The discovery of macrocyclic XIAP antagonists from a DNA-programmed chemistry library, and their optimization to give lead compounds with in vivo antitumor activity.

Affinity selection screening of macrocycle libraries derived from DNA-programmed chemistry identified XIAP BIR2 and BIR3 domain inhibitors that displace bound pro-apoptotic caspases. X-ray cocrystal structures of key compounds with XIAP BIR2 suggested potency-enhancing structural modifications. Optimization of dimeric macrocycles with similar affinity for both domains were potent pro-apoptotic agents in cancer cell lines and efficacious in shrinking tumors in a mouse xenograft model.

Discovery of potent heterodimeric antagonists of inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) with sustained antitumor activity.

The prominent role of IAPs in controlling cell death and their overexpression in a variety of cancers has prompted the development of IAP antagonists as potential antitumor therapies. We describe the identification of a series of heterodimeric antagonists with highly potent antiproliferative activities in cIAP- and XIAP-dependent cell lines. Compounds 15 and 17 further demonstrate curative efficacy in human melanoma and lung cancer xenograft models and are promising candidates for advanced studies.

Development of a carbon-14 labeling approach to support disposition studies with a pegylated biologic.

Although it is widely accepted that one can extend the pharmacokinetic half-life of a therapeutic protein by covalent conjugation with polyethylene glycol (PEG), the disposition properties of such biologics have not yet been fully evaluated. Therefore, a novel [¹4C]-labeling method was developed that can be applied to a biologic conjugated with PEG through a maleimide-cysteine reaction. The method was used to study the tissue and tumor distribution of a PEGylated Adnectin, a recombinant protein derived from the 10th type III domain of fibronectin, in nude mice bearing human xenograft tumors. The PEGylated Adnectin contained a 40-kDa branched PEG (P40B) that was labeled with [¹4C] at the linker region between the PEG and Adnectin, without compromising cellular activity and plasma half-life in mice. After a single intravenous or intraperitoneal dose (33 mg/kg, 1.7 µCi per mouse) of [¹4C]-P40B-Adnectin, quantitative whole-body autoradiography analysis revealed that the liver had the highest uptake of the radioactivity among nontumor tissues, followed by the kidneys and lung. The muscle and brain showed the least penetration of the radioactivity among all tissues examined. In addition, the [¹4C]-P40B-EI-tandem penetrated into the tumor tissue, although the extent of accumulation was largely dependent on tumor type. Therefore, it was possible to assess the tissue distribution of a PEGylated biologic after it had been [¹4C] labeled using the novel method described herein.

Structures of adnectin/protein complexes reveal an expanded binding footprint.

Adnectins are targeted biologics derived from the tenth type III domain of human fibronectin (¹°Fn3), a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily. Target-specific binders are selected from libraries generated by diversifying the three ¹°Fn3 loops that are analogous to the complementarity determining regions of antibodies. The crystal structures of two Adnectins were determined, each in complex with its therapeutic target, EGFR or IL-23. Both Adnectins bind different epitopes than those bound by known monoclonal antibodies. Molecular modeling suggests that some of these epitopes might not be accessible to antibodies because of the size and concave shape of the antibody combining site. In addition to interactions from the Adnectin diversified loops, residues from the N terminus and/or the ß strands interact with the target proteins in both complexes. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis confirmed the calculated binding energies of these ß strand interactions, indicating that these nonloop residues can expand the available binding footprint.

A fibronectin scaffold approach to bispecific inhibitors of epidermal growth factor receptor and insulin-like growth factor-I receptor.

