AI & experimental-based discovery and preclinical IND-enabling studies of selective BMX inhibitors for development of cancer therapeutics.

The current work aims to design and provide a preliminary IND-enabling study of selective BMX inhibitors for cancer therapeutics development. BMX is an emerging target, more notably in oncological and immunological diseases. In this work, we have employed a predictive AI-based platform to design the selective inhibitors considering the novelty, IP prior protection, and drug-likeness properties. Furthermore, selected top candidates from the initial iteration of the design were synthesized and chemically characterized utilizing 1H NMR and LC-MS. Employing a panel of biochemical (enzymatic) and cancer cell lines, the selected molecules were tested against these assays. In addition, we used artificial intelligence to predict and evaluate several critical IND-focused physicochemical and pharmacokinetics values of the selected molecules. A secondary objective of the current work was also to validate the sole role of BMX in animal models known to be mediated by BMX. More than 50 molecules were designed in the present study employing five novel discovered scaffolds. Two molecules were nominated for further IND-focused studies. Compound II showed promising in-vitro activity against BMX in both enzymatic assays compared to other kinases and in cancer cell lines with known BMX overexpression. Interestingly, compound II showed very favorable physicochemical and pharmacokinetics properties as predicted by the used platforms. The animal study further confirmed the sole role of BMX in the disease model. The current work provides promising data on a selective BMX inhibitor as a potential lead for therapeutics development, and the asset is currently in the optimization stage. Notably, the current study shows a framework for a combined approach employing both AI and experimentation that can be used by academic labs in their research programs to more streamline programs into IND-focused to be bridged easily for further clinical development with industrial partners.

Comparative phenotypic profiling of the JAK2 inhibitors ruxolitinib, fedratinib, momelotinib, and pacritinib reveals distinct mechanistic signatures.

Janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling is critical to multiple cellular processes, including survival, differentiation, and proliferation. JAK-STAT signaling dysregulation has been noted in inflammatory disorders, and aberrant JAK2 pathway activation has been implicated in myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera. Moreover, 4 therapeutic JAK2 inhibitors (ruxolitinib, fedratinib, momelotinib, and pacritinib) have either been approved or are in advanced clinical development for myelofibrosis. Although all inhibit JAK2, reports indicate that they also inhibit other kinases. Profiling based solely on in vitro potencies is insufficient to predict the observed clinical effects. To provide further translational insights into clinical outcomes, we compared phenotypic biomarker profiles of ruxolitinib, fedratinib, momelotinib, and pacritinib in the BioMAP® Diversity PLUS panel of 12 human primary cell systems designed to recapitulate key aspects of tissue and disease states. Biomarker activity profiles that represent mechanistic signatures for each agent were compared with each other and a database of reference benchmark profiles. At clinically relevant concentrations, these agents had distinct biomarker impacts indicating diverse mechanistic signatures, suggesting divergent clinical effects for each agent. They disparately modulated inflammatory cytokine production and immune function. At clinically relevant concentrations, ruxolitinib had the broadest scope of activities across all 12 cellular systems, whereas pacritinib was more specific for the BT system (modelling T cell-dependent B cell activation) and exhibited the strongest inhibition of sIL-17A, sIL-2, and sIL-6. All 4 agents were antiproliferative to B cells, but ruxolitinib and momelotinib were also antiproliferative to T cells. These differential activities likely reflect distinct secondary pharmacology for these agents known primarily as JAK2 inhibitors. The phenotypic analysis reported herein represents key data on distinct modes-of-action that may provide insights on clinical outcomes reported for these agents. Such translational findings may also inform the development of next-generation molecules with improved efficacy and safety.

Inhibition of interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1) as a therapeutic strategy.

Interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinases (IRAK1, IRAK2, IRAK3 [IRAK-M], and IRAK4) are serine-threonine kinases involved in toll-like receptor and interleukin-1 signaling pathways, through which they regulate innate immunity and inflammation. Evidence exists that IRAKs play key roles in the pathophysiologies of cancers, and metabolic and inflammatory diseases, and that IRAK inhibition has potential therapeutic benefits. Molecules capable of selectively interfering with IRAK function and expression have been reported, paving the way for the clinical evaluation of IRAK inhibition. Herein, we focus on IRAK1, review its structure and physiological roles, and summarize emerging data for IRAK1 inhibitors in preclinical and clinical studies.

