USRE38332EExpiredUtility

Selected soluble esters of hydroxyl-containing indolocarbazoles

47
Assignee: CEPHALON INCPriority: Apr 5, 1995Filed: Mar 19, 2001Granted: Nov 25, 2003
Est. expiryApr 5, 2015(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
A61P 15/00C07D 498/22A61P 13/02C07H 9/06C07H 19/044A61K 31/55
47
PatentIndex Score
0
Cited by
17
References
47
Claims

Abstract

Esters of hydroxyl-containing indolocarbazoles and acids containing selected solubilizing groups are provided. Compositions including the indolocarbazole esters and methods for the use of the indolocarbazole esters are also provided.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An indolocarbazole-ester-of-formula Q—L—C(═O)—A wherein: 
       A is a solubilizing group selected from the group consisting of an amino acid residue, a dipeptide residue, —(CH 2 ) m Z, —(CH 2 ) m C(═O)NH(CH 2 ) m Z, —(CH 2 ) m C (═O)NH—Z, —(CH 2 ) m Z(CH 2 ) m Z, branched —(CH 2 ) n CH[(CH 2 ) m Z] 2 , —(CH 2 ) m —Z[(CH 2 ) m Z] 2 , —(CH 2 ) n —A 1 .—(CH 2 ) n -heteroaryl and —NH(CH 2 ) m  N(CH 3 ) 2 ; wherein:  
       n is an integer from 0 to 5;  
       m is an integer from 1-6;  
       Z is selected from the group consisting of a basic group, —C(═NH)NH 2 , cyclic amidine, —NHC(NH 2 ) ═NR 11 , cyclic guanidine and an acidic group; and  
       A 1  is aryl or heteroaryl substituted with one to three substituents of formula —(CH 2 ) n Z;  
       L is oxygen; and  
       Q is an indolocarbazole residue of the formula:                    
       wherein: 
       R 1  is hydrogen, carbamoyl, lower alkyl, amino, lower alkanoyl, —CH 2 R 5  or —CH 2 CH 2 R 5 ;  
       R 5  is halogen, amino, di-lower alkylamino, hydroxyl, a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A, or lower alkylamino optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       R 2  and R 3  are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, halogen, hydroxymethyl, lower alkoxymethyl, lower alkylthiomethyl, lower alkylsulfinylmethyl, arylthiomethyl, heteroarylthiomethyl, arylsulfinylmethyl, heteroarylsulfinylmethyl, arylmethylthiomethyl, heteroarylmethylthiomethyl, CH═NNHC(═NH) NH 2 , nitro, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, sulfonic acid, —SO 2 NR 8 R 9 , —OC(═O)NR 8 R 9 , —CH═NNR 8 R 9 , —NR 6 R 7 , —OCO 2 R 10 , —NHC (═O)NHR 11 , —CH 2 OC(═O)NHR 11 , —NHCO 2 R 11 , lower alkyl sulfonylmethyl, (dialkylamino) alkylthiomethyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═O)—A 1 , or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       one of R 6  and R 7  is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkanoyl or phenylaminocarbonyl; or R 6  and R 7  are both lower alkyl;  
       R 8  and R 9  are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or R 8  and R 9 , together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycle;  
       R 10  if lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl;  
       R 11  is hydrogen or lower alkyl;  
       R 4  is hydrogen, amino or —NHC(═O)NHC 2 H 5 ;  
       one of W 1  and W 2  is hydrogen, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio and a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A, or W 1  and W 2  combined together are oxygen;  
       X is hydrogen, —CH 2 —NHC(═O)O—C 6 H 5 , formyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl having from 2 to 13 carbons, cycloalkoxycarbonyl having from 4 to 11 carbons, —(CH 2 ) n CH 2 N(R 11 ) 2  wherein n is an integer from 0 to 5, —C(═O)NR 12 R 13 , —CH 2 B, —NR 14 R 15 , —N═CHN(CH 3 ) 2 , —OCOCH 2 CH 2 CO 2 H, lower alkylhydrazinocarbonyl, —CH═N—R 16 , —CONHR 17 , a group of formula:                    
       R 12  and R 13  are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or by a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A, or R 12  and R 13  are combined together to form a 3-6 carbon heterocyclic ring which optionally contains at least one O, S and/or additional N heteroatom, or R 12  is hydrogen and R 13  is hydroxyl, phenyl, or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       B is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, azido, lower alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, heteroarylsulfinyl or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       one of R 14  or R 15  is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen lower alkyl, allyl, carboxyl-substituted lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkyl- or aryl-substituted carbamoyl, a residue to an α-amino acid in which the carboxylate hydrogen is removed, or lower alkoxycarbonyl-substituted lower alkyl; or both R 14  and R 15  are lower alkyl or chlorine-substituted lower alkyl; or R 14  and R 15  are combined together to form —CH 2 CH 2 DCH 2 CH 2 — wherein D is —CH 2 —, —NH—, —S— or —O—;  
       R 16  is hydroxyl, carbamoylamino, —NR 8 R 9  guanidino, 2-imidazolylamino or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       R 17  is the residue of an α-amino acid after removal of the amino group thereof, wherein the carboxyl group of the α-amino acid is optionally esterified by a lower alkyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol;  
       Y is hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, carbamoyloxy, lower alkoxy, or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A, or X and Y together may be —CH 2 OC(CH 3 ) 2 O—, O═, —CH 2 O—, —CH 2 OCO 2 —, —CH 2 OC(═S) O—, —CH 2 N(R 18 )CO 2 —, —CH 2 NHC(═S)O—, —CH 2 OS(═O)O—, —OC(═S)NHCH 2 — or —O—C(R 19 )═N—CH 2 —;  
       R 18  is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, formylmethyl, —CH 2 CH═NNHC(═NH)NH 2 , —CH 2 CH(—G) CH 2 —J wherein G and J are independently hydroxyl or one of them is a single bond attached to —L—C(═O) —A; and  
       R 19  is lower alkyl or lower alkylthio;  
       provided that one of R 2 , R 3 , R 5 , W 1 , W 2 , X and Y contains a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       provided that where R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , W 1  and W 2  are H, Y cannot be hydroxyl when X is —CH 2 —O—C(═O) CH 2 NH 2  or —CH 2 —O—C(═O)CH 2 NH-cbz;  
       and further provided that the solubilizing group A is other than 3-dimethylaminobutyric acid, lysyl-β-alanine and a residue of succinic acid.  
     
     
       2. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein R 1  is hydrogen, carbamoyl, lower alkyl, amino, lower alkanoyl or —CH 2 CH 2 R 5 . 
     
     
       3. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein R 1  is —CH 2 R 5 . 
     
     
       4. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein the solubilizing group is an amino acid residue, wherein the amino acid residue is an α-amino acid residue. 
     
     
       5. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein the solubilizing group is a dipeptide residue. 
     
     
       6. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein Z is a basic group selected from the group consisting of amino and —NR 20 R 21  wherein: 
       R 20  and R 21 , independently, are selected from the group consisting of lower alkyl having 1 to 6 carbons and 2-hydroxyethyl; or R 20  and R 21  are combined together to form —CH 2 CH 2 MCH 2 CH 2 — wherein M is —CH 2 —, —S—, —O— or —N(R 11 )—.  
     
