Dual Inhibition of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase and Phosphoinositide-3-Kinase p110δ as a Therapeutic Approach to Treat Non-Hodgkin's B Cell Malignancies.

Although new targeted therapies, such as ibrutinib and idelalisib, have made a large impact on non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) patients, the disease is often fatal because patients are initially resistant to these targeted therapies, or because they eventually develop resistance. New drugs and treatments are necessary for these patients. One attractive approach is to inhibit multiple parallel pathways that drive the growth of these hematologic tumors, possibly prolonging the duration of the response and reducing resistance. Early clinical trials have tested this approach by dosing two drugs in combination in NHL patients. We discovered a single molecule, MDVN1003 (1-(5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-2-yl)-3-(8-fluoro-3,4-dihydro-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-6-yl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine), that inhibits Bruton's tyrosine kinase and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase δ, two proteins regulated by the B cell receptor that drive the growth of many NHLs. In this report, we show that this dual inhibitor prevents the activation of B cells and inhibits the phosphorylation of protein kinase B and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, two downstream mediators that are important for this process. Additionally, MDVN1003 induces cell death in a B cell lymphoma cell line but not in an irrelevant erythroblast cell line. Importantly, we found that this orally bioavailable dual inhibitor reduced tumor growth in a B cell lymphoma xenograft model more effectively than either ibrutinib or idelalisib. Taken together, these results suggest that dual inhibition of these two key pathways by a single molecule could be a viable approach for treatment of NHL patients.

Design and synthesis of piperazine-indole p38 alpha MAP kinase inhibitors with improved pharmacokinetic profiles.

Derivatives of the 4-fluorobenzyl dimethylpiperazine-indole class of p38alpha MAP kinase inhibitors are described. Biological evaluation of these compounds focused on maintaining activity while improving pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. Improved properties were observed for structures bearing substitutions on the benzylic methylene.

Pharmacological properties of SD-282 - an alpha-isoform selective inhibitor for p38 MAP kinase.

The effects of small-molecule p38 inhibitors in numerous models of different disease states have been published, including those of SD-282, an indole-5-carboxamide inhibitor. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacological activity of SD-282 on cytokine production in vitro as well as in 2 in vivo models of inflammation in order to illuminate the role of this particular inhibitor in diverse disease states. The results presented here provide further characterization of SD-282 and provide a context in which to interpret the activity of this p38 inhibitor in models of arthritis, pain, myocardial injury, sepsis and asthma; all of which have an inflammatory component. SD-282 represents a valuable tool to elucidate the role of p38 MAP kinase in multiple models of inflammation.

SD-208, a novel transforming growth factor beta receptor I kinase inhibitor, inhibits growth and invasiveness and enhances immunogenicity of murine and human glioma cells in vitro and in vivo.

The cytokine transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta, by virtue of its immunosuppressive and promigratory properties, has become a major target for the experimental treatment of human malignant gliomas. Here we characterize the effects of a novel TGF-beta receptor (TGF-betaR) I kinase inhibitor, SD-208, on the growth and immunogenicity of murine SMA-560 and human LN-308 glioma cells in vitro and the growth of and immune response to intracranial SMA-560 gliomas in syngeneic VM/Dk mice in vivo. SD-208 inhibits the growth inhibition of TGF-beta-sensitive CCL64 cells mediated by recombinant TGF-beta1 or TGF-beta2 or of TGF-beta-containing glioma cell supernatant at an EC(50) of 0.1 mumol/L. SD-208 blocks autocrine and paracrine TGF-beta signaling in glioma cells as detected by the phosphorylation of Smad2 or TGF-beta reporter assays and strongly inhibits constitutive and TGF-beta-evoked migration and invasion, but not viability or proliferation. Peripheral blood lymphocytes or purified T cells, cocultured with TGF-beta-releasing LN-308 glioma cells in the presence of SD-208, exhibit enhanced lytic activity against LN-308 targets. The release of interferon gamma and tumor necrosis factor alpha by these immune effector cells is enhanced by SD-208, whereas the release of interleukin 10 is reduced. SD-208 restores the lytic activity of polyclonal natural killer cells against glioma cells in the presence of recombinant TGF-beta or of TGF-beta-containing glioma cell supernatant. The oral bioavailability of SD-208 was verified by demonstrating the inhibition of TGF-beta-induced Smad phosphorylation in spleen and brain. Systemic SD-208 treatment initiated 3 days after the implantation of SMA-560 cells into the brains of syngeneic VM/Dk mice prolongs their median survival from 18.6 to 25.1 days. Histologic analysis revealed no difference in blood vessel formation, proliferation, or apoptosis. However, animals responding to SD-208 showed an increased tumor infiltration by natural killer cells, CD8 T cells, and macrophages. These data define TGF-beta receptor I kinase inhibitors such as SD-208 as promising novel agents for the treatment of human malignant glioma and other conditions associated with pathological TGF-beta activity.

Discovery of Pyrazolopyrimidine Derivatives as Novel Dual Inhibitors of BTK and PI3Kδ.

The aberrant activation of B-cells has been implicated in several types of cancers and hematological disorders. BTK and PI3Kδ are kinases responsible for B-cell signal transduction, and inhibitors of these enzymes have demonstrated clinical benefit in certain types of lymphoma. Simultaneous inhibition of these pathways could result in more robust responses or overcome resistance as observed in single agent use. We report a series of novel compounds that have low nanomolar potency against both BTK and PI3Kδ as well as acceptable PK properties that could be useful in the development of treatments against B-cell related diseases.

