Design and Discovery of N-(3-(2-(2-Hydroxyethoxy)-6-morpholinopyridin-4-yl)-4-methylphenyl)-2-(trifluoromethyl)isonicotinamide, a Selective, Efficacious, and Well-Tolerated RAF Inhibitor Targeting RAS Mutant Cancers: The Path to the Clinic.

Direct pharmacological inhibition of RAS has remained elusive, and efforts to target CRAF have been challenging due to the complex nature of RAF signaling, downstream of activated RAS, and the poor overall kinase selectivity of putative RAF inhibitors. Herein, we describe 15 (LXH254, Aversa, R.; et al. Int. Patent WO2014151616A1, 2014), a selective B/C RAF inhibitor, which was developed by focusing on drug-like properties and selectivity. Our previous tool compound, 3 (RAF709; Nishiguchi, G. A.; et al. J. Med. Chem. 2017, 60, 4969), was potent, selective, efficacious, and well tolerated in preclinical models, but the high human intrinsic clearance precluded further development and prompted further investigation of close analogues. A structure-based approach led to a pyridine series with an alcohol side chain that could interact with the DFG loop and significantly improved cell potency. Further mitigation of human intrinsic clearance and time-dependent inhibition led to the discovery of 15. Due to its excellent properties, it was progressed through toxicology studies and is being tested in phase 1 clinical trials.

USP7 inhibits Wnt/ß-catenin signaling through promoting stabilization of Axin.

Axin is a key scaffolding protein responsible for the formation of the ß-catenin destruction complex. Stability of Axin protein is regulated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and modulation of cellular concentration of Axin protein has a profound effect on Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Although E3s promoting Axin ubiquitination have been identified, the deubiquitinase responsible for Axin deubiquitination and stabilization remains unknown. Here, we identify USP7 as a potent negative regulator of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling through CRISPR screens. Genetic ablation or pharmacological inhibition of USP7 robustly increases Wnt/ß-catenin signaling in multiple cellular systems. USP7 directly interacts with Axin through its TRAF domain, and promotes deubiquitination and stabilization of Axin. Inhibition of USP7 regulates osteoblast differentiation and adipocyte differentiation through increasing Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Our study reveals a critical mechanism that prevents excessive degradation of Axin and identifies USP7 as a target for sensitizing cells to Wnt/ß-catenin signaling.

Antitumor Properties of RAF709, a Highly Selective and Potent Inhibitor of RAF Kinase Dimers, in Tumors Driven by Mutant RAS or BRAF.

Resistance to the RAF inhibitor vemurafenib arises commonly in melanomas driven by the activated BRAF oncogene. Here, we report antitumor properties of RAF709, a novel ATP-competitive kinase inhibitor with high potency and selectivity against RAF kinases. RAF709 exhibited a mode of RAF inhibition distinct from RAF monomer inhibitors such as vemurafenib, showing equal activity against both RAF monomers and dimers. As a result, RAF709 inhibited MAPK signaling activity in tumor models harboring either BRAFV600 alterations or mutant N- and KRAS-driven signaling, with minimal paradoxical activation of wild-type RAF. In cell lines and murine xenograft models, RAF709 demonstrated selective antitumor activity in tumor cells harboring BRAF or RAS mutations compared with cells with wild-type BRAF and RAS genes. RAF709 demonstrated a direct pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic relationship in in vivo tumor models harboring KRAS mutation. Furthermore, RAF709 elicited regression of primary human tumor-derived xenograft models with BRAF, NRAS, or KRAS mutations with excellent tolerability. Our results support further development of inhibitors like RAF709, which represents a next-generation RAF inhibitor with unique biochemical and cellular properties that enables antitumor activities in RAS-mutant tumors.Significance: In an effort to develop RAF inhibitors with the appropriate pharmacological properties to treat RAS mutant tumors, RAF709, a compound with potency, selectivity, and in vivo properties, was developed that will allow preclinical therapeutic hypothesis testing, but also provide an excellent probe to further unravel the complexities of RAF kinase signaling. Cancer Res; 78(6); 1537-48. ©2018 AACR.

Design and Discovery of N-(2-Methyl-5'-morpholino-6'-((tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl)oxy)-[3,3'-bipyridin]-5-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (RAF709): A Potent, Selective, and Efficacious RAF Inhibitor Targeting RAS Mutant Cancers.

RAS oncogenes have been implicated in >30% of human cancers, all representing high unmet medical need. The exquisite dependency on CRAF kinase in KRAS mutant tumors has been established in genetically engineered mouse models and human tumor cells. To date, many small molecule approaches are under investigation to target CRAF, yet kinase-selective and cellular potent inhibitors remain challenging to identify. Herein, we describe 14 (RAF709) [ Aversa , Biaryl amide compounds as kinase inhibitors and their preparation . WO 2014151616, 2014 ], a selective B/C RAF inhibitor, which was developed through a hypothesis-driven approach focusing on drug-like properties. A key challenge encountered in the medicinal chemistry campaign was maintaining a balance between good solubility and potent cellular activity (suppression of pMEK and proliferation) in KRAS mutant tumor cell lines. We investigated the small molecule crystal structure of lead molecule 7 and hypothesized that disruption of the crystal packing would improve solubility, which led to a change from N-methylpyridone to a tetrahydropyranyl oxy-pyridine derivative. 14 proved to be soluble, kinase selective, and efficacious in a KRAS mutant xenograft model.

Structure-Based Drug Design of Novel Potent and Selective Tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazines as ATR Inhibitors.

