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Yu Y, Jang M, Miyashiro J, Clark RF, Zhu GD, Gong J, Dai Y, Frey RR, Penning TD, Kim H, Lee HK, Kim JK, Ryu KM, Park SJ, Yoon T, Li T, Kurnick MD, Kapecki NJ, Li L, Gorman JV, Montgomery DA, Manaves V, Bromberg KD, Doktor SZ, Thakur A, Wang J, Smith HA, Buchanan FG, Ferguson DC, Torrent M, Jakob CG, Qiu W, Upadhyay AK, Martin RL, Lai A, Michaelides MR. Discovery of A-910, a Highly Potent and Orally Bioavailable Dual MerTK/Axl-Selective Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2024; 67:17000-17032. [PMID: 39283694 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
TAM receptor tyrosine kinases have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment due to their roles in both tumor intrinsic survival mechanisms and suppression of antitumor immunity within the tumor microenvironment. Inhibiting MerTK and Axl selectively is believed to hinder cancer cell survival, reverse the protumor myeloid phenotype, and suppress efferocytosis, thereby eliciting an antitumor immune response. In this study, we present the discovery of A-910, a highly potent and selective dual MerTK/Axl inhibitor, achieved through a structure-based medicinal chemistry campaign. The lead compound exhibits favorable oral bioavailability, exceptional kinome selectivity, and significantly improved in vivo target engagement. These findings support the use of A-910 as an orally bioavailable in vivo tool compound for investigating the immunotherapy potential of dual MerTK/Axl inhibition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyun Yu
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Miyeon Jang
- Dong-A ST, 21, Geumhwa-ro, 105beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17073, Korea
| | - Julie Miyashiro
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Richard F Clark
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Gui-Dong Zhu
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Jane Gong
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Yujia Dai
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Robin R Frey
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Thomas D Penning
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Hadong Kim
- Dong-A ST, 21, Geumhwa-ro, 105beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17073, Korea
| | - Hyung Ki Lee
- Dong-A ST, 21, Geumhwa-ro, 105beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17073, Korea
| | - Jin Kwan Kim
- Dong-A ST, 21, Geumhwa-ro, 105beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17073, Korea
| | - Ki Moon Ryu
- Dong-A ST, 21, Geumhwa-ro, 105beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17073, Korea
| | - Seong Jin Park
- Dong-A ST, 21, Geumhwa-ro, 105beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17073, Korea
| | - Taeyoung Yoon
- Dong-A ST, 21, Geumhwa-ro, 105beon-gil, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do 17073, Korea
| | - Tao Li
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Matthew D Kurnick
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Nicolas J Kapecki
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Leiming Li
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Jacob V Gorman
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Debra A Montgomery
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Vlasios Manaves
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Kenneth D Bromberg
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Stella Z Doktor
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Ashish Thakur
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Jin Wang
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Heath A Smith
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Fritz G Buchanan
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Debra C Ferguson
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Maricel Torrent
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Clarissa G Jakob
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Wei Qiu
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Anup K Upadhyay
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Ruth L Martin
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
| | - Albert Lai
- Abbvie, Inc, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, Illinois 60064, United States
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Jin F, Lin Y, Yuan W, Wu S, Yang M, Ding S, Liu J, Chen Y. Recent advances in c-Met-based dual inhibitors in the treatment of cancers. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 272:116477. [PMID: 38733884 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2024.116477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The cellular-mesenchymal epithelial transition factor (c-Met) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) located on the 7q31 locus encoding the Met proto-oncogene and plays a critical role in regulating cell proliferation, metastasis, differentiation, and apoptosis through various signaling pathways. However, its aberrant activation and overexpression have been implicated in many human cancers. Therefore, c-Met is a promising target for cancer treatment. However, the anticancer effect of selective single-targeted drugs is limited due to the complexity of the signaling system and the involvement of different proteins and enzymes. After inhibiting one pathway, signal molecules can be transmitted through other pathways, resulting in poor efficacy of single-targeted drug therapy. Dual inhibitors that simultaneously block c-Met and another factor can significantly improve efficacy and overcome some of the shortcomings of single-target inhibitors, including drug resistance. In this review, We introduced c-Met kinase and the synergism between c-Met and other anti-tumor targets, then dual-target inhibitors based on c-Met for the treatment of cancers were summarized and their design concepts and structure-activity relationships (SARs) were discussed elaborately, providing a valuable insight for the further development of novel c-Met-based dual inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanqi Jin
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Yihan Lin
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Weidong Yuan
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Shuang Wu
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Min Yang
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Shi Ding
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; API Engineering Technology Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; Small Molecular Targeted Drug R&D Engineering Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China
| | - Ju Liu
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; API Engineering Technology Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; Small Molecular Targeted Drug R&D Engineering Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China.