     
       7. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of —C(═NH)NH 2 , cyclic amidine, —NHC(NH 2 )═NR 11 , and cyclic guanidine. 
     
     
       8. The compound of  claim 7  wherein the cyclic amidine is 2-imidazolidyl. 
     
     
       9. The compound of  claim 7  wherein the cyclic guanidine is 2-(2-aminoimidazolidyl). 
     
     
       10. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein Z is an acidic group selected from the group consisting of CO 2 H, PO 2 H, PO 3 H 2 , SO 3 H 2 , tetrazolyl, an amino acid residue and SO 2 NHR 11 . 
     
     
       11. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein A 1  is phenyl substituted with one to three substituents of formula —(CH 2 ) n -3-dimethylaminomethyl. 
     
     
       12. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein the solubilizing group is selected from the group consisting of Lysine, Glycine, Alanine,  N,N-Dimethylglycine, Histidine, Arginine,  β-Alanine, α-Aminosobutyric Acid, Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Cysteine, Aspartic Acid,  Morpholine-1-acetic acid, 4-Methyl-1-piperazine acetic acid, β-Alanine-(2-aminopropionic) acid, N-(3-dimethylaminoethyl) succinamic acid, N-(3-Butanoic acid)-2,6-diaminohexanamide, 3-Dimethylaminobenzoic acid, 3-Guanadinopropionic acid, HO 2 CCH 2 CH 2 CONHCH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H, HO 2 CCH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H and HO 2 CCH 2 CH 2 PO 3 H 2 . 
     
     
       13. The compound of  claim 12   claim 36 wherein the solubilizing group is selected from the group consisting of Lysine, Glycine, Alanine,  N,N-Dimethylglycine, Histidine, Arginine,  β-Alanine, and α-Aminoisobutyric Acid. 
     
     
       14. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein R 1  is hydrogen. 
     
     
       15. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein R 2  and R 3  are independently selected from the group consisting of H, NH 2 , hydroxyl, halogen, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkylthiomethyl, lower alkylsulfinylmethyl, arylthiomethyl, lower alkyl sulfonylmethyl, (dialkylamino)alkylthiomethyl, heteroarylmethylthiomethyl, heteroarylthiomethyl and a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A. 
     
     
       16. The compound of  claim 15  wherein R 2  and R 3  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, NH 2 , hydroxyl, halogen, CH 2 S(═O)C 2 H 5 , CH 2 SC 2 H 5 , CH 2 SC 6 H 5 , CH 2 S(═O) 2 C 2 H 5 , CH 2 S(CH 2 ) 2 N (CH 3 ) 2 , CH 2 SCH 2 —(2-furyl), CH 2 S-3-(1,2,4-triazolyl), and a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A. 
     
     
       17. The compound of  claim 16  wherein R 2  and R 3  are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkylthiomethyl. 
     
     
       18. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein Y is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A. 
     
     
       19. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein X is selected from the group consisting of methoxycarbonyl, —CH 2 —S(═O)CH 3 , —CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 , hydroxymethyl, —CH 2 —B wherein B is a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A, glucosylthiomethyl,  —CH 2 —NHC(═O)O—C 6 H 5 , and —C(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 —OH. 
     
     
       20. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , W 1  and W 2  are each H; Y is lower alkoxy; and X is —CH 2 —B wherein B a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A. 
     
     
       21. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , W 1  and W 2  are each H; Y is lower alkoxy; and X is —CH 2 —B wherein B a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A. 
     
     
       22. The compound of  claim 21  wherein Y is methoxy. 
     
     
       23. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein R 1 , R 4 , W 1  and W 2  are H; R 2  and R 3  are both lower alkylthiomethyl; X is methoxycarbonyl; and Y is a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A. 
     
     
       24. The compound of  claim 23  wherein R 2  and R 3  are each —CH 2 SC 2 H 5 . 
     
     
       25. The compound of  claim 1   claim 36 wherein Q is a residue having a formula selected from the group consisting of the listed substituents at positions R 2  , R 3 , Y and X: 
       
         
           
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
               
                     
                 
                   Formula (1)   
                   R 2   
                   R 3   
                   Y 
                   X 
                 
                     
                 
                   I-1 
                   H 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-2 
                   OH 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-3 
                   H 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CH 2 S(═O)CH 3   
                 
                   I-4 
                   H 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CH 2 N(CH 3 ) 2   
                 
                   I-5 
                   H 
                   H 
                   OCH 3   
                   CH 2 OH 
                 
                   I-6 (2)   
                   H 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CH 2 S-Glc 
                 
                   I-7 (3)   
                   H 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-8 
                   CH 2 S(═O)C 2 H 5   
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-9 (3)   
                   Br 
                   Br 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-10 
                   CH 2 SC 2 H 5   
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-11 
                   CH 2 SC 6 H 5   
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-12 
                   H 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CH 2 NHCO 2 C 6 H 5   
                 
                   I-13 
                   CH 2 S(═O) 2 C 2 H 5   
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-14 
                   CH 2 SC 2 H 5   
                   CH 2 SC 2 H 5   
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-15 
                   CH 2 S(CH 2 ) 2 N(CH 3 ) 2   
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-16 
                   CH 2 SCH 2 -2-Furyl 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-17 
                   Br 
                   Br 
                   OH 
                   CH 2 OH 
                 
                   I-18 
                   CH 2 S-3-(1,2,4- 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                     
                   Triazolyl) 
                 
                   I-19 
                   CH 2 S(CH 2 ) 2 N(CH 3 ) 2   
                   CH 2 S(CH 2 ) 2 N(CH 3 ) 2   
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-20 (4)   
                   H 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-21 (5)   
                   H 
                   NH 2   
                   OH 
                   CO 2 CH 3   
                 
                   I-22 
                   H 
                   H 
                   OH 
                   C(═O)NH(CH 2 ) 2 OH 
                 
                     
                 
                     (1) W 1  and W 2  are both hydrogen, or both are combined together to represent oxygen, where indicated in Footnote 3. R 1  is hydrogen. R 4  is hydrogen except as noted in Footnotes 4 and 5.  
                 
                     (2) Glc is glucose; linkage is through the 1-position.  
                 
                     (3) W 1  and W 2  are combined together to represent oxygen.  
                 
                     (4) R 4  is NHCONHC 2 H 5 .  
                 
                     (5) R 4  NH 2 .  
                 
             
                
                
                
               
               
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
                
               
            
           
         
       
     
     
       26. The compound of  claim 25  wherein Q is a residue having the following substituents: R 2  is hydrogen, R 3  is hydrogen, Y is OCH 3 , X is CH 2 OH, and the solubilizing group is selected from the group consisting of Lysine, Glycine, Alanine,  N,N-Dimethylglycine, Histidine, Arginine,  β-Alanine, α-Aminoisobutyric Acid, Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Cysteine, Aspartic Acid,  Morpholine-1-acetic acid, 4-Methyl-1-piperazine acetic acid, β-Alanine-(2-aminopropionic) acid, N-(3-dimethylaminoethyl) succinamic acid, N-(3-Butanoic acid)-2,6-diaminohexanamide, 3-Dimethylaminobenzoic acid, 3-Guanadinopropionic acid, HO 2 CCH 2 CH 2 CONHCH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H, HO 2 CCH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H and HO 2 CCH 2 CH 2 PO 3 H 2 . 
     