A saturation strategy focused on improving the selectivity and physicochemical properties of ATR inhibitor HTS hit 1 led to a novel series of highly potent and selective tetrahydropyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrazines. Use of PI3Kα mutants as ATR crystal structure surrogates was instrumental in providing cocrystal structures to guide the medicinal chemistry designs. Detailed DMPK studies involving cyanide and GSH as trapping agents during microsomal incubations, in addition to deuterium-labeled compounds as mechanistic probes uncovered the molecular basis for the observed CYP3A4 TDI in the series.

Structure-Based Drug Design of Novel, Potent, and Selective Azabenzimidazoles (ABI) as ATR Inhibitors.

Compound 13 was discovered through morphing of the ATR biochemical HTS hit 1. The ABI series was potent and selective for ATR. Incorporation of a 6-azaindole afforded a marked increase in cellular potency but was associated with poor PK and hERG ion channel inhibition. DMPK experiments established that CYP P450 and AO metabolism in conjunction with Pgp and BCRP efflux were major causative mechanisms for the observed PK. The series also harbored the CYP3A4 TDI liability driven by the presence of both a morpholine and an indole moiety. Incorporation of an adjacent fluorine or nitrogen into the 6-azaindole addressed many of the various medicinal chemistry issues encountered.

Maitotoxin: An Inspiration for Synthesis.

Maitotoxin holds a special place in the annals of natural products chemistry as the largest and most toxic secondary metabolite known to date. Its fascinating, ladder-like, polyether molecular structure and diverse spectrum of biological activities elicited keen interest from chemists and biologists who recognized its uniqueness and potential as a probe and inspiration for research in chemistry and biology. Synthetic studies in the area benefited from methodologies and strategies that were developed as part of chemical synthesis programs directed toward the total synthesis of some of the less complex members of the polyether marine biotoxin class, of which maitotoxin is the flagship. This account focuses on progress made in the authors' laboratories in the synthesis of large maitotoxin domains with emphasis on methodology development, strategy design, and structural comparisons of the synthesized molecules with the corresponding regions of the natural product. The article concludes with an overview of maitotoxin's biological profile and future perspectives.

Synthesis of the C'D'E'F' domain of maitotoxin.

A devised biomimetic strategy toward the C'D'E'F' domain (6) of maitotoxin (1) led to hydroxy triepoxide 8 as a postulated polyepoxide precursor. However, all attempts to induce the desired cascade to form the targeted compound through a zip-type reaction under neutral or acidic conditions failed, prompting adoption of a linear stepwise approach to 6. The successful synthetic strategy for the synthesis of the C'D'E'F' domain of maitotoxin commenced from furfuryl alcohol (11), proceeded through F' ring building block 15, and involved two regio- and stereoselective intramolecular hydroxy epoxide openings and a stereoselective SmI(2)-mediated ring closure to forge rings C', E', and D', respectively. (13)C NMR spectroscopic analysis of the synthesized domain (6) and comparisons with previous results confirmed the original structural assignment of this region of maitotoxin. X-ray crystallographic analysis of 6 provided unambiguous proof of its structure.

Synthesis of the ABCDEFG ring system of maitotoxin.

Maitotoxin (1) continues to fascinate scientists not only because of its size and potent neurotoxicity but also due to its molecular architecture. To provide further support for its structure and facilitate fragment-based biological studies, we developed an efficient chemical synthesis of the ABCDEFG segment 3 of maitotoxin. (13)C NMR chemical shift comparisons of synthetic 3 with the corresponding values for the same carbons of maitotoxin revealed a close match, providing compelling evidence for the correctness of the originally assigned structure to this polycyclic system of the natural product. The synthetic strategy for the synthesis of 3 relied heavily on our previously developed furan-based technology involving sequential Noyori asymmetric reduction and Achmatowicz rearrangement for the construction of the required tetrahydropyran building blocks, and employed a B-alkyl Suzuki coupling and a Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons olefination to accomplish their assembly and elaboration to the final target molecule.

The continuing saga of the marine polyether biotoxins.

The unprecedented structure of the marine natural product brevetoxin B was elucidated by the research group of Nakanishi and Clardy in 1981. The ladderlike molecular architecture of this fused polyether molecule, its potent toxicity, and fascinating voltage-sensitive sodium channel based mechanism of action immediately captured the imagination of synthetic chemists. Synthetic endeavors resulted in numerous new methods and strategies for the construction of cyclic ethers, and culminated in several impressive total syntheses of this molecule and some of its equally challenging siblings. Of the marine polyethers, maitotoxin is not only the most complex and most toxic of the class, but is also the largest nonpolymeric natural product known to date. This Review begins with a brief history of the isolation of these biotoxins and highlights their biological properties and mechanism of action. Chemical syntheses are then described, with particular emphasis on new methods developed and applied to the total syntheses. The Review ends with a discussion of the, as yet unfinished, story of maitotoxin, and projects into the future of this area of research.

Chemical Synthesis of the GHIJKLMNO Ring System of Maitotoxin.

As the largest secondary metabolite to be discovered as of yet, the polyether marine neurotoxin maitotoxin constitutes a major structural and synthetic challenge. After its originally proposed structure ( 1) had been questioned on the basis of biosynthetic considerations, we provided computational and experimental support for structure 1. In an effort to provide stronger experimental evidence of the molecular architecture of maitotoxin, its GHIJKLMNO ring system 3 was synthesized. The (13)C NMR chemical shifts of synthetic 3 matched closely those corresponding to the same domain of the natural product providing strong evidence for the correctness of the originally proposed structure of maitotoxin ( 1).