Pharmacokinetics, excretion and metabolites analysis of DL0410, a dual­acting cholinesterase inhibitor and histamine­3 receptor antagonist.

DL0410, a dual­action cholinesterase inhibitor and histamine­3 receptor antagonist with a novel structural scaffold, may be a potential candidate for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a reliable method for the measurement of DL0410 in rat plasma, brain, bile, urine and feces samples, and identification of its primary metabolites. The pharmacokinetic properties of DL0410 were analyzed by liquid chromatography­mass spectrometry at oral doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg and intravenous dose of 5 mg/kg. The investigation of the excretion and metabolism of DL0410 was determined following liquid­liquid extraction for biliary, urinary and fecal samples. Finally, the cytochrome (CY)P450 isoforms involved in the production of DL0410 metabolites with recombinant human cytochrome P450 enzymes were characterized. The results suggested that DL0410 was not well absorbed; however, was distributed to the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus of the brain. A total of two common metabolites of the reduction of DL0140 in the bile, urine and feces were identified and CYP2D6 was involved in this reaction. The pharmacokinetic results of DL0410 provided information for the illustration of its pharmacodynamic properties, mechanism of action and promoted its continued evaluation as a therapeutic agent for AD treatment.

Novel Tetrahydroquinazolinamines as Selective Histamine 3 Receptor Antagonists for the Treatment of Obesity.

The histamine 3 receptor (H3R) is a presynaptic receptor, which modulates several neurotransmitters including histamine and various essential physiological processes, such as feeding, arousal, cognition, and pain. The H3R is considered as a drug target for the treatment of several central nervous system disorders. We have synthesized and identified a novel series of 4-aryl-6-methyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinazolinamines that act as selective H3R antagonists. Among all the synthesized compounds, in vitro and docking studies suggested that the 4-methoxy-phenyl-substituted tetrahydroquinazolinamine compound 4c has potent and selective H3R antagonist activity (IC50 < 0.04 µM). Compound 4c did not exhibit any activity on the hERG ion channel and pan-assay interference compounds liability. Pharmacokinetic studies showed that 4c crosses the blood brain barrier, and in vivo studies demonstrated that 4c induces anorexia and weight loss in obese, but not in lean mice. These data reveal the therapeutic potential of 4c as an anti-obesity candidate drug via antagonizing the H3R.

Drug-receptor kinetics and sigma-1 receptor affinity differentiate clinically evaluated histamine H3 receptor antagonists.

The histamine H3 receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) drug target that is highly expressed in the CNS, where it acts as both an auto- and hetero-receptor to regulate neurotransmission. As such, it has been considered as a relevant target in disorders as varied as Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, neuropathic pain and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A range of competitive antagonists/inverse agonists have progressed into clinical development, with pitolisant approved for the treatment of narcolepsy. Given the breadth of compounds developed and potential therapeutic indications, we assessed the comparative pharmacology of six investigational histamine H3 agents, including pitolisant, using native tissue and recombinant cells. Whilst all of the compounds tested displayed robust histamine H3 receptor inverse agonism and did not differentiate between the main H3 receptor splice variants, they displayed a wide range of affinities and kinetic properties, and included rapidly dissociating (pitolisant, S 38093-2, ABT-239) and slowly dissociating (GSK189254, JNJ-5207852, PF-3654746) agents. S 38093-2 had the lowest histamine H3 receptor affinity (pKB values 5.7-6.2), seemingly at odds with previously reported, potent in vivo activity in models of cognition. We show here that at pro-cognitive and anti-hyperalgesic/anti-allodynic doses, S 38093-2 preferentially occupies the mouse sigma-1 receptor in vivo, only engaging the histamine H3 receptor at doses associated with wakefulness promotion and neurotransmitter (histamine, ACh) release. Furthermore, pitolisant, ABT-239 and PF-3654746 also displayed appreciable sigma-1 receptor affinity, suggesting that this property differentiates clinically evaluated histamine H3 receptor antagonists and may play a role in their efficacy.

