Identifying MAGE-A4-positive tumors for TCR T cell therapies in HLA-A∗02-eligible patients.

T cell receptor (TCR) T cell therapies target tumor antigens in a human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-restricted manner. Biomarker-defined therapies require validation of assays suitable for determination of patient eligibility. For clinical trials evaluating TCR T cell therapies targeting melanoma-associated antigen A4 (MAGE-A4), screening in studies NCT02636855 and NCT04044768 assesses patient eligibility based on: (1) high-resolution HLA typing and (2) tumor MAGE-A4 testing via an immunohistochemical assay in HLA-eligible patients. The HLA/MAGE-A4 assays validation, biomarker data, and their relationship to covariates (demographics, cancer type, histopathology, tissue location) are reported here. HLA-A∗02 eligibility was 44.8% (2,959/6,606) in patients from 43 sites across North America and Europe. While HLA-A∗02:01 was the most frequent HLA-A∗02 allele, others (A∗02:02, A∗02:03, A∗02:06) considerably increased HLA eligibility in Hispanic, Black, and Asian populations. Overall, MAGE-A4 prevalence based on clinical trial enrollment was 26% (447/1,750) across 10 solid tumor types, and was highest in synovial sarcoma (70%) and lowest in gastric cancer (9%). The covariates were generally not associated with MAGE-A4 expression, except for patient age in ovarian cancer and histology in non-small cell lung cancer. This report shows the eligibility rate from biomarker screening for TCR T cell therapies and provides epidemiological data for future clinical development of MAGE-A4-targeted therapies.

Structure and property based design of factor Xa inhibitors: pyrrolidin-2-ones with aminoindane and phenylpyrrolidine P4 motifs.

The rational design, syntheses and evaluation of potent sulfonamidopyrrolidin-2-one-based factor Xa inhibitors incorporating aminoindane and phenylpyrrolidine P4 motifs are described. These series delivered highly potent anticoagulant compounds with excellent oral pharmacokinetic profiles; however, significant time dependant P450 inhibition was an issue for the aminoindane series, but this was not observed with the phenylpyrrolidine motif, which produced candidate quality molecules with potential for once-daily oral dosing in humans.

The discovery of potent and long-acting oral factor Xa inhibitors with tetrahydroisoquinoline and benzazepine P4 motifs.

The discovery and evaluation of potent and long-acting oral sulfonamidopyrrolidin-2-one factor Xa inhibitors with tetrahydroisoquinoline and benzazepine P4 motifs are described. Unexpected selectivity issues versus tissue plasminogen activator in the former series were addressed in the later, delivering a robust candidate for progression towards clinical studies.

Benzofuran-substituted urea derivatives as novel P2Y(1) receptor antagonists.

Benzofuran-substituted urea analogs have been identified as novel P2Y(1) receptor antagonists. Structure-activity relationship studies around the urea and the benzofuran moieties resulted in compounds having improved potency. Several analogs were shown to inhibit ADP-mediated platelet activation.

Structure and property based design of factor Xa inhibitors: pyrrolidin-2-ones with monoaryl P4 motifs.

Structure and property based drug design was exploited in the synthesis of sulfonamidopyrrolidin-2-one-based factor Xa inhibitors, incorporating neutral and basic monoaryl P4 groups, ultimately producing potent inhibitors with effective levels of anticoagulant activity and extended oral pharmacokinetic profiles. However, time dependant inhibition of Cytochrome P450 3A4 was a particular issue with this series.

Epoxyeicosatrienoic acids function as selective, endogenous antagonists of native thromboxane receptors: identification of a novel mechanism of vasodilation.