     
       27. The compound of  claim 25  wherein Q is a residue having the following substituents: R 2  is CH 2 SC 2 H 5 , R 3  is CH 2 SC 2 H 5 , Y is OH, X is CO 2 CH 3 . 
     
     
       28. The compound of  claim 25  wherein Q is a residue having the following substituents: R 2  is CH 2 SC 2 H 5 , R 3  is CH 2 SC 2 H 5 , Y is OH, X is CO 2 CH 3 , and the solubilizing group is selected from the group consisting of Lysine, Glycine, Alanine,  N,N-Dimethylglycine, Histidine, Arginine,  β-Alanine, α-Aminoisobutyric Acid, Valine, Leucine, Isoleucine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Cystine, Aspartic Acid,  Morpholine-1-acetic acid, 4-Methyl-1-piperazine acetic acid, β-Alanine-(2-aminopropionic) acid, N-(3-dimethylaminoethyl) succinamic acid, N-(3-Butanoic acid)-2,6-diaminohexanamide, 3-Dimethylaminobenzoic acid, 3-Guanadinopropionic acid, HO 2 CCH 2 CH 2 CONHCH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H, HO 2 CCH 2 CH 2 SO 3 H and HO 2 CCH 2 CH 2 PO 3 H 2 . 
     
     
       29. The compound of  claim 26  wherein Q is a residue having the following substituents: R 2  is hydrogen, R 3  is hydrogen, Y is OCH 3 , X is CH 2 OH, and the solubilizing group is selected from the group consisting of Lysine, Glycine, Alanine,  N,N-Dimethylglycine, Histidine, Arginine,  β-Alanine, and α-Aminoisobutyric Acid. 
     
     
       30. The compound of  claim 28  wherein Q is a residue having the following substituents: R 2  is CH 2 SC 2 H 5 , R 3  is CH 2 SC 2 H 5 , Y is OH, X is CO 2 CH 3 , and the solubilizing group is selected from the group consisting of Lysine, Glycine, Alanine,  N,N-Dimethylglycine, Histidine, Arginine,  β-Alanine, and α-Aminoisobutyric Acid. 
     
     
       31. A method for treating a pathological condition of the prostate comprising administering to a patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of  claim 1   claim 36 . 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 31  wherein the compound is administered with a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       33. The indolocarbazole ester of  claim 27  wherein A is a residue of lysyl-β-alanine. 
     
     
       34. The indolocarbazole ester of  claim 27  wherein A is a residue of 3-dimethylaminobutyric acid. 
     
     
       35. An indolocarbazole ester of formula Q—L—C(═O) —A wherein: 
       A is 3-dimethylaminobutyric acid or lysyl-β-alanine;  
       L is oxygen; and  
       Q is an indolocarbazole residue of the formula:                    
       wherein 
       R 1  is —CH 2 R 5 ;  
       R 5  is halogen, amino, di-lower alkylamino, hydroxyl, a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A, or lower alkylamino optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       R 2 and R 3  are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, halogen, hydroxylmethyl, lower alkoxymethyl, lower alkylthiomethyl, lower alkylsulfinylmethyl, arylthiomethyl, heteroarylthiomethyl, arylsulfinylmethyl, heteroarylsulfinylmethyl, arylmethylthiomethyl, heteroarylmethylthiomethyl, CH═NNHC(═NH) NH 2 , nitro, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, sulfonic acid, —SO 2 NR 8  R 9 , —OC(═O)NR 8 R 9 , —CH═NNR 8  R 9 , —NR 6 R 7 , —OCO 2 R 10 , —NHC (═O)NHR 11 , —CH 2 OC(═O)NHR 11 , —NHCO 2 R 11 , lower alkyl sulfonylmethyl, (dialkylamino) alkylthiomethyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═O)—A, or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       one of R 6  and R 7  is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkanoyl or phenylaminocarbonyl; or R 6  and R 7  are both lower alkyl;  
       R 8  and R 9  are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or R 8  and R 9  together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycle;  
       R 10  is lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl;  
       R 11  is hydrogen or lower alkyl;  
       R 4  is hydrogen, amino or —NHC(═O)NHC 2 H 5 ;  
       one of W 1  and W 2  is hydrogen, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio and a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A, or W 1  and W 2  combined together are oxygen;  
       X is hydrogen, —CH 2 —NHC(═O)O—C 6 H 5 , formyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl having from 2 to 13 carbons, cycloalkoxycarbonyl having from 4 to 11 carbons, —(CH 2 ) n CH 2 N(R 11 ) 2  wherein n is an integer from 0 to 5, —C(═O)NR 12 R 13 , —CH 2 B, —NR 14 R 15 , —N═CHN(CH 3 ) 2 , —OCOCH 2 CH 2 CO 9 H, lower alkylhydrazinocarbonyl, —CH═N—R 16 , —CONHR 17 , a group of formula:                    
       R 12  and R 13  are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or by a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A, or R 12  and R 13  are combined together to form a 3-6 carbon heterocyclic ring which optionally contains at least one O, S and/or additional N heteroatom, or R 12  is hydrogen and R 13  is hydroxyl, phenyl, or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       B is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, azido, lower alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, heteroarylsulfinyl or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       one of R 14  or R 15  is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, carboxyl-substituted lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkyl- or aryl-substituted carbamoyl, a residue of an α-amino acid in which the carboxylate group hydrogen  is removed, or lower alkoxycarbonyl-substituted lower alkyl; or both R 14  and R 15  are lower alkyl or chlorine-substituted lower alkyl; or R 14  and R 15  are combined together to form —CH 2 CH 2 DCH 2 CH 2 — wherein D is —CH 2 —, —NH—, —S— or —O—;  
       R 16  is hydroxyl, carbamoylamino, —NR 8 R 9  guanidino, 2-imidazolylamino or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A;  
       R 17  is the residue of an α-amino acid after removal of the amino group thereof, wherein the carboxyl group of the α-amino acid is optionally esterified by a lower alkyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol;  
       Y is hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, carbamoyloxy, lower alkoxy, or a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A, or X and Y together may be —CH 2 OC(CH 3 ) 2 (—, O═, —CH 2 O—, —CH 2 OCO 2 —, —CH 2 OC(═S) O—, —CH 2 N(R 18 )CO 2 —, —CH 2 NHC(═S)O—, —CH 2 OS(═O)O—, —OC(═S)NHCH 2 — of —O—C(R 19 )═N—CH 2 —;  
       R 18  is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, formylmethyl, —CH 2 CH═NNHC(═NH)NH 2 , —CH 2 CH(—G) CH 2 —J wherein G and J are independently hydroxyl or one of them is a single bond attached to —L—C(═O) —A; and  
       R 19  is lower alkyl or lower alkylthio;  
       provided that one of R 2 , R 3 , R 5 , W 1 , W 2 , X and Y contains a single bond attached to —L—C(═O)—A.  
       and further provided that where R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , W 1  and W 2  are H, Y cannot be hydroxyl where X is —CH 2 —O—C(═O)CH 2 NH 2  or —CH 2 —O—C(═O)CH 2 NH-cbz.  
     