Multitarget-Directed Ligands Combining Cholinesterase and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibition with Histamine H3 R Antagonism for Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The therapy of complex neurodegenerative diseases requires the development of multitarget-directed drugs (MTDs). Novel indole derivatives with inhibitory activity towards acetyl/butyrylcholinesterases and monoamine oxidases A/B as well as the histamine H3 receptor (H3R) were obtained by optimization of the neuroprotectant ASS234 by incorporating generally accepted H3R pharmacophore motifs. These small-molecule hits demonstrated balanced activities at the targets, mostly in the nanomolar concentration range. Additional in vitro studies showed antioxidative neuroprotective effects as well as the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. With this promising in vitro profile, contilisant (at 1 mg kg-1 i.p.) also significantly improved lipopolysaccharide-induced cognitive deficits.

Mechanistic characterization of S 38093, a novel inverse agonist at histamine H3 receptors.

Histaminergic H3 inverse agonists, by stimulating central histamine release, represent attractive drug candidates to treat cognitive disorders. The present studies aimed to describe the mechanistic profile of S 38093 a novel H3 receptors inverse agonist. S 38093 displays a moderate affinity for rat, mouse and human H3 receptors (Ki=8.8, 1.44 and 1.2µM, respectively) with no affinity for other histaminergic receptors. In cellular models, the compound was able to antagonize mice H3 receptors (KB=0.65µM) and to suppress cAMP decrease induced by an H3 agonist via human H3 receptors (KB=0.11µM). The antagonism properties of the compound were confirmed by electrophysiological studies on rat hippocampal slices (from 0.1µM). In cells expressing a high H3 density, S 38093 behaved as a moderate inverse agonist at rat and human H3 receptors (EC50=9 and 1.7µM, respectively). S 38093 was rapidly absorbed in mouse and rat (Tmax=0.25-0.5h), slowly in monkey (2h), with a bioavailability ranging from 20% to 60% and t1/2 ranging from 1.5 to 7.4h. The compound was widely distributed with a moderate volume of distribution and low protein binding. The brain distribution of S 38093 was rapid and high. In mice, S 38093 significantly increased ex vivo N-tele-Methylhistamine cerebral levels from 3mg/kg p.o. and antagonized R-α-Methylhistamine-induced dipsogenia from 10mg/kg i.p. Taken together, these data suggest that S 38093, a novel H3 inverse agonist, is a good candidate for further in vivo evaluations, in particular in animal models of cognition.

Quantitative projection of human brain penetration of the H3 antagonist PF-03654746 by integrating rat-derived brain partitioning and PET receptor occupancy.

1. Unbound brain drug concentration (Cb,u), a valid surrogate of interstitial fluid drug concentration (CISF), cannot be directly determined in humans, which limits accurately defining the human Cb,u:Cp,u of investigational molecules. 2. For the H3R antagonist (1R,3R)-N-ethyl-3-fluoro-3-[3-fluoro-4-(pyrrolidin-1-lmethyl)phenyl]cyclobutane-1-carboxamide (PF-03654746), we interrogated Cb,u:Cp,u in humans and nonhuman primate (NHP). 3. In rat, PF-03654746 achieved net blood-brain barrier (BBB) equilibrium (Cb,u:Cp,u of 2.11). 4. In NHP and humans, the PET receptor occupancy-based Cp,u IC50 of PF-03654746 was 0.99 nM and 0.31 nM, respectively, which were 2.1- and 7.4-fold lower than its in vitro human H3 Ki (2.3 nM). 5. In an attempt to understand this higher-than-expected potency in humans and NHP, rat-derived Cb,u:Cp,u of PF-03654746 was integrated with Cp,u IC50 to identify unbound (neuro) potency of PF-03654746, nIC50. 6. The nIC50 of PF-03654746 was 2.1 nM in NHP and 0.66 nM in human which better correlated (1.1- and 3.49-fold lower) with in vitro human H3 Ki (2.3 nM). 7. This correlation of the nIC50 and in vitro hH3 Ki suggested the translation of net BBB equilibrium of PF-03654746 from rat to NHP and humans, and confirmed the use of Cp,u as a reliable surrogate of Cb,u. 8. Thus, nIC50 quantitatively informed the human Cb,u:Cp,u of PF-03654746.