| | - Ye Chen
- College of Pharmacy of Liaoning University, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; API Engineering Technology Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China; Small Molecular Targeted Drug R&D Engineering Research Center of Liaoning Province, Shenyang, Liaoning, 110036, PR China.
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Ma J, Eadie K, Schippers M, Fahal A, Laleu B, Verbon A, van de Sande WWJ. Novel Compound MMV1804559 from the Global Health Priority Box Exhibits In Vitro and In Vivo Activity against Madurella mycetomatis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6227. [PMID: 38892422 PMCID: PMC11172423 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Eumycetoma is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) characterized by subcutaneous lesions and the formation of grains. Attempts to treat eumycetoma involve a combination of antifungal treatment and surgery, although the outcome is frequently disappointing. Therefore, there is a need to identify novel antifungal drugs to treat eumycetoma. In this respect, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) has assembled libraries of compounds for researchers to use in drug discovery research against NTD. Therefore, we screened two MMVOpen compound libraries to identify novel leads for eumycetoma. METHODS A total of 400 compounds from the COVID Box and the Global Health Priority Box were screened in vitro at 100 µM and 25 µM against the most common causative agents of eumycetoma, namely Madurella mycetomatis and Falciformispora senegalensis, and the resulting IC50 and MIC50 values were obtained. Compounds with an IC50 < 8 µM were identified for possible in vivo efficacy studies using an M. mycetomatis grain model in Galleria mellonella larvae. RESULTS Out of the 400 compounds, 22 were able to inhibit both M. mycetomatis and F. senegalensis growth at 100 µM and 25 µM, with compounds MMV1593278, MMV020335, and MMV1804559 being selected for in vivo testing. Of these three, only the pyrazolopyrimidine derivative MMV1804559 was able to prolong the survival of M. mycetomatis-infected G. mellonella larvae. Furthermore, the grains in MMV1804559-treated larvae were significantly smaller compared to the PBS-treated group. CONCLUSION MMV1804559 shows promising in vitro and in vivo activity against M. mycetomatis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Ma
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (J.M.); (K.E.); (M.S.); (A.V.)
| | - Kimberly Eadie
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (J.M.); (K.E.); (M.S.); (A.V.)
| | - Marij Schippers
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (J.M.); (K.E.); (M.S.); (A.V.)
| | - Ahmed Fahal
- Mycetoma Research Centre, Khartoum 1115, Sudan;
| | - Benoît Laleu
- MMV Medicines for Malaria Venture, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Annelies Verbon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (J.M.); (K.E.); (M.S.); (A.V.)
| | - Wendy W. J. van de Sande
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Dr. Molewaterplein 40, 3015GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands; (J.M.); (K.E.); (M.S.); (A.V.)
