a branched or three negatively charged moieties or a cation having at least unbranched hydrocarbon group containing one or more triple one positively charged moiety. bonds, desirably having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. A Co 0016. The corticosteroid conjugates of the invention may alkyne may optionally include monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricy be used to treat inflammatory conditions, including condi clic rings, in which each ring desirably has five or six mem tions resulting from an immune response in a mammal. Thus, bers. The Coalkyne group may be substituted or unsubsti the invention features a method of treating or preventing an tuted. Exemplary Substituents include alkoxy, aryloxy, autoimmune or inflammatory condition in a mammal by Sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, hydroxyl, fluoro administering to the mammal an effective amount of one or alkyl, perfluoralkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, disubstituted amino, more corticosteroid conjugates of the invention. The condi quaternary amino, hydroxyalkyl, carboxyalkyl, and carboxyl tions to be treated using the methods of the invention include, groups. without limitation, asthma, psoriasis, eczema, organ/tissue 0022. By “heteroalkyl is meanta branched or unbranched transplant rejection, graft versus host reactions, Raynaud's alkyl group in which one or more methylenes (—CH2—) are syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, Grave's disease, autoim replaced by nitrogen, oxygen, Sulfur, carbonyl, thiocarbonyl, mune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune thromboeytopenia phosphoryl, or Sulfonyl moieties. Some examples include purpura, mixed connective tissue disease, idiopathic Addi tertiary amines, ethers, thioethers, amides, thioamides, car son's disease, Sjogren's syndrome, urticaria, dermatitis, mul bamates, thiocarbamates, phosphoramidates, Sulfonamides, tiple Sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, insulin-dependent diabe and disulfides. A heteroalkyl may optionally include mono tes mellitus, uveitis, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, lupus, cyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic rings, in which each ring desir tendonitis, bursitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, ably has three to six members. The heteroalkyl group may be shock, oxygen toxicity, glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, reac substituted or unsubstituted. Exemplary substituents include tive arthritis, necrotizing enterocolitis, Goodpasture's Syn alkoxy, aryloxy, Sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, drome, hypersensitivity pneumonitis, glomerulonephritis; hydroxyl, fluoroalkyl, perfluoralkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, dis encephalomyelitis, and meningitis. ubstituted amino, quaternary amino, hydroxyalkyl, carboxy 0017. The invention features a method for inhibiting pas alkyl, and carboxyl groups sage across the blood-brain barrier of a corticosteroid by 0023. By "Caryl” or “aryl” is meant an aromatic group covalent attachment of a group, the group being a bulky group having a ring system with conjugated at electrons (e.g., phe of greater than 400 daltons or a charged group of less than 400 nyl, or imidazole). The ring of the aryl group is preferably 5 to daltons. The group increases the size, or alters the charge, of 10 atoms. The aromatic ring may be exclusively composed of the corticosteroid sufficiently to inhibit passage across the carbon atoms or may be composed of a mixture of carbon blood-brain barrier without destroying the anti-inflammatory atoms and heteroatoms. Preferred heteroatoms include nitro activity of the corticosteroid covalently attached to the group. gen, oxygen, Sulfur, and phosphorous. Aryl groups may Desirably, the covalent attachment is resistant to in vivo optionally include monocyclic, bicyclic, or tricyclic rings, cleavage, further protecting the brain from CNS active where each ring has preferably five or six members. The aryl metabolites. The bulky group or charged group charged can group may be substituted or unsubstituted. Exemplary Sub be attached to the corticosteroid through any of positions stituents include alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, Sulfhydryl, C16, C17, or C21 of the corticosteroid. alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, fluoroalkyl, carboxyl, carboxy US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

alkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, monosubstituted amino, disubsti sition to a mammal, wherein the corticosteroid conjugate is tuted amino, and quaternary amino groups. administered by a route selected from, without limitation, 0024. The term "cyclic system” refers to a compound that inhalation, ocular administration, nasal instillation, contains one or more covalently closed ring structures, in parenteral administration, dermal administration, transder which the atoms forming the backbone of the ring are com mal administration, buccal administration, rectal administra posed of any combination of the following: carbon, oxygen, tion, Sublingual administration, perilingual administration, nitrogen, Sulfur, and phosphorous. The cyclic system may be nasal administration, topical administration and oral admin substituted or unsubstituted. Exemplary substituents include, istration. Parenteral administration includes intravenous, without limitation, alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, Sulfhy intraperitoneal, Subcutaneous, and intramuscular administra dryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, fluoroalkyl, carboxyl, car tion. The preferred method of administration can vary boxyalkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, monosubstituted amino, dis depending on various factors, e.g., the components of the ubstituted amino, and quaternary amino groups. pharmaceutical composition, site of the potential or actual 0025 By “cyclic acetal' is meant a ring structure includ disease and severity of disease. ing two oxygen atoms separated by a carbon atom which is 0038. The term “mammal’ includes, without limitation, optionally substituted (e.g., 1,3-dioxolane). Exemplary Sub humans, cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, dogs, and cats. stituents include, without limitation, alkyl, hydroxyl, alkoxy, 0039. By “parent corticosteroid' is meant the corticoster aryloxy, Sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, halogen, fluoroalkyl, oid which is modified by conjugation to a bulky group or a carboxyl, carboxyalkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, monosubstituted charged group. amino, disubstituted amino, quaternary amino, phosphodi 0040. By “reduced CNS activity” for a corticosteroid con ester, phosphoramidate, phosphate, phosphonate, phospho jugate is meant that the ratio of AUC (area under the curve nate ester, Sulfonate, Sulfate, Sulfhydryl, phenol, amidine, in brain tissue) to AUC (area under the curves in whole guanidine, and imidazole groups. blood) is reduced for the corticosteroid conjugate in compari 0026. By “acyl is meant is meant a chemical moiety with son to the parent corticosteroid administered under the same the formula —C(O)R', where R is selected from the group conditions. The AUC calculation includes the administered consisting of Co alkyl, Co alkene, heteroalkyl, Co compound and any metabolites, having anti-inflammatory alkyne, Cso aryl, and cyclic system. Examples of acyl activity, thereof. groups include, without limitation, acetyl, propanoyl, 0041. By “resistant to in vivo cleavage' is meant that, in butanoyl, pentanoyl, and tetrahydrofuran-2-oyl. vivo, less than 30, 20, 10, 5, 2, or 1 percent of the administered 0027. By "fluoroalkyl” is meant an alkyl group that is drug is cleaved, separating the corticosteroid from the substituted with a fluorine. charged group or the bulky group, prior to excretion. 0028 By “perfluoroalkyl is meant an alkyl group consist 0042. By “linked through positions C16, C17, and/or ing of only carbon and fluorine atoms. C21 is meant that the charged group, bulky group, or linker 0029. By “carboxyalkyl is meanta chemical moiety with is covalently attached to a substituent of positions C16, C17, the formula—(R)—COOH, wherein R is an alkyl group. and/or C21 as identified by the numbering scheme shown 0030. By “hydroxyalkyl is meant a chemical moiety with below. For any reference provided herein to a numbered posi the formula—(R)—OH, wherein R is an alkyl group. tion in a corticosteroid, the recited position is defined by the 0031. By “alkoxy” is meant a chemical substituent of the numbering scheme below. formula—OR, wherein R is an alkyl group. 0032. By “aryloxy' is meant a chemical substituent of the formula —OR, wherein R is a Cso aryl group. 0033. By “alkylthio’ is meant a chemical substituent of the formula—SR, wherein R is an alkyl group. 0034. By “arylthio’ is meant a chemical substituent of the formula—SR, wherein R is a Cso aryl group. 0035. By “quaternary amino” is meant a chemical sub stituent of the formula—(R) N(R')(R") (R")", wherein R, R", R", and R" are each independently a Co alkyl, Co alkene, Co alkyne, or Cso aryl. R may be an alkyl group linking the quaternary amino nitrogen atom, as a Substituent, to another moiety. The nitrogen atom, N, is covalently attached to four carbon atoms of alkyl and/or aryl groups, 0043. By “charged moiety' is meant a moiety which loses resulting in a positive charge at the nitrogen atom. a proton at physiological pH thereby becoming negatively 0036. As used herein, the term “treating refers to admin charged (e.g., carboxylate, or phosphodiester), a moiety istering a pharmaceutical composition for prophylactic and/ which gains a proton at physiological pH thereby becoming or therapeutic purposes. To “prevent disease' refers to pro positively charged (e.g., ammonium, guanidinium, or ami phylactic treatment of a patient who is not yet ill, but who is dinium), a moiety that includes a net formal positive charge Susceptible to, or otherwise at risk of a particular disease. To without protonation (e.g., quaternary ammonium), or a moi “treat disease' or use for “therapeutic treatment” refers to ety that includes a net formal negative charge without loss of administering treatment to a patient already suffering from a a proton (e.g., borate, BR. disease to improve the patient's condition. Thus, in the claims and embodiments, treating is the administration to a mammal DETAILED DESCRIPTION either for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. 0044) The invention features peripherally acting corticos 0037. The term “administration” or “administering” refers teroid conjugates which have reduced CNS activity in com to a method of giving a dosage of a pharmaceutical compo parison their parent corticosteroids. The corticosteroid con US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