Can an early phase clinical pharmacology study replace a thorough QT study? Experience with a novel H3-receptor antagonist/inverse agonist.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to compare the effects of pitolisant on QTcF interval in a single ascending dose (SAD) study and a thorough QT (TQT) study. METHODS: The SAD study at three dose levels of pitolisant enrolled 24 males and the TQT study at two dose levels 25 males. Both studies intensively monitored ECGs and pitolisant exposure. Effect on QTcF interval was analysed by Intersection Union Test (IUT) and by exposure-response (ER) analysis. Results from the two studies were compared. RESULTS: In both studies, moxifloxacin effect established assay sensitivity. IUT analysis revealed comparable pitolisant-induced maximum mean (90 % confidence interval (CI)) placebo-corrected increase from baseline (ΔΔQTcF) in both the studies, being 13.3 (8.1; 18.5) ms at 200-mg and 9.9 (4.7; 15.1) ms at 240-mg doses in SAD study and 5.27 (2.35; 8.20) ms at 120-mg dose in TQT study. ER analysis revealed that ER slopes in SAD and TQT studies were comparable and significantly positive (0.031 vs 0.027 ms/ng/mL, respectively). At geometric mean concentrations, bootstrap predicted ΔΔQTcF (90 % CI) were 9.23 (4.68; 14.4) ms at 279 ng/mL (240-mg dose) in the SAD study and 4.97 (3.42; 8.19) ms at 156 ng/mL (120-mg dose) in the TQT study. CONCLUSION: Pitolisant lacked an effect of regulatory concern on QTc interval in both the studies, however analysed, suggesting that the results from the SAD study could have mitigated the need for a TQT study. Our findings add to the growing evidence that intensive ECG monitoring in early phase clinical studies can replace a TQT study.

3-(1'-Cyclobutylspiro[4H-1,3-benzodioxine-2,4'-piperidine]-6-yl)-5,5-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridazin-6-one (CEP-32215), a new wake-promoting histamine H3 antagonist/inverse agonist.

CEP-32215 is a new, potent, selective, and orally bioavailable inverse agonist of the histamine H3 receptor (H3R) with drug-like properties. High affinity in human (hH3R Ki = 2.0 ± 0.2 nM) and rat (rH3R Ki = 3.6 ± 0.7 nM) H3R radioligand binding assays was demonstrated. Potent functional antagonism (Kb = 0.3 ± 0.1 nM) and inverse agonism (EC50 = 0.6 ± 0.2 nM) were demonstrated in [(35)S]guanosine 5(')-O-(γ-thio)-triphosphate binding assays. Oral bioavailability and dose-related exposure was consistent among rat, dog, and monkey. After oral dosing, occupancy of H3R by CEP-32215 was estimated by the inhibition of ex vivo binding in rat cortical slices (ED50 = 0.1 mg/kg p.o.). Functional antagonism in brain was demonstrated by the inhibition of R-α-methylhistamine-induced drinking in the rat dipsogenia model (ED50 = 0.92 mg/kg). CEP-32215 significantly increased wake duration in the rat EEG model at 3-30 mg/kg p.o. Increased motor activity, sleep rebound or undesirable events (such as spike wave or seizure activity) was not observed following doses up to 100 mg/kg p.o., indicating an acceptable therapeutic index. CEP-32215 may have potential utility in the treatment of a variety of sleep disorders. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Histamine Receptors'.

Pitolisant for the treatment of narcolepsy with or without cataplexy. / Neuer Wirkstoff gegen Narkolepsie Eingriff in die histaminerge Neurotransmission durch Pitolisant.

Since March 2016, a new treatment option for adult patients with narcolepsy ­ with or without cataplexy ­ has been granted marketing authorization in Europe. Pitolisant (Wakix®) is an inverse agonst at the histamine-3 (H3) receptor. In clinical studies, tests for measurement of wakefulness and attention, pitolisant showed significantly better results in comparison with placebo and similar results in comparison with modafinil. Pitolisant is well tolerated. Postmarketing analyses have to collect data about the long-term safety of pitolisant when used in a real-life setting.

Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of the new non-imidazole histamine H3 receptor antagonist 1-[3-(4-tert-butylphenoxy) propyl]piperidine in rats.