Pilot study of the antifibrotic effects of the multikinase inhibitor pacritinib in a mouse model of liver fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Fibrotic diseases result from an exuberant response to chronic inflammation. Myelofibrosis is the end result of inflammation in bone, caused by an inflammatory process triggered by production of abnormal myeloid cells driven by mutations affecting the JAK-STAT pathway. Inflammatory cytokine overproduction leads to increased mesenchymal cell proliferation, culminating in fibrosis. Although JAK2 inhibitors, such as the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib and the JAK2/FLT3/CSF1R/IRAK1 inhibitor pacritinib suppress abnormal clone expansion in myelofibrosis, ruxolitinib does not appear to prevent or reverse bone-marrow fibrosis in most patients. In two Phase III clinical trials, pacritinib, however, demonstrated improvements in platelet counts and hemoglobin and reductions in transfusion burden in some patients with baseline cytopenias, suggesting it may improve bone-marrow function. Unlike ruxolitinib, pacritinib suppresses signaling through IRAK1, a key control point for inflammatory and fibrotic signaling. PURPOSE: To investigate potential antifibrotic effects of pacritinib in an animal model of liver fibrosis relevant to the observed course of human disease. METHODS: Pacritinib, negative control (vehicle), and positive control (the angiotensin 2-receptor antagonist and PPARγ partial agonist telmisartan) were assessed in the murine Stelic animal model, which mimics the clinically observed progression from hepatic steatosis to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Histopathological analysis used hematoxylin and eosin staining. Body and liver weight changes, nonalcoholic fatty-liver disease activity scores, and plasma cytokeratin 18 fragment levels (a biomarker of hepatic necrosis) were measured. RESULTS: Pacritinib-treated mice had significantly (P<0.01) reduced fibrotic areas in liver compared to vehicle control and significantly (P<0.05) lower levels of CK18. The antifibrotic effect of pacritinib was comparable to that of telmisartan, but without significant effects on fat accumulation. CONCLUSION: These results, the first to demonstrate hepatic antifibrotic effects for pacritinib in an animal model of liver disease, provide preliminary support for potential clinical applications of pacritinib in fibrotic diseases other than myelofibrosis.

Pacritinib vs Best Available Therapy, Including Ruxolitinib, in Patients With Myelofibrosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Myelofibrosis is a hematologic malignancy characterized by splenomegaly and debilitating symptoms. Thrombocytopenia is a poor prognostic feature and limits use of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1)/Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitor ruxolitinib. Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of JAK2 inhibitor pacritinib with that of best available therapy (BAT), including ruxolitinib, in patients with myelofibrosis and thrombocytopenia. Design, Setting, and Participants: For this phase 3 randomized international multicenter study-the PERSIST-2 study-of pacritinib vs BAT, 311 patients with myelofibrosis and platelet count 100 × 109/L or less were recruited for analysis. Crossover from BAT was allowed after week 24 or for progression of splenomegaly. Interventions: Patients were randomized 1:1:1 to pacritinib 400 mg once daily, pacritinib 200 mg twice daily, or BAT. Main Outcomes and Measures: Coprimary end points were rates of patients achieving 35% or more spleen volume reduction (SVR) and 50% or more reduction in total symptom score (TSS) at week 24. Efficacy analyses were performed on the intention-to-treat efficacy population, comprising all patients with a randomization date allowing for week 24 data. Results: Overall, 311 patients (mean [SD] age, 63.70 [9.08] years; 171 men [55%] and 140 women [45%]) were included in the study; 149 patients (48%) had prior ruxolitinib. The most common BAT was ruxolitinib (44 patients [45%]); 19 patients (19%) received watchful-waiting only. The intention-to-treat efficacy population included 75 patients randomized to pacritinib once daily; 74, pacritinib twice daily, and 72, BAT. Pacritinib (arms combined) was more effective than BAT for 35% or more SVR (27 patients [18%] vs 2 patients [3%]; P = .001) and had a nonsignificantly greater rate of 50% or more reduction in TSS (37 patients [25%] vs 10 patients [14%]; P = .08). Pacritinib twice daily led to significant improvements in both end points over BAT (≥35% SVR: 16 patients [22%] vs 2 patients [3%]; P = .001; ≥50% reduction in TSS: 24 patients [32%] vs 10 patients [14%]; P = .01). Clinical improvement in hemoglobin and reduction in transfusion burden were greatest with pacritinib twice daily. For pacritinib once daily, pacritinib twice daily, and BAT, the most common (>10%) grade 3 or 4 adverse events were thrombocytopenia (32 patients [31%], 34 patients [32%], 18 patients [18%]), and anemia (28 patients [27%], 23 patients [22%], 14 patients [14%]). In the pacritinib once daily, twice daily, and BAT arms, discontinuation owing to adverse events occurred in 15 patients (14%), 10 patients (9%), and 4 patients (4%). Conclusions and Relevance: In patients with myelofibrosis and thrombocytopenia, including those with prior anti-JAK therapy, pacritinib twice daily was more effective than BAT, including ruxolitinib, for reducing splenomegaly and symptoms. Trial Registration: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT02055781.