     
       36. An indolocarbazole ester of formula Q—L—C(═ O )— A wherein:    
         A is a solubilizing group selected from the group consisting of an amino acid residue, a dipeptide residue, — ( CH   m ) m   Z, — (CH 2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH ( CH   2 ) m   Z, — ( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH—Z, — ( CH   2 ) m   Z (CH 2 ) m   Z, branched  —( CH   2 ) n   CH [(i CH 2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) m   —Z[ ( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) n   —A   1 , —( CH   2 ) n - heteroaryl and —NH ( CH   2 ) m   N ( CH   3 ) 2 ;  
       
         wherein:  
       
       
         n is an integer from  0  to  5 ;  
       
       
         m is an integer from  1 - 6 ;  
       
         Z is selected from the group consisting of a basic group, —C (═ NH ) NH   2   , cyclic amidine, —NHC ( NH   2 )═ NR   11   , cyclic guanidine and an acidic group; and    
         A   1    is aryl or heteroaryl substituted with one to three substituents of formula  —( CH   2 ) n   Z;    
       
         L is oxygen; and  
       
       
         Q is an indolocarbazole residue of formula:  
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       
         wherein:  
       
         R   1    is hydrogen, carbamoyl, lower alkyl, amino, lower alkanoyl, —CH   2   R   5    or —CH   2   CH   2   R   5 ;  
         R   5    is halogen, amino, di - lower alkylamino, hydroxyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkylamino optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   2    and R   3    are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, halogen, hydroxymethyl, lower alkoxymethyl, lower alkylthiomethyl, lower alkylsulfinylmethyl, arylthiomethyl, heteroarylthiomethyl, arylsulfinylmethyl, heteroarylsulfinylmethyl, arylmethylthiomethyl, heteroarylmethylthiomethyl, CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , nitro, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, sulfonic acid, —SO   2   NR   8   R   9   , —OC (═ O ) NR   8   R   9   , —CH═NNR   8   R   9   , —NR   6   R   7   , —OCO   2   R   10   , —NHC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —CH   2   OC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —NHCO   2   R   11   , lower alkyl sulfonylmethyl , ( dialkylamino ) alkylthiomethyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O ) —A;    
       
         one of R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkanoyl or phenylaminocarbonyl; or R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         are both lower alkyl;  
       
       
         R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycle;  
       
       
         R 
         10  
         is lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl;  
       
       
         R 
         11  
         is hydrogen or lower alkyl;  
       
         R   4    is hydrogen amino or —NHC (═ O ) NHC   2   H   5 ;  
         one of W   1    and W   2    is hydrogen, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio and a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or W   1    and W   2    combined together are oxygen;    
         X is hydrogen, —CH   2   —NHC (═ O ) O—C   6   H   5   , formyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl having from  2  to  13  carbons, cycloalkoxycarbonyl having from  4  to  11  carbons, — ( CH   2 ) n   CH   2   N ( R   11 ) 2    wherein n is an integer from  0  to  5 , —C (═ O ) NR   12   R   13   , —CH   2   B, —NR   14   R   15   , —N═CHN ( CH   3 ) 2   , —OCOCH   2   CH   2   CO   2   H, lower alkylhydrazinocarbonyl, —CH═N—R   16   , —CONHR   17   , a group of formula:                      
         R   12    and R   13    are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or by a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or R   12    and R   13    are combined together to form a  3 - 6  carbon heterocyclic ring which optionally contains at least one O, S and/or additional N heteroatom, or R   12    is hydrogen and R   13    is hydroxyl, phenyl, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         B is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, azido, lower alkythio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, heteroarylsulfinyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A provided that A is not a glycine residue, or a residue of D -,  L -  or racemic alanine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, arginine, or histidine;    
         one of R   14    or R   15    is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, carboxyl - substituted lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkyl -  or aryl - substituted carbamoyl, a residue of an α - amino acid in which the carboxylate hydrogen is removed, or lower alkoxycarbonyl - substituted lower alkyl; or both R   14    and R   15    are lower alkyl or chlorine - substituted lower alkyl; or R   14    and R   15    are combined together to form —CH   2   CH   2   DCH   2   , CH   2   — wherein D is —CH   2   —, —NH—, —S— or —O—;    
         R   16    is hydroxyl, carbamoylamino, —NR   8   R   9    guanidino,  2   - imidazolylamino or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   17    is the residue of an α - amino acid after removal of the amino group thereof, wherein the carboxyl group of the α - amino acid is optionally esterified by a lower alkyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol;    
         Y is hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, carbamoyloxy, lower alkoxy, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or X and Y together may be —CH   2   OC ( CH   3 ) 2   O—, O═, —CH   2   O—, —CH   2   OCO   2   —, —CH   2   OC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   N ( R   18 ) CO   2   —, —CH   2   NHC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   OS (═ O ) O—, —OC (═ S ) NHCH   2   —or —O—C ( R   19 )═ N—CH   2 —;  
         R   18    is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, formylmethyl, —CH   2   CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , —CH   2   CH (— G ) CH   2   —J wherein G and J are independently hydroxyl or one of them is a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A; and    
         R   19  is lower alkyl or lower alkylthio;  
         provided that one of R   2   , R   3   , R   5   , W   1   , W   2   , X and Y contains a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         further provided that where R   1   , R   2   , R   3   , R   4   , W   1    and W   2    are H, Y cannot be hydroxyl when X is —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH   2    or —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH - cbz;    
         and further provided that the solubilizing group A is other than a residue of  3   - dimethylaminobutyric acid, lysyl -β- alanine or succinic acid.   
     