jugates described herein have three characteristic components: a corticosteroid covalently tethered, via a linker, TABLE 1-continued to a group that is bulky or charged. OH Corticosteroids 0.045 Corticosteroids which can be modified to inhibit CH3 O passage across the blood-brain barrier include, without limi HO OH tation, hydrocortisone and compounds which are derived CH3 from hydrocortisone, such as 21-acetoxypregnenolone, alclomerasone, algestone, , beclomethasone, , , , chloro , , , , O , , , corticoster hydrocortisone one, , , deflazacon, , desoximera OH Sone, dexamethasone, , , diflupred nate, , , flucloronide, flumethasone, flumethasone pivalate, , flucinolone acetonide, CH O , fluorocinolone acetonide, butyl, O OH , fluorocortolone hexanoate, diflucortolone val CH erate, , acetate, acetate, , flurandenolide, , halci nonide, , acetate, , hydrocortisone, , hydrocortisone O butyrate, , hydrocortisone 21-So cortisone dium Succinate, hydrocortisone tebutate, maZipredone, OH , , methylprednicolone, mometa sone furoate, , , , prednisolone 21-diedryaminoacetate, prednisolone sodium CH3 O phosphate, prednisolone sodium Succinate, prednisolone HO OH Sodium 21-m-Sulfobenzoate, prednisolone sodium 21-stearo glycolate, , prednisolone 21-trimethy CH3 lacetate, prednisone, prednival, , prednylidene 21-diethylaminoacetate, , , triamci nolone acetonide, triamcinolone benetonide and triamcino O lone hexacetonide. Structurally related corticosteroids hav ing similar anti-inflammatory properties are also intended to CH3 be encompassed by this group. 0046. The structures of several of the above-mentioned OH corticosteroids are provided in Table 1. These are structural examples of parent corticosteroids which can be modified as described herein to achieve a reduction in CNS activity. Cor CH O ticosteroid conjugates of the invention are prepared by modi HO OH fication of an available functional group present in the parent CH corticosteroid. Alternatively, an acyl or cyclic acetal group can be removed from the parent corticosteroid prior to con jugation with a bulky group or a charged group. O TABLE 1. prednisolone OH OH

CH3 O O OH CH3 CH3

O desoxycorticosterone prednisone US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

TABLE 1-continued TABLE 1-continued OH

OH CH3 O HO OH CH3 O CH3 OH HO O CH3 O

O triamcinolone

OH budesonide

OH

CH3 O

HOCH3 "SKO dexamethasone

OH

CH3 O F HO OH flunisolide CH3 CH3

O NY betamethasone O OH CH O HO OH CH O HO OH CH CH O) CH

O fluidrocortisone beclomethasone

C

O CH O O HO O CH O) CH

nonetaSOne beclomethasone-17,21-diproprionate US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

TABLE 1-continued TABLE 1-continued -NO CH3 Yu O HO O CH O CH3 CH3 HO O CH

O

F O F fluocinonide O O O O -- O HO CH OYu CH3 OH CH CH HO CH3

O C O HC CH hydrocortisone acetate CH3 O O O CH OH HO O CH CH3 HO

O CH O fluorometholone

F OH clocortolone O HO O CH3 CH O CH O HO HO CH3 CH O O CH3

O O F F acetonide flurand renolide US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