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Breton-Patient C, Billotte S, Duchambon P, Fontaine G, Bombard S, Piguel S. Light-Activatable Photocaged UNC2025 for Triggering TAM Kinase Inhibition in Bladder Cancer. Chembiochem 2024; 25:e202300855. [PMID: 38363151 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Photopharmacology is an emerging field that utilizes photo-responsive molecules to enable control over the activity of a drug using light. The aim is to limit the therapeutic action of a drug at the level of diseased tissues and organs. Considering the well-known implications of protein kinases in cancer and the therapeutic issues associated with protein kinase inhibitors, the photopharmacology is seen as an innovative and alternative solution with great potential in oncology. In this context, we developed the first photocaged TAM kinase inhibitors based on UNC2025, a first-in-class small molecule kinase inhibitor. These prodrugs showed good stability in biologically relevant buffer and rapid photorelease of the photoremovable protecting group upon UV-light irradiation (<10 min.). These light-activatable prodrugs led to a 16-fold decrease to a complete loss of kinase inhibition, depending on the protein and the position at which the coumarin-type phototrigger was introduced. The most promising candidate was the N,O-dicaged compound, showing the superiority of having two photolabile protecting groups on UNC2025 for being entirely inactive on TAM kinases. Under UV-light irradiation, the N,O-dicaged compound recovered its inhibitory potency in enzymatic assays and displayed excellent antiproliferative activity in RT112 cell lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Breton-Patient
- Institut Curie, Université PSL CNRS UMR9187, Inserm U119, 91400, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay CNRS UMR9187, Inserm U119, 91400, Orsay, France
| | - Sébastien Billotte
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie CNRS UMR 8076, 91400, Orsay, France
| | - Patricia Duchambon
- Institut Curie, Université PSL CNRS UMR9187, Inserm U119, 91400, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay CNRS UMR9187, Inserm U119, 91400, Orsay, France
| | - Gaëlle Fontaine
- Institut Curie, Université PSL CNRS UMR9187, Inserm U119, 91400, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay CNRS UMR9187, Inserm U119, 91400, Orsay, France
| | - Sophie Bombard
- Institut Curie, Université PSL CNRS UMR9187, Inserm U119, 91400, Orsay, France
- Université Paris-Saclay CNRS UMR9187, Inserm U119, 91400, Orsay, France
| | - Sandrine Piguel
- Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie CNRS UMR 8076, 91400, Orsay, France
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Baillache DJ, Valero T, Lorente-Macías Á, Bennett DJ, Elliott RJR, Carragher NO, Unciti-Broceta A. Discovery of pyrazolopyrimidines that selectively inhibit CSF-1R kinase by iterative design, synthesis and screening against glioblastoma cells. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:2611-2624. [PMID: 38099057 PMCID: PMC10718585 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00454f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain cancer in adults, with an average life expectancy under treatment of approx. 15 months. GBM is characterised by a complex set of genetic alterations that results in significant disruption of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling. We report here an exploration of the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine scaffold in search for antiproliferative compounds directed to GBM treatment. Small compound libraries were synthesised and screened against GBM cells to build up structure-antiproliferative activity-relationships (SAARs) and inform further rounds of design, synthesis and screening. 76 novel compounds were generated through this iterative process that found low micromolar potencies against selected GBM lines, including patient-derived stem cells. Phenomics analysis demonstrated preferential activity against glioma cells of the mesenchymal subtype, whereas kinome screening identified colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) as the lead's target, a RTK implicated in the tumourigenesis and progression of different cancers and the immunoregulation of the GBM microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Baillache
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh Crewe Road South Edinburgh EH4 2XR UK
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre UK
| | - Teresa Valero
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh Crewe Road South Edinburgh EH4 2XR UK
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre UK
| | - Álvaro Lorente-Macías
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh Crewe Road South Edinburgh EH4 2XR UK
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre UK
| | | | - Richard J R Elliott
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh Crewe Road South Edinburgh EH4 2XR UK
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre UK
| | - Neil O Carragher
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh Crewe Road South Edinburgh EH4 2XR UK
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre UK
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Edinburgh Cancer Research, Institute of Genetics & Cancer, University of Edinburgh Crewe Road South Edinburgh EH4 2XR UK
- Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre UK
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Verma M, Trivedi L, Vasudev PG. Interaction Patterns of Pyrazolopyrimidines with Receptor Proteins. J Chem Inf Model 2023; 63:2331-2344. [PMID: 37023262 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Heterocyclic compounds have a prominent role in medicinal chemistry and drug design. They are not only useful as medicinally active compounds but also as a modular structural scaffold for drug design. Therefore, heterocycles are present in many ligands that exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities. Pyazolopyrimidines are nitrogen heterocycles and are part of many biologically active compounds and marketed drugs. This study examines the non-covalent interactions between the pyrazolopyrimidine rings and receptor proteins through data mining and analysis of high-resolution crystal structures deposited in the Protein Data Bank. The Protein Data Bank contains 471 crystal structures with pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives as ligands, among which 50% contains 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines (Pyp1), while 38% contains pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidines (Pyp2). 1H-Pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidines (Pyp3) are found in 11% of the structures, and no structural data is available for pyrazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine isomers (Pyp4). Among receptor proteins, transferases are found in most examples (67.5%), followed by hydrolases (13.4%) and oxidoreductases (8.9%). Detailed analysis of structures to identify the most prevalent interactions of pyrazolopyrimidines with proteins shows that aromatic π···π interactions are present in ∼91% of the structures and hydrogen bonds/other polar contacts are present in ∼73% of the structures. The centroid-centroid distances (dcent) between the pyrazolopyrimidine rings and aromatic side chains of the proteins have been retrieved from crystal structures recorded at a high resolution (data resolution <2.0 Å). The average value of dcent in pyrazolopyrimidine-protein complexes is 5.32 Å. The information on the geometric parameters of aromatic interactions between the core pyrazolopyrimidine ring and the protein would be helpful in future in silico modeling studies on pyrazolopyrimidine-receptor complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Verma
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow 226015, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 220025, India
| | - Laxmikant Trivedi
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow 226015, India
| | - Prema G Vasudev
- Plant Biotechnology Division, CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow 226015, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 220025, India
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Two-Front War on Cancer-Targeting TAM Receptors in Solid Tumour Therapy. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14102488. [PMID: 35626092 PMCID: PMC9140196 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14102488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In recent years, many studies have shown the importance of TAM kinases in both normal and neoplastic cells. In this review, we present and discuss the role of the TAM family (AXL, MERTK, TYRO3) of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) as a dual target in cancer, due to their intrinsic roles in tumour cell survival, migration, chemoresistance, and their immunosuppressive roles in the tumour microenvironment. This review presents the potential of TAMs as emerging therapeutic targets in cancer treatment, focusing on the distinct structures of TAM receptor tyrosine kinases. We analyse and compare different strategies of TAM inhibition, for a full perspective of current and future battlefields in the war with cancer. Abstract Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are transmembrane receptors that bind growth factors and cytokines and contain a regulated kinase activity within their cytoplasmic domain. RTKs play an important role in signal transduction in both normal and malignant cells, and their encoding genes belong to the most frequently affected genes in cancer cells. The TAM family proteins (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) are involved in diverse biological processes: immune regulation, clearance of apoptotic cells, platelet aggregation, cell proliferation, survival, and migration. Recent studies show that TAMs share overlapping functions in tumorigenesis and suppression of antitumour immunity. MERTK and AXL operate in innate immune cells to suppress inflammatory responses and promote an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, while AXL expression correlates with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and motility in tumours. Therefore, TAM RTKs represent a dual target in cancer due to their intrinsic roles in tumour cell survival, migration, chemoresistance, and their immunosuppressive roles in the tumour microenvironment (TME). In this review, we discuss the potential of TAMs as emerging therapeutic targets in cancer treatment. We critically assess and compare current approaches to target TAM RTKs in solid tumours and the development of new inhibitors for both extra- and intracellular domains of TAM receptor kinases.
