Singlet Biradical Versus Triplet Biradical/Zwitterion Characteristics in Isomers of C6 -C5 -C6 -C7 -C6 -Fused Pentacyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons Revealed through Reactivity Patterns.

Among various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, C6 -C5 -C6 -C7 -C6 fused pentacyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have the unique potential to adopt quinonoid, zwitterion, singlet, or triplet biradical electronic configurations. Two such hybrid structures between pentacene and azulene were synthesized and their ground state electronic configurations were deduced from the reactivity patterns they exhibit respectively. Compound 6, where the radicaloid carbons are linked through a para-phenylene, forms a head-to-head dimer like a singlet biradical. In contrast, isomer 7, where the para-linkage was switched to meta, reacts readily with oxygen which resembles the reactivity of a triplet state. The oxidized intermediate(s) then undergoes rearrangement to furnish the C6 -C5 -C6 -C6 -C6 ring contraction product 13. Cation 14, the protonated form of 7, was synthesized, which implies 7 also reacts like a zwitterion. It was revealed the oxidative rearrangement takes place even with mesityl dibenzotropylium cation despite its perceived aromaticity. DFT calculations confirm the most stable forms of 6 and 7 are singlet and triplet diradical, which is consistent with the observed reactivity of respective molecules.

The discovery of benzoxazine sulfonamide inhibitors of NaV1.7: Tools that bridge efficacy and target engagement.

The voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 has received much attention from the scientific community due to compelling human genetic data linking gain- and loss-of-function mutations to pain phenotypes. Despite this genetic validation of NaV1.7 as a target for pain, high quality pharmacological tools facilitate further understanding of target biology, establishment of target coverage requirements and subsequent progression into the clinic. Within the sulfonamide class of inhibitors, reduced potency on rat NaV1.7 versus human NaV1.7 was observed, rendering in vivo rat pharmacology studies challenging. Herein, we report the discovery and optimization of novel benzoxazine sulfonamide inhibitors of human, rat and mouse NaV1.7 which enabled pharmacological assessment in traditional behavioral rodent models of pain and in turn, established a connection between formalin-induced pain and histamine-induced pruritus in mice. The latter represents a simple and efficient means of measuring target engagement.

Differential role of P-glycoprotein and breast cancer resistance protein in drug distribution into brain, CSF and peripheral nerve tissues in rats.

1. This study was designed to evaluate how the absence of P-glycoprotein (Pgp, Mdr1a), breast cancer-resistance protein (Bcrp, Abcg2) or both affects drug distribution into sciatic nerves, brain and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in rats. 2. Pgp substrate (loperamide), BCRP substrates (dantrolene and proprietary compound X) and dual substrates (imatinib and proprietary compound Y) were well distributed into sciatic nerves with comparable nerve to plasma concentration ratios between wild-type and knockout (KO) rats. 3. Brain exposure increased substantially in Mdr1a(-/-) rats for loperamide and in Mdr1a(-/-)/Abcg2(-/-) rats for imatinib and compound Y, but minimally to modestly in Abcg2(-/-) rats for dantrolene and compound X. The deletion of Mdr1a or Abcg2 alone had little effect on brain distribution of compound Y. 4. While CSF to unbound brain concentration ratio remained ≥3 in the KO animals for dantrolene, compounds X and Y, it was reduced to 1 in the Mdr1a(-/-)/Abcg2(-/-) rats for imatinib. 5. The data indicate that Pgp and Bcrp do not play significant roles in drug distribution into peripheral nerve tissues in rats, while working in concert to regulate brain penetration. Our results further support that CSF concentration may not be a good surrogate for unbound brain concentration of efflux substrates.

Dynamic modeling of cytochrome P450 inhibition in vitro: impact of inhibitor depletion on IC50 shift.