     
       37. An indolocarbazole ester of formula Q—L—C(═ O )— A wherein:    
         A is a solubilizing group selected from the group consisting of an amino acid residue, a dipeptide residue, — ( CH   2 ) m   Z, — ( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH ( CH   2 ) m   Z , —( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH—Z, — ( CH   2 ) m   Z ( CH   2 ) m   Z, branched — ( CH   2 ) n   CH[ ( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) m   —Z[ ( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 ,—( CH   2 ) n   —A   1 , —( CH   2 ) n   -heteroaryl and —NH ( CH   2 ) m   N (CH 3 ) 2 ;  
       
         wherein:  
       
       
         n is an integer from  0  to  5 ;  
       
       
         m is an integer from  1 - 6 ;  
       
         Z is selected from the group consisting of a basic group, —C (═ NH ) NH   2   , cyclic amidine, —NHC ( NH   2 )═ NR   11   , cyclic guanidine and an acidic group; and    
         A   1    is aryl or heteroaryl substituted with one to three substituents of formula  —( CH   2 ) n   Z;    
       
         L is oxygen; and  
       
       
         Q is an indolocarbazole residue of formula:  
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       
         wherein:  
       
         R   1    is hydrogen, carbamoyl, lower alkyl, amino, lower alkanoyl, —CH   2   R   5    or —CH   2   CH   2   R   5 ;  
         R   5    is halogen, amino, di - lower alkylamino, hydroxyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkylamino optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   2    and R   3    are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, halogen, hydroxymethyl, lower alkoxymethyl, lower alkylthiomethyl, lower alkylsulfinylmethyl, arylthiomethyl, heteroarylthiomethyl, arylsulfinylmethyl, heteroarylsulfinylmethyl, arylmethylthiomethyl, heteroarylmethylthiomethyl, CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , nitro, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, sulfonic acid, —SO   2   NR   8   R   9   , —OC (═ O ) NR   8   R   9   , —CH═NNR   8   R   9   , —NR   6   R   7   , —OCO   2   R   10   , —NHC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —CH   2   OC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —NHCO   2   R   11   , lower alkyl sulfonylmethyl,  ( dialkylamino ) alkylthiomethyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
       
         one or R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkanoyl or phenylaminocarbonyl; or R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         are both lower alkyl;  
       
       
         R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycle;  
       
       
         R 
         10  
         is lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl;  
       
       
         R 
         11  
         is hydrogen or lower alkyl;  
       
         R   4    is hydrogen, amino or —NHC (═ O ) NHC   2   H   5 ;  
         one of W   1    and W   2    is hydrogen, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio and a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or W   1    and W   2    combined together are oxygen;    
         X is hydrogen, —CH   2   —NHC (═ O ) O—C   6   H   5   , formyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl having from  2  to  13  carbons, cycloalkoxycarbonyl having from  4  to  11  carbons , —( CH   2 ) n   CH   2   N ( R   11 ) 2    wherein n is an integer from  0  to  5 , —C (═ O ) NR   12   R   13   , —CH   2   B, —NR   14   R   15   , —N═CHN ( CH   3 ) 2   , —OCOCH   2   CH   2   CO   2   H, lower alkylhydrazinocarbonyl, —CH═N—R   16   , —CONHR   17   , a group of formula:                      
         R   12    and R   13    are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or by a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or R   12    and R   13    are combined together to form a  3 - 6  carbon heterocyclic ring which optionally contains at least one O, S and/or additional N heteroatom, or R   12    is hydrogen and R   13    is hydroxyl, phenyl, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         B is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, azido, lower alkythio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, heteroarylsulfinyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         one of R   14    or R   15    is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, carboxyl - substituted lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkyl -  or aryl - substituted carbamoyl, a residue of an α - amino acid in which the carboxylate hydrogen is removed, or lower alkoxycarbonyl - substituted lower alkyl; or both R   14    and R   15    are lower alkyl or chlorine - substituted lower alkyl; or R   14    and R   15    are combined together to form —CH   2   CH   2   DCH   2   CH   2   — wherein D is —CH   2   —, —NH—, —S— or —O—;    
         R   16    is hydroxyl, carbamoylamino, —NR   8   R   9    guanidino,  2   - imidazolylamino or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   17    is the residue of an α - amino acid after removal of the amino group thereof, wherein the carboxyl group of the α - amino acid is optionally esterified by a lower alkyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol;    
         Y is hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, carbamoyloxy, lower alkoxy, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or X and Y together may be —CH   2   OC ( CH   3 ) 2   O—, O═, —CH   2   O—, —CH   2   OCO   2   —, —CH   2   OC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   N ( R   18 ) CO   2   —, —CH   2   NHC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   OS (═ O ) O—, —OC (═ S ) NHCH   2   —or —O—C ( R   19 )═ N—CH   2 —;  
         R   18    is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, formylmethyl, —CH   2   CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , —CH   2   CH (− G ) CH   2   —J wherein G and J are independently hydroxyl or one of them is a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O ) A; and    
       
         R 
         19  
         is lower alkyl or lower alkylthio;  
       
         provided that one of R   2   , R   3   , R   5   , W   1   , W   2   , X and Y contains a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         further provided that where R   1   , R   2   , R   3   , R   4   , W   1    and W   2    are H, Y cannot be hydroxyl when X is —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH   2    or —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH - cbz;    
         and further provided that the solubilizing group A is other than a residue of  3   - dimethylaminobutyric acid, lysyl -β- alanine, succinic acid, or glycine, or a residue or D—, L— or racemic alainine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, methionine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, glutamine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, lysine, arginine, or histidine.   
     
     
       38. An indolocarbazole ester of formula Q—L—C(═ O )— A wherein:    
         A is a solubilizing group selected from the group consisting of an amino acid residue, a dipeptide residue, —(   CH   2 ) m   Z, — ( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH ( CH   2 ) m   Z, — ( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH—Z, — ( CH   2 ) m   Z ( CH   2 ) m   Z, branched — ( CH   2 ) n   CH [( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) m   —Z [( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) n   —A   1 , —( CH   2 ) n - heteroaryl and —NH ( CH   2 ) m   N (CH 3 ) 2 ;  
       
         wherein:  
       
       
         n is an integer from  0  to  5 ;  
       
       
         m is an integer from  1 - 6 ;  
       
         Z is selected from the group consisting of a basic group, —C (═ NH ) NH   2   , cyclic amidine, —NHC ( NH   2 )═ NR   11   , cyclic guanidine and an acidic group; and    
         A   1    is aryl or heteroaryl substituted with one to three substituents of formula  —( CH   2 ) n   Z;    
       
         L is oxygen; and  
       
       
         Q is an indolocarbazole residue of formula:  
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       
         wherein:  
       
         R   1    is hydrogen, carbamoyl, lower alkyl, amino, lower alkanoyl, —CH   2   R   5    or —CH   2   CH   2   R   5 ;  
         R   5    is halogen, amino, di - lower alkylamino, hydroxyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkylamino optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   2    and R   3    are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, halogen, hydroxymethyl, lower alkoxymethyl, lower alkylthiomethyl, lower alkylsulfinylmethyl, arylthiomethyl, heteroarylthiomethyl, arylsulfinylmethyl, heteroarylsulfinylmethyl, arylmethylthiomethyl, heteroarylmethylthiomethyl, CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , nitro, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, sulfonic acid, —SO   2   NR   8   R   9   , —OC (═ O ) NR   8   R   9   , —CH═NNR   8   R   9   , —NR   6   R   7   , —OCO   2   R   10   , —NHC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —CH   2   OC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —NHCO   2   R   11   , lower alkyl sulfonylmethyl , ( dialkylamino ) alkylthiomethyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
       
         one of R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkanoyl or phenylaminocarbonyl; or R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         are both lower alkyl;  
       
       
         R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycle;  
       
       
         R 
         10  
         is lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl;  
       
       
         R 
         11  
         is hydrogen or lower alkyl;  
       
