Development of substituted pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidines as potent and selective dihydrofolate reductase inhibitors for pneumocystis pneumonia infection.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) caused by Pneumocystis jirovecii (pj) can lead to serious health consequences in patients with an immunocompromised system. Trimethoprim (TMP), used as first-line therapy in combination with sulfamethoxazole, is a selective but only moderately potent pj dihydrofolate reductase (pjDHFR) inhibitor, whereas non-clinical pjDHFR inhibitors, such as, piritrexim and trimetrexate are potent but non-selective pjDHFR inhibitors. To meet the clinical needs for a potent and selective pjDHFR inhibitor for PCP treatment, fourteen 6-substituted pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidines were developed. Comparison of the amino acid residues in the active site of pjDHFR and human DHFR (hDHFR) revealed prominent amino acid differences which could be exploited to structurally design potent and selective pjDHFR inhibitors. Molecular modeling followed by enzyme assays of the compounds revealed 15 as the best compound of the series with an IC50 of 80 nM and 28-fold selectivity for inhibiting pjDHFR over hDHFR. Compound 15 serves as the lead analog for further structural variations to afford more potent and selective pjDHFR inhibitors.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of a series of novel 6-substituted pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidines as potential nonclassical lipophilic antifolates targeting dihydrofolate reductase.

Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) has been a well-recognized target for the treatment of many diseases. Based on 8,10-dideazaminopterins, which are classical antifolates that potently inhibit DHFR, we have designed a series of novel 2,4-diamino-6-substituted pyrido[3,2-d]pyrimidines. By removing the glutamate moiety and introducing lipophilic groups, we hoped to improve passive diffuse through the cell membranes. The target compounds were efficiently synthesized using one-pot procedure and evaluated in vitro for DHFR inhibition and antitumor activity. Compounds 5e, 5h, 5i and 5k were the most potent inhibitors of recombinant human DHFR (rhDHFR) with IC50 values in the range 0.2-1.0 µM. Analysis using flow cytometric indicated that the effect of compound 5k on cell cycle progression was linked to induction of S phase arrest. Compounds 5g, 5h, 5i and 5k showed broad spectrum antitumor activity against four different tumor cell lines, with IC50 values in the range 0.07-23 µM. Molecular docking investigations showed that the trimethoyphenyl ring of compound 5k occupied a position near the cofactor-binding site in the rhDHFR-inhibitor complex, with close intermolecular contacts with Asp21, Phe31, Ser59, Ile60 and Pro61.