Tamibarotene (brand name: Amnolake), also called retinobenzoic acid, is orally active, synthetic retinoid, developed to overcome all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) resistance, with potential antineoplastic activity against acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) .[1] It is currently marketed only in Japan and early trials have demonstrated that it tends to be better tolerated than ATRA.[2] Tamibarotene has been tested in many other cancer types, including Acute Myeloid Leukemia where it shows no benefit,[3] and lung cancer, where it accelerated the cancer growth and increased mortality.[4]
It has also been investigated as a possible treatment for Alzheimer's disease, multiple myeloma and Crohn's disease.[2][5] Tamibarotene shows a similar side effect profile to Tretinoin, but exhibits lower clearance, resulting in improved dosing regiments. Hyperlipidemia is a common finding from Tamibarotene dosing.[6]
Synthesis
Reaction of the
diol (1) with hydrogen chloride affords the corresponding dichloro derivative (2). Aluminum chloride mediated Friedel–Crafts alkylation of acetanilide with the dichloride affords the tetralin (3). Basic hydrolysis leads to the primary amine (4). Acylation of the primary amino group with the half acid chloride half ester from terephthalic acid (5) leads to
the amide (6). Basic hydrolysis of the ester grouping then affords (7).[7]
