New aromatic monoesters of α-aminoaralkylphosphonic acids as inhibitors of aminopeptidase N/CD13

A series of new aromatic monoesters of α-aminoaralkylphosphonic acids were synthesized by selective hydrolysis of corresponding aromatic diesters of α-aminoaralkylphosphonic acids. New potential inhibitors of aminopeptidase N/CD13, an enzyme important in tumour angiogenesis, were developed. Some derivatives of the homophenylalanine and norleucine related monoaryl phosphonates displayed higher inhibition potency than corresponding α-aminoaralkylphosphonic acids toward aminopeptidase N/CD13. The effect of one of the new inhibitors on the growth of human PANC-1 and HT-1080 cell lines was examined, either alone or in combination with TNF-α.