Lipid-soluble diaminopyrimidine inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase.

On the basis of activity against experimental tumors and potency as inhibitors of human dihydrofolate reductase, two compounds were selected for pharmacokinetic evaluation: metoprine ((2,4-diamino-5-(3',4'-dichlorophenyl)-6-methyl pyrimidine, DDMP, B.W. 197U) and etoprine, the corresponding 6-ethyl analog (DDEP, B.W. 276U). These lipid-soluble compounds readily cross the blood-brain barrier and penetrate rapidly into brain and brain tumors induced in rats by ethylnitrosourea. Both compounds are extensively bound to human plasma protein and their slow elimination from plasma and tissues contrasts with the kinetics of methotrexate. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of "folate" were elevated following oral administration of citrovorum factor to rats but not following equivalent doses of folic acid. The balance between selective action of the drug and selective protection by the vitamin is discussed with regard to differential distribution into separate compartments.