Discovery of a Potent and Selective Tyrosine Kinase 2 Inhibitor: TAK-279.

TYK2 is a key mediator of IL12, IL23, and type I interferon signaling, and these cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Supported by compelling data from human genome-wide association studies and clinical results, TYK2 inhibition through small molecules is an attractive therapeutic strategy to treat these diseases. Herein, we report the discovery of a series of highly selective pseudokinase (Janus homology 2, JH2) domain inhibitors of TYK2 enzymatic activity. A computationally enabled design strategy, including the use of FEP+, was instrumental in identifying a pyrazolo-pyrimidine core. We highlight the utility of computational physics-based predictions used to optimize this series of molecules to identify the development candidate 30, a potent, exquisitely selective cellular TYK2 inhibitor that is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials for the treatment of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Targeting the Cbl-b-Notch1 axis as a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to boost CD8+ T-cell responses.

A critical feature of cancer is the ability to induce immunosuppression and evade immune responses. Tumor-induced immunosuppression diminishes the effectiveness of endogenous immune responses and decreases the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we describe a new immunosuppressive pathway in which adenosine promotes Casitas B-lineage lymphoma b (Cbl-b)-mediated Notch1 degradation, causing suppression of CD8+ T-cells effector functions. Genetic knockout and pharmacological inhibition of Cbl-b prevents Notch1 degradation in response to adenosine and reactivates its signaling. Reactivation of Notch1 results in enhanced CD8+ T-cell effector functions, anti-cancer response and resistance to immunosuppression. Our work provides evidence that targeting the Cbl-b-Notch1 axis is a novel promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy.

Potent and selective TYK2-JH1 inhibitors highly efficacious in rodent model of psoriasis.

TYK2 is a member of the JAK family of kinases and a key mediator of IL-12, IL-23, and type I interferon signaling. These cytokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of multiple inflammatory and autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Supported by compelling data from human genetic association studies, TYK2 inhibition is an attractive therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Herein, we report the discovery of a series of highly selective catalytic site TYK2 inhibitors designed using FEP+ and structurally enabled design starting from a virtual screen hit. We highlight the structure-based optimization to identify a lead candidate 30, a potent cellular TYK2 inhibitor with excellent selectivity, pharmacokinetic properties, and in vivo efficacy in a mouse psoriasis model.

Preclinical evaluation of tyrosine kinase 2 inhibitors for human beta-cell protection in type 1 diabetes.

AIM: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic autoimmune disease leading to progressive loss of pancreatic beta cells. Interferon (IFN)-α plays a critical role in the crosstalk between pancreatic beta cells and the immune system in early insulitis. In human beta cells IFNα signals through JAK1 and TYK2, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammation and HLA class I overexpression. IFNα, acting synergistically with IL-1ß, induces apoptosis. Polymorphisms in TYK2 that decrease its activity are associated with protection against T1D, and we hypothesized that pharmacological inhibitors that specifically target TYK2 could protect human beta cells against the deleterious effects of IFNα. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two TYK2 inhibitors provided by Nimbus Lakshmi were tested in human insulin-producing EndoC-ßH1 cells and human islets to evaluate their effect on IFNα signalling, beta-cell function and susceptibility to viral infection using RT-qPCR, western blot, immunofluorescence, ELISA and nuclear dyes. RESULTS: The two TYK2 inhibitors tested prevented IFNα-induced human beta-cell gene expression in a dose-dependent manner. They also protected human islets against IFNα + IL-1ß-induced apoptosis. Importantly, these inhibitors did not modify beta-cell function or their survival following infection with the potential diabetogenic coxsackieviruses CVB1 and CVB5. CONCLUSIONS: The two TYK2 inhibitors tested inhibit the IFNα signalling pathway in human beta cells, decreasing its pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic effects without sensitizing the cells to viral infection. The preclinical findings could pave the way for future clinical trials with TYK2 inhibitors for the prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes.

An allosteric mechanism for potent inhibition of human ATP-citrate lyase.

ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY) is a central metabolic enzyme and catalyses the ATP-dependent conversion of citrate and coenzyme A (CoA) to oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA1-5. The acetyl-CoA product is crucial for the metabolism of fatty acids6,7, the biosynthesis of cholesterol8, and the acetylation and prenylation of proteins9,10. There has been considerable interest in ACLY as a target for anti-cancer drugs, because many cancer cells depend on its activity for proliferation2,5,11. ACLY is also a target against dyslipidaemia and hepatic steatosis, with a compound currently in phase 3 clinical trials4,5. Many inhibitors of ACLY have been reported, but most of them have weak activity5. Here we report the development of a series of low nanomolar, small-molecule inhibitors of human ACLY. We have also determined the structure of the full-length human ACLY homo-tetramer in complex with one of these inhibitors (NDI-091143) by cryo-electron microscopy, which reveals an unexpected mechanism of inhibition. The compound is located in an allosteric, mostly hydrophobic cavity next to the citrate-binding site, and requires extensive conformational changes in the enzyme that indirectly disrupt citrate binding. The observed binding mode is supported by and explains the structure-activity relationships of these compounds. This allosteric site greatly enhances the 'druggability' of ACLY and represents an attractive target for the development of new ACLY inhibitors.