1. The aim of this study was to evaluate pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of novel histamine H3 receptor antagonist 1-[3-(4-tert-butylphenoxy)propyl]piperidine (compound DL76). 2. Following intravenous administration of DL76 at the dose of 3 mg/kg, pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using non-compartmental analysis. The systemic serum clearance was 10.08 L/h/kg and the estimated blood clearance was 5.64 L/h/kg. The volume of distribution at steady state was 16.1 L/kg which was greater than total body water, terminal half-life and MRT equalled 1.41 h and 1.6 h, respectively. The two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with enterohepatic circulation was also successfully fitted to the experimental data. 3. After systemic administration, DL76 was rapidly distributed into all organs studied (liver, kidney, brain, and lung). The highest AUC of DL76 was observed in lungs followed by brain, where the exposure to the investigated compound expressed as AUC was almost 30 times higher than in serum. 4. Bioavailability, calculated based on the area-under-the-concentration-time curve extrapolated to infinity after intravenous and intragastric administration of the dose 3 mg/kg, equalled 60.9%.

A randomized study of H3 antagonist ABT-288 in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's dementia.

BACKGROUND: ABT-288, a highly selective histamine-3 receptor antagonist, demonstrated efficacy across several preclinical cognitive domains, and safety in healthy subjects and elderly volunteers. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the efficacy and safety of ABT-288 in subjects with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's dementia. METHODS: The study used a randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled, parallel group design with pre-defined futility criteria to permit early study termination. A total of 242 subjects were randomized in an equal ratio to ABT-288 1 mg or 3 mg, donepezil 10 mg, or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was the change from baseline to final evaluation on the 13-item Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) total score. RESULTS: The study was prematurely terminated because futility criteria were met. Point estimates on the ADAS-Cog scores for both ABT-288 dose groups were numerically inferior to placebo but no statistical differences were detected. Donepezil demonstrated statistically significant improvement. Adverse events were generally mild and self-limiting. CONCLUSION: ABT-288 did not demonstrate efficacy in the symptomatic treatment of Alzheimer's dementia.

Discovery of spirofused piperazine and diazepane amides as selective histamine-3 antagonists with in vivo efficacy in a mouse model of cognition.

A new series of potent and selective histamine-3 receptor (H3R) antagonists was identified on the basis of an azaspiro[2.5]octane carboxamide scaffold. Many scaffold modifications were largely tolerated, resulting in nanomolar-potent compounds in the H3R functional assay. Exemplar compound 6s demonstrated a selective profile against a panel of 144 secondary pharmacological receptors, with activity at only σ2 (62% at 10 µM). Compound 6s demonstrated free-plasma exposures above the IC50 (∼50×) with a brain-to-plasma ratio of ∼3 following intravenous dosing in mice. At three doses tested in the mouse novel object recognition model (1, 3, and 10 mg/kg s.c.), 6s demonstrated a statistically significant response compared with the control group. This series represents a new scaffold of H3 receptor antagonists that demonstrates in vivo exposure and efficacy in an animal model of cognition.

Identification of clinical candidates from the benzazepine class of histamine H3 receptor antagonists.

This Letter describes the discovery of GSK189254 and GSK239512 that were progressed as clinical candidates to explore the potential of H3 receptor antagonists as novel therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. By carefully controlling the physicochemical properties of the benzazepine series and through the implementation of an aggressive and innovative screening strategy that employed high throughput in vivo assays to efficiently triage compounds, the medicinal chemistry effort was able to rapidly progress the benzazepine class of H3 antagonists through to the identification of clinical candidates with robust in vivo efficacy and excellent developability properties.

The discovery of the benzazepine class of histamine H3 receptor antagonists.

This Letter describes the discovery of a novel series of H3 receptor antagonists. The initial medicinal chemistry strategy focused on deconstructing and simplifying an early screening hit which rapidly led to the discovery of a novel series of H3 receptor antagonists based on the benzazepine core. Employing an H3 driven pharmacodynamic model, the series was then further optimised through to a lead compound that showed robust in vivo functional activity and possessed overall excellent developability properties.

Discovery of a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable histamine H3 receptor antagonist SAR110068 for the treatment of sleep-wake disorders.

Previous studies have shown that compound 1 displayed high affinity towards histamine H3 receptor (H3R), (human (h-H3R), K(i)=8.6 nM, rhesus monkey (rh-H3R), K(i)=1.2 nM, and rat (r-H3R), K(i)=16.5 nM), but exhibited high affinity for hERG channel. Herein, we report the discovery of a novel, potent, and highly selective H3R antagonist/inverse agonist 5a(SS) (SAR110068) with acceptable hERG channel selectivity and desirable pharmacological and pharmacokinetic properties through lead optimization sequence. The significant awakening effects of 5a(SS) on sleep-wake cycles studied by using EEG recording in rats during their light phase support its potential therapeutic utility in human sleep-wake disorders.