         R   4    is hydrogen, amino or —NHC (═ O ) NHC   2   H   5 ;  
         one of W   1    and W   2    is hydrogen, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio and a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or W   1    and W   2    combined together are oxygen;    
         X is hydrogen, —CH   2   —NHC (═ O ) O—C   6   H   5   , formyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl having from  2  to  13  carbons, cycloalkoxycarbonyl having from  4  to  11  carbons , —( CH   2 ) n   CH   2   N ( R   11 ) 2    wherein n is an integer from  0  to  5 , —C (═ O ) NR   12   R   13   , —CH   2   B, —NR   14   R   15   , —N═CHN ( CH   3 ) 2   , —OCOCH   2   CH   2   CO   2   H, lower alkylhydrazinocarbonyl, —CH═N—R   16   , —CONHR   17   , a group of formula:                      
         R   12    and R   13    are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or by a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or R   12    and R   13    are combined together to form a  3 - 6  carbon heterocyclic ring which optionally contains at least one O, S and/or additional N heteroatom, or R   12    is hydrogen and R   13    is hydroxyl, phenyl, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         B is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, azido, lower alkythio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, heteroarylsulfinyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A   2    where A   2    is a residue of a non - naturally occurring amino acid;    
         one of R   14    or R   15    is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, carboxyl - substituted lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkyl -  or aryl - substituted carbamoyl, a residue of an  α- amino acid in which the carboxylate hydrogen is removed, or lower alkoxycarbonyl - substituted lower alkyl; or both R   14    and R   15    are lower alkyl or chlorine - substituted lower alkyl; or R   14    and R   15    are combined together to form —CH   2   CH   2   DCH   2   CH   2   — wherein D is —CH   2   —, —NH—, —S— or —O—;    
         R   16    is hydroxyl, carbamoylamino, —NR   8   R   9    guanidino,  2   - imidazolylamino or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   17    is the residue of an α - amino acid after removal of the amino group thereof, wherein the carboxyl group of the α - amino acid is optionally esterified by a lower alkyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol;    
         Y is hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, carbamoyloxy, lower alkoxy, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or X and Y together may be —CH   2   OC ( CH   3 ) 2   O—, O═, —CH   2   O—, —CH   2   OCO   2   —, —CH   2   OC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   N ( R   18 ) CO   2   —, —CH   2   NHC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   OS (═ O ) O—, —OC (═ S ) NHCH   2   — or —O—C ( R   19 )═ N—CH   2   —;    
         R   18    is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, formylmethyl, —CH   2   CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , —CH   2   CH (— G ) CH   2   —J wherein G and J are independently hydroxyl or one of them is a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A; and    
         R   19  is lower alkyl or lower alkylthio;  
         provided that one of R   2   , R   3   , R   5   , W   1   , W   2   , X and Y contains a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         further provided that where R   1   , R   2   , R   3   , R   4   , W   1    and W   2    are H, Y cannot be hydroxyl when X is —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH   2    or —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH - cbz;    
         and further provided that the solubilizing group A is other than a residue of  3   - dimethylaminobutyric acid, lysyl -β- alanine, or succinic acid.   
     
     
       39. An indolocarbazole ester of formula Q—L—C(═ O )— A wherein:    
         A is a solubilizing group selected from the group consisting of a residue of a non - naturally occurring amino acid, a dipeptide residue, — ( CH   2 ) m   Z , —( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH ( CH   2 ) m   Z, — ( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH—Z , —(CH 2 ) m   Z ( CH   2 ) m   Z, branched  —( CH   2 ) n   CH[ ( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) m   —Z[ ( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) n   —A   1 , —( CH   2 ) n - heteroaryl and —NH ( CH   2 ) m   N ( CH   3 ) 2 ;  
       
         wherein:  
       
       
         n is an integer from  0  to  5 ;  
       
       
         m is an integer from  1 - 6 ;  
       
         Z is selected from the group consisting of a basic group, —C (═ NH ) NH   2   , cyclic amidine, —NHC ( NH   2 )═ NR   11   , cyclic guanidine and an acidic group; and    
         A   1    is aryl or heteroaryl substituted with one to three substituents of formula  —( CH   2 ) n   Z;    
       
         L is oxygen; and  
       
       
         Q is an indolocarbazole residue of formula:  
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       
         wherein  
       
         R   1    is hydrogen, carbamoyl, lower alkyl, amino, lower alkanoyl, —CH   2   R   5    or —CH   2   CH   2   R   5 ;  
         R   5    is halogen, amino, di - lower alkylamino, hydroxyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A or lower alkylamino optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   2    and R   3    are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, halogen, hydroxymethyl, lower alkoxymethyl, lower alkylthiomethyl, lower alkylsulfinylmethyl, arylthiomethyl, heteroarylthiomethyl, arylsulfinylmethyl, heteroarylsulfinylmethyl, arylmethylthiomethyl, heteroarylmethylthiomethyl, CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , nitro, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, sulfonic acid, —SO   2   NR   8   R   9   , —OC (═ O ) NR   8   R   9   , —CH═NNR   8   R   9   , —NR   6   R   7   , —OCO   2   R   10   , —NHC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —CH   2   OC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —NHCO   2   R   11   , lower alkyl sulfonylmethyl,  ( dialkylamino ) alkylthiomethyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
       
         one of R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkanoyl or phenylaminocarbonyl; or R 
         6  
         and R 
         7 
         are both lower alkyl;  
       
       
         R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycle;  
       
       
         R 
         10  
         is lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl;  
       
       
         R 
         11  
         is hydrogen or lower alkyl;  
       
         R   4    is hydrogen, amino or —NHC (═ O ) NHC   2   H   5   ;    
         one of W   1    and W   2    is hydrogen, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio and a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or W   1    and W   2    combined together are oxygen;    
         X is hydrogen, —CH   2   —NHC (═ O ) O—C   6   H   5   , formyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl having from  2  to  13  carbons, cycloalkoxycarbonyl having from  4  to  11  carbons , —( CH   2 ) n   CH   2   N ( R   11 ) 2    wherein n is an integer from  0  to  5 , —C (═ O ) NR   12   R   13   , —CH   2   B, —NR   14   R   15    , —N═CHN ( CH   3 ) 2   , —OCOCH   2   CH   2   CO   2   H, lower alkylhydrazinocarbonyl, —CH═N—R   16   , —CONHR   17   , a group of formula:                      
         R   12    and R   13    are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or by a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or R   12    and R   13    are combined together to form a  3 - 6  carbon heterocyclic ring which optionally contains at least one O, S and/or additional N heteroatom, or R   12    is hydrogen and R   13    is hydroxyl, phenyl, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         B is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, azido, lower alkythio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, heteroarylsulfinyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         one of R   14    or R   15    is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, carboxyl - substituted lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkyl -  or aryl - substituted carbamoyl, a residue of an α - amino acid in which the carboxylate hydrogen is removed, or lower alkoxycarbonyl - substituted lower alkyl; or both R   14    and R   15    are lower alkyl or chlorine - substituted lower alkyl; or R   14    and R   15    are combined together to form —CH   2   CH   2   DCH   2   CH   2   — wherein D is —CH   2   —, —NH—, —S— or —O—;    
         R   16    is hydroxyl, carbamoylamino, —NR   8   R   9    guanidino,  2   - imidazolylamino or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   17    is the residue of an α - amino acid after removal of the amino group thereof, wherein the carboxyl group of the α - amino acid is optionally esterified by a lower alkyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol;    
         Y is hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, carbamoyloxy, lower alkoxy, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or X and Y together may be —CH   2   OC ( CH   3 ) 2   O—, O═, —CH   2   O—, —CH   2   OCO   2   —, —CH   2   OC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   N ( R   18 ) CO   2   —, —CH   2   NHC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   OS (═ O ) O—, —OC (═ S ) NHCH   2   — or —O—C ( R   19 )═ N—CH   2   —;    
         R   18    is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, formylmethyl, —CH   2   CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , —CH   2   CH (— G ) CH   2   —J where G and J are independently hydroxyl or one of them is a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A; and    
       