Diphenylmethylene hydroxamic acids as selective class IIa histone deacetylase inhibitors.

We have identified a series of diphenylmethylene hydroxamic acids as novel and selective HDAC class IIa inhibitors. The original hit, N-hydroxy-2,2-diphenylacetamide (6), has sub-micromolar class IIa HDAC inhibitory activity, while the rigidified oxygen analogue, N-hydroxy-9H-xanthene-9-carboxamide (13), is slightly more selective for HDAC7 with an IC(50) of 0.05muM. Substitution of 6 allows for the modulation of selectivity and potency amongst the class IIa HDAC isotypes.

Novel HDAC6 isoform selective chiral small molecule histone deacetylase inhibitors.

In an effort to identify HDAC isoform selective inhibitors, we designed and synthesized novel, chiral 3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2(1H)-one and piperazine-2,5-dione aryl hydroxamates showing selectivity (up to 40-fold) for human HDAC6 over other class I/IIa HDACs. The observed selectivity and potency (IC(50) values 10-200 nM against HDAC6) is markedly dependent on the absolute configuration of the chiral moiety, and suggests new possibilities for use of chiral compounds in selective HDAC isoform inhibition.

SAR and biological evaluation of analogues of a small molecule histone deacetylase inhibitor N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-((4-(pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidin-2-ylamino)methyl)benzamide (MGCD0103).

Analogues of the clinical compound MGCD0103 (A) were designed and synthesized. These compounds inhibit recombinant human HDAC1 with IC(50) values in the sub-micromolar range. In human cancer cells growing in culture these compounds induce hyperacetylation of histones, cause expression of the tumor suppressor protein p21(WAF1/CIP1), and inhibit cellular proliferation. Lead molecule of the series, compound 25 is metabolically stable, possesses favorable pharmacokinetic characteristics and is orally active in vivo in different mouse tumor xenograft models.

Sulfamides as novel histone deacetylase inhibitors.

The sulfamide moiety has been utilized to design novel HDAC inhibitors. The potency and selectivity of these inhibitors were influenced both by the nature of the scaffold, and the capping group. Linear long-chain-based analogs were primarily HDAC6-selective, while analogs based on the lysine scaffold resulted in potent HDAC1 and HDAC6 inhibitors.

Discovery of N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-[(4-pyridin-3-ylpyrimidin-2-ylamino)methyl]benzamide (MGCD0103), an orally active histone deacetylase inhibitor.

The design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of N-(2-aminophenyl)-4-[(4-pyridin-3-ylpyrimidin-2-ylamino)methyl]benzamide 8 (MGCD0103) is described. Compound 8 is an isotype-selective small molecule histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor that selectively inhibits HDACs 1-3 and 11 at submicromolar concentrations in vitro. 8 blocks cancer cell proliferation and induces histone acetylation, p21 (cip/waf1) protein expression, cell-cycle arrest, and apoptosis. 8 is orally bioavailable, has significant antitumor activity in vivo, has entered clinical trials, and shows promise as an anticancer drug.

4-(Heteroarylaminomethyl)-N-(2-aminophenyl)-benzamides and their analogs as a novel class of histone deacetylase inhibitors.

The synthesis and biological evaluation of a variety of 4-(heteroarylaminomethyl)-N-(2-aminophenyl)-benzamides and their analogs is described. Some of these compounds were shown to inhibit HDAC1 with IC(50) values below the micromolar range, induce hyperacetylation of histones, upregulate expression of the tumor suppressor p21(WAF1/Cip1), and inhibit proliferation of human cancer cells. In addition, certain compounds of this class were active in several human tumor xenograft models in vivo.

Design and synthesis of 4-[(s-triazin-2-ylamino)methyl]-N-(2-aminophenyl)-benzamides and their analogues as a novel class of histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC) is emerging as a new strategy in human cancer therapy. The synthesis and biological evaluation of a variety of 4-(heteroarylaminomethyl)-N-(2-aminophenyl)-benzamides is presented herein. From the different series bearing a six-membered heteroaromatic ring studied, the s-triazine series showed the best HDAC1 enzyme and in vitro anti-proliferative activities with IC(50) values below micromolar range. Some of these compounds can also significantly reduce tumor growth in human tumor xenograft models in mice.

N-(2-Amino-phenyl)-4-(heteroarylmethyl)-benzamides as new histone deacetylase inhibitors.