Engineered domains of human fibronectin (Adnectins™) were used to generate a bispecific Adnectin targeting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and insulin-like growth factor-I receptor (IGF-IR), two transmembrane receptors that mediate proliferative and survival cell signaling in cancer. Single-domain Adnectins that specifically bind EGFR or IGF-IR were generated using mRNA display with a library containing as many as 10 ( 13) Adnectin variants. mRNA display was also used to optimize lead Adnectin affinities, resulting in clones that inhibited EGFR phosphorylation at 7 to 38 nM compared to 2.6 µM for the parental clone. Individual, optimized, Adnectins specific for blocking either EGFR or IGF-IR signaling were engineered into a single protein (EI-Tandem Adnectin). The EI-Tandems inhibited phosphorylation of EGFR and IGF-IR, induced receptor degradation, and inhibited down-stream cell signaling and proliferation of human cancer cell lines (A431, H292, BxPC3 and RH41) with IC 50 values ranging from 0.1 to 113 nM. Although Adnectins bound to EGFR at a site distinct from those of anti-EGFR antibodies cetuximab, panitumumab and nimotuzumab, like the antibodies, the anti-EGFR Adnectins blocked the binding of EGF to EGFR. PEGylated EI-Tandem inhibited the growth of both EGFR and IGF-IR driven human tumor xenografts, induced degradation of EGFR, and reduced EGFR phosphorylation in tumors. These results demonstrate efficient engineering of bispecific Adnectins with high potency and desired specificity. The bispecificity may improve biological activity compared to monospecific biologics as tumor growth is driven by multiple growth factors. Our results illustrate a technological advancement for constructing multi-specific biologics in cancer therapy.

7-[1H-Indol-2-yl]-2,3-dihydro-isoindol-1-ones as dual Aurora-A/VEGF-R2 kinase inhibitors: design, synthesis, and biological activity.

A novel series of 7-[1H-indol-2-yl]-2,3-dihydro-isoindol-1-ones designed to be inhibitors of VEGF-R2 kinase was synthesized and found to potently inhibit VEGF-R2 and Aurora-A kinases. The structure-based design, synthesis, and initial SAR of the series are discussed.

A novel 5-[1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]-N-aryl-4,6-pyrimidine diamine having dual EGFR/HER2 kinase activity: design, synthesis, and biological activity.

A novel 5-[1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl]-N-aryl-4,6-pyrimidine diamine was synthesized and found to have potent dual EGFR/HER2 kinase inhibitory activity. The structure-based drug design of this molecule as well as the kinase and cellular inhibition of HER2 kinase dependent cell lines will be discussed.

4-Amino-6-arylamino-pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde hydrazones as potent ErbB-2/EGFR dual kinase inhibitors.

Members of a novel class of 4-amino-6-arylamino-pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde hydrazones were identified as potent dual ErbB-2/EGFR kinase inhibitors using concept-guided design approach. These compounds inhibited the growth of ErbB-2 over-expressing human tumor cell lines (BT474, N87, and SK-BR-3) in vitro. Compound 15 emerged as a key lead and showed significant ability to inhibit growth factor-induced receptor phosphorylation in SK-BR-3 cells (IC(50)=54 nM) and cellular proliferation in vitro (IC(50)=14, 58, and 58 nM for BT474, N87, and SK-BR-3 respectively). The X-ray co-crystal structure of EGFR with a close analog (17) was determined and validated our design rationale.

Discovery of novel 4-amino-6-arylaminopyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde oximes as dual inhibitors of EGFR and ErbB-2 protein tyrosine kinases.

We herein disclose a novel series of 4-aminopyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde oximes that are potent and selective inhibitors of both EGFR and ErbB-2 tyrosine kinases, with IC(50) values in the nanomolar range. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies elucidated a critical role for the 4-amino and C-6 arylamino moieties. The X-ray co-crystal structure of EGFR with 37 was determined and validated our design rationale.

Cellular and in vivo activity of JNJ-28871063, a nonquinazoline pan-ErbB kinase inhibitor that crosses the blood-brain barrier and displays efficacy against intracranial tumors.

