The new N2, N4-diphenylpyridine-2,4-diamine deuterated derivatives as EGFR inhibitors to overcome C797S-mediated resistance.

A series of new deuterated and non-deuterated N2, N4-diphenylpyridine - 2,4-diamine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as EGFR C797S-mediated resistance inhibitors. Most of these compounds exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against Baf3-EGFR L858R/T790M/C797S and Baf3-EGFR Del19/T790M/C797S cancel cell lines, with IC50 values in the nanomolar concentration range. Among them, compound 14l represented the most active compound with IC50 values of 8-11 nM. Interestingly, metabolic stability assay with rat liver microsomes indicated that the half-life of the deuterated derivative 14o was significantly increased compared to that of 14l. In xenograft mice models, 14o inhibited tumor growth with excellent inhibitory rate of 75.1 % at the dosage of 40 mg/kg, comparing 73.2 % of the TGI with its non-deuterated compound 14l, at a dosage of 80 mg/kg. Mechanism studies revealed that 14o was a potent EGFR L858R/T790M/C797S and EGFR Del19/T790M/C797S kinase inhibitor, which could downregulate the protein phosphorylation of EGFR and m-TOR signaling pathways, arrest cell cycle at G2/M phase by affecting the expression of CDC25C, and promote cell apoptosis by regulating the expression of cleaved caspase-3. In summary, 14o could serve as a promising deuterated compound for the development of highly efficient anticancer agents.

B(C6F5)3-Catalyzed α-Deuteration of Bioactive Carbonyl Compounds with D2O.

An efficient deuteration process of α-C-H bonds in various carbonyl-based pharmaceutical compounds has been developed. Catalytic reactions are initiated by the action of Lewis acidic B(C6F5)3 and D2O, converting a drug molecule into the corresponding boron-enolate. Ensuing deuteration of the enolate by in situ-generated D2O+-H then results in the formation of α-deuterated bioactive carbonyl compounds with up to >98% deuterium incorporation.

Design, synthesis of orally bioavailable novel anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibitor diphenylaminopyrimidine analogs and efficacy study on NCI-H2228 xenografts mice model.

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Within our ALK drug discovery program, we identified novel deuterated 2,4-diarylamino pyrimidine compounds as potent ALK inhibitors. The compound 11 showed better in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy with good pharmacokinetic profile. In vivo efficacy of compound 11 was better than standard drug ceritinib in NCI-H2228 xenograft mice model.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of deuterated Vismodegib for improving pharmacokinetic properties.

Vismodegib is an oral and high selective hedgehog (Hh) inhibitor used for the treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In this work, analogs of Vismodegib with deuterium-for-hydrogen replacement at certain metabolically active sites were prepared and found to have a better pharmacokinetic properties in mice. In particular, deuterated compound SKLB-C2211 obviously altered the blood circulation behavior compared to its prototype, which was demonstrated by significantly prolonged blood circulation half-life time (t1/2) and increased AUC0→∞. These results suggested SKLB-C2211 had the potential to be a long-acting inhibitor against Hh signaling pathway, and laid the foundation for the further research of its druggability.

Effect of N-methyl deuteration on pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of enzalutamide.

Enzalutamide, a second-generation antiandrogen, has been developed for the treatment of castration-resistance prostate cancer. We synthesized the deuterated analogues 6 and found that it showed higher drug exposure and thus stronger antitumor potency in preclinical settings. Compound 6 is being developed clinically for the potential to be differentiated from enzalutamide through reduced dosages and a higher safety margin.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of deuterated Tivozanib for improving pharmacokinetic properties.

Tivozanib is a potent and selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1(VEGFR1), -2(VEGFR2), and -3(VEGFR3). Analog of Tivozanib with deuterium-for-hydrogen replacement in metabolically active site was prepared and evaluated in vitro. Compared to its prototype, deuterated Tivozanib compound HC-1144 retained in vitro activity against VEGFR tyrosine kinases. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies indicated HC-1144 clearly altered the blood circulation behavior, which was proved by significantly prolonged blood circulation half life time (t1/2) and increased AUC0-∞. Therefore, HC-1144 has the potential to be a novel inhibitor against VEGFR tyrosine kinases with long-acting plasma exposure.

Synthesis of deuterated S-217622 (Ensitrelvir) with antiviral activity against coronaviruses including SARS-CoV-2.

S-217622 (Ensitrelvir) is a reversible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) inhibitor which obtained emergency regulatory approval in Japan for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection on Nov 22, 2022. Herein, analogs of S-271622 with deuterium-for-hydrogen replacement were synthesized for comparison of the antiviral activities and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles. Compared to the parent compound, C11-d2-S-217622 compound YY-278 retained in vitro activity against 3CLpro and SARS-CoV-2. X-ray crystal structural studies showed similar interactions of SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro with YY-278 and S-271622. The PK profiling revealed the relatively favorable bioavailability and plasma exposure of YY-278. In addition, YY-278, as well as S-217622, displayed broadly anti-coronaviral activities against 6 other coronaviruses that infect humans and animals. These results laid the foundation for further research on the therapeutic potential of YY-278 against COVID-19 and other coronaviral diseases.

Recent Updates on the Development of Deuterium-Containing Drugs for the Treatment of Cancer.

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in the world. In 2020, 19.3 million cancer cases and 10 million deaths were reported in the world. It is supposed that the prevalence of cancer cases will rise to 28.4 million by 2040. Chemotherapy-based regimens have a narrow therapeutic index, severe adverse drug reactions, and lack metabolic stability. Besides, the metabolism of anticancer produces several non-active and toxic metabolites that reduce exposure of the target site to the parent drug. Therefore, developing better-tolerated and effective new anticancer drugs and modification of the existing anticancer drugs to minimize toxicity and increase efficacy has become a very urgent need. Deuterium incorporation reduces the metabolism of certain drugs that are breakdown by pathways involving hydrogen-carbon bond scission. For example, CYP450 mediated oxidative metabolism of drugs that involves the breakdown of a hydrogen-carbon bond affected by deuteration. Deuterium incorporation into the drug increases the half-life and reduces the dose, which provides better safety and efficacy. Deutetrabenazine is the first deuterated form of tetrabenazine approved to treat chorea associated with Huntington's disease and tardive dyskinesia. The study revealed that Deutetrabenazine has fewer neuropsychiatric side effects with favorable safety than tetrabenazine. The current review highlights the deuterium kinetic isotope effect on drug metabolism, deuterated compound pharmacokinetic property, and safety profile. Besides, this review explains the deuterated anticancer drug development update status.