A variety of N-(2-amino-phenyl)-4-(heteroarylmethyl)-benzamides were designed and synthesized. These compounds were shown to inhibit recombinant human HDAC1 with IC(50) values in the sub-micromolar range. In human cancer cells growing in culture these compounds induced hyperacetylation of histones, induced the expression of the tumor suppressor protein p21(WAF1/Cip1), and inhibited cellular proliferation. Certain compounds of this class also showed in vivo activity in various human tumor xenograft models in mice.

Novel aminophenyl benzamide-type histone deacetylase inhibitors with enhanced potency and selectivity.

Significant effort is being made to understand the role of HDAC isotypes in human cancer and to develop antitumor agents with better therapeutic windows. A part of this endeavor was the exploration of the 14 A internal cavity adjacent to the enzyme catalytic site, which led to the design and synthesis of compound 4 with the unusual bis(aryl)-type pharmacophore. SAR studies around this lead resulted in optimization to potent, selective, nonhydroxamic acid HDAC inhibitors.

Substituted N-(2-aminophenyl)-benzamides, (E)-N-(2-aminophenyl)-acrylamides and their analogues: novel classes of histone deacetylase inhibitors.

Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) is emerging as a new strategy in human cancer therapy. Novel 2-aminophenyl benzamides and acrylamides, that can inhibit human HDAC enzymes and induce hyperacetylation of histones in human cancer cells, have been designed and synthesized. These compounds selectively inhibit proliferation and cause cell cycle arrest in various human cancer cells but not in normal cells. The growth inhibition of 2-aminophenyl benzamides and acrylamides against human cancer cells in vitro is reversible and is dependent on the induction of histone acetylation. Compounds of this class can significantly reduce tumor growth in human tumor xenograft models.

(2-amino-phenyl)-amides of omega-substituted alkanoic acids as new histone deacetylase inhibitors.

A variety of omega-substituted alkanoic acid (2-amino-phenyl)-amides were designed and synthesized. These compounds were shown to inhibit recombinant human histone deacetylases (HDACs) with IC(50) values in the low micromolar range and induce hyperacetylation of histones in whole cells. They induced expression of p21WAF1/Cip1 and caused cell-cycle arrest in human cancer cells. Compounds in this class showed efficacy in human tumor xenograft models.

Development of potential antitumor agents. Synthesis and biological evaluation of a new set of sulfonamide derivatives as histone deacetylase inhibitors.

A series of sulfonamide hydroxamic acids and anilides have been synthesized and studied as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors that can induce hyperacetylation of histones in human cancer cells. The inhibition of HDAC activity represents a novel approach for intervening in cell cycle regulation. The lead candidates were screened in a panel of human tumor and normal cell lines. They selectively inhibit proliferation, cause cell cycle blocks, and induce apoptosis in human cancer cells but not in normal cells. The structure-activity relationships, the antiproliferative activity, and the in vivo efficacy are described.

Sulfonamide anilides, a novel class of histone deacetylase inhibitors, are antiproliferative against human tumors.

Inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDACs) is emerging as a new strategy in human cancer therapy. We have designed and synthesized novel nonhydroxamate sulfonamide anilides that can inhibit human HDAC enzymes and can induce hyperacetylation of histones in human cancer cells. These compounds selectively inhibit proliferation and cause cell cycle blocks in various human cancer cells but not in normal cells. The growth inhibitory activity of sulfonamide anilides against human cancer cells in vitro is reversible and is dependent on the induction of histone acetylation. One of these compounds (Compound 2) can significantly reduce tumor growth of implanted human colon tumors in nude mice. Unlike another anilide-based HDAC inhibitor, MS-275, which decreases both red and white blood counts and reduces spleen weights in mice, Compound 2 does not exhibit noticeable toxicity. By using cDNA array analysis, we have identified downstream genes whose expression is altered by Compound 2 in human cancer cells. In correlation with its antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo, Compound 2 induces expression of p21(WAF1/Cip1), gelsolin, and keratin 19, while down-regulating expression of cyclin A and cyclin B1 in human cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Our results suggest that sulfonamide anilides are novel HDAC inhibitors and may be useful as antiproliferative agents in cancer chemotherapy.

Structurally simple trichostatin A-like straight chain hydroxamates as potent histone deacetylase inhibitors.

A series of new, structurally simple trichostatin A (TSA)-like straight chain hydroxamates were prepared and evaluated for their ability to inhibit partially purified human histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC-1). Some of these compounds such as 8m, 8n, 12, and 15b exhibited potent HDAC inhibitory activity with low nanomolar IC(50) values, comparable to natural TSA. These compounds induce hyperacetylation of histones in T24 human cancer cells and significantly inhibit proliferation in various human cancer cells. They also induce expression of p21 and cause cell cycle blocks in human cancer cells. In this paper, we describe the synthesis of these new compounds as well as structure-activity relationship results from enzyme inhibition and alterations in cellular function.