JNJ-28871063 is a potent and highly selective pan-ErbB kinase inhibitor from a novel aminopyrimidine oxime structural class that blocks the proliferation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR; ErbB1)- and ErbB2-overexpressing cells but does not affect the growth of non-ErbB-overexpressing cells. Treatment of human cancer cells with JNJ-28871063 inhibited phosphorylation of functionally important tyrosine residues in both EGFR and ErbB2 and blocked downstream signal transduction pathways responsible for proliferation and survival. A single dose of compound reduced phosphorylation of ErbB2 receptors in tumor-bearing mice, demonstrating target suppression in vivo. Tissue distribution studies show that JNJ-28871063 crosses the blood-brain barrier and penetrates into tumors, where it is able to accumulate to higher levels than those found in the plasma. JNJ-28871063 showed oral antitumor activity in human tumor xenograft models that overexpress EGFR and ErbB2. In an intracranial ErbB2-overexpressing tumor model, JNJ-28871063 extended survival relative to untreated animals. The brain is a primary site of metastasis for EGFR-overexpressing lung cancers and ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers. Therefore, the ability to penetrate into the brain could be an advantage over existing therapies such as trastuzumab (Herceptin) and cetuximab (Erbitux), which are antibodies and do not cross the blood-brain barrier. These results show that JNJ-28871063 is orally bioavailable, has activity against EGFR and ErbB2-dependent tumor xenografts, and can penetrate into the brain and inhibit ErbB2-overexpressing tumor growth.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 3,4-disubstituted pyrazole analogues as anti-tumor CDK inhibitors.

Two series of 3,4-disubstituted pyrazole analogues, 3-(benzimidazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(pyridin-3-yl)-vinyl]-pyrazoles (2) and 3-(imidazol-2-yl)-4-[2-(pyridin-3-yl)-vinyl]-pyrazoles (3), were synthesized as novel cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors. Representative compounds showed potent and selective CDK inhibitory activities and inhibited in vitro cellular proliferation in various human tumor cells. The design, synthesis, and preliminary biological evaluation of these pyrazole compounds are reported.

4-Aryl-5-cyano-2-aminopyrimidines as VEGF-R2 inhibitors: synthesis and biological evaluation.

A novel series of 4-aryl-5-cyano-2-aminopyrimidines were synthesized and found to have potent VEGF-R2 kinase inhibitory activity. Structure-activity relationships were investigated and compound 14a was shown to be efficacious in a mouse model of corneal neovascularization.

Synthesis and evaluation of pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine CDK1 inhibitors as anti-tumor agents.

A series of 3,5-disubstituted pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors was synthesized. These compounds showed potent and selective CDK inhibitory activities and inhibited in vitro cellular proliferation in cultured human tumor cells. Selected compounds were evaluated in an in vivo tumor xenograft model. The synthesis and biological evaluation of these pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines and related compounds are reported.

Synthesis of 3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-5-isoquinolin-4-ylpyrazolo[1,2-b]pyridine, a potent cyclin dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) inhibitor.

The novel compound 3-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-5-isoquinolin-4-ylpyrazolo[1,2-b]pyridine was discovered to be a potent CDK1 inhibitor. Described here is the chemistry for its synthesis, including Pd(II) catalyzed Stille coupling reaction and sulfur(0) induced benzimidazole formation. Its effects on VEGFR-2 kinase activity and tumour cell proliferation are also described.

Synthesis and biological study of 4-aminopyrimidine-5-carboxaldehyde oximes as antiproliferative VEGFR-2 inhibitors.

A novel 4-aminopyrimidine-5-carboxaldehyde oxime scaffold with inhibitory activity against VEGFR-2 kinase has been identified. With a 4-fluoro-2-methylindol-5-yloxy group at the 6-position and alkyl groups as the oxime side chains, many analogues showed good potency for VEGFR-2. This series also exhibited antiproliferative activity against cancer cells, causing cell accumulation at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle and preventing cells from entering mitosis. Described here are the chemistry, structure-activity relationships (SAR), and biological testing for this series.

1-Acyl-1H-[1,2,4]triazole-3,5-diamine analogues as novel and potent anticancer cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors: synthesis and evaluation of biological activities.

A series of 1-acyl-1H-[1,2,4]triazole-3,5-diamine analogues were synthesized as cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors. These compounds showed potent and selective CDK1 and CDK2 inhibitory activities and inhibited in vitro cellular proliferation in various human tumor cells. Representative compound 3b demonstrated in vivo efficacy in a human melanoma A375 xenograft model in nude mice.

3-Acyl-2,6-diaminopyridines as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors: synthesis and biological evaluation.

A novel series of 2,6-diamino-3-acylpyridines were designed and synthesized as cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitors. The representative compounds 2r and 11 showed potent CDK1 and CDK2 inhibitory activities and inhibited cellular proliferation in HeLa, HCT116, and A375 tumor cells.