TABLE 1-continued TABLE 1-continued

O C O O CH3 O O O O CH CH3 CH3 HO CH3 O clobetasone butyrate

O O O N F O CH3 O HO O O CH3 O us O CH3 O O HO amcinonide CH3 CH3 O O

CH3 O Na+ O HO OH O F CH3 O

C O prednisolone Succinate

HO CH K CH O Linkers 0047. The linker component of the invention is, at its sim plest, a bond between a corticosteroid and a group that is bulky or charged. The linker provides a linear, cyclic, or O branched molecular skeleton having pendant groups covalently linking a corticosteroid to a group that is bulky or charged. 0048 Thus, the linking of a corticosteroid to a group that O is bulky or charged is achieved by covalent means, involving bond formation with one or more functional groups located O- | -O Na+ on the corticosteroid and the bulky or charged group. O Na+ Examples of chemically reactive functional groups which may be employed for this purpose include, without limitation, CH O amino, hydroxyl, Sulfhydryl, carboxyl, carbonyl, carbohy HO OH drate groups, vicinal diols, thioethers, 2-aminoalcohols, 2-aminothiols, guanidinyl, imidazolyl, and phenolic groups. CH 0049. The covalent linking of a corticosteroid and a group that is bulky or charged may be effected using a linker which contains reactive moieties capable of reaction with Such func tional groups present in the corticosteroid and the bulky or O charged group. For example, a hydroxyl group of the corti hydrocortisone phosphate costeroid may react with a carboxyl group of the linker, oran activated derivative thereof, resulting in the formation of an ester linking the two. US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

0050 Examples of moieties capable of reaction with sulf (viii) imidoesters, which form stable amidines on reaction hydryl groups include O.-haloacetyl compounds of the type with amino groups, for example, as described by Hunter and XCHCO— (where X—Br. C1 or I), which show particular Ludwig, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 84:3491 (1962). Aldehydes and reactivity for sulfhydryl groups, but which can also be used to ketones may be reacted with amines to form Schiff's bases, modify imidazolyl, thioether, phenol, and amino groups as which may advantageously be stabilized through reductive described by Gurd, Methods Enzymol. 11:532 (1967). N-Ma amination. Alkoxylamino moieties readily react with ketones leimide derivatives are also considered selective towards Sulf and aldehydes to produce stable alkoxamines, for example, as hydryl groups, but may additionally be useful in coupling to described by Webb et al., in Bioconjugate Chem. 1:96 (1990). amino groups under certain conditions. Reagents such as 0053 Examples of reactive moieties capable of reaction 2-iminothiolane (Traut et al., Biochemistry 12:3266 (1973)), with carboxyl groups include diazo compounds Such as dia which introduce a thiol group through conversion of an amino Zoacetate esters and diazoacetamides, which react with high group, may be considered as Sulfhydryl reagents if linking specificity to generate ester groups, for example, as described occurs through the formation of disulphide bridges. by Herriot, Adv. Protein Chem. 3:169 (1947). Carboxyl modi 0051 Examples of reactive moieties capable of reaction fying reagents such as carbodiimides, which react through with amino groups include, for example, alkylating and acy O-acylurea formation followed by amide bond formation, lating agents. Representative alkylating agents include: may also be employed. (i) C-haloacetyl compounds, which show specificity towards 0054. It will be appreciated that functional groups in the amino groups in the absence of reactive thiol groups and are corticosteroid and/or the bulky or charged group may, if of the type XCH-CO— (where X—Cl, Br or I), for example, desired, be converted to other functional groups prior to reac as described by Wong Biochemistry 24:5337 (1979); tion, for example, to confer additional reactivity or selectivity. (ii) N-maleimide derivatives, which may react with amino Examples of methods useful for this purpose include conver groups either through a Michael type reaction or through sion of amines to carboxyls using reagents such as dicarboxy acylation by addition to the ring carbonyl group, for example, lic anhydrides; conversion of amines to thiols using reagents as described by Smyth et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 82:4600 Such as N-acetylhomocysteine thiolactone, S-acetylmercap (1960) and Biochem. J. 91:589 (1964); to Succinic anhydride, 2-liminothiolane, or thiol-containing (iii) aryl halides such as reactive nitrohaloaromatic com succinimidyl derivatives; conversion of thiols to carboxyls pounds; using reagents such as C.-haloacetates; conversion of thiols to (iv) alkyl halides, as described, for example, by McKenzie et amines using reagents such as ethylenimine or 2-bromoethy al., J. Protein Chem. 7:581 (1988); lamine; conversion of carboxyls to amines using reagents (v) aldehydes and ketones capable of Schiff's base formation Such as carbodiimides followed by diamines; and conversion with amino groups, the adducts formed usually being stabi of alcohols to thiols using reagents such as tosyl chloride lized through reduction to give a stable amine; followed by transesterification with thioacetate and hydroly (vi) epoxide derivatives such as epichlorohydrin and bisox sis to the thiol with sodium acetate. When the C16 and C17 iranes, which may react with amino, Sulfhydryl, or phenolic positions of the corticosteroid both have hydroxy substitu hydroxyl groups; ents, these hydroxy groups, together a vicinal diol, can be (vii) chlorine-containing derivatives of S-triazines, which are converted into a cyclic acetal as described by, for example, J. very reactive towards nucleophiles such as amino, Sufhydryl, March, Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions, Mecha and hydroxyl groups; nisms and Structure, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. pp. 889-890, (viii) aziridines based on S-triazine compounds detailed 1992. The acetal can include a reactive group (e.g., an amino above, e.g., as described by Ross, J. Adv. Cancer Res. 2:1 or carboxyl group) capable of forming a bond with a bulky or (1954), which react with nucleophiles such as amino groups charged group. by ring opening: 0055 So-called Zero-length linkers, involving direct cova (ix) squaric acid diethyl esters as described by Tietze, Chem. lent joining of a reactive chemical group of the corticosteroid Ber: 124:1215 (1991); and with a reactive chemical group of the bulky or charged group (X) C.-haloalkyl ethers, which are more reactive alkylating without introducing additional linking material may, if agents than normal alkyl halides because of the activation desired, be used in accordance with the invention. For caused by the ether oxygenatom, as described by Bennecheet example, the amino group at C21 in a 21-amino corticosteroid al., Eur: J. Med. Chem. 28:463 (1993). can be converted to a guanidine group as described in 0052 Representative amino-reactive acylating agents Example 8. The resulting guanidine derivative is a cation at include: physiological pH. (i) isocyanates and isothiocyanates, particularly aromatic 0056 Most commonly, however, the linker will include derivatives, which form stable urea and thiourea derivatives two or more reactive moieties, as described above, connected respectively; by a spacer element. The presence of Such a spacer permits (ii) sulfonyl chlorides, which have been described by Herzig bifunctional linkers to react with specific functional groups et al., Biopolymers 2:349 (1964); within the corticosteroid and the bulky or charged group, (iii) acid halides; resulting in a covalent linkage between the two. The reactive (iv) active esters such as nitrophenylesters or N-hydroxysuc moieties in a linker may be the same (homobifunctional cinimidyl esters; linker) or different (heterobifunctional linker, or, where sev (V) acid anhydrides such as mixed, symmetrical, or N-car eral dissimilar reactive moieties are present, heteromultifunc boxyanhydrides: tional linker), providing a diversity of potential reagents that (vi) other useful reagents for amide bond formation, for may bring about covalent attachment between the corticos example, as described by M. Bodansky, Principles of Peptide teroid and the bulky or charged group. Synthesis, Springer-Verlag, 1984; 0057 Spacer elements in the linker typically consist of (vii) acylazides, e.g. wherein the azide group is generated linear or branched chains and may include a Co alkyl, a from a preformed hydrazide derivative using sodium nitrite, heteroalkyl of 1 to 10 atoms, a Coalkene, a Co alkyne, as described by Wetz et al., Anal. Biochem, 58:347 (1974): Cso aryl, a cyclic system of 3 to 10 atoms, or—(CH2CH2O) and CHCH , in which n is 1 to 4. US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