Epoxy- and dihydroxy-eicosatrienoic acids (EETs and DHETs) are vasoactive cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid. Interestingly, however, the mechanism(s) by which EETs/DHETs mediate smooth muscle relaxation remains unclear. In contrast to previous reports, where dilation was purportedly large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) and/or transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 4 (TRPV4) channel-mediated, 14,15-EET-induced vasodilation [reversal of contractile tone established with the thromboxane receptor (TP) agonist 15-hydroxy-11 alpha,9 alpha-(epoxymethano)prosta-5,13-dienoic acid (U-46619)] was unaltered in BK(Ca) and TRPV4 knockout mouse isolated aortae compared with wild-type controls, indicating a significant BK(Ca)/TRPV4-resistant mechanism. Whereas all EET and DHET regioisomers reversed U-46619 contraction in rat aortae and mouse mesenteric resistance arteries, these eicosanoids failed to alter phenylephrine-induced contraction, suggesting that they mediated dilation via a "TP-selective" mechanism. Competitive TP antagonism was also observed in nonvascular tissue, including rat fundus and tertiary bronchus, indicating that the effect is not specific to blood vessels. Such effects were TP-selective because 14,15-EET failed to inhibit "non-TP" prostanoid receptor-mediated function in multiple cell/tissue-based assays (K(b) > 10 microM). In accordance, 14,15-EET inhibited specific [(3)H]7-(3-((2-((phenylamino)carbonyl)hydrazino)-methyl)-7-oxabicyclo(2.2.1)hept-2-yl)-5-heptenoic acid (SQ-29548) binding to human recombinant TP receptor, with a K(i) value of 3.2 microM, and it showed weaker affinity for non-TP prostanoid receptors, including DP, FP, EP(1-4), and IP receptors (K(i) values of 6.1, 5.3, 42.6, 19.7, 13.2, 20.2, and >25 microM, respectively) and no appreciable affinity (K(i) values >10 microM) for a diverse array of pharmacologically distinct receptors, including the leukotriene receptors Cys-LT(1/2) and BLT(1). As such, EETs/DHETs represent a unique class of "endogenous" G protein-coupled receptor competitive antagonists, inducing vasodilation via direct TP inhibition. Thus, EETs/DHETs represent novel autoregulatory agents, directly modulating the actions of cyclooxygenase-derived eicosanoids following arachidonic acid mobilization.

Antithrombotic potential of GW813893: a novel, orally active, active-site directed factor Xa inhibitor.

BACKGROUND: Factor Xa (FXa) has been a target of considerable interest for drug development efforts aimed at suppressing thrombosis. In this report, a new orally active, small molecule, active-site directed FXa inhibitor, GW813893, has been profiled in a succession of in vitro and in vivo assays involved in its preclinical characterization as a potential antithrombotic therapeutic. METHODS: In vitro profiling of GW813893 consisted of assessing its inhibitory potential against FXa and a broad panel of related and unrelated enzymes and receptors. Additionally, the FXa inhibition potential of GW813893 was assessed in prothrombinase and plasma-based clotting assays. In vivo characterization of GW813893 consisted of thrombosis studies in a rat inferior vena cava model, a rat carotid artery thrombosis model, and a rabbit jugular thrombosis model. Bleeding studies were conducted in a rat tail transection model. Ex vivo determinations of compound effects on FX and clotting activity were also undertaken. RESULTS: GW813893 was more than 90-fold selective over all enzymes tested, and it inhibited FXa and prothrombinase activity with a Ki of 4.0 nM and 9.7 nM, respectively. In vivo, GW813893 concentration-dependently suppressed thrombotic activity in all models tested. The antithrombotic activity correlated with the suppression of plasma-based clotting activity and the inhibition of plasma FX activity (P < 0.02). Over the antithrombotic dose-range, an increased bleeding diathesis was not observed. CONCLUSION: These experiments demonstrate that GW813893 is a potent, selective, orally active inhibitor of FXa. The data suggest that GW813893 has robust antithrombotic potential at doses that have no detectable hemostasis liability. Collectively, the profile suggests that GW813893 has the preclinical pharmacology underpinnings of an oral antithrombotic therapeutic.

Tetrahydro-4-quinolinamines identified as novel P2Y(1) receptor antagonists.