Phase 1/2 study of pacritinib, a next generation JAK2/FLT3 inhibitor, in myelofibrosis or other myeloid malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Pacritinib (SB1518) is a highly selective kinase inhibitor with specificity for JAK2, FLT3, IRAK1, and CFS1R. This multicenter phase 1/2 study evaluated the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and clinical activity of pacritinib in patients with myelofibrosis (MF) and other advanced myeloid malignancies. METHODS: In the phase 1 dose-escalation part of the study, 43 adults with advanced myeloid malignancies received pacritinib 100 to 600 mg once daily (QD). In the phase 2 part of the study, 31 adults with refractory or intermediate- or high-risk newly diagnosed MF and any degree of cytopenia received pacritinib 400 mg QD. The primary endpoint is a ≥35% reduction in spleen volume at week 24 as determined by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Five patients (11.6%) experienced a dose-limiting toxicity during cycle 1 of phase 1. The clinical benefit rate was 86.0% (13 patients achieving clinical improvement and 24 patients having stable disease). The MTD was established at 500 mg QD, and the recommended phase 2 dose was 400 mg QD. In phase 2, the primary endpoint was achieved by 23.5% of evaluable patients (4/17), with 47.4% (9/19) achieving a ≥50% spleen length reduction at week 24 as measured by physical examination. At week 24, 38.9% of evaluable patients (7/18) achieved a ≥50% decrease in MF Quality of Life and Symptom Assessment total score. Gastrointestinal toxicities were the most common adverse events and were predominantly grade 1/2 in severity. Grade 3/4 anemia was reported in 5/31 patients and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was reported in 3/31 patients. The most frequent AEs considered to be treatment related were diarrhea (28/31), nausea (15/31), vomiting (9/31), and fatigue (4/31). Grade 3 treatment-related AEs were reported in seven patients (22.6%), four of whom had diarrhea. No grade 4/5 treatment-related AEs were reported. No leukopenia, neutropenia, or lymphopenia were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Pacritinib was well tolerated and demonstrated clinical activity in MF. The study suggests that pacritinib has unique characteristics, namely a lack of substantial myelosuppression and manageable side effects, making it an attractive target for further evaluation in MF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Retrospectively registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov (# NCT00719836 ) on July 20, 2008.

Comprehensive kinase profile of pacritinib, a nonmyelosuppressive Janus kinase 2 inhibitor.

Pacritinib, potent inhibitor of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), JAK2V617F, and fms-like receptor tyrosine kinase 3, is in Phase III development in myelofibrosis. Among type 1 inhibitors, pacritinib shows a lack of myelosuppression at doses that both inhibit JAK2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway and demonstrate clinical efficacy. To elucidate these mechanisms and identify other disease targets, a kinome analysis screened 439 recombinant kinases at 100 nM pacritinib concentration. For kinases with >50% inhibition, pacritinib was titrated from 1 to 100 nM. JAK2, JAK2V617F, FLT3, colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor, and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 achieved half-maximal inhibitory concentrations <50 nM. Pacritinib did not inhibit JAK1 (82% control at 100 nM). Lack of myelosuppression may stem from inhibiting JAK2 without affecting JAK1 and reducing hematopoietic inhibitory cytokines by suppressing interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 or colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor. The pacritinib kinome suggests therapeutic utility in acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, solid tumors, and inflammatory conditions.

Tolerability and toxicological profile of pixantrone (Pixuvri®) in juvenile mice. Comparative study with doxorubicin.