0058 In some instances, the linker is described by formula 0062. The bulky group may also be charged. For example, III: bulky groups include, without limitation, charged polypep tides, such as poly-arginine (guanidinium side chain), poly -G? III lysine (ammonium side chain), poly-aspartic acid (carboxy 0059. In formula III, G' is a bond between the corticoster late side chain), poly-glutamic acid (carboxlyate side chain), oid and the linker, G is a bond between the linker and the or poly-histidine (imidazolium side chain). An exemplary bulky group or between the linker and the charged group, charged polysaccharide is hyaluronic acid (see below). each of Z, Z, Z, and Z' is, independently, selected from O, S, and NR; R is hydrogen or a Co alkyl group; each of Y' and Y is, independently, selected from carbonyl, thiocar CH2OH OH or H bonyl, Sulphonyl, phosphoryl or similar acid-forming groups; O o, p, S, t, u, and V are each independently 0 or 1; and Rio is a OH Co alkyl, a linear or branched heteroalkyl of 1 to 10 atoms, Coalkene, a Co alkyne, a Cs-o aryl, a cyclic System of 3 to 10 atoms, -(CH2CH2O)CH2CH2 in which q is an integer of 1 to 4, or a chemical bond linking G'-(Z') (Y') -(Z)- tO (Z (Y? (Z)-G. Bulky Groups 0060. The function of the bulky group is to increase the size of the corticosteroid Sufficiently to inhibit passage across the blood-brain barrier. Bulky groups capable of inhibiting passage of the corticosteroid across the blood-brain barrier include those having a molecular weight greater than 400, hyaluronic acid 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, or 1000 daltons. Desirably, these groups are attached through one or more of the C16, C17, and C21 positions of the corticosteroid. 0063. Desirably, a bulky group is selected which enhances 0061 The bulky group may include one or more additional the cellular uptake of the conjugate. For example, certain corticosteroids, the corticosteroids can be linked as dimers, peptides enable active translocation across the plasma mem trimers, or tetramers, as shown below, where each corticos brane into cells (e.g., RKKRRQRRR, the Tat(49-57) pep teroid (A) is the same or different within each corticosteroid tide). Exemplary peptides which promote cellular uptake are conjugate. disclosed, for example, by Wender et al., Natl AcadSci USA 97(24): 13003-8 (2000) and Laurent et al., FEBS Lett 443(1): A A 61-5 (1999), incorporated herein by reference. An example of a charged bulky group which facilitates cellular uptake is the AwV A A- “A A. ,A. polyguanidine peptoid (N-hxg), shown below. Each of the dimers trimers tetrailers nine guanidine side chains is a charged guanidinium cation at physiological pH. N NH2 N NH2 N NH2 N NH2 HN HN HN HN

O

1.HN 1.HN 1.HN 1.HN 1.HN US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

Charged Groups -continued 0064. The function of the charged group is to alter the VI charge of the corticosteroid sufficiently to inhibit passage R O across the blood-brain barrier. Desirably, charged groups are O-L-B attached through one or more of the C16, C17, and C21 positions of the corticosteroid. R4 0065. A charged group may be cationic or an anionic. Charged groups include 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more negatively charged moieties or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or more positively charged moieties. Charged moieties include, O without limitation, carboxylate, phosphodiester, phosphora midate, borate, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphonate ester, X2

VII Sulfonate, Sulfate, thiolate, phenolate, ammonium, ami dinium, guanidinium, quaternary ammonium, and imidazo lium moieties. Corticosteroid Conjugates 0066. The corticosteroid conjugates of the present inven tion are designed to largely remain intact in Vivo, resisting cleavage by intracellular and extracellular enzymes (e.g., amidases, esterases, and phosphatases). Any in vivo cleavage of the corticosteroid conjugate produces the parent steroid, VIII

resulting in the unnecessary and potentially harmful exposure of the central nervous system to this corticosteroid. Thus, the corticosteroid conjugates of the invention are not prodrugs, but are therapeutically active in their conjugated form, result ing in an improved therapeutic index relative to their parent, O unconjugated, corticosteroid. 0067 Corticosteroid conjugates are further described by any one of formulas IV-VIII:

IV 0068. In formulas IV-VIII, the bond between C and C, X, X2, X, R. R. R. R. and W are as described above. L is a linker of formula III, described above. B is a bulky or charged group, as described above. 0069 Corticosteroid conjugates can be prepared using techniques familiar to those skilled in the art. The conjugates can be prepared using the methods disclosed in, for example, G. Hermanson, Bioconjugate Techniques, Academic Press, Inc., 1996, as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,779,775, 2,932,657, 4472,392, 4,609,496, 4,820,700, 4,948,533, 4,950,659, 5,063,222, 5,215,979, 5,482,934, 5,939,409, and 6,140,308, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Additional synthetic details are provided in Examples 1-8. Assays 0070 Corticosteroid conjugates can be assayed by using standard in vitro models or animal models to evaluate their therapeutic activity. These assays are presently described in the literature and are familiar to those skilled in the art. Some of these are described below and in the Examples. 0071. The biodistribution of a corticosteroid conjugate can be measured by autoradiography. (see Example 9). 0072 The cytoplasmic binding of a corticosteroid conju gate can be ascertained by displacement binding (see Example 10). 0073. The dose-dependent capacity of corticosteroid con jugates to Suppress production of corticosterone in intact rats can be measured (see Example 11). Corticosterone levels are US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010 regulated by a feedback circuit that includes the pituitary polyethylene glycol, oils of vegetable origin, or hydrogenated gland, hypothalamus and higher brain centers, most notably napthalenes. Biocompatible, biodegradable lactide polymer, the hippocampus. The capacity of synthetic lactide/glycolide copolymer, or polyoxyethylene-polyox to induce feedback inhibition of cortisol production is signifi ypropylene copolymers may be used to control the release of cantly affected by the binding of the synthetic the compounds. Nanoparticulate formulations (e.g., biode to receptors in the hypothalamus (see, for example, Kovacs K. gradable nanoparticles, Solid lipid nanoparticles, liposomes) J. and Makara G. B. Brain Res., 474:205-10 (1988) and may be used to control the biodistribution of the compounds. Sakakura et al., Neuroendocrinology, 32:174-8 (1981)) and Other potentially useful parenteral delivery systems include possibly the hippocampus (see, for example, Sapolsky et al., ethylene-Vinyl acetate copolymer particles, osmotic pumps, Neuroendocrinology 51:328-36 (1990)). The hypothalamus implantable infusion systems, and liposomes. Formulations and hippocampus have tight blood-brain-barriers, while the for inhalation may contain excipients, for example, lactose, or pituitary gland has a leaky or permeable barrier (see, Ruhleet may be acqueous solutions containing, for example, polyoxy al., Neuropeptides 22:117-24 (1992)). Hence, synthetic glu ethylene-9-lauryl ether, glycholate and deoxycholate, or may cocorticoids with reduced CNS activity should be less effec be oily solutions for administration in the form of nasal drops, tive than the highly permeable parent corticosteroid in Sup or as a gel. The concentration of the compound in the formu pressing corticosterone production. The lowest dose of lation will vary depending upon a number of factors, includ dexamethasone fully effective in Suppressing basal corticos ing the dosage of the drug to be administered, and the route of terone production for 24 hours was 0.025 mg/kg (Lurie et al., administration. Biol. Psychiatry 26:26-34 (1989)). This dose also signifi I0081 Corticosteroid conjugates may be optionally admin cantly Suppressed ether-stress induced increase in corticos istered as a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, Such as a non terone, but a higher dose was necessary to fully eliminate toxic acid addition salts or metal complexes that are com response to this stressor. monly used in the pharmaceutical industry. Examples of acid 0074 The neurotoxic effects of corticosteroid conjugates addition salts include organic acids such as acetic, lactic, can be assessed using OX42 immunohistochemistry (see pamoic, maleic, citric, malic, ascorbic, succinic, benzoic, Example 12). Failure to observe a dose-dependent effect of palmitic, Suberic, Salicylic, tartaric, methanesulfonic, tolu the corticosteroid conjugates would indicate that they do not enesulfonic, or trifluoroacetic acids or the like; polymeric cross the blood-brain-barrier to a sufficient extent to induce acids such as tannic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, or the damage to neuronal populations. A rightward shift in the dose like; and inorganic acid Such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobro response curve indicated by a higher EDs would indicate mic acid, sulfuric acid phosphoric acid, or the like. Metal partial protection (i.e. there is reduced CNS activity). Desir complexes include Zinc, iron, calcium, Sodium, potassium able corticosteroid conjugates have an EDs of at least and the like. Administration of corticosteroid conjugates in 10-fold higher than their parent corticosteroids. controlled release formulations is useful where the compound 0075 To establish the systemic efficacy of corticosteroid of formula I has (i) a narrow therapeutic index (e.g., the conjugates, their binding to glucocorticoid and mineralocor difference between the plasma concentration leading to ticoid receptors can be assayed in cytosol from thymus, fibro harmful side effects or toxic reactions and the plasma con blasts, and kidney (see, Example 13). centration leading to a therapeutic effect is Small; generally, 0076. The effects of corticosteroid conjugates on the liver the therapeutic index, TI, is defined as the ratio of median will be determined in adrenalectomized male rats using the lethal dose (LDs) to median effective dose (EDso)); (ii) a method described by Vicent et al., Mol. Pharmacol., 52:749 narrow absorption window in the gastro-intestinal tract; or 53 (1997) (see Example 14). Effective glucocorticoids pro (iii) a short biological half-life, so that frequent dosing during duce a marked increase in liver glycogen accumulation. a day is required in order to Sustain the plasma level at a 0077. The effects of corticosteroid conjugates on the thy therapeutic level. mus will be assessed in male Sprague-Dawley rats (see I0082 Many strategies can be pursued to obtain controlled Example 15). Effective glucocorticoids will induce marked release of the corticosteroid conjugate. For example, con involution of the thymus gland. trolled release can be obtained by the appropriate selection of formulation parameters and ingredients, including, e.g., Therapy appropriate controlled release compositions and coatings. 0078 Corticosteroid conjugates can be administered Examples include single or multiple unit tablet or capsule locally or systemically to decrease inflammatory and immune compositions, oil solutions, Suspensions, emulsions, micro responses. They can be used systemically in high doses in capsules, microspheres, nanoparticles, patches, and lipo emergencies for anaphylactic reactions, spinal chord trauma, SOS. or shock. They can used in lower doses to treat allergic reac I0083. Formulations for oral use include tablets containing tions such as heaves, hives, itching, and inflammatory dis the active ingredient(s) in a mixture with non-toxic pharma eases including arthritis. ceutically acceptable excipients. These excipients may be, for 007.9 Therapeutic formulations may be in the form of example, inert diluents or fillers (e.g., Sucrose and Sorbitol), liquid Solutions or Suspensions; for oral administration, for lubricating agents, glidants, and antiadhesives (e.g., magne mulations may be in the form of tablets or capsules; for ocular sium Stearate, Zinc Stearate, Stearic acid, silicas, hydrogenated administration, formulations may be in the form of eye drops; Vegetable oils, or talc). for topical administration, formulations may be in the form of I0084. Formulations for oral use may also be provided as creams or lotions; and for intranasal formulations, in the form chewable tablets, or as hard gelatin capsules wherein the of powders, nasal drops, or aerosols. active ingredientis mixed with an inert Solid diluent, or as soft 0080 Methods well known in the art for making formula gelatin capsules wherein the active ingredient is mixed with tions are found, for example, in "Remington: The Science and water or an oil medium. Practice of Pharmacy” (20th ed., ed. A. R. Gennaro AR. 0085 Pharmaceutical formulations of the corticosteroid 2000, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins). Formulations for conjugates described herein include isomers such as diaste parenteral administration may, for example, contain excipi reomers and enantiomers, mixtures of isomers, including ents, sterile water, or saline, polyalkylene glycols such as racemic mixtures, salts, Solvates, and polymorphs thereof. US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