The impact of inhibitor depletion on the determination of shifted IC50 (IC50 determined after 30 minutes of preincubation with inhibitor) is examined. In addition, IC50-shift data are analyzed using a mechanistic model that incorporates the processes of inhibitor depletion, as well as reversible and time-dependent inhibition. Anomalies such as a smaller-than-expected shift in IC50 and even increases in IC50 with preincubation were explained by the depletion of inhibitor during the preincubation. The IC50-shift assay remains a viable approach to characterizing a wide range of reversible and time-dependent inhibitors. However, as with more traditional time-dependent inactivation methods, it is recommended that IC50-shift experimental data be interpreted with some knowledge of the magnitude of inhibitor depletion. For the most realistic classification of time-dependent inhibitors using IC50-shift methods, shifted IC50 should be calculated using observed inhibitor concentrations at the end of the incubation rather than nominal inhibitor concentrations. Finally, a mechanistic model that includes key processes, such as competitive inhibition, enzyme inactivation, and inhibitor depletion, can be used to describe accurately the observed IC50 and shifted IC50 curves. For compounds showing an IC50 fold shift >1.5 based on the observed inhibitor concentrations, reanalyzing the IC50-shift data using the mechanistic model appeared to allow for reasonable estimation of Ki, KI, and kinact directly from the IC50 shift experiments.

Discovery and optimization of a potent and selective triazolopyridinone series of c-Met inhibitors.

Deregulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met has been implicated in several human cancers and is an attractive target for small molecule drug discovery. Herein, we report the discovery of a structurally diverse series of carbon-linked quinoline triazolopyridinones, which demonstrates nanomolar inhibition of c-Met kinase activity. This novel series of inhibitors exhibits favorable pharmacokinetics as well as potent inhibition of HGF-mediated c-Met phosphorylation in a mouse liver pharmacodynamic model.

Use of uptake intrinsic clearance from attached rat hepatocytes to predict hepatic clearance for poorly permeable compounds.

We previously reported that the accuracy of clearance (CL) prediction could be differentiated by permeability. CL was drastically under-predicted by in vitro metabolic intrinsic clearance (CL(int)) for compounds with low permeability (<5 × 10(-6) cm/s). We determined apparent uptake CL(int) by measuring initial disappearance from medium using attached rat hepatocytes and metabolic CL(int) by measuring parent depletion in suspended rat hepatocytes (cells and medium). Uptake and metabolic CL(int) were comparable for highly permeable metabolic marker compounds. In contrast, uptake CL(int) was 3- to 40-fold higher than metabolic CL(int) for rosuvastatin, bosentan, and 15 proprietary compounds, which had low permeability, suggesting that uptake could be a rate-determining step in hepatic elimination for these poorly permeable compounds. The prediction of hepatic CL was improved significantly when using uptake CL(int) for the compounds with low permeability. The average fold error was 2.2 and 6, as opposed to >11 and >47 by metabolic CL(int), with and without applying a scaling factor of 4, respectively. Uptake CL(int) from attached hepatocytes can be used as an alternative approach to predict hepatic clearance and to understand the significance of hepatic uptake in elimination in an early drug discovery setting.

In vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic characterizations of AMG 900, an orally bioavailable small molecule inhibitor of aurora kinases.

AMG 900 is a small molecule being developed as an orally administered, highly potent, and selective pan-aurora kinase inhibitor. The aim of the investigations was to characterize in vitro and in vivo pharmacokinetic (PK) properties of AMG 900 in preclinical species. AMG 900 was rapidly metabolized in liver microsomes and highly bound to plasma proteins in the species tested. It was a weak Pgp substrate with good passive permeability. AMG 900 exhibited a low-to-moderate clearance and a small volume of distribution. Its terminal elimination half-life ranged from 0.6 to 2.4 h. AMG 900 was well-absorbed in fasted animals with an oral bioavailability of 31% to 107%. Food intake had an effect on rate (rats) or extent (dogs) of AMG 900 oral absorption. The clearance and volume of distribution at steady state in humans were predicted to be 27.3 mL/h/kg and 93.9 mL/kg, respectively. AMG 900 exhibited acceptable PK properties in preclinical species and was predicted to have low clearance in humans. AMG 900 is currently in Phase I clinical testing as a treatment for solid tumours. Preliminary human PK results appear to be consistent with the predictions.

