Discovery and in Vivo Evaluation of Macrocyclic Mcl-1 Inhibitors Featuring an α-Hydroxy Phenylacetic Acid Pharmacophore or Bioisostere.

Overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein Mcl-1 provides a survival advantage to some cancer cells, making inhibition of this protein an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of certain types of tumors. Herein, we report our efforts toward the identification of a novel series of macrocyclic Mcl-1 inhibitors featuring an α-hydroxy phenylacetic acid pharmacophore or bioisostere. This work led to the discovery of 1, a potent Mcl-1 inhibitor (IC50 = 19 nM in an OPM-2 cell viability assay) with good pharmacokinetic properties and excellent in vivo efficacy in an OPM-2 multiple myeloma xenograft model.

Discovery of AM-7209, a potent and selective 4-amidobenzoic acid inhibitor of the MDM2-p53 interaction.

Structure-based rational design and extensive structure-activity relationship studies led to the discovery of AMG 232 (1), a potent piperidinone inhibitor of the MDM2-p53 association, which is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Further modifications of 1, including replacing the carboxylic acid with a 4-amidobenzoic acid, afforded AM-7209 (25), featuring improved potency (KD from ITC competition was 38 pM, SJSA-1 EdU IC50 = 1.6 nM), remarkable pharmacokinetic properties, and in vivo antitumor activity in both the SJSA-1 osteosarcoma xenograft model (ED50 = 2.6 mg/kg QD) and the HCT-116 colorectal carcinoma xenograft model (ED50 = 10 mg/kg QD). In addition, 25 possesses distinct mechanisms of elimination compared to 1.

Novel inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction featuring hydrogen bond acceptors as carboxylic acid isosteres.

We previously reported the discovery of potent and selective morpholinone and piperidinone inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 interaction. These inhibitors have in common a carboxylic acid moiety that engages in an electrostatic interaction with MDM2-His96. Our continued search for potent and diverse inhibitors led to the discovery of novel replacements for these acids uncovering new interactions with the MDM2 protein. In particular, using pyridine or thiazole as isosteres of the carboxylic acid moiety resulted in very potent analogues. From these, AM-6761 (4) emerged as a potent inhibitor with remarkable biochemical (HTRF IC50 = 0.1 nM) and cellular potency (SJSA-1 EdU IC50 = 16 nM), as well as favorable pharmacokinetic properties. Compound 4 also shows excellent antitumor activity in the SJSA-1 osteosarcoma xenograft model with an ED50 of 11 mg/kg. Optimization efforts toward the discovery of these inhibitors as well as the new interactions observed with the MDM2 protein are described herein.

Selective and potent morpholinone inhibitors of the MDM2-p53 protein-protein interaction.

We previously reported the discovery of AMG 232, a highly potent and selective piperidinone inhibitor of the MDM2-p53 interaction. Our continued search for potent and diverse analogues led to the discovery of novel morpholinone MDM2 inhibitors. This change to a morpholinone core has a significant impact on both potency and metabolic stability compared to the piperidinone series. Within this morpholinone series, AM-8735 emerged as an inhibitor with remarkable biochemical potency (HTRF IC50 = 0.4 nM) and cellular potency (SJSA-1 EdU IC50 = 25 nM), as well as pharmacokinetic properties. Compound 4 also shows excellent antitumor activity in the SJSA-1 osteosarcoma xenograft model with an ED50 of 41 mg/kg. Lead optimization toward the discovery of this inhibitor as well as key differences between the morpholinone and the piperidinone series will be described herein.

Discovery of AMG 232, a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable MDM2-p53 inhibitor in clinical development.

We recently reported the discovery of AM-8553 (1), a potent and selective piperidinone inhibitor of the MDM2-p53 interaction. Continued research investigation of the N-alkyl substituent of this series, focused in particular on a previously underutilized interaction in a shallow cleft on the MDM2 surface, led to the discovery of a one-carbon tethered sulfone which gave rise to substantial improvements in biochemical and cellular potency. Further investigation produced AMG 232 (2), which is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Compound 2 is an extremely potent MDM2 inhibitor (SPR KD = 0.045 nM, SJSA-1 EdU IC50 = 9.1 nM), with remarkable pharmacokinetic properties and in vivo antitumor activity in the SJSA-1 osteosarcoma xenograft model (ED50 = 9.1 mg/kg).

Phosphoramidite gold(I)-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective synthesis of 3,4-substituted pyrrolidines.

In this article the utility of phosphoramidite ligands in enantioselective Au(I) catalysis was explored in the development of highly diastereo- and enantioselective Au(I)-catalyzed cycloadditions of allenenes. A Au(I)-catalyzed synthesis of 3,4-disubstituted pyrrolidines and γ-lactams is described. This reaction proceeds through the enantioselective Au(I)-catalyzed cyclization of allenenes to form a carbocationic intermediate that is trapped by an exogenous nucleophile, resulting in the highly diastereoselective construction of three contiguous stereogenic centers. A computational study (DFT) was also performed to gain some insight into the underlying mechanisms of these cycloadditions. The utility of this new methodology was demonstrated through the formal synthesis of (-)-isocynometrine.

Gold(I)-catalyzed enantioselective [4 + 2]-cycloaddition of allene-dienes.

An enantioselective gold(I)-catalyzed intramolecular [4 + 2]-cycloaddition of allenes and dienes is reported. The reactions allow for the asymmetric synthesis of trans-hexahydroindenes and pyrrolidine products using C(3)-symmetric phosphitegold(I) and ortho-arylphosphoramiditegold(I) complexes as catalysts, respectively.

On the impact of steric and electronic properties of ligands on gold(I)-catalyzed cycloaddition reactions.