I0086. The following examples are put forth so as to pro vated carboxyl. Carboxyls can be activated, for example, by vide those of ordinary skill in the art with a complete disclo formation of an active ester, such as nitrophenylesters, N-hy Sure and description of how the methods and compounds droxysuccinimidyl esters, or others as described in Chem. claimed herein are performed, made, and evaluated, and are Soc. Rev. 12:129, 1983 and Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. intended to be purely exemplary of the invention and are not 17:569, 1978, incorporated herein by reference. For example, intended to limit the scope of what the inventors regard as oxalic acid (Aldrich, catalogue number 24, 117-2) can be their invention. attached as a linking group, as shown below in reaction 1. Example 1 Protection and Deprotection of Reactive Groups 0087. The synthesis of corticosteroid conjugates may reaction 1 involve the selective protection and deprotection of alcohols, amines, ketones, sulfhydryls or carboxyl functional groups of NH2 the corticosteroid, the linker, the bulky group, and/or the charged group. For example, commonly used protecting groups for amines include carbamates. Such as tert-butyl, CH3 O benzyl, 2.2.2-trichloroethyl, 2-trimethylsilylethyl, 9-fluore HO OH nylmethyl, allyl, and m-nitrophenyl. Other commonly used protecting groups for amines include amides. Such as forma CH3 -- mides, acetamides, trifluoroacetamides, Sulfonamides, trif luoromethanesulfonyl amides, trimethylsilylethanesulfona mides, and tert-butylsulfonyl amides. Examples of commonly used protecting groups for carboxyls include O esters, such as methyl, ethyl, tert-butyl, 9-fluorenylmethyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy methyl, benzyl, diphenylmethyl, O-nitrobenzyl, ortho-esters, and halo-esters. Examples of O O O commonly used protecting groups for alcohols include ethers, such as methyl, methoxymethyl, methoxyethoxym ethyl, methylthiomethyl, benzyloxymethyl, tetrahydropyra O-N -e- nyl, ethoxyethyl, benzyl, 2-napthylmethyl, O-nitrobenzyl, P-nitrobenzyl, P-methoxybenzyl, 9-phenylxanthyl, trityl (in P cluding methoxy-trityls), and silyl ethers. An acetal can be O used to protect a ketone (=O) at the C3 and/or C11 positions of a corticosteroid using the methods described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,779,775. Examples of commonly O O used protecting groups for sulfhydryls include many of the N same protecting groups used for hydroxyls. In addition, Sulf P hydryls can be protected in a reduced form (e.g., as disulfides) O oran oxidized form (e.g., as Sulfonic acids, Sulfonic esters, or NH Sulfonic amides). Protecting groups can be chosen Such that selective conditions (e.g., acidic conditions, basic conditions, catalysis by a nucleophile, catalysis by a lewis acid, or hydro CH O genation) are required to remove each, exclusive of other HO OH protecting groups in a molecule. The conditions required for the addition of protecting groups to amine, alcohol, Sulfhy CH dryl, and carboxyl functionalities and the conditions required for their removal are provided in detail in T. W. Green and P. G. M. Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis (2" Ed.), John Wiley & Sons, 1991 and P.J. Kocienski, Protecting O Groups, Georg Thieme Verlag, 1994. 0088. In the examples that follow, the use of protecting groups is indicated in a structure by the letter P, where P for any amine, aldehyde, ketone, carboxyl, Sulfhydryl, or alcohol may be any of the protecting groups listed above. 0090 The protecting group in the reaction product can be removed by hydrolysis. The resulting acid is available for Example 2 conjugation to a bulky group or a charged group. Preparation of C21 Derivatives of Prednisolone Example 3 0089. 21-methanesulfonate prednisolone can be prepared according to the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 2.932, Preparation of a Polyguanidine Peptoid Derivative of 657. The corresponding amine can be prepared by reaction Prednisolone with potassium phthalimide followed by hydrolysis as described by, for example, J. March, Advanced Organic 0091. The polyguanidine peptoid N-hxg, shown below, Chemistry: Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure, John can be prepared according to the methods described by Wiley & Sons, Inc. page 426, 1992. The free amine of the Wender et al., Natl Acad Sci USA 97(24): 13003-8, 2000, 21-amino prednisolone derivative can be reacted with an acti incorporated herein by reference. US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010 13

"N NH2 "N NH2 HN HN HN HN

O O O

O O O O ------rO

HN HN HN HN

1. NH2 HN 1. 1. NH2 HN 1. NH2 N-hxg with an aminohexanoic acid linker at the N-terminus

0092. The carboxyl derivative of prednisolone from guanidine moieties and cleavage from the Solid phase resin, as Example 2 can be activated, vide Supra, and conjugated to the described by Wender ibid., to produce the polyguanidine protected precursor of N-hxg followed by the formation of the prednisolone conjugate shown below.

N NH2 N NH2 HN HN

O O

N H <<<-CSSO O O O NH

O CH HO OH HN HN HN

CH HN1. NH2 HN 1. NH2 HN1. NH2 US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

-continued N NH2 HNN NH2 HN HN

O

HN HN

HN 1. NH2 HN 1. NH2

0093. In this example, the bulky group has a molecular (0095. The esters at C16 and C17 are selectively removed weight of over 1900 Daltons. Accordingly, in the example by hydrolysis with hydrochloric acid and the resulting hydroxyl groups reacted with an appropriately substituted above, prednisolone is conjugated to a bulky group contain aldehyde to form the corresponding cyclic acetal as shown in ing several positively charged moieties. react1On Example 4 reaction 3 Preparation of C16-C17 Cyclic Acetals of Triamci O nolone o-QO Dioxane, HCI 0094. The cyclic acetal of triamcinolone can be prepared O ClOH by the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,482.934, incor CH porated herein by reference. First the hydroxy groups at posi HO 3 OXN O TSOH tions C16, C17, and C21 are acetylated by reaction with acetic CH O S1\1\N-N-P anhydride, reaction 2 below. X- O H. H. reaction 2 O OH O

CH O -N HO OH O O O CH OH CH O M

CH3 O

O

O Example 5 CH3 Preparation of Hyaluronic Acid Conjugates of Tri HO amcinolone CH3 O 0096. The protecting group in the cyclic acetal of Example 3 can be removed, vide supra, and the free hydrazine coupled to a carboxyl group of hyaluronic acid as described by, for example, Vercruysse et al., Bioconjugate Chem., 8:686, 1997 or Pouyani et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 116:7515, 1994. The structure of the resulting hydrazide conjugate is provided below. US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

CH2OH

--O () or H O CHO H ) HO S^- N O O O CH O 3 CHOH/O OH

O OO OH pi

CH-OH /OH OP HN

O. O O Xa OH O

iii.