The tolerability of pixantrone dimaleate (Pixuvri(®)), an aza-anthracenedione for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, was assessed in juvenile mice after intraperitoneal injection. Twenty animals/sex/dose received pixantrone 15 or 27 mg/kg/day on Post-Natal-Days (PND) 10, 13, 17, 20, 35, 39 and 42 in comparison with doxorubicin, 3 mg/kg/day. Animals were sacrificed on PND 42, 73 and 96. All pixantrone animals survived, while doxorubicin induced 52.5% mortality and the surviving animals were sacrificed early due to severe toxicity. Recoverable bone marrow toxicity (pixantrone), and toxicity to thymus and reproductive organs (pixantrone, doxorubicin) were observed without nephro- or hepatotoxicity. Pixantrone was measurable in plasma up to 2h (occasionally 6h) post-dose. At PND 42, mean Cmax and AUC values increased proportionally with dose, without gender difference or accumulation. Pixantrone showed minimal cardiotoxicity in males and negligible in females at PND 96. Doxorubicin induced significant heart weight reduction at PND 42, however early sacrifice impeded further cardiac assessments.

Phase 1, dose-ranging study of emixustat hydrochloride (ACU-4429), a novel visual cycle modulator, in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Emixustat hydrochloride (formerly ACU-4429) is a nonretinoid compound with a unique mode of action in the retinal pigment epithelium, where it modulates the biosynthesis of visual chromophore through its effect on retinal pigment epithelium-specific 65 kDa protein isomerase. This study provides clinicians with a background for understanding the pharmacokinetics and safety profile of orally administered emixustat. METHODS: This randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled Phase 1b study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, tolerability, and safety of a 14-day course of oral emixustat (5, 10, 20, 30, or 40 mg) or placebo (3:1 ratio) once daily in healthy volunteers. RESULTS: A total of 40 subjects were enrolled (mean age, 38 years; 75% male). Emixustat (n = 30) was rapidly absorbed (median T(max), 3.0-5 hours) and readily eliminated (mean t(1/2), 4.6-7.9 hours), and mean C(max) and AUC(0-24) generally increased in proportion to dose. No significant accumulation of emixustat was observed with multiple-dose administration. Ocular adverse events occurred in 67% of the subjects who received emixustat; all were considered mild and resolved after study completion. Systemic adverse events were minimal. CONCLUSION: Oral emixustat was safe and well tolerated when administered once daily for 14 days with minimal systemic adverse events reported. These data support evaluation of emixustat in subjects with geographic atrophy associated with dry age-related macular degeneration.

Pharmacokinetics, safety and tolerability of single and multiple oral doses of aliskiren in healthy Chinese subjects: a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Aliskiren is the first oral direct renin inhibitor to be approved for the treatment of hypertension. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of aliskiren has been extensively characterized in Caucasian individuals; however, drug disposition, treatment response and tolerability can vary among ethnic groups, and these variations are difficult to predict. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the single- and multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of aliskiren in healthy Chinese subjects. METHODS: This was a randomized, single-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. On day -1, subjects were randomized to one of four cohorts (aliskiren 75, 150, 300 or 600 mg). On day 1, eight individuals in each cohort received a single dose of active treatment and two received placebo. Subjects randomized to aliskiren 300 mg received additional once-daily doses on days 5-11 to establish steady-state pharmacokinetics. Subjects receiving aliskiren 75, 150 or 600 mg (cohorts 1, 2 and 4) completed the study at the end of the 96-hour pharmacokinetic assessment period. Subjects receiving aliskiren 300 mg (cohort 3) had additional pharmacokinetic assessments on days 5-15. The study was carried out at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China, and included 40 healthy Chinese subjects. The main outcome measures were the pharmacokinetic parameters for aliskiren, including area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC(infinity)) and maximum plasma concentration (C(max)). RESULTS: Aliskiren AUC(infinity) and C(max) increased greater than proportionally across the 8-fold dose range (75-600 mg; mean AUC(infinity) 291-4726 ng x h/mL, mean C(max) 62-699 ng/mL), but a dose-proportional 2-fold increase was observed within the clinically approved dose range (150-300 mg; mean AUC(infinity) 876-1507 ng x h/mL, mean C(max) 137-271 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: At steady state, the mean AUC during the dosage interval (AUC(tau)) for aliskiren 300 mg (1532 +/- 592 ng x h/mL) was similar to the AUC(infinity) observed following a single dose. Aliskiren exhibits similar single-dose and steady-state pharmacokinetics in Chinese subjects compared with those observed in Caucasian individuals in previous studies.

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of LCZ696, a novel dual-acting angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi).