Prediction of V(ss) from in vitro tissue-binding studies.

To predict volume of distribution at steady-state (V(ss)), empirical (e.g., allometry) and mechanistic (using physicochemical property data and plasma protein binding) methods have been used. None of these approaches has been able to predict V(ss) accurately for the total compliment of a wide range of drugs. Therefore, alternative approaches would be of value. This study evaluates the utility of in vitro nonspecific tissue-binding measurements in predicting V(ss) for a wide range of drugs in rats. Literature as well as proprietary compounds were studied. It was found that in vitro tissue-binding measurements combined with calculated effects of the pH partition hypothesis often predict V(ss) more accurately than other available mechanistic methods and that this approach can compliment existing methods. The V(ss) values for some compounds were not accurately predicted using either nonspecific tissue-binding experiments or other available mechanistic methods. The V(ss) for these drugs may not be describable by nonspecific tissue binding alone; there may be significant specific components to the mechanism of distribution for these drugs, such as pH-dependent uptake into lysosomes (primarily strongly basic drugs), active transport, and/or enterohepatic recirculation. A lack of prediction for certain drugs warrants further investigation into these mechanisms and their application to more accurate prediction of V(ss) by mechanistic means.

Relationship between passive permeability, efflux, and predictability of clearance from in vitro metabolic intrinsic clearance.

In vitro intrinsic metabolic clearance (CL(int)) is used routinely for compound selection in drug discovery; however, in vitro CL(int) often underpredicts in vivo clearance (CL). Forty-one proprietary compounds and 16 marketed drugs were selected to determine whether permeability and efflux status could influence the predictability of CL from in vitro CL(int) obtained from liver microsomal and hepatocyte incubations. For many of the proprietary compounds examined, rat CL was significantly underpredicted using the well stirred model incorporating both fraction of unbound drug in blood and fraction of unbound drug in the microsomal or hepatocyte incubation. Further analysis revealed that the accuracy of the prediction was differentiated by permeability and P-glycoprotein- (P-gp) and mouse breast cancer resistance protein (mBcrp)-mediated efflux. For proprietary compounds with passive permeability greater than 5 x 10(-6) cm/s and efflux ratios less than 5 in both P-gp- and mBcrp-expressing cells, CL(int) provided reasonable prediction. The average -fold error (AFE) was 1.8 for rat liver microsomes (RLMs) and 2.3 for rat hepatocytes. In contrast, CL was dramatically underpredicted for compounds with passive permeability less than 5 x 10(-6) cm/s; AFEs of 54.4 and 29.2 were observed for RLM and rat hepatocytes, respectively. In vivo CL was also underpredicted for compounds that were good efflux substrates (permeability >5 x 10(-6) cm/s). The AFEs were 7.4 and 8.1 for RLM and rat hepatocytes, respectively. A similar relationship between permeability, efflux status, and human CL prediction reported in the literature was observed for 16 marketed drugs. These data show that permeability and efflux status are determinants for the predictability of CL from in vitro metabolic CL(int).

Bioactivation of isothiazoles: minimizing the risk of potential toxicity in drug discovery.