High-throughput screening of the GSK compound collection against the P2Y(1) receptor identified a novel series of tetrahydro-4-quinolinamine antagonists. Optimal substitution around the piperidine group was pivotal for ensuring activity. An exemplar analog from this series was shown to inhibit platelet aggregation.

Structure and property based design of factor Xa inhibitors: biaryl pyrrolidin-2-ones incorporating basic heterocyclic motifs.

Structure and property based drug design was exploited in the synthesis of sulfonamidopyrrolidin-2-one-based factor Xa (fXa) inhibitors, incorporating basic biaryl P4 groups, producing highly potent inhibitors with significant anticoagulant activities and encouraging oral pharmacokinetic profiles.

Structure and property based design of factor Xa inhibitors: pyrrolidin-2-ones with biaryl P4 motifs.

Structure and property based drug design was exploited in the synthesis of sulfonamidopyrrolidin-2-one-based factor Xa (fXa) inhibitors, incorporating biaryl P4 groups, producing highly potent inhibitors with encouraging oral pharmacokinetic profiles and significant but sub-optimal anticoagulant activities.

Factor Xa inhibitors: S1 binding interactions of a series of N-{(3S)-1-[(1S)-1-methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-oxoethyl]-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl}sulfonamides.

Factor Xa inhibitory activities for a series of N-{(3S)-1-[(1S)-1-methyl-2-morpholin-4-yl-2-oxoethyl]-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl}sulfonamides with different P1 groups are described. These data provide insight into binding interactions within the S1 primary specificity pocket; rationales are presented for the derived SAR on the basis of electronic interactions through crystal structures of fXa-ligand complexes and molecular modeling studies. A good correlation between in vitro anticoagulant activities with lipophilicity and the extent of human serum albumin binding is observed within this series of potent fXa inhibitors. Pharmacokinetic profiles in rat and dog, together with selectivity over other trypsin-like serine proteases, identified 1f as a candidate for further evaluation.

GW627368X ((N-{2-[4-(4,9-diethoxy-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo[f]isoindol-2-yl)phenyl]acetyl} benzene sulphonamide): a novel, potent and selective prostanoid EP4 receptor antagonist.

1. N-{2-[4-(4,9-diethoxy-1-oxo-1,3-dihydro-2H-benzo[f]isoindol-2-yl)phenyl]acetyl}benzene sulphonamide (GW627368X) is a novel, potent and selective competitive antagonist of prostanoid EP4 receptors with additional human TP receptor affinity. 2. At recombinant human prostanoid EP4 receptors expressed in HEK293 cells, GW627368X produced parallel rightward shifts of PGE2 concentration-effect (E/[A]) curves resulting in an affinity (pKb) estimate of 7.9 +/- 0.4 and a Schild slpoe not significantly different from unity. The affinity was independent of the agonist used. 4. In rings of phenylephrine precontracted piglet saphenous vein, GW627368X (30-300 nM) produced parallel rightward displacement of PGE2 E/[A] curves (pKb = 9.2 +/- 0.2; slope = 1). 4. GW627368X appears to bind to human prostanoid TP receptors but not the TP receptors of other species. In human washed platelets, GW627368X (10 microM) produced 100% inhibition of U-46619 (EC100)-induced aggregation (approximate pA2 approximately 7.0). However, in rings of rabbit and piglet saphenous vein and of guinea-pig aorta GW627368X (10 microM) did not displace U-46619 E/[A] curves indicating an affinity of < 5.0 for rabbit and guinea-pig prostanoid TP receptors. 5. In functional assays GW627368X is devoid of both agonism and antagonist affinity for prostanoid CRTH2, EP2, EP3, IP and FP receptors. At prostanoid EP1 receptors, GW627368X was an antagonist with a pA2 of 6.0, and at prostanoid IP receptors the compound increased the maximum effect of iloprost by 55%. At rabbit prostanoid EP2 receptors the pA2 of GW627368X was < 5.0. 6. In competition radioligand bioassays, GW627368X had affinity for human prostanoid EP4 and TP receptors (pKi = 7.0 +/- 0.2 (n = 10) and 6.8 (n = 2), respectively). Affinity for all other human prostanoid receptors was < 5.3. 7. GW627368X will be a valuable tool to explore the role of the prostanoid EP4 receptor in many physiological and pathological settings.

Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha protects the heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) is expressed in the heart and regulates genes involved in myocardial fatty acid oxidation (FAO). The role of PPAR-alpha in acute ischemia/reperfusion myocardial injury remains unclear. METHODS AND RESULTS: The coronary arteries of male mice were ligated for 30 minutes. After reperfusion for 24 hours, ischemic and infarct sizes were determined. A highly selective and potent PPAR-alpha agonist, GW7647, was administered by mouth for 2 days, and the third dose was given 1 hour before ischemia. GW7647 at 1 and 3 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) reduced infarct size by 28% and 35%, respectively (P<0.01), and myocardial contractile dysfunction was also improved. Cardioprotection by GW7647 was completely abolished in PPAR-alpha-null mice. Ischemia/reperfusion downregulated mRNA expression of cardiac PPAR-alpha and FAO enzyme genes, decreased myocardial FAO enzyme activity and in vivo cardiac fat oxidation, and increased serum levels of free fatty acids. All of these changes were reversed by GW7647. Moreover, GW7647 attenuated ischemia/reperfusion-induced release of multiple proinflammatory cytokines and inhibited neutrophil accumulation and myocardial expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 and -2. Furthermore, GW7647 inhibited nuclear factor-kappaB activation in the heart, accompanied by enhanced levels of inhibitor-kappaBalpha. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of PPAR-alpha protected the heart from reperfusion injury. This cardioprotection might be mediated through metabolic and antiinflammatory mechanisms. This novel effect of the PPAR-alpha agonist could provide an added benefit to patients treated with PPAR-alpha activators for dyslipidemia.

Cathepsin S expression is up-regulated following balloon angioplasty in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit.

OBJECTIVE: Neointimal development following balloon angioplasty involves many factors including smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration and proliferation and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Further, in hypercholesterolemic (HC) conditions, there is an influx of macrophage foam cells (FCs) into the restenotic lesion, which also involves degradation of the basement membrane and surrounding ECM. The ECM remodeling that occurs during restenosis has been shown to be mediated by various proteases. Here we have investigated the role of cathepsin S (CatS), a cysteine protease, in this process. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have demonstrated by Taqman quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry that CatS is up-regulated in restenotic lesions of HC rabbits following balloon injury of the iliofemoral artery. CatS mRNA expression was elevated 28-fold in balloon-injured vessels relative to uninjured contralateral vessels in HC rabbits 8 weeks post-angioplasty (p<0.05). CatS protein expression was detected within 1 day post-injury, persisted throughout the entire time course evaluated (60 days post-injury), and was co-localized with SMCs, macrophages, and FCs. In contrast, cystatin C (CysC), the endogenous inhibitor of cathepsins, was only minimally up-regulated following injury. CysC mRNA expression was elevated 3.5-fold in balloon-injured vessels relative to uninjured contralateral vessels in HC rabbits 8 weeks post-angioplasty (p<0.005), and up-regulation of protein expression was not detected until days 28 and 60 post-injury. Additional biochemical studies using recombinant rabbit CatS revealed that rabbit CatS digests laminin, fibronectin, and type I collagen. Further, CatS expression was evaluated in SMCs that were induced to migrate through a matrix-coated Boyden chamber upon platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stimulation. The addition of a selective CatS inhibitor reduced SMC migration dose-dependently with an 80% reduction in migration at 30 nM (p<0.005). Additionally, we have shown that CatS protein expression by human macrophages was increased upon stimulation with oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), implying augmentation of CatS production during foam cell formation. CONCLUSION: Taken together, our results indicate an enhanced expression of CatS during neointima formation and it is associated with invading SMCs, macrophages, and FCs, highlighting the importance of CatS in the pathogenesis of restenosis.