Angiotensin receptor blockade and neprilysin (NEP) inhibition together offer potential benefits for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. LCZ696 is a novel single molecule comprising molecular moieties of valsartan and NEP inhibitor prodrug AHU377 (1:1 ratio). Oral administration of LCZ696 caused dose-dependent increases in atrial natriuretic peptide immunoreactivity (due to NEP inhibition) in Sprague-Dawley rats and provided sustained, dose-dependent blood pressure reductions in hypertensive double-transgenic rats. In healthy participants, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (n = 80) of single-dose (200-1200 mg) and multiple-dose (50-900 mg once daily for 14 days) oral administration of LCZ696 showed that peak plasma concentrations were reached rapidly for valsartan (1.6-4.9 hours), AHU377 (0.5-1.1 hours), and its active moiety, LBQ657 (1.8-3.5 hours). LCZ696 treatment was associated with increases in plasma cGMP, renin concentration and activity, and angiotensin II, providing evidence for NEP inhibition and angiotensin receptor blockade. In a randomized, open-label crossover study in healthy participants (n = 56), oral LCZ696 400 mg and valsartan 320 mg were shown to provide similar exposure to valsartan (geometric mean ratio [90% confidence interval]: AUC(0-infinity) 0.90 [0.82-0.99]). LCZ696 was safe and well tolerated. These data support further clinical development of LCZ696, a novel, orally bioavailable, dual-acting angiotensin receptor-NEP inhibitor (ARNi) for hypertension and heart failure.

Deferasirox for the treatment of chronic iron overload in transfusional hemosiderosis.

PURPOSE: This report describes the Food and Drug Administration's review of data and analyses leading to the approval of the oral iron chelator, deferasirox for the treatment of chronic iron overload due to transfusional hemosiderosis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The FDA reviewed findings of a controlled, open-label, randomized multicenter phase III study of deferasirox vs. deferoxamine in 586 patients with beta-thalessemia and transfusional hemosiderosis. The study results as well as the results of the FDA review of chemistry, preclinical pharmacology, and supportive studies are described. RESULTS: Following 48 weeks of treatment in the phase III study, patients' liver iron concentrations (a key endpoint variable) had decreased an average of 2.4 mg of iron (Fe)/g dry weight (dw) and 2.9 mg Fe/g dw in the deferasirox and deferoxamine groups, respectively, despite continued blood transfusions in both cohorts. Deferasirox was associated with serum creatinine increases in approximately a third of patients. Common adverse events included gastrointestinal symptoms and skin rash. Other data provided supportive evidence of deferasirox safety and efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: The FDA granted deferasirox accelerated approval on November 2, 2005, for use in treating chronic iron overload due to transfusional hemosiderosis in patients > or =2 years of age. The sponsor must obtain clinical data demonstrating the drug's long-term safety and effectiveness.

Identification of stabilized dynorphin derivatives for suppressing tolerance in morphine-dependent rats.

PURPOSE: Modulatory actions on morphine-induced effects, such as tolerance and withdrawal, have been noted for dynorphin A(1-13) [Dyn A(1-13)] and similar peptides. These are currently of limited therapeutic potential due to extensive metabolism by human metabolic enzymes resulting in a half-life of less than 1 min in human plasma. The purpose of this study was to identify stabilized dynorphin A (Dyn A) derivatives, to determine their metabolic routes in human plasma, and to assess whether the pharmacodynamic activity is retained. METHODS: The stability of peptides in human plasma was tested using in vitro metabolism studies with and without enzyme inhibitors. Identification of the generated metabolites was performed by mass spectrometry after high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) separation. The in vivo activity of a stabilized dynorphin was tested by tail-flick assay in morphine-tolerant rats. RESULTS: Though amidation of the Dyn A(1-13) was able to stop the majority of C-terminal degradation, metabolism of Dyn A(1-10) amide continued by captopril sensitive enzymes, suggesting that Dyn A(1-13) amide is a better candidate for additional stabilization. Two Dyn A(1-13) amide derivatives further stabilized at the N-terminal end, [D-Tyr1]-Dyn A(1-13) amide and [N-Met-Tyr1]-Dyn A(1-13) amide, showed half-lives in plasma of 70 and 130 min, respectively. The most stable derivative [N-Met-Tyr1]-Dyn A(1-13) amide was tested successfully for retention of the pharmacological activity in modulating antinociceptive activity. CONCLUSIONS: [N-Met-Tyr1]-Dyn A(1-13) amide showed significant stability and antinociceptive activity in the tail-flick test, thus pointing to the clinical potential of this derivative in the management of pain as well as its potential activity in suppressing opiate tolerance and withdrawal.