         R 
         19  
         is lower alkyl or lower alkylthio;  
       
         provided that one of R   2   , R   3   , R   5   , W   1   , W   2   , X and Y contains a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         further provided that where R   1   , R   2   , R   3   , R   4   , W   1    and W   2    are H, Y cannot be hydroxyl when X is —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH   2    or —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH—cbz;    
         and further provided that the solubilizing group A is other than a residue of  3   - dimethylaminobutyric acid, lysyl -β- alanine, or succinic acid.   
     
     
       40. An indolocarbazole ester of formula Q—L—C(═ O )— A wherein:    
         A is a solubilizing group selected from the group consisting of an amino acid residue, a dipeptide residue , —( CH   2 ) m   Z , —( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH ( CH   2 ) m   Z , —( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH—Z , —( CH   2   )   m   Z ( CH   2 ) m   Z, branched  —( CH   2 ) n   CH[ ( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) m   —Z[ ( CH   2 ) m   , Z]   2 —(CH 2 ) N—A   1 , —( CH   2 ) n - heteroaryl and —NH ( CH   2 ) m   N ( CH   3 ) 2 ;  
       
         wherein:  
       
       
         n is an integer from  0  to  5 ;  
       
       
         m is an integer from  1 - 6 ;  
       
         Z is selected from the group consisting of a basic group, —C (═ NH ) NH   2   , cyclic amidine, —NHC ( NH   2 )═ NR   11   , cyclic guanidine and an acidic group; and    
         A   1    is aryl or heteroaryl substituted with one to three substituents of formula  —( CH   2 ) n   Z;    
       
         L is oxygen; and  
       
       
         Q is an indolocarbazole residue of formula:  
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       
         wherein:  
       
       
         R 
         1  
         is hydrogen, carbamoyl, lower alkyl, amino, lower alkanoyl, —CH 
         2 
         R 
         5  
         or —CH 
         2 
         CH 
         2 
         R 
         5 
         ;  
       
         R   5    is halogen, amino, di - lower alkylamino, hydroxyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkylamino optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   2    and R   3    are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, halogen, hydroxymethyl, lower alkoxymethyl, lower alkylthiomethyl, lower alkylsulfinylmethyl, arylthiomethyl, heteroarylthiomethyl, arylsulfinylmethyl, heteroarylsulfinylmethyl, arylmethylthiomethyl, heteroarylmethylthiomethyl, CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , nitro, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, sulfonic acid, —SO   2   NR   8   R   9   , —OC (═ O ) NR   8   R   9   , —CH═NNR   8   R   9   , —NR   6   R   7   , —OCO   2   R   10   , —NHC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —CH   2   OC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —NHCO   2   R   11   , lower alkyl sulfonylmethyl, (dialkylamino)alkylthiomethyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
       
         one of R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkanoyl or phenylaminocarbonyl; or R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         are both lower alkyl;  
       
       
         R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycle;  
       
       
         R 
         10  
         is lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl;  
       
       
         R 
         11  
         is hydrogen or lower alkyl;  
       
         R   4    is hydrogen, amino or —NHC (═ O ) NHC   2   H   5 ;  
         one of W   1    and W   2    is hydrogen, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio and a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or W   1    and W   2    combined together are oxygen;    
         X is hydrogen, —CH   2   —NHC (═ O ) O—C   6   H   5   , formyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl having from  2  to  13  carbons, cycloalkoxycarbonyl having from  4  to  11  carbons , —( CH   2 ) n   CH   1   N ( R   11 ) 2    wherein n is an integer from  0  to  5 , —C (═ O ) NR   12   R   13   , —CH   2   B, —NR   14   R   15   , —N═CHN ( CH   3 ) 2   , —OCOCH   2   CH   2   CO   2   H, lower alkylhydrazinocarbonyl, —CH═N—R   16   , —CONHR   17   , a group of formula:                      
         R   12    and R   13    are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or by a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or R   12    and R   13    are combined together to form a  3 - 6  carbon heterocyclic ring which optionally contains at least one O, S and/or additional N heteroatom, or R   12    is hydrogen and R   13    is hydroxyl, phenyl, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         B is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkyanoyloxy, azido, lower alkythio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, lower alkylsufinyl, arylsulfinyl, heteroarylsulfinyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A   4    where A   4    is a residue of an amino acid other than an  α- amino acid;    
         one of R   14    or R   15    is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, carboxyl - substituted lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkyl -  or aryl - substituted carbamoyl, a residue of an α - amino acid in which the carboxylate hydrogen is removed, or lower alkoxycarbonyl - substituted lower alkyl; or both R   14    and R   15    are lower alkyl or chlorine - substituted lower alkyl; or R   14    and R   15    are combined to form —CH   2   CH   2   DCH   2   CH   2   — wherein D is —CH   2   —, —NH—, —S— or —O—;    
         R   16    is hydroxyl, carbamoylamino, —NR   8   R   9    guanidino,  2   - imidazolylamino or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   17    is the residue of an α - amino acid after removal of the amino group thereof, wherein the carboxyl group of the α - amino acid is optionally esterified by a lower alkyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol;    
         Y is hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, carbamoyloxy, lower alkoxy, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or X and Y together may be —CH   2   OC ( CH   3 ) 2   O—, O═, —CH   2   O—, —CH   2   OCO   2   —, —CH   2   OC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   N ( R   18 ) CO   2 —, —CH 2   NHC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   OS (═ O ) O—, —OC (═ S ) NHCH   2   — or —O—C ( R   19 )═ N—CH   2   —;    
         R   18    is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, formylmethyl, —CH   2   CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , —CH   2   CH (— G ) CH   2   —J wherein G and J are independently hydroxyl or one of them is a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A; and    
       
         R 
         19  
         is lower alkyl or lower alkylthio;  
       
         provided that one of R   2   , R   3   , R   5   , W   1   , W   2   , X and Y contains a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         further provided that where R   1   , R   2   , R   3   , R   4   , W   1    and W   2    are H, Y cannot be hydroxyl when X is —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH   2    or —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH - cbz;    
         and further provided that the solubilizing group A is other than a residue of  3   - dimethylaminobutyric acid, lysyl -β- alanine, or succinic acid.   
     