Compound 1, (7-methoxy-N-((6-(3-methylisothiazol-5-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazin-3-yl)methyl)-1,5-naphthyridin-4-amine) is a potent, selective inhibitor of c-Met (mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor), a receptor tyrosine kinase that is often deregulated in cancer. Compound 1 displayed desirable pharmacokinetic properties in multiple preclinical species. Glutathione trapping studies in liver microsomes resulted in the NADPH-dependent formation of a glutathione conjugate. Compound 1 also exhibited very high in vitro NADPH-dependent covalent binding to microsomal proteins. Species differences in covalent binding were observed, with the highest binding in rats, mice, and monkeys (1100-1300 pmol/mg/h), followed by dogs (400 pmol/mg/h) and humans (144 pmol/mg/h). This covalent binding to protein was abolished by coincubation with glutathione. Together, these in vitro data suggest that covalent binding and glutathione conjugation proceed via bioactivation to a chemically reactive intermediate. The cytochrome (CYP) P450 enzymes responsible for this bioactivation were identified as cytochrome P450 3A4, 1A2, and 2D6 in human and cytochrome P450 2A2, 3A1, and 3A2 in rats. The glutathione metabolite was detected in the bile of rats and mice, thus demonstrating bioactivation occurring in vivo. Efforts to elucidate the structure of the glutathione adduct led to the isolation and characterization of the metabolite by NMR and mass spectrometry. The analytical data confirmed conclusively that the glutathione conjugation was on the 4-C position of the isothiazole ring. Such P450-mediated bioactivation of an isothiazole or thiazole group has not been previously reported. We propose a mechanism of bioactivation via sulfur oxidation followed by glutathione attack at the 4-position with subsequent loss of water resulting in the formation of the glutathione conjugate. Efforts to reduce bioactivation without compromising potency and pharmacokinetics were undertaken in order to minimize the potential risk of toxicity. Because of the exemplary pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) properties of the isothiazole group, initial attempts were focused on introducing alternative metabolic soft spots into the molecule. These efforts resulted in the discovery of 7-(2-methoxyethoxy)-N-((6-(3-methyl-5-isothiazolyl)[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-b]pyridazin-3-yl)methyl)-1,5-naphthyridin-4-amine (compound 2), with the major metabolic transformation occurring on the naphthyridine ring alkoxy substituent. However, a glutathione conjugate of compound 2 was produced in vitro and in vivo in a manner similar to that observed for compound 1. Furthermore, the covalent binding was high across species (360, 300, 529, 208, and 98 pmol/mg/h in rats, mice, dogs, monkeys, and humans, respectively), but coincubation with glutathione reduced the extent of covalent binding. The second viable alternative in reducing bioactivation involved replacing the isothiazole ring with bioisosteric heterocycles. Replacement of the isothiazole ring with an isoxazole or a pyrazole reduced the bioactivation while retaining the desirable PK/PD characteristics of compounds 1 and 2.

Discovery and optimization of potent and selective triazolopyridazine series of c-Met inhibitors.

Deregulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase c-Met has been implicated in several human cancers and is an attractive target for small molecule drug discovery. We previously showed that O-linked triazolopyridazines can be potent inhibitors of c-Met. Herein, we report the discovery of a related series of N-linked triazolopyridazines which demonstrate nanomolar inhibition of c-Met kinase activity and display improved pharmacodynamic profiles. Specifically, the potent time-dependent inhibition of cytochrome P450 associated with the O-linked triazolopyridazines has been eliminated within this novel series of inhibitors. N-linked triazolopyridazine 24 exhibited favorable pharmacokinetics and displayed potent inhibition of HGF-mediated c-Met phosphorylation in a mouse liver PD model. Once-daily oral administration of 24 for 22days showed significant tumor growth inhibition in an NIH-3T3/TPR-Met xenograft mouse efficacy model.

Engineering NaV1.7 Inhibitory JzTx-V Peptides with a Potency and Basicity Profile Suitable for Antibody Conjugation To Enhance Pharmacokinetics.

Drug discovery research on new pain targets with human genetic validation, including the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7, is being pursued to address the unmet medical need with respect to chronic pain and the rising opioid epidemic. As part of early research efforts on this front, we have previously developed NaV1.7 inhibitory peptide-antibody conjugates with tarantula venom-derived GpTx-1 toxin peptides with an extended half-life (80 h) in rodents but only moderate in vitro activity (hNaV1.7 IC50 = 250 nM) and without in vivo activity. We identified the more potent peptide JzTx-V from our natural peptide collection and improved its selectivity against other sodium channel isoforms through positional analogueing. Here we report utilization of the JzTx-V scaffold in a peptide-antibody conjugate and architectural variations in the linker, peptide loading, and antibody attachment site. We found conjugates with 100-fold improved in vitro potency relative to those of complementary GpTx-1 analogues, but pharmacokinetic and bioimaging analyses of these JzTx-V conjugates revealed a shorter than expected plasma half-life in vivo with accumulation in the liver. In an attempt to increase circulatory serum levels, we sought the reduction of the net +6 charge of the JzTx-V scaffold while retaining a desirable NaV in vitro activity profile. The conjugate of a JzTx-V peptide analogue with a +2 formal charge maintained NaV1.7 potency with 18-fold improved plasma exposure in rodents. Balancing the loss of peptide and conjugate potency associated with the reduction of net charge necessary for improved target exposure resulted in a compound with moderate activity in a NaV1.7-dependent pharmacodynamic model but requires further optimization to identify a conjugate that can fully engage NaV1.7 in vivo.

