The nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) are key components of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). A major problem with the first approved NNRTIs was the emergence of mutations in the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT), in particular K103N and Y181C, which led to resistance to the entire class. We adopted an iterative strategy to synthesize and test small molecule inhibitors from a chemical series of pyrazoles against wild-type (wt) RT and the most prevalent NNRTI-resistant mutants. The emerging candidate, lersivirine (UK-453,061), binds the RT enzyme in a novel way (resulting in a unique resistance profile), inhibits over 60% of viruses bearing key RT mutations, with 50% effective concentrations (EC 50 s) within 10-fold of those for wt viruses, and has excellent selectivity against a range of human targets. Altogether lersivirine is a highly potent and selective NNRTI, with excellent efficacy against NNRTI-resistant viruses.

Clinical trials of topical ALA in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) show significant recurrence rates. Exogenous 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) is converted by intracellular enzymes to photoactive protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) in human tissues. PpIX generates cytotoxic singlet oxygen when irradiated with visible light in the 400-640 nm range. To evaluate variability and heterogeneity in PpIX production by tumors in such trials, and to assess the usefulness of PpIX for marking skin tumors, we measured PpIX fluorescence distribution in BCC after topical application of 20% ALA cream. ALA cream was applied under occlusion for periods ranging from 3 to 18 h (average 6.9 h, SD 4 h) to 16 BCCs. ALA conversion to PpIX in the BCCs was assessed by in vivo photography, ex vivo video fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence microscopy. External macroscopic PpIX fluorescence, as assessed by in vivo and ex vivo imaging, correlated with the clinical presence of BCC. Examination by a digital imaging fluorescence microscope revealed inter- and intratumor fluorescence variability and heterogeneity. PpIX fluorescence corresponding to full tomor thickness was found in six superficial and four nodular tumors, and partial-thickness fluorescence was observed in five nodular tumors, but no PpIX fluorescence was observed in some areas of superficial, nodular and infiltrating tumors. In a significant number of nodular and infiltrating BCCs, topical ALA appeared to provide little or no PpIX in deep tumor lobules. In addition, no selectivity for tumor tissue versus normal epidermis was seen. The grossly brighter external PpIX fluorescence over tumors may be due, therefore, to enhanced penetration through tumor-reactive stratum corneum and to the tumor thickness.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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A parent benzothiazole nucleus was synthesized by para amino acetanilide, then it is subjected to treatment with various substituted aromatic aldehydes to get the corresponding Schiff’s bases followed by treatment with pthalic anhydride to form 2-(6- acetamidobenzo[d]thiazol-2-ylcarbamoyl)benzoic acid. The structures of synthesized compounds were confirmed by various spectroscopic methods such as IR, 1H NMR and mass spectroscopy. The products were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities. Some of the compounds exhibited potent activities when compared with the standards.