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Hua Y, Fang X, Xing G, Xu Y, Liang L, Deng C, Dai X, Liu H, Lu T, Zhang Y, Chen Y. Effective Reaction-Based De Novo Strategy for Kinase Targets: A Case Study on MERTK Inhibitors. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:1654-1668. [PMID: 35353505 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Reaction-based de novo design is the computational generation of novel molecular structures by linking building blocks using reaction vectors derived from chemistry knowledge. In this work, we first adopted a recurrent neural network (RNN) model to generate three groups of building blocks with different functional groups and then constructed an in silico target-focused combinatorial library based on chemical reaction rules. Mer tyrosine kinase (MERTK) was used as a study case. Combined with a scaffold enrichment analysis, 15 novel MERTK inhibitors covering four scaffolds were achieved. Among them, compound 5a obtained an IC50 value of 53.4 nM against MERTK without any further optimization. The efficiency of hit identification could be significantly improved by shrinking the compound library with the fragment iterative optimization strategy and enriching the dominant scaffold in the hinge region. We hope that this strategy can provide new insights for accelerating the drug discovery process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Hua
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaobao Fang
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Guomeng Xing
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yuan Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Li Liang
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Chenglong Deng
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Xiaowen Dai
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Haichun Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Tao Lu
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China.,State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
| | - Yadong Chen
- Laboratory of Molecular Design and Drug Discovery, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, 639 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing 211198, China
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Zheng H, Zhao J, Li B, Zhang W, Stashko MA, Minson KA, Huey MG, Zhou Y, Earp HS, Kireev D, Graham DK, DeRyckere D, Frye SV, Wang X. UNC5293, a potent, orally available and highly MERTK-selective inhibitor. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113534. [PMID: 34038857 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Inhibition of MER receptor tyrosine kinase (MERTK) causes direct tumor cell killing and stimulation of the innate immune response. Therefore, MERTK has been identified as a therapeutic target in a wide variety of human tumors. Clinical trials targeting MERTK have recently been initiated, however, none of these drugs are MERTK-specific. Herein, we present the discovery of a highly MERTK-selective inhibitor UNC5293 (24). UNC5293 has subnanomolar activity against MERTK with an excellent Ambit selectivity score (S50 (100 nM) = 0.041). It mediated potent and selective inhibition of MERTK in cell-based assays. Furthermore, it has excellent mouse PK properties (7.8 h half-life and 58% oral bioavailability) and was active in bone marrow leukemia cells in a murine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongchao Zheng
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jichen Zhao
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Bing Li
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Weihe Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Michael A Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Katherine A Minson
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Madeline G Huey
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Yubai Zhou
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Henry Shelton Earp
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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10
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Chen CJ, Liu YP. MERTK Inhibition: Potential as a Treatment Strategy in EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor-Resistant Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14020130. [PMID: 33562150 PMCID: PMC7915726 DOI: 10.3390/ph14020130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are currently the most effective treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, who carry primary EGFR mutations. However, the patients eventually develop drug resistance to EGFR-TKIs after approximately one year. In addition to the acquisition of the EGFR T790M mutation, the activation of alternative receptor-mediated signaling pathways is a common mechanism for conferring the insensitivity of EGFR-TKI in NSCLC. Upregulation of the Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MERTK), which is a member of the Tyro3-Axl-MERTK (TAM) family, is associated with a poor prognosis of many cancers. The binding of specific ligands, such as Gas6 and PROS1, to MERTK activates phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, which are the signaling pathways shared by EGFR. Therefore, the inhibition of MERTK can be considered a new therapeutic strategy for overcoming the resistance of NSCLC to EGFR-targeted agents. Although several small molecules and monoclonal antibodies targeting the TAM family are being developed and have been described to enhance the chemosensitivity and converse the resistance of EGFR-TKI, few have specifically been developed as MERTK inhibitors. The further development and investigation of biomarkers which can accurately predict MERTK activity and the response to MERTK inhibitors and MERTK-specific drugs are vitally important for obtaining appropriate patient stratification and increased benefits in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Ju Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Peng Liu
