Discovery of MK-0952, a selective PDE4 inhibitor for the treatment of long-term memory loss and mild cognitive impairment.

The structure-activity relationship of a novel series of 8-biarylnaphthyridinones acting as type 4 phosphodiesterase (PDE4) inhibitors for the treatment of long-term memory loss and mild cognitive impairment is described herein. The manuscript describes a new paradigm for the development of PDE4 inhibitor targeting CNS indications. This effort led to the discovery of the clinical candidate MK-0952, an intrinsically potent inhibitor (IC(50)=0.6 nM) displaying limited whole blood activity (IC(50)=555 nM). Supporting in vivo results in two preclinical efficacy tests and one test assessing adverse effects are also reported. The comparative profiles of MK-0952 and two other Merck compounds are described to validate the proposed hypothesis.

Optimization and structure-activity relationship of a series of 1-phenyl-1,8-naphthyridin-4-one-3-carboxamides: identification of MK-0873, a potent and effective PDE4 inhibitor.

A SAR study of a series of 1-phenyl-1,8-naphthyridin-4-one-3-carboxamides is described. Optimization of the series was based on in vitro potency against PDE4, inhibition of the LPS-induced production of TNF-alpha in human whole blood and minimizing affinity for the hERG potassium channel. From these studies, compounds 18 and 20 (MK-0873) were identified as optimized PDE4 inhibitors with good overall in vitro and in vivo profiles and selected as development candidates.

Substituted coumarins as potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors.

Leukotriene biosynthesis inhibitors have potential as therapeutic agents for asthma and inflammatory diseases. A novel series of substituted coumarin derivatives has been synthesized and the structure-activity relationship was evaluated with respect to their ability to inhibit the formation of leukotrienes via the human 5-lipoxygenase enzyme.

Substituted 4-(2,2-diphenylethyl)pyridine-N-oxides as phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors: SAR study directed toward the improvement of pharmacokinetic parameters.

A detailed SAR study directed toward the optimization of pharmacokinetic parameters for analogues of L-791,943 is reported. The introduction of a soft metabolic site on this structure permitted the identification of L-826,141 as a potent phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitor that is well absorbed and that presents a shorter half-life than L-791,943 in a variety of animal species. The efficacy of L-826,141 is also demonstrated in different in vivo models.

Discovery of L-791,943: a potent, selective, non emetic and orally active phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor.

Structure-activity relationship studies directed toward improving the potency and metabolic stability of CDP-840 (3) resulted in the discovery of L-791,943 (11n) as a potent (HWB TNF-alpha = 0.67 microM) and orally active phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitor. This compound, which bears a stable bis-difluoromethoxy catechol and a pendant hexafluorocarbinol, exhibited a long half-life in rat and in squirrel monkey. It is well tolerated in ferret with an emetic threshold greater than 30 mg/kg (po) and was found to be active in the ovalbumin-induced bronchoconstriction model in guinea pig and in the ascaris-induced bronchoconstriction models in sheep and squirrel monkey.

Mechanism of the second sulfenylation of indole.

Sulfenylation of indole using a sulfenyl chloride occurs initially at the 3-position of the ring, leading to a 3-indolyl sulfide. When an excess of sulfenyl chloride is used, a second sulfide group is introduced at the 2-position, and an indolyl 2,3-bis-sulfide results. We have demonstrated that this second sulfenylation occurs not by direct introduction of the second sulfide at the 2-position but via initial formation of an indolenium 3,3-bis-sulfide intermediate, followed by migration of one of the sulfide groups to the 2-position. This was achieved by the isolation of two examples of 3H-indole 3,3-bis-sulfides and by subsequent demonstration that they rearrange to the indolyl 2,3-bis-sulfides by treatment with sulfenyl halides.

Regioselective Synthesis of Mixed Indole 2,3-Bis(sulfides). A Study of the Mechanism of the Second Sulfenylation of Indole.

Sulfenylation of indole using sulfenyl chlorides leads to the initial formation of a 3-indolyl sulfide, while excess reagent introduces a second sulfide at the 2-position of the ring. The mechanism of this second sulfenylation has not, to date, been rigorously elucidated. The development of the first, regioselective synthesis of mixed indole 2,3-bis(sulfides) has allowed the study of the sulfenylation of 3-indolyl sulfides using a different sulfenyl chloride. Our results afford evidence that the reaction proceeds via an intermediate 3,3-disulfenylated indolenine species, with subsequent migration of one of the sulfide groups to the 2-position.