2,8-Diazaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl)pyrimidin-4-amine potent CCR4 antagonists capable of inducing receptor endocytosis.

A number of potent 2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl)pyrimidin-4-amine CCR4 antagonists binding to the extracellular allosteric site were synthesised. (R)-N-(2,4-Dichlorobenzyl)-2-(2-(pyrrolidin-2-ylmethyl)-2,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decan-8-yl)pyrimidin-4-amine (R)-(18a) has high affinity in both the [(125)I]-TARC binding assay with a pKi of 8.8, and the [(35)S]-GTPγS functional assay with a pIC50 of 8.1, and high activity in the human whole blood actin polymerisation assay (pA2 = 6.7). The most potent antagonists were also investigated for their ability to induce endocytosis of CCR4 and were found to internalise about 60% of the cell surface receptors, a property which is not commonly shared by small molecule antagonists of chemokine receptors.

Synthesis and pharmacological investigation of azaphthalazinone human histamine H(1) receptor antagonists.

5-Aza, 6-aza, 7-aza and 8-aza-phthalazinone, and 5,8-diazaphthalazinone templates were synthesised by stereoselective routes starting from the appropriate pyridine/pyrazine dicarboxylic acids by activation with CDI, reaction with 4-chlorophenyl acetate ester enolate to give a ß-ketoester, which was hydrolysed, and decarboxylated. The resulting ketone was condensed with hydrazine to form the azaphthalazinone core. The azaphthalazinone cores were alkylated with N-Boc-D-prolinol at N-2 by Mitsunobu reaction, de-protected, and then alkylated at the pyrrolidine nitrogen to provide the target H(1) receptor antagonists. All four mono-azaphthalazinone series had higher affinity (pK(i)) for the human H(1) receptor than azelastine, but were not as potent as the parent non-aza phthalazinone. The 5,8-diazaphthalazinone was equipotent with azelastine. The least potent series were the 7-azaphthalazinones, whereas the 5-azaphthalazinones were the most lipophilic. The more hydrophilic series were the 8-aza series. Replacement of the N-methyl substituent on the pyrrolidine with the n-butyl group caused an increase in potency (pA(2)) and a corresponding increase in lipophilicity. Introduction of a ß-ether oxygen in the n-butyl analogues (2-methoxyethyl group) decreased the H(1) pA(2) slightly, and increased the selectivity against hERG. The duration of action in vitro was longer in the 6-azaphthalazinone series. The more potent and selective 6-azaphthalazinone core was used to append an H(3) receptor antagonist fragment, and to convert the series into the long acting single-ligand, dual H(1) H(3) receptor antagonist 44. The pharmacological profile of 44 was very similar to our intranasal clinical candidate 1.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of long-acting beta2 adrenergic receptor agonists incorporating arylsulfonamide groups.

A series of saligenin alkoxyalkylphenylsulfonamide beta(2) adrenoceptor agonists were prepared by reacting a protected saligenin oxazolidinone with alkynyloxyalkyl bromides, followed by Sonogashira reaction, hydrogenation, and deprotection. The meta-substituted primary sulfonamide was more potent than the para- and the ortho-analogues. Primary sulfonamides were more potent than the secondary and tertiary analogues. The onset and duration of action in vitro of selected compounds was assessed on isolated superfused guinea pig trachea. Sulfonamide 29b had the best profile of potency, selectivity, onset, and duration of action on both guinea pig trachea and human bronchus. Furthermore, 29b was found to have low oral bioavailability in rat and dog and also to have long duration of action in an in vivo model of bronchodilation. Crystalline salts of 29b were identified that had suitable properties for inhaled administration. A proposed binding mode for 29b to the beta(2)-receptor is presented.