In the triamcinolone conjugate above, the hyaluronic acid is approximately 160,000 Daltons in molecular weight. -continued Accordingly, mand n are whole integers between 0 and 400. Example 6 O Preparation of mPEG Conjugates of Budesonide -N 0097. The cyclic acetal of budensonide can be removed in the presence of a strong acid. The resulting C16-C17 bis O hyroxyl derivative can be treated as described in Example 4 CHs O N-P and shown in reaction 4 below. HO H CH3

reaction 4 O -\ Dioxane, HCI O CIOH O O TSOH He CH On1n 1 N-p HO H 0098 The amine protecting group can be removed and the CH O budesonide conjugated to mono-methyl polyethylene glycol 5,000 propionic acid N-succinimidyl ester (Fluka, product number 85969). The resulting mPEG conjugate, shown below, is an example of a corticosteroid conjugate of a bulky uncharged group. US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

1sO O O HO CH a- ---- S-1-1 O CH

mPEG-budesonide, n is approximately 110

0099 Conjugates of lower and higher molecular weight 0101 Trimers and tetramers can be prepared in a similar mPEG compounds can be prepared in a similar fashion. manner from tris-carboxyl linkers and tetra-carboxyl linkers, respectively. Example 7 Preparation of a Beclomethasone Dimer Example 8 0100 21-methanesulfonate beclomethasone can be pre Preparation of a Dexamethasone-Guanidine Conju pared according to the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. gate 2.932,657. The corresponding amine can be prepared by reac tion with potassium phthalimide using the methods described 0102) 21-amino dexamethasone can be prepared, for in Example 2. The resulting beclomethasone amine derivative example, using the methods described in Example 2. The can be reacted with the bis activated ester of 1,10-decanedi 21-amino group can be converted to a guanidine group. The carboxylic acid (Aldrich, catalogue number D100-9), as conversion of amino groups to guanidine groups can be shown in reaction 5 below. accomplished using standard synthetic protocols. For

O CH O O O HO OH -- N -O O-N CH CH 2 O O O

O H N ~~~~ CH O O CH O HO OH HO OH CH O) CH CH C) CH US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010

example, Mosher has described a general method for prepar corticoid/tissue and fmol glucorticoid/mg DNA/tissue can be ing mono-Substituted guanidines by reaction of aminoimi calculated. In vitro cytoplasmic binding of the corticosteroid nomethanesulfonic acid with amines (Kim, K. Lin, Y.-T.; conjugate will be ascertained by dissecting hippocampi and Mosher, H. S. Tetrahedron Lett. 29: 3183, 1988). A more amygdala from adrenlaectomized rats pretreated with vary convenient method for guanylation of primary and secondary ing doses of the conjugated compound, and then homogeniz amines was developed by Bernatowicz employing 1H-pyra ing the tissue in cold buffer. Aliquots of the cytosol will then Zole-1-carboxamidine hydrochloride: 1-H-pyrazole-1-(N,N'- be added to lyophilized H-dexamethasone. Radioactivity bis(tert-butoxycarbonyl)carboxamidine, or 1-H-pyrazole-1- can be counted, and receptor Bmax can be calculated and (N,N'-bis(benzyloxycarbonyl)carboxamidine. These expressed as fimol receptors bound/mg protein. reagents react with amines to give mono-Substituted guanidines (see Bernatowicz et al., J. Org. Chem. 57: 2497, 1992; and Bernatowicz et al., Tetrahedron Lett. 34: 3389, Example 11 1993). In addition, Thioureas and S-alkyl-isothioureas have been shown to be useful intermediates in the syntheses of Corticosterone Suppression substituted guanidines (Posset al., Tetrahedron Lett. 33:5933 1992). Guanylation of 21-amino dexamethasone produces 0105 Plasma samples can be collected 24-hours after the dexamethasone-guanidine conjugate shown below. administration of a corticosteroid conjugate and parent cor ticosteroid to assay basal corticosterone levels using methods described by Lurie et al (Lurie et al., Biol. Psychiatry 26:26 HN 34 (1989)). Four hours later animals can be exposed to ether s stress, and corticosterone levels will be re-measured (Lurie et NH al 1989). Example 12 Neurotoxicity 0106 The neurotoxic effects of corticosteroid conjugates can be assessed using OX42 immunohistochemistry to visu alize activated microglia and thereby gauge the extent of corticosterone-induced neuronal death in male Sprague Dexamethasone-Guanidine Conjugate Dawley rats (Haynes et al., Neuroscience, 104:57-69 (2001)). By these methods, corticosteroid conjugates can be compared to their parent corticosteroid (on a molar basis) to assess degree of OX42 microglial response. A range of doses can be Example 9 administered (typically six to eight) to establish a dose Autoradiography response curve for degree of observed response on silver/ methenamine-stained sections. 0103) In vivo autoradiography can be performed using H-labeled corticosteroid conjugates in adrenalectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats. First, a corticosteroid conjugate is Example 13 radioactively tagged and is administered systemically to an adrenalectomized male Sprague-Dawley rat, and the animal Systemic Efficacy is sacrificed. The brain is then rapidly removed and sliced into 0107 Samples can be incubated at 0°C. for 12 hours in the 10 -um thick sections and mounted on slides. The slides are presence of unlabeled corticosteroid conjugate and 5 nMH) apposed to tritium-sensitive film, which is developed. corticosterone (glucocorticoid) or Haldosterone (miner Example 10 alocorticoid) using methods described by Vicent et al., Mol. Pharmacol., 52:749-53 (1997). Receptors can be assayed in Displacement Binding cytosol from thymus, fibroblasts, and kidney. 0104 Displacement binding can be performed using unla beled corticosteroid conjugates (see, Sapolsky et al., Brain Example 14 Research 289:235-240 (1983)). For in vivo studies, adrena lectomized male Sprague-Dawley rats are pretreated with the Liver Assay varying amounts of unlabeled corticosteroid conjugate, vehicle or corticosterone. After 20 minutes, the rats are 0108. Using the method described by Vicent et al., Mol. injected with radiolabeled corticosterone (1,2,6,7-3H-corti Pharmacol., 52:749-53 (1997), rats can be injected in the costerone; New England Nuclear) or dexamethasone (1,2,4- evening prior to the experiment, and again on the morning of 3H-dexamethasone; New England Nuclear) at 100-uCi/100 the experiment, with the corticosteroid conjugate, the parent g body weight. After 2 hours the Subjects are sacrificed and corticosteroid and vehicle. After 3 hours the animals can be the brain regions dissected on ice. Purified nuclear pellets can killed and their livers removed. Glycogen purification and be prepared by centrifugation in 2 M sucrose as described by, quantification can be performed using the method of Krisman for example, B. McEwen and A. Zigmond, “Isolation of brain Anal. Biochem., 4:17-23 (1962). The capacity of glucocorti cell nucleis” in Research Methods in Neurochemistry, N. coids to induce tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) activity in Marks and R. Rodnight (eds.), New York: Plenum Press (Vol. hepatocytes can be measured after incubation with nM con 1), pp 140-161 (1972). After ethanol extraction, fmol gluco centrations of corticosteroid conjugates, parent corticoster US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010 oids, and vehicle according to methods described by Galigni ana et al., Steroids 62:358-64 (1997). II

