Search

The PKC-θ isoform of protein kinase C is selectively expressed in T lymphocytes and plays an important role in the T cell antigen receptor (TCR)-triggered activation of mature T cells, T cell proliferation, and the subsequent release of cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2). Herein, we report the synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a novel series of PKC-θ inhibitors. Through a combination of structure-guided design and exploratory SAR, suitable replacements for the basic C4 amine of the original lead (3) were identified. Property-guided design enabled the identification of appropriately substituted C2 groups to afford potent analogs with metabolic stability and permeability to support in vivo testing. With exquisite general kinase selectivity, cellular inhibition of T cell activation as assessed by IL-2 expression, a favorable safety profile, and demonstrated in vivo efficacy in models of acute and chronic T cell activation with oral dosing, CC-90005 (57) was selected for clinical development.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is marked by significant unmet clinical need due to both poor survival and high relapse rates where long-term disease control for most patients with relapsed or refractory AML remain dismal. Inspired to bring novel therapeutic options to these patients, we envisioned protein degradation as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of AML. Following this course, we discovered and pioneered a novel mechanism of action which culminated in the discovery of CC-90009. CC-90009 represents a novel protein degrader and the first cereblon E3 ligase modulating drug to enter clinical development that specifically targets GSPT1 (G1 to S phase transition 1) for proteasomal degradation. This manuscript briefly summarizes the mechanism of action, scientific rationale, medicinal chemistry, pharmacokinetic properties, and efficacy data for CC-90009, which is currently in phase 1 clinical development.

An 18-month-old intact female lioness (Panthera leo) was referred to the Clinica Veterinaria Roma Sud for evaluation of bilateral cataracts. Phacoemulsification and implantation of +30 diopter intraocular lens (IOL) were performed bilaterally. Seven years after surgery, the IOL remained centrally positioned and the patient had normal activity.

We report here the synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a novel series of triazole containing mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase inhibitors. SAR studies examining the potency, selectivity, and PK parameters for a series of triazole containing 4,6- or 1,7-disubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrazino[2,3-b]pyrazine-2(1H)-ones resulted in the identification of triazole containing mTOR kinase inhibitors with improved PK properties. Potent compounds from this series were found to block both mTORC1(pS6) and mTORC2(pAktS473) signaling in PC-3 cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo. When assessed in efficacy models, analogs exhibited dose-dependent efficacy in tumor xenograft models. This work resulted in the selection of CC-115 for clinical development.

We report here the synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a novel series of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase inhibitors. A series of 4,6- or 1,7-disubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrazino[2,3-b]pyrazine-2(1H)-ones were optimized for in vivo efficacy. These efforts resulted in the identification of compounds with excellent mTOR kinase inhibitory potency, with exquisite kinase selectivity over the related lipid kinase PI3K. The improved PK properties of this series allowed for exploration of in vivo efficacy and ultimately the selection of CC-223 for clinical development.

Objective—To evaluate the refractive error induced by intraocular administration of silicone oil (SiO) in dogs. Animals—47 client-owned dogs evaluated for blindness secondary to retinal detachment. Procedures—3-port pars plana vitrectomy with perfluoro-octane and SiO exchange (1,000- or 5,000-centistoke SiO) was performed in 1 or both eyes for all dogs (n = 63 eyes), depending on which eye or eyes were affected. Dogs were normotensive, had complete oil filling of the eyes, and were examined in a standing position for retinoscopic examination of both eyes (including healthy eyes). Results—The mean refractive error for SiO-filled phakic and pseudophakic eyes was 2.67 and 3.24 D, respectively. The mean refractive error for SiO-filled aphakic eyes was 6.50 D. Dogs in which 5,000-centistoke SiO was used had consistently greater positive refractive errors (mean, 3.45 D), compared with dogs in which 1,000-centistoke SiO was used (mean, 2.10 D); however, the difference was nonsignificant. There was no significant linear relationship between refractive error and the number of days between surgery and retinoscopy. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Hyperopia was observed in all dogs that underwent SiO tamponade, regardless of lens status (phakic, pseudophakic, or aphakic). Aphakic eyes underwent a myopic shift when filled with SiO. Pseudophakic eyes appeared to be more hyperopic than phakic eyes when filled with SiO; however, additional investigation is needed to confirm the study findings.