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Research Center for Environmental Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-7-3121101
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11
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Zhou Y, Wang Y, Chen H, Xu Y, Luo Y, Deng Y, Zhang J, Shao A. Immuno-oncology: are TAM receptors in glioblastoma friends or foes? Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:11. [PMID: 33509214 PMCID: PMC7841914 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-020-00694-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Tyro3, Axl, and Mertk (TAM) receptors are a subfamily of receptor tyrosine kinases. TAM receptors have been implicated in mediating efferocytosis, regulation of immune cells, secretion of inflammatory factors, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in the tumor microenvironment, thereby serving as a critical player in tumor development and progression. The pro-carcinogenic role of TAM receptors has been widely confirmed, overexpression of TAM receptors is tied to tumor cells growth, metastasis, invasion and treatment resistance. Nonetheless, it is surprising to detect that inhibiting TAM signaling is not all beneficial in the tumor immune microenvironment. The absence of TAM receptors also affects anti-tumor immunity under certain conditions by modulating different immune cells, as the functional diversification of TAM signaling is closely related to tumor immunotherapy. Glioblastoma is the most prevalent and lethal primary brain tumor in adults. Although research regarding the crosstalk between TAM receptors and glioblastoma remains scarce, it appears likely that TAM receptors possess potential anti-tumor effects rather than portraying a total cancer-driving role in the context of glioblastoma. Accordingly, we doubt whether TAM receptors play a double-sided role in glioblastoma, and propose the Janus-faced TAM Hypothesis as a conceptual framework for comprehending the precise underlying mechanisms of TAMs. In this study, we aim to cast a spotlight on the potential multidirectional effects of TAM receptors in glioblastoma and provide a better understanding for TAM receptor-related targeted intervention. Video Abstract
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxiang Zhou
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yali Wang
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Hailong Chen
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Yanyan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211126, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Luo
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Changxing Branch), Changxing, Huzhou, 313100, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yongchuan Deng
- Department of Surgical Oncology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
| | - Jianmin Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| | - Anwen Shao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310009, China.
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12
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Lee HJ, Pham PC, Pei H, Lim B, Hyun SY, Baek B, Kim B, Kim Y, Kim MH, Kang NW, Min HY, Kim DD, Lee J, Lee HY. Development of the phenylpyrazolo[3,4- d]pyrimidine-based, insulin-like growth factor receptor/Src/AXL-targeting small molecule kinase inhibitor. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:1918-1936. [PMID: 33408789 PMCID: PMC7778606 DOI: 10.7150/thno.48865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: The type I insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) signaling pathway plays key roles in the development and progression of numerous types of human cancers, and Src and AXL have been found to confer resistance to anti-IGF-1R therapies. Hence, co-targeting Src and AXL may be an effective strategy to overcome resistance to anti-IGF-1R therapies. However, pharmacologic targeting of these three kinases may result in enhanced toxicity. Therefore, the development of novel multitarget anticancer drugs that block IGF-1R, Src, and AXL is urgently needed. Methods: We synthesized a series of phenylpyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP)-based compounds, wherein the PP module was conjugated with 2,4-bis-arylamino-1,3-pyrimidines (I2) via a copper(I)-catalyzed alkyne-azide cycloaddition reaction. To develop IGF-1R/Src/AXL-targeting small molecule kinase inhibitors, we selected LL6 as an active compound and evaluated its antitumor and antimetastatic effects in vitro and in vivo using the MTT assay, colony formation assays, migration assay, flow cytometric analysis, a tumor xenograft model, the KrasG12D/+-driven spontaneous lung tumorigenesis model, and a spontaneous metastasis model using Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) allografts. We also determined the toxicity of LL6 in vitro and in vivo. Results: LL6 induced apoptosis and suppressed viability and colony-forming capacities of various non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines and their sublines with drug resistance. LL6 also suppressed the migration of NSCLC cells at nontoxic doses. Administration of LL6 in mice significantly suppressed the growth of NSCLC xenograft tumors and metastasis of LLC allograft tumors with outstanding toxicity profiles. Furthermore, the multiplicity, volume, and load of lung tumors in KrasG12D/+ transgenic mice were substantially reduced by the LL6 treatment. Conclusions: Our results show the potential of LL6 as a novel IGF-1R/Src/AXL-targeting small molecule kinase inhibitor, providing a new avenue for anticancer therapies.