Discovery of Tarantula Venom-Derived NaV1.7-Inhibitory JzTx-V Peptide 5-Br-Trp24 Analogue AM-6120 with Systemic Block of Histamine-Induced Pruritis.

Inhibitors of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 are being investigated as pain therapeutics due to compelling human genetics. We previously identified NaV1.7-inhibitory peptides GpTx-1 and JzTx-V from tarantula venom screens. Potency and selectivity were modulated through attribute-based positional scans of native residues via chemical synthesis. Herein, we report JzTx-V lead optimization to identify a pharmacodynamically active peptide variant. Molecular docking of peptide ensembles from NMR into a homology model-derived NaV1.7 structure supported prioritization of key residues clustered on a hydrophobic face of the disulfide-rich folded peptide for derivatization. Replacing Trp24 with 5-Br-Trp24 identified lead peptides with activity in electrophysiology assays in engineered and neuronal cells. 5-Br-Trp24 containing peptide AM-6120 was characterized in X-ray crystallography and pharmacokinetic studies and blocked histamine-induced pruritis in mice after subcutaneous administration, demonstrating systemic NaV1.7-dependent pharmacodynamics. Our data suggests a need for high target coverage based on plasma exposure for impacting in vivo end points with selectivity-optimized peptidic NaV1.7 inhibitors.

Engineering Antibody Reactivity for Efficient Derivatization to Generate NaV1.7 Inhibitory GpTx-1 Peptide-Antibody Conjugates.

The voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 is a genetically validated pain target under investigation for the development of analgesics. A therapeutic with a less frequent dosing regimen would be of value for treating chronic pain; however functional NaV1.7 targeting antibodies are not known. In this report, we describe NaV1.7 inhibitory peptide-antibody conjugates as an alternate construct for potential prolonged channel blockade through chemical derivatization of engineered antibodies. We previously identified NaV1.7 inhibitory peptide GpTx-1 from tarantula venom and optimized its potency and selectivity. Tethering GpTx-1 peptides to antibodies bifunctionally couples FcRn-based antibody recycling attributes to the NaV1.7 targeting function of the peptide warhead. Herein, we conjugated a GpTx-1 peptide to specific engineered cysteines in a carrier anti-2,4-dinitrophenol monoclonal antibody using polyethylene glycol linkers. The reactivity of 13 potential cysteine conjugation sites in the antibody scaffold was tuned using a model alkylating agent. Subsequent reactions with the peptide identified cysteine locations with the highest conversion to desired conjugates, which blocked NaV1.7 currents in whole cell electrophysiology. Variations in attachment site, linker, and peptide loading established design parameters for potency optimization. Antibody conjugation led to in vivo half-life extension by 130-fold relative to a nonconjugated GpTx-1 peptide and differential biodistribution to nerve fibers in wild-type but not NaV1.7 knockout mice. This study describes the optimization and application of antibody derivatization technology to functionally inhibit NaV1.7 in engineered and neuronal cells.

Sulfonamides as Selective NaV1.7 Inhibitors: Optimizing Potency and Pharmacokinetics While Mitigating Metabolic Liabilities.