     
       41. An indolocarbazole ester of formula Q—L—C(═ O )— A wherein:    
         A is a solubilizing group selected from the group consisting of a residue or an amino acid other than an α - amino acid, a dipeptide residue , —( CH   2 ) m   Z , —( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH ( CH   2 ) m   Z , —( CH   2 ) m   C (═ O ) NH—Z , —(CH 2 ) m   Z ( CH   2 ) m   Z, branched  —( CH   2 ) n   CH[ ( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) m   —Z[ ( CH   2 ) m   Z]   2 , —( CH   2 ) n   —A   1 , —( CH   2 ) n - heteroaryl and —NH ( CH   2 ) m   N ( CH   3 ) 2 ;  
       
         wherein:  
       
       
         n is an integer from  0  to  5 ;  
       
       
         m is an integer from  1 - 6 ;  
       
         Z is selected from the group consisting of a basic group, —C (═ NH ) NH   2   , cyclic amidine, —NHC ( NH   2 )═ NR   11   , cyclic guanidine and an acidic group; and    
         A   1    is aryl or heteroaryl substituted with one to three substituents of formula  —( CH   2 ) n   Z;    
       
         L is oxygen; and  
       
       
         Q is an indolocarbazole residue of formula:  
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       
         wherein:  
       
         R   1    is hydrogen, carbamoyl, lower alkyl, amino, lower alkanoyl, —CH   2   R   5    or —CH   2   CH   2   R   5 ;  
         R   5    is halogen, amino, di - lower alkylamino, hydroxyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or lower alkylamino optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   2    and R   3    are independently hydrogen, hydroxyl, cyano, lower alkoxy, halogen, hydroxymethyl, lower alkoxymethyl, lower alkylthiomethyl, lower alkylsulfinylmethyl, arylthiomethyl, heteroarylthiomethyl, arylsulfinylmethyl, heteroarylsulfinylmethyl, arylmethylthiomethyl, heteroarylmethylthiomethyl, CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , nitro, lower alkanoyl, lower alkanoyloxy, sulfonic acid, —SO   2   NR   8   R   9   , —OC (═ O ) NR   8   R   9   , —CH═NNR   8   R   9   , —NR   6   R   7   , —OCO   2   R   10   , —NHC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —CH   2   OC (═ O ) NHR   11   , —NHCO   2   R   11   , lower alkyl sulfonylmethyl,  ( dialkylamino ) alkylthiomethyl, a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )- A, or lower alkyl optionally substituted with hydroxyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
       
         one of R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkylaminocarbonyl, lower alkanoyl or phenylaminocarbonyl; or R 
         6  
         and R 
         7  
         are both lower alkyl;  
       
       
         R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl or R 
         8  
         and R 
         9  
         together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached, form a heterocycle;  
       
       
         R 
         10  
         is lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl;  
       
       
         R 
         11  
         is hydrogen or lower alkyl;  
       
         R   4    is hydrogen, amino or —NHC (═ O ) NHC   2   H   5 ;  
         one of W   1    and W   2    is hydrogen, and the other is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio and a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or W   1    and W   2    combined together are oxygen;    
         X is hydrogen, —CH   2   —NHC (═ O ) O—C   6   H   5   , formyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl having from  2  to  13  carbons, cycloalkoxycarbonyl having from  4  to  11  carbons , —( CH   2 ) n   CH   2   N ( R   11 ) 2    wherein n is an integer from  0  to  5 , —C (═ O ) NR   12   R   13   , —CH   2   B, —NR   14   R   15   , —N═CHN ( CH   3 ) 2   , —OCOCH   2   CH   2   CO   2   H, lower alkylhydrazinocarbonyl, —CH═N—R   16   , —CONHR   17   , a group of formula:                      
         R   12    and R   13    are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, lower alkyl optionally substituted by hydroxyl or by a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or R   12    and R   13    are combined together to form a  3 - 6  carbon heterocyclic ring which optionally contains at least one O, S and/or additional N heteroatom, or R   12    is hydrogen and R   13    is hydroxyl, phenyl, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         B is hydroxyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkanoyloxy, azido, lower alkylthio, arylthio, heteroarylthio, lower alkylsulfinyl, arylsulfinyl, heteroarylsulfinyl or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         one of R   14    or R   15    is hydrogen and the other is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, carboxyl - substituted lower alkyl, carbamoyl, lower alkyl -  or aryl - substituted carbamoyl, a residue of an α - amino acid in which the carboxylate hydrogen is removed, or lower alkoxycarbonyl - substituted lower alkyl; or both R   14    and R   15    are lower alkyl or chlorine - substituted lower alkyl; or R   14    and R   15    are combined together to form —CH   2   CH   2   DCH   2   CH   2   — wherein D is —CH   2   —, —NH—, —S— of —O—;    
         R   16    is hydroxyl, carbamoylamino, —NR   8   R   9    guanidino,  2   - imidazolylamino or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         R   17    is the residue of an α - amino acid after removal of the amino group thereof, wherein the carboxyl group of the α - amino acid is optionally esterified by a lower alkyl alcohol or benzyl alcohol;    
         Y is a hydroxyl, lower alkanoyloxy, carbamoyloxy, lower alkoxy, or a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A, or X and Y together may be —CH   2   OC ( CH   3 ) 2   O—, O═, —CH   2   O—, —CH   2   OCO   2   —, —CH   2   OC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   N ( R   18 ) CO   2   —, —CH   2   NHC (═ S ) O—, —CH   2   OS (═ O ) O—, —OC (═ S ) NHCH   2   —or —O—C ( R   19 )═ N—CH   2   —;    
         R   18    is hydrogen, lower alkyl, allyl, formylmethyl, —CH   2   CH═NNHC (═ NH ) NH   2   , —CH   2   CH (— G ) CH   2   —J wherein G and J are independently hydroxyl or one of them is a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A; and    
       
         R 
         19  
         is lower alkyl or lower alkylthio;  
       
         provided that one of R   2   , R   3   , R   5   , W   1   , W   2   , and X and Y contains a single bond attached to —L—C (═ O )— A;    
         further provided that where R   1   , R   2   , R   3   , R   4   , W   1    and W   2    are H, Y cannot be hydroxyl when X is —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH   2    or —CH   2   —O—C (═ O ) CH   2   NH - cbz;    
         and further provided that the solubilizing group A is other than a residue of  3   - dimethylaminobutyric acid, lysyl -β- alanine, or succinic acid.   
     
     
       42. The indolocarbazole ester of  claim 40  wherein A 4    is a residue of a β - amino acid.   
     
     
       43. The indolocarbazole ester of  claim 40  wherein A 4    is a residue of a γ - amino acid.   
     
     
       44. The indolocarbazole ester of  claim 40  wherein A 4    is a residue of a δ - amino acid.   
     
     
       45. The indolocarbazole ester of  claim 41  wherein A is a residue of a β- amino acid.   
     
     
       46. The indolocarbazole ester of  claim 41  wherein A is a residue of a γ- amino acid.   
     
     
       47. The indolocarbazole ester of  claim 41  wherein A is a residue of a δ- amino acid.

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