Antinociceptive action of a p38alpha MAPK inhibitor, SD-282, in a diabetic neuropathy model.

Diabetes can induce a bewildering list of sensory changes, including alteration in pain sensitivity. Painful diabetic neuropathy is refractory to most common analgesics. This study examined the effect of a p38alpha MAPK inhibitor, SD-282, on mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and formalin-evoked nociception in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Four-week diabetic rats exhibited mechanical allodynia, decreased mechanical thresholds, and C- and Adelta-fiber mediated thermal hyperalgesia. Mechanical and thermal responses were measured in diabetic rats following acute and repeated intraperitoneal administration of vehicle, 15 or 45 mg/kg SD-282. Mechanical allodynia was reversed by acute and repeated administration of 15 and 45 mg/kg SD-282. Repeated administration of 15 or 45 mg/kg SD-282 prevented the exacerbation of C-, but not Adelta-fiber, mediated thermal hyperalgesia. Repeated administration of 45 mg/kg SD-282 attenuated flinching behaviors during the quiescent period and the second phase of the formalin response in diabetic rats. Acute and repeated administration of 15 or 45 mg/kg SD-282 had no effect on mechanical, thermal or formalin responses in age-matched control rats. These results indicate a potential therapeutic value of p38alpha MAPK inhibitors in the treatment of aberrant pain sensitivity produced by diabetes.

A selective p38 alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor reverses cartilage and bone destruction in mice with collagen-induced arthritis.

Destruction of cartilage and bone is a poorly managed hallmark of human rheumatoid arthritis (RA). p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) has been shown to regulate key proinflammatory pathways in RA, including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, and cyclooxygenase-2, as well as the process of osteoclast differentiation. Therefore, we evaluated whether a p38alpha MAPK inhibitor, indole-5-carboxamide (SD-282), could modulate cartilage and bone destruction in a mouse model of RA induced with bovine type II collagen [collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)]. In mice with early disease, SD-282 treatment significantly improved clinical severity scores, reduced bone and cartilage loss, and reduced mRNA levels of proinflammatory genes in paw tissue, including IL-1beta, IL-6, and cyclooxygenase-2. Notably, SD-282 treatment of mice with advanced disease resulted in significant improvement in clinical severity scoring and paw swelling, a reversal in bone and cartilage destruction as assessed by histology, bone volume fraction and thickness, and three-dimensional image analysis. These changes were accompanied by reduced osteoclast number and lowered levels of serum cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, a marker of cartilage breakdown. Thus, in a model of experimental arthritis associated with significant osteolysis, p38alpha MAPK inhibition not only attenuates disease progression but also reverses cartilage and bone destruction in mice with advanced CIA disease.

Preventive and therapeutic potential of p38 alpha-selective mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor in nonobese diabetic mice with type 1 diabetes.

Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) are ubiquitous proteins that function within T cells in both normal and stress-related pathophysiological states, including type 1 diabetes. The nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse spontaneously develops T cell-mediated autoimmune pancreatic beta cell destruction that is similar to type 1 diabetes in humans. Because p38 MAPKs have been shown to modulate T cell function, we studied the effects of a p38alpha MAPK-selective inhibitor, indole-5-carboxamide (SD-169), on the development and progression of type 1 diabetes in the NOD mouse. In preventive treatment studies, SD-169 significantly reduced p38 and HSP60 expression in T cells of the pancreatic beta islets. Following treatment, the incidence of diabetes as determined by blood glucose levels was significantly lower, and immuno-histochemistry of pancreatic beta islet tissue demonstrated significant reduction in CD5+ T cell infiltration in the SD-169 treatment group as compared with untreated NOD mice. In therapeutic studies using mildly and moderately hyperglycemic NOD mice, SD-169 treatment lowered blood glucose and improved glucose homeostasis. Furthermore, following cessation of SD-169 treatment, NOD mice showed significant arrest of diabetes. In conclusion, we report that this p38alpha-selective inhibitor prevents the development and progression of diabetes in NOD mice by inhibiting T cell infiltration and activation, thereby preserving beta cell mass via inhibition of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. These results have bearing on current prophylactic and therapeutic protocols using p38alpha-selective inhibitors in the prediabetic period for children at high risk of type 1 diabetes, in the honeymoon period, and for adults with latent autoimmune diabetes.

Inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase augments progression of remnant kidney model by activating the ERK pathway.

p38, a mitogen-activated protein kinase, is a major intracellular signaling molecule involved in inflammation. To test the hypothesis that p38 mediates renal disease progression, we administered a novel p38 alpha inhibitor, NPC31169, to rats with remnant kidneys (RKs). RK rats showed increased p38 activation at 9 weeks (by p38 kinase assay), which was blocked by the inhibitor. In contrast to our expectation, treatment with the NPC31169 resulted in worse renal function, more proteinuria, and more severe glomerulosclerosis and tubulointerstitial injury. p38 inhibition resulted in marked cell proliferation in RK rats, with more proliferating tubular cells, myofibroblasts, and macrophages. In contrast, p38 suppression resulted in less tubular cell apoptosis. Interestingly, Western blot demonstrated increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in p38-treated rats. No histological changes were observed in p38 inhibited sham-operated rats. Our findings indicate that, whereas blocking p38 usually shows benefit in inflammatory disease, in this model p38 inhibition resulted in accelerated renal progression. We conclude that blocking p38-dependent inflammation may have resulted in enhanced proliferation and increased ERK1/2 activation, and thereby explains the worse renal lesions observed.