We report here the discovery of a novel series of selective mTOR kinase inhibitors and the identification of CC214-2, a compound with demonstrated anti-tumor activity upon oral dosing in a PC3 prostate cancer xenograft model. A series of 4,6-disubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrazino[2,3-b]pyrazine-2(1H)-ones were discovered through a core modification of our original compound series. Analogs from this series have excellent mTOR potency and maintain selectivity over the related PI3Kα lipid kinase. Compounds such as CC214-2 were found to block both mTORC1(pS6) and mTORC2(pAktS473) signaling in PC3 cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo.

In this Letter we describe the discovery of potent, selective, and orally active aminopurine JNK inhibitors. Improving the physico-chemical properties as well as increasing the potency and selectivity of a subseries with rat plasma exposure, led to the identification of four structurally diverse inhibitors. Differentiation based on PK profiles in multiple species as well as activity in a chronic efficacy model led to the identification of 1 (CC-930) as a development candidate, which is currently in Phase II clinical trial for IPF.

Starting from a phenol screening hit (6), three series of benzopyranone selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) have been designed, synthesized, and analyzed for both estrogen receptor alpha binding affinity and in vitro activity in two cell assays. The lead compound identified, SP500263 (13), was more potent than raloxifene and tamoxifen in a cell-based assay measuring inhibition of interleukin-6 release.

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a distinct sub-type non-Hodgkin lymphoma characterized by overexpression of cyclin D1 (CCND1) in 95% of patients due to the cytogenetic change of chromosome translocation t(11;14) (q13;q32). It remains one of the most challenging lymphomas associated with shorter response duration to conventional chemotherapy as well as continuous relapses and refractory to current drugs. However, dysregulation of cyclin D1 biology alone is insufficient to develop MCL. The emerging data suggest that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a crucial role in the proper transmission of proliferative and anti-apoptotic signals through the PI3K/AKT pathway that makes it an attractive therapeutic target for hematological malignances including mantle cell lymphoma. As a single agent, rapamycin analogs such as temsirolimus (CCI-779) achieved 38% overall response rate in heavily pretreated MCL and prolonged progression free survival (PFS) in relapsed and refractory mantle cell lymphoma (4.8 months in temsirolimus vs. 1.9 months in investigator’s choice, ASCO 2008). mTOR regulates two distinct complexes TORC1 and TORC2. TORC1 complex is involved in cell cycle regulation by phosphorylating p70S6K and 4E-BP1, two molecules that are important for translational control of cyclin D1 and c-myc as well as ribosomal biogenesis whereas TORC2 complex mainly regulates phospho- AKT serine 473 leading to cell survival and proliferation. mTOR kinase also negatively regulates autophagy, a process of cellular bulk protein degradation by fusion to lysosomes upon the nutrient deprivation. We have developed mTOR kinase selective inhibitors which exhibit distinct biological profile from rapamycin in many cancer cell lines. Here we demonstrate that a selective mTOR kinase inhibitor displays potent anti-proliferative activity in JeKo-1 and Mino cells associated with decreased phosphorylation of S6, p70S6K, AKT S473, 4E-BP1 as well as decreased cyclin D1 levels leading to G1 arrest. The inhibitor also promotes autophagic cell death at 72h and 96h post-treatment. Furthermore a selective mTOR kinase inhibitor but not rapamycin induces a significant apoptosis in JeKo-1 and Mino cells. The observed apoptosis is correlated with caspases mediated PARP cleavage as well as inhibition of anti-apoptotic protein Mcl-1, suggesting TORC2/AKT S473 complex may provide survival signaling for mantle cell lymphoma. A timecourse study demonstrated that JeKo-1 and Mino cells undergo apoptosis at 24h and 48h followed by significant autophagic cell death at 72h and 96h in a dose dependent manner when exposed to our mTOR kinase inhibitor. In conclusion, mTOR kinase inhibitors are able to induce G1 cell cycle arrest, caspase-dependent apoptosis and autophagic cell death that contribute to the anti-tumor activity. Therefore it may provide a powerful alternative targeted therapy for mantle cell lymphoma.