Several reports have recently emerged regarding the identification of heteroarylsulfonamides as NaV1.7 inhibitors that demonstrate high levels of selectivity over other NaV isoforms. The optimization of a series of internal NaV1.7 leads that address a number of metabolic liabilities including bioactivation, PXR activation, as well as CYP3A4 induction and inhibition led to the identification of potent and selective inhibitors that demonstrated favorable pharmacokinetic profiles and were devoid of the aforementioned liabilities. The key to achieving this within a series prone to transporter-mediated clearance was the identification of a small range of optimal cLogD values and the discovery of subtle PXR SAR that was not lipophilicity dependent. This enabled the identification of compound 20, which was advanced into a target engagement pharmacodynamic model where it exhibited robust reversal of histamine-induced scratching bouts in mice.

Sulfonamides as Selective NaV1.7 Inhibitors: Optimizing Potency, Pharmacokinetics, and Metabolic Properties to Obtain Atropisomeric Quinolinone (AM-0466) that Affords Robust in Vivo Activity.

Because of its strong genetic validation, NaV1.7 has attracted significant interest as a target for the treatment of pain. We have previously reported on a number of structurally distinct bicyclic heteroarylsulfonamides as NaV1.7 inhibitors that demonstrate high levels of selectivity over other NaV isoforms. Herein, we report the discovery and optimization of a series of atropisomeric quinolinone sulfonamide inhibitors [ Bicyclic sulfonamide compounds as sodium channel inhibitors and their preparation . WO 2014201206, 2014 ] of NaV1.7, which demonstrate nanomolar inhibition of NaV1.7 and exhibit high levels of selectivity over other sodium channel isoforms. After optimization of metabolic and pharmacokinetic properties, including PXR activation, CYP2C9 inhibition, and CYP3A4 TDI, several compounds were advanced into in vivo target engagement and efficacy models. When tested in mice, compound 39 (AM-0466) demonstrated robust pharmacodynamic activity in a NaV1.7-dependent model of histamine-induced pruritus (itch) and additionally in a capsaicin-induced nociception model of pain without any confounding effect in open-field activity.

Correction to "Sulfonamides as Selective NaV1.7 Inhibitors: Optimizing Potency and Pharmacokinetics to Enable in Vivo Target Engagement".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6b00243.].

Discovery of (R)-6-(1-(8-Fluoro-6-(1-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyridin-3-yl)ethyl)-3-(2-methoxyethoxy)-1,6-naphthyridin-5(6H)-one (AMG 337), a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of MET with High Unbound Target Coverage and Robust In Vivo Antitumor Activity.

Deregulation of the receptor tyrosine kinase mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (MET) has been implicated in several human cancers and is an attractive target for small molecule drug discovery. Herein, we report the discovery of compound 23 (AMG 337), which demonstrates nanomolar inhibition of MET kinase activity, desirable preclinical pharmacokinetics, significant inhibition of MET phosphorylation in mice, and robust tumor growth inhibition in a MET-dependent mouse efficacy model.

Sulfonamides as Selective NaV1.7 Inhibitors: Optimizing Potency and Pharmacokinetics to Enable in Vivo Target Engagement.

Human genetic evidence has identified the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 as an attractive target for the treatment of pain. We initially identified naphthalene sulfonamide 3 as a potent and selective inhibitor of NaV1.7. Optimization to reduce biliary clearance by balancing hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity (Log D) while maintaining NaV1.7 potency led to the identification of quinazoline 16 (AM-2099). Compound 16 demonstrated a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in rat and dog and demonstrated dose-dependent reduction of histamine-induced scratching bouts in a mouse behavioral model following oral dosing.

Discovery of potent and selective 8-fluorotriazolopyridine c-Met inhibitors.

The overexpression of c-Met and/or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), the amplification of the MET gene, and mutations in the c-Met kinase domain can activate signaling pathways that contribute to cancer progression by enabling tumor cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis. Herein, we report the discovery of 8-fluorotriazolopyridines as inhibitors of c-Met activity. Optimization of the 8-fluorotriazolopyridine scaffold through the combination of structure-based drug design, SAR studies, and metabolite identification provided potent (cellular IC50 < 10 nM), selective inhibitors of c-Met with desirable pharmacokinetic properties that demonstrate potent inhibition of HGF-mediated c-Met phosphorylation in a mouse liver pharmacodynamic model.