Design and synthesis of pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine HER2/EGFR dual inhibitors: improvement of the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic profiles for potent in vivo anti-tumor efficacy.

During the course of our studies on a novel HER2/EGFR dual inhibitor (TAK-285), we found an alternative potent pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine compound (1a). To enhance the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of this compound, we conducted chemical modifications into its N-5 side chain and conversion of the chemically modified compounds into their salts. Among them, 2cb, the tosylate salt of compound 2c, showed potent HER2/EGFR kinase inhibitory activity (IC(50): 11/11 nM) and cellular growth inhibitory activity (BT-474 cell GI(50): 56 nM) with a good drug metabolism and PK (DMPK) profile. Furthermore, 2cb exhibited significant in vivo antitumor efficacy in both mouse and rat xenograft models with transplanted 4-1ST gastric cancer cell lines (mouse, T/C=0%, 2cb po bid at 100 mg/kg; rat, T/C: -1%, 2cb po bid at 25 mg/kg).

Design and synthesis of novel human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) dual inhibitors bearing a pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine scaffold.

Dual inhibitors of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have been investigated for breast, lung, gastric, prostate, and other cancers; one, lapatinib, is currently approved for breast cancer. To develop novel HER2/EGFR dual kinase inhibitors, we designed and synthesized pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives capable of fitting into the receptors' ATP binding site. Among the prepared compounds, 34e showed potent HER2 and EGFR (HER1) inhibitory activities as well as tumor growth inhibitory activity. The X-ray cocrystal structures of 34e with both HER2 and EGFR demonstrated that 34e interacts with the expected residues in their respective ATP pockets. Furthermore, reflecting its good oral bioavailability, 34e exhibited potent in vivo efficacy in HER2-overexpressing tumor xenograft models. On the basis of these findings, we report 34e (TAK-285) as a promising candidate for clinical development as a novel HER2/EGFR dual kinase inhibitor.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of 5-methyl-4-phenoxy-5H-pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives: novel VEGFR2 kinase inhibitors binding to inactive kinase conformation.

We synthesized a series of pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine derivatives and evaluated their application as type-II inhibitors of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) kinase. Incorporation of a diphenylurea moiety at the C4-position of the pyrrolo[3,2-d]pyrimidine core via an oxygen linker resulted in compounds that were potent inhibitors of VEGFR2 kinase. Of these derivatives, compound 20d showed the strongest inhibition of VEGF-stimulated proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). The co-crystal structure of 20d and VEGFR2 revealed that 20d binds to the inactive form of VEGFR2. Further studies indicated that 20d inhibited VEGFR2 kinase with slow dissociation kinetics and also inhibited PDGFR and Tie-2 kinases. Oral administration of the hydrochloride salt of 20d at 3mg/kg/day showed potent inhibition of tumor growth in a DU145 human prostate cancer cell xenograft nude mouse model.

Synthesis and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of pyloricidin derivatives II. The combination of amino acid residues in the dipeptidic moiety and its effect on the anti-Helicobacter pylori activity.

The novel natural antibiotics pyloricidin A, B and C, consisting of a common (2S,3R,4R,5S)-5-amino-2,3,4,6-tetrahydroxyhexanoyl-beta-D-phenylalanine moiety and a terminal peptidic moiety (pyloricidin A: L-valine-L-valine-L-leucine; pyloricidin B: L-valine-L-leucine; pyloricidin C: L-leucine), exhibit potent and highly selective anti-Helicobacter pylori activity. In order to develop more potent compounds and to investigate structure activity relationships for the peptidic moiety with regard to the combination of amino acids, a series of derivatives with various dipeptidic moieties were prepared and evaluated for their anti-H. pylori activity. The combination of the two amino acids in the moiety was found to have a significant effect on the activity; the compound with Nva-Abu showed excellent anti-H. pylori activity with an MIC value of 0.013 microg/ml against H. pylori TN2. In addition, this compound was found to show 60% clearance of H. pylori from infected Mongolian gerbils upon repetitive oral administration (10 mg/kg, b. i. d. for 7 days).

Synthesis and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of pyloricidin derivatives I. Structure-activity relationships on the terminal peptidic moiety.

The novel natural antibiotics pyloricidin A, B and C possess potent and highly selective antibacterial activity against Helicobacter pylori. In order to investigate the structure activity relationships for the terminal peptidic moiety, a series of pyloricidin B and pyloricidin C derivatives, bearing various amino acids in the moiety, were prepared and evaluated for their anti-H. pylori activity. The derivatives bearing alpha-D-, beta- and gamma-amino acids or peptidemimetics showed drastically decreased activity. On the other hand, the derivatives with a-L-amino acids were found to maintain the activity. Among the derivatives prepared in this work, the allylglycine derivative 2s showed the most potent anti-H. pylori activity, with an MIC value of less than 0.006 microg/ml against H. pylori NCTC11637, which is 60-fold greater than the activity of the lead compound pyloricidin C.