It is shown that [4 + 3] and [4 + 2] cycloaddition pathways are accessible in the Au(I) catalysis of allene-dienes. Seven-membered ring gold-stabilized carbenes, originating from the [4 + 3] cycloaddition process, are unstable and can rearrange via a 1,2-H or a 1,2-alkyl shift to yield six- and seven-membered products. Both steric and electronic properties of the AuL(+) catalyst affect the electronic structure of the intermediate gold-stabilized carbene and its subsequent reactivity.

(E)-2-boryl-1,3-butadiene derivatives of the 10-TMS-9-BBDs: highly selective reagents for the asymmetric synthesis of anti-1,2-disubstituted 3,4-pentadien-1-ols.

The efficient stepwise construction of optically pure trans-4-substituted 2-boryl-1,3-butadienes 6 is described. Hydroboration of 1-alkynes with either enantiomeric form of 3 leads to the pure trans-1-alkenylboranes 4 which undergo addition of alpha-ethoxyvinyllithium followed by a BF(3)-mediated 1,2-B-->C vinylic group migration to provide 6. These organoboranes 6 serve as a new type of asymmetric allylborating agent providing an extremely selective protocol for the preparation of anti-1,2-disubstituted 3,4-pentadien-1-ols 8 as essentially single diastereomers in enantiomerically pure form. One example of a cis-2-boryl-1,3-butadiene (9) was prepared through a Grignard procedure. It was found to provide the corresponding syn-alcohol 11. The utility of 8 was demonstrated in their conversion to substituted beta-hydroxy acids 12 through ozonolysis and to substituted alpha,beta-unsaturated-delta-lactones 13 through Ru-catalyzed cyclocarbonylation.

Ligand-controlled access to [4 + 2] and [4 + 3] cycloadditions in gold-catalyzed reactions of allene-dienes.

By adjustment of the electronic properties of the ancilliary ligands, high selectivity can be achieved for either [4 + 2] or [4 + 3] cycloaddition reactions of allene-dienes catalyzed by gold(I). Triarylphosphitegold(I) complexes are employed as catalysts for a [4 + 2] cycloaddition reaction leading to alkylidenecyclohexenes. Conversely, di-tert-butylbiphenylphosphinegold(I)-catalyzed reactions afford cycloheptadienes via [4 + 3] cycloaddition reactions.

Borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes and the stereoselective asymmetric synthesis of 1,3-diol stereotriads from 1,3-diborylpropenes.

The synthesis of mixed borabicyclodecane (BBD)-derived 1,3-diborylpropenes (trans-1) is described. These new bimetallic reagents are effective for the selective asymmetric allylboration first of ketones (or ketimines) and second of aldehydes (or aldimines). Formed as a thermodynamic mixture of trans regioisomers from cis-1 through a series of 1,3-borotropic shifts, only trans-1 undergoes the monoallylation of ketones. After this single addition, this process is effectively shut down after the reaction of the 10-Ph-9-BBD portion in 1. Serving as a molecular gate, the rearranged 10-TMS-9-BBD trans-allylborane intermediate 11 reacts only after an aldehyde (or aldimine) is added. This allylation fixes the last two stereogenic centers of the 2-vinyl-1,3-diol stereotriad, ultimately resulting in 16 (or 1,3-amino alcohols) in 50-72% yield (>98% ee) as single observable diastereomers. These reagents 1 uniquely function as the equivalent of 1,1-bimetallic allylic reagents, adding sequentially first to ketones and second to aldehydes.

9-Borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes and the asymmetric hydroboration of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes.

The syntheses of the optically pure asymmetric hydroborating agents 1 (a, R = Ph; b, R = TMS) in both enantiomeric forms are reported. These reagents are effective for the hydroboration of cis-, trans- and trisubstituted alkenes. More significantly, they exhibit unprecedented levels of selectivity in the asymmetric hydroboration of 1,1-disubstituted alkenes (28-92% ee), a previously unanswered challenge in the nearly 50 year history of this reagent-controlled process. For example, the hydroboration of alpha-methylstyrene with 1a produces the corresponding alcohol 6f in 78% ee (cf., Ipc2BH, 5% ee). Suzuki coupling of the intermediate adducts 5 produces the nonracemic products 7 very effectively (50-84%) without loss of optical purity.

Beta-silylated homopropargylic amines via the asymmetric allenylboration of aldimines.

The asymmetric synthesis of alpha-trimethylsilylpropargylic carbamines (7) through the addition of allenylboranes 4 to N-H aldimines is reported. The insertion of TMSCHN2 into enantiomerically pure B-alkynyl-10-TMS-9-borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes 3 followed by a sterically driven 1,3-suprafacial borotropic shift proceeds with complete stereospecificity to produce 4 in diastereomerically and enantiomerically pure form. These reagents give 7 (51-85%, syn/anti >99%, 92-9% ee) permitting the recovery of 8 (53-63%). Allenylboranes 4 also provide a convenient route to optically pure allenylsilanes 13 (55-94%) through their protonolysis. [reaction: see text]

N-propargylamides via the asymmetric michael addition of B-alkynyl-10-TMS-9- borabicyclo[3.3.2]decanes to N-acylimines.

[Structure: see text] The asymmetric synthesis of N-propargylamides through Michael addition of the alkynylborane 1 to N-acylimines is reported. The N-acetylimines provide the best substrates for the process exhibiting high selectivity (56-95% ee) with predictable stereochemistry. In several cases, 5 crystallizes in essentially pure form (97-99% ee) and a single-crystal X-ray structure was also obtained for 5g (R1=R2=Me, R3=o-Cl-C6C4). The process regenerates 4 for its direct conversion back to 1 and facilitates the efficient recovery of the pseudoephedrine.