Discovery and Optimization of Pyridazinones as PI3Kδ Selective Inhibitors for Administration by Inhalation.

A hit-to-lead campaign pursuing the identification of novel inhalant small-molecule phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors for the treatment of inflammatory respiratory diseases is disclosed. A synthetically versatile pyridazin-3(2H)-one scaffold was designed, and three exit vectors on the core moiety were used to explore chemical diversity and optimize pharmacological and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties. Desired modulation of PI3Kδ selectivity and cellular potency as well as ADME properties in view of administration by inhalation was achieved. Intratracheal administration of lead compound 26 resulted in a promising pharmacokinetic profile, thus demonstrating that the optimization strategy of in vitro profiles successfully translated to an in vivo setting.

Discovery and Optimization of Thiazolidinyl and Pyrrolidinyl Derivatives as Inhaled PDE4 Inhibitors for Respiratory Diseases.

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a key cAMP-metabolizing enzyme involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory disease, and its pharmacological inhibition has been shown to exert therapeutic efficacy in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Herein, we describe a drug discovery program aiming at the identification of novel classes of potent PDE4 inhibitors suitable for pulmonary administration. Starting from a previous series of benzoic acid esters, we explored the chemical space in the solvent-exposed region of the enzyme catalytic binding pocket. Extensive structural modifications led to the discovery of a number of heterocycloalkyl esters as potent in vitro PDE4 inhibitors. (S*,S**)-18e and (S*,S**)-22e, in particular, exhibited optimal in vitro ADME and pharmacokinetics properties and dose-dependently counteracted acute lung eosinophilia in an experimental animal model. The optimal biological profile as well as the excellent solid-state properties suggest that both compounds have the potential to be effective topical agents for treating respiratory inflammatory diseases.

Atropisomerism and Conformational Equilibria: Impact on PI3Kδ Inhibition of 2-((6-Amino-9H-purin-9-yl)methyl)-5-methyl-3-(o-tolyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one (IC87114) and Its Conformationally Restricted Analogs.

IC87114 [compound 1, (2-((6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl)methyl)-5-methyl-3-(o-tolyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one)] is a potent PI3K inhibitor selective for the δ isoform. As predicted by molecular modeling calculations, rotation around the bond connecting the quinazolin-4(3H)-one nucleus to the o-tolyl is sterically hampered, which leads to separable conformers with axial chirality (i.e., atropisomers). After verifying that the aS and aR isomers of compound 1 do not interconvert in solution, we investigated how biological activity is influenced by axial chirality and conformational equilibrium. The aS and aR atropisomers of 1 were equally active in the PI3Kδ assay. Conversely, the introduction of a methyl group at the methylene hinge connecting the 6-amino-9H-purin-9-yl pendant to the quinazolin-4(3H)-one nucleus of both aS and aR isomers of 1 had a critical effect on the inhibitory activity, indicating that modulation of the conformational space accessible for the two bonds departing from the central methylene considerably affects the binding of compound 1 analogues to PI3Kδ enzyme.

Novel class of benzoic acid ester derivatives as potent PDE4 inhibitors for inhaled administration in the treatment of respiratory diseases.

The first steps in the selection process of a new anti-inflammatory drug for the inhaled treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are herein described. A series of novel ester derivatives of 1-(3-(cyclopropylmethoxy)-4-(difluoromethoxy)phenyl)-2-(3,5-dichloropyridin-4-yl) ethanol have been synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity toward cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4). In particular, esters of variously substituted benzoic acids were extensively explored, and structural modification of the alcoholic and benzoic moieties were performed to maximize the inhibitory potency. Several compounds with high activity in cell-free and cell-based assays were obtained. Through the evaluation of opportune in vitro ADME properties, a potential candidate suitable for inhaled administration in respiratory diseases was identified and tested in an in vivo model of pulmonary inflammation, proving its efficacy.

1H NMR discrimination of CHF4226.01 diastereoisomers in DMSO-d6.

Two diastereoisomers CHF4226.01 (R, R) and CHF4232.01 (S, R), differing for a chiral center, have been studied to investigate their possible discrimination using NMR. 1D NMR and 2D NMR experiments, such as COSY, NOESY and ROESY, were performed on pure isomers and on the association complexes formed in the presence of the chiral reagent (S)-(-)-1-(2-napthyl)ethylamine (S-NEA). Moreover, computational studies, concerning conformational analysis and molecular dynamics, were started and supported the NMR results.

Zinc complexes with cyclic derivatives of alpha-ketoglutaric acid thiosemicarbazone: Synthesis, X-ray structures and DNA interactions.

Six new cyclic ligands derived from alpha-ketoglutaric acid thiosemicarbazone (H(3)ct) and their zinc complexes have been synthesized and characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR and NMR) studies. The X-ray structures of ligands Me-H(2)ct(C) (1), Allyl-H(2)ct(c) (3) and of complex [Zn(Me-Hct(C))(2)(OH(2))(2)].2H(2)O (7) have been determined. In complex (7) the zinc atom lies on a twofold axis and is surrounded in a tetrahedral coordination by two water molecules and two carboxylic oxygen donor atoms from the ligand. DNA titration in the UV-visible region and thermal denaturation have been employed to determine the details of DNA binding for the studied compounds. Studies of nuclease activity have also been performed with all our compounds through a gel electrophoresis experiment using plasmid pBR322 showing that no DNA breakings take place. Tests in vitro on human leukemia cell line U937 have been carried out on cell growth inhibition where solubility of the compounds allowed the experiments.

Synthesis, characterization and X-ray structures of new antiproliferative and proapoptotic natural aldehyde thiosemicarbazones and their nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes.

Synthesis and characterization of new thiosemicarbazones derived from natural aldehydes (1-9) have been investigated in order to develop a research program aimed at the development of compounds with antiviral, antibacterial, and antitumor properties. These substances contain both a chain with N and S nucleophilic centers with tuberculostatic activity, and an alkyl or terpenic moiety. In addition, a few nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes (10-18), derived also from the previously studied ligands, were synthesized and characterized by means of NMR and IR techniques. The trans-2-octenal N(1)-phenylthiosemicarbazone and its nickel complex were also characterized by X-ray diffractometry. Biological studies, performed with some of these compounds, have involved both inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptosis tests in vitro on human leukemia cell line U937 to deepen our knowledge on the way these substances interfere with biological processes in leukemic cells.