Abstract 2915: Discovery and characterization of OSI-296, a dual inhibitor of cMET and RON kinases

cMET and RON are receptor tyrosine kinases of the MET proto-oncogene family that are activated by their respective ligands HGF and MSP. Signaling through the cMET/HGF system can be deregulated in cancer by HGF-dependent autocrine activation, gene amplification, and/or the presence of activating mutations, among others, while for RON, constitutively active variants generated by alternative splicing or methylation-dependent promoter usage [short-form RON (sfRON)] have been identified. Approaches to abrogate aberrant cMET and RON signaling that have led to agents in clinical trials include inhibiting their kinase function with small molecules. We report here the discovery and characterization of OSI-296, a dual inhibitor of cMET and RON. The compound exhibited selectivity in a panel of 96 kinases with potent activity against cMET, including common Y1230 mutants, and RON. OSI-296 blocked cMET autophosphorylation in MKN45 cells, resulting in dose-dependent inhibition of downstream ERK, AKT, and STAT3 phosphorylation. It also showed potent cellular activity in ELISA-format sfRON and caRON cell mechanistic assays that we developed, resulting in dose-dependent inhibition of downstream ERK and AKT phosphorylation. OSI-296 showed a PK profile in rodents suitable for oral dosing with >70% bioavailability. In multiple xenografts models (cMET: MKN45, SNU-5, U87MG; RON: caRON), significant tumor growth inhibition was observed upon oral dosing with regression at higher doses. OSI-296 was very well tolerated with little body weight loss and no adverse effects even at the highest tested dose of 300 mg/kg p.o. qdx14. Solid PK/PD/TGI correlations have been established wherein >90% inhibition of cMET or RON phosphorylation sustained over 24 h by OSI-296 translated to 100% TGI. In summary, OSI-296 was shown to be a well tolerated, dual inhibitor of cMET and RON with in vivo activity in mouse xenografts models for both targets upon oral dosing. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2915. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2915