Myocardial protection from ischemia/reperfusion injury by targeted deletion of matrix metalloproteinase-9.

OBJECTIVE: Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) activity is up regulated in the heart subjected to ischemic insult. Whether increased MMP-9 activity contributes to acute myocardial injury after ischemia-reperfusion remains unknown. To investigate the role of MMP-9 in myocardial infarction, we utilized a MMP-9 knockout mouse. METHODS AND RESULTS: Standard homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells was used to generate a mouse lacking MMP-9. The left anterior descending coronary artery was occluded for 30 min followed by 24 h reperfusion, and the ischemic and infarct sizes were determined. Targeted deletion of MMP-9 protected the heart from no-flow ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial injury. The myocardial infarct size was reduced by 17.5% in MMP-9 heterozygotes (+/-) (P<0.01) and 35.4% in MMP-9 knockout (-/-) mice (P<0.01) versus the wild-type (+/+) mice, respectively. Analysis of MMP activity in myocardial extracts by zymography demonstrated that ischemia-reperfusion-induced expression of proMMP-9 and active MMP-9 was reduced by 77.8% (P<0.01) and 69.1% (P<0.001), respectively, in (+/-) mice compared to (+/+) mice, and was absent in (-/-) animals. The expression of TIMP-1, an endogenous inhibitor of MMP-9, was elevated 4.7-fold (P<0.05) and 21.4-fold (P<0.05) in the (+/-) and (-/-) mice, respectively, compared to (+/+) mice. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that neutrophils were the primary cellular source of MMP-9, and less neutrophils were detected in the ischemic region of the heart following ischemia-reperfusion in (-/-) mice compared to (+/+) mice. Measurement of myeloperoxidase activity, a marker enzyme of neutrophils, demonstrated a 44% reduction in neutrophils infiltrated into the ischemic myocardium in the (-/-) mice compared to the (+/+) mice (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that MMP-9 plays an important role in ischemia-reperfusion-induced myocardial infarction and MMP-9 could be a target for prevention or treatment of acute ischemic myocardial injury.

Selective and dual action orally active inhibitors of thrombin and factor Xa.

The synthetic entry to new classes of dual fXa/thrombin and selective thrombin inhibitors with significant oral bioavailability is described. This was achieved through minor modifications to the sulfonamide group in our potent and selective fXa inhibitor (E)-2-(5-chlorothien-2-yl)-N-{(3S)-1-[(1S)-1-methyl-2-(morpholin-4-yl)-2-oxoethyl]-2-oxopyrrolidin-3-yl}ethenesulfonamide and these observed activity changes have been rationalised using structural studies.

Design and synthesis of orally active pyrrolidin-2-one-based factor Xa inhibitors.

A series of novel, non-basic 3-(6-chloronaphth-2-ylsulfonyl)aminopyrrolidin-2-one-based factor Xa (fXa) inhibitors, incorporating an alanylamide P4 group, was designed and synthesised. Within this series, the N-2-(morpholin-4-yl)-2-oxoethyl derivative 24 was shown to be a potent, selective fXa inhibitor with good anticoagulant activity. Moreover, 24 possessed highly encouraging rat and dog pharmacokinetic profiles with excellent oral bioavailabilities in both species.

Structure- and property-based design of factor Xa inhibitors: pyrrolidin-2-ones with acyclic alanyl amides as P4 motifs.

Structure-based drug design was exploited in the synthesis of 3-(6-chloronaphth-2-ylsulfonyl)aminopyrrolidin-2-one-based factor Xa (fXa) inhibitors, incorporating an alanylamide P4 group with acyclic tertiary amide termini. Optimized hydrophobic contacts of one amide substituent in P4 were complemented by hydrophobicity-modulating features in the second, producing potent fXa inhibitors including examples with excellent anticoagulant properties.