Example 15 O Thymus Assay X (CRR)-W R O 5 0109 Male Sprague-Dawley rats can be injected with relatively large doses of a corticosteroid conjugate (equiva lent to approximately 5-20 mg/kg of dexamethasone), parent n is an integer from 0 to 6: corticosteroid, or vehicle. Thymus glands can be removed Rs, Re, and R, each, independently, represents —H or and weighed 72 hours later as described by Vicent et al. Mol. Coalkyl: Pharmacol. 52:749-53 (1997)). W represents -H, -CH, -G, NRs-G', NH NH G', -O-G', -S-G', —C(O)-G, or - C(S)-G': Other Embodiments Rs represents —H. Co alkyl or Cso aryl; and 0110 All publications and patent applications, and patents G' is a bond between said corticosteroid and said linker. mentioned in this specification are incorporated herein by 4. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 3, wherein said reference. linker is described by formula III: 0111 While the invention has been described in connec tion with specific embodiments, it will be understood that it is III capable of further modifications. wherein 0112. Other embodiments are within the claims. G' is a bond between said corticosteroid and said linker, G is a bond between said linker and said bulky group or between said linker and said charged group; What we claim is: Z", Z, Z, and Zeach, independently, is selected from O, 1. A corticosteroid conjugate comprising a corticosteroid S, and NR; attached to a group that is either a bulky group of greater than R1 is hydrogen or a Co alkyl group; 400 daltons or a charged group of less than 400 daltons, Y' and Y are each, independently, selected from carbonyl, wherein said corticosteroid conjugate has anti-inflammatory thiocarbonyl, Sulphonyl, or phosphoryl; activity in vivo and reduced activity in the central nervous o, p, S, t, u, and V are each, independently, 0 or 1; and system in comparison to said corticosteroid without said Ro is a Co alkyl, a linear or branched heteroalkyl of 1 to group. 10 atoms, a linear or branched Coalkene, a linear or 2. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 1, wherein said branched Co alkyne, a Cso aryl, a cyclic system of 3 corticosteroid is covalently attached via a linkerto said group. to 10 atoms, -(CH2CH2O). CHCH in which q is an 3. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 2 having formula integer of 1 to 4, or a chemical bond linking G'-(Z'). - I: (Y), (Z), tO —(Z), (Y), (Z)-G’. 5. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 1, wherein said bulky group comprises a naturally occurring polymer or a synthetic polymer. 6. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 5, wherein said naturally occurring polymer is a glycoprotein, a polypeptide, or a polysaccharide. 7. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 5, wherein said bulky group comprises hyaluronic acid or alpha-1-acid gly coprotein. 8. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 5, wherein said synthetic polymer is a polyethylene glycol or N-hxg. 9. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 1, wherein said charged group is a polyanion comprising at least three nega tively charged moieties. wherein 10. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 1, wherein said the bond between C and C is a double or a single bond; charged group is a cation. X represents —H or a halogen atom; 11. The corticosteroid conjugate of claim 1, wherein said X represents —H, —CH, or a halogen atom; bulky group comprises a corticosteroid. X represents —H or a halogen atom; 12. A method of treating an autoimmune or inflammatory condition in a mammal, said method comprising administer R represents =O or —OH: ing to said mammal acorticosteroid conjugate of claim 1 in an R represents —CH, -SCHF, —CHCl, —CH-G, amount effective to treat said condition. - CH-OH, —CHO-P(O)(O), CHO-acyl, 13. The method of claim 12, wherein said condition is —CH-NH-G', —CHS-G', or -CHO-G': selected from the group consisting of asthma, psoriasis, R and Reach, independently, represents—H. Coalkyl, eczema, organ/tissue transplant rejection, graft VS. host reac —OH,-O-acyl-O-G, or RandR combine to form tions, Raynaud's syndrome, autoimmune thyroiditis, Grave's a cyclic acetal of formula II wherein: disease, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, autoimmune throm US 2010/0056488 A1 Mar. 4, 2010 boeytopenia purpura, mixed connective tissue disease, idio 16. A method for inhibiting passage across the blood-brain pathic Addison's disease, Sjogren's syndrome, urticaria, der barrier of a corticosteroid, said method comprising covalently matitis, multiple Sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, insulin attaching a group that is a bulky group of greater than 400 dependent diabetes mellitus, uveitis, Crohn's disease, daltons or a charged group of less than 400 daltons, wherein ulcerative colitis, lupus, tendonitis, bursitis, adult respiratory said group increases the size, or alters the charge, of the distress syndrome, shock, oxygen toxicity, glomerulonephri corticosteroid sufficiently to inhibit passage across the blood tis, vasculitis, reactive arthritis, necrotizing enterocolitis, brain barrier without destroying the anti-inflammatory activ Goodpasture's syndrome, hyperSensitivity pneumonitis, ity of said corticosteroid. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein said group is glomerulonephritis; encephalomyelitis, and meningitis. covalently linked via one or more of positions C16, C17, and 14. The method of claim 12, wherein said condition is C21 of said corticosteroid. rheumatoid arthritis or colitis. 18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective 15. The method of claim 12, wherein said corticosteroid amount of a corticosteroid conjugate of claim 1, together with conjugate is administered by intravenous, intraperitoneal, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Subcutaneous, ocular, topical, nasal, or intramuscular admin istration. c c c c c