Bicyclic and tricyclic heterocycle derivatives as histamine H3 receptor antagonists for the treatment of obesity.

A novel series of non-imidazole bicyclic and tricyclic histamine H3 receptor antagonists has been discovered. Compound 17 was identified as a centrally penetrant molecule with high receptor occupancy which demonstrates robust oral activity in rodent models of obesity. In addition compound 17 possesses clean CYP and hERG profiles and shows no behavioral changes in the Irwin test.

Synthesis and SAR studies of benzimidazolone derivatives as histamine H3-receptor antagonists.

A novel series of benzimidazolone-containing histamine H3-receptor antagonists were prepared and their structure-activity relationship was explored. These benzimidazolone analogs demonstrate potent H3-receptor binding affinities, no P450 enzyme inhibition, and strong H3 functional activity. Compound 1o exhibits the best overall profile with H3Ki=0.95nM and rat AUC=12.9µMh.

The safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and cognitive effects of GSK239512, a selective histamine H3 receptor antagonist in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: a preliminary investigation.

BACKGROUND: The histamine H3 receptor plays a critical role in the negative neuromodulation of neurotransmitters involved in cognitive function. H3 receptor antagonists/inverse agonists have been shown to exert pro-cognitive effects in pre-clinical models. GSK239512 is a potent and selective H3 receptor antagonist developed for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction in neurodegenerative disorders. In this study we examined the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pro-cognitive effects of GSK239512 (oral) in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease using ascending dose titration regimens. METHODS: The study was conducted in two parts. Part A was a single-blind, placebo run-in, flexible dose titration over 9 days in two cohorts, each consisting of two patients. Part B was a double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled, parallel group, which investigated 3 flexible dose titration regimens over 4 weeks in 3 cohorts, each consisting of eight patients. RESULTS: Overall, the 5/10/20/40 µg and 10/20/40/80 µg regimens were well-tolerated. The regimen of 20/40/80/150 µg showed the poorest tolerability likely due to the higher starting dose. There were no clinically significant abnormalities in haematology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis parameters and cardiovascular parameters. GSK239512 had positive effects on tasks of attention and memory with effect sizes between 0.56 and 1.37. CONCLUSIONS: GSK239512 displayed asatisfactory level of tolerability in patients with Alzheimer's disease with evidence for positive effects on attention and memory. The findings suggest that a titration regimen with a starting dose of 5-10 µg and a maximum dose of 80 µg is likely to be a well-tolerated and potentially efficacious regimen for future clinical trials in patients with Alzheimer's disease. These findings await replication in a larger study.

Novel and highly potent histamine H3 receptor ligands. Part 3: an alcohol function to improve the pharmacokinetic profile.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of potent histamine H3 receptor antagonists incorporating a hydroxyl function are described. Compounds in this series exhibited nanomolar binding affinities for human receptor, illustrating a new possible component for the H3 pharmacophore. As demonstrated with compound BP1.4160 (cyclohexanol 19), the introduction of an alcohol function counter-intuitively allowed to reach high in vivo efficiency and favorable pharmacokinetic profile with reduced half-life.

Kinetic analysis of drug-target interactions with PET for characterization of pharmacological hysteresis.

In vivo characterization of the brain pharmacokinetics of novel compounds provides important information for drug development decisions involving dose selection and the determination of administration regimes. In this context, the compound-target affinity is the key parameter to be estimated. However, if compounds exhibit a dynamic lag between plasma and target bound concentrations leading to pharmacological hysteresis, care needs to be taken to ensure the appropriate modeling approach is used so that the system is characterized correctly and that the resultant estimates of affinity are correct. This work focuses on characterizing different pharmacokinetic models that relate the plasma concentration to positron emission tomography outcomes measurements (e.g., volume of distribution and target occupancy) and their performance in estimating the true in vivo affinity. Measured (histamine H3 receptor antagonist--GSK189254) and simulated data sets enabled the investigation of different modeling approaches. An indirect pharmacokinetic-receptor occupancy model was identified as a suitable model for the calculation of affinity when a compound exhibits pharmacological hysteresis.