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13
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Gadiyar V, Patel G, Davra V. Immunological role of TAM receptors in the cancer microenvironment. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 357:57-79. [PMID: 33234245 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
TAM receptors belong to the family of receptor tyrosine kinases, comprising of Tyro3, Axl and Mertk receptors (TAMs) and are important homeostatic regulators of inflammation in higher eukaryotes. Along with their ligands, Gas6 and ProteinS, TAMs acts as receptors to phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), an anionic phospholipid that becomes externalized on the surface of apoptotic and stressed cells. TAM receptors, specially Mertk, have been well established to play a role in the process of efferocytosis, the engulfment of dying cells. Besides being efferocytic receptors, TAMs are pleiotropic immune modulators as the lack of TAM receptors in various mouse models lead to chronic inflammation and autoimmunity. Owing to their immune modulatory role, the PtdSer-TAM receptor signaling axis has been well characterized as a global immune-suppressive signal, and in cancers, and emerging literature implicates TAM receptors in cancer immunology and anti-tumor therapeutics. In the tumor microenvironment, immune-suppressive signals, such as ones that originate from TAM receptor signaling can be detrimental to anti-tumor therapy. In this chapter, we discuss immune modulatory functions of TAM receptors in the tumor microenvironment as well role of differentially expressed TAM receptors and their interactions with immune and tumor cells. Finally, we describe current strategies being utilized for targeting TAMs in several cancers and their implications in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Gadiyar
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Gopi Patel
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, United States
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14
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Crystal Structure of the Kinase Domain of MerTK in Complex with AZD7762 Provides Clues for Structure-Based Drug Development. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21217878. [PMID: 33114206 PMCID: PMC7660649 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant tyrosine-protein kinase Mer (MerTK) expression triggers prosurvival signaling and contributes to cell survival, invasive motility, and chemoresistance in many kinds of cancers. In addition, recent reports suggested that MerTK could be a primary target for abnormal platelet aggregation. Consequently, MerTK inhibitors may promote cancer cell death, sensitize cells to chemotherapy, and act as new antiplatelet agents. We screened an inhouse chemical library to discover novel small-molecule MerTK inhibitors, and identified AZD7762, which is known as a checkpoint-kinase (Chk) inhibitor. The inhibition of MerTK by AZD7762 was validated using an in vitro homogeneous time-resolved fluorescence (HTRF) assay and through monitoring the decrease in phosphorylated MerTK in two lung cancer cell lines. We also determined the crystal structure of the MerTK:AZD7762 complex and revealed the binding mode of AZD7762 to MerTK. Structural information from the MerTK:AZD7762 complex and its comparison with other MerTK:inhibitor structures gave us new insights for optimizing the development of inhibitors targeting MerTK.
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15
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Baillache DJ, Unciti-Broceta A. Recent developments in anticancer kinase inhibitors based on the pyrazolo[3,4- d]pyrimidine scaffold. RSC Med Chem 2020; 11:1112-1135. [PMID: 33479617 PMCID: PMC7652001 DOI: 10.1039/d0md00227e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines have become of significant interest for the medicinal chemistry community as a privileged scaffold for the development of kinase inhibitors to treat a range of diseases, including cancer. This fused nitrogen-containing heterocycle is an isostere of the adenine ring of ATP, allowing the molecules to mimic hinge region binding interactions in kinase active sites. Similarities in kinase ATP sites can be exploited to direct the activity and selectivity of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines to multiple oncogenic targets through focussed chemical modification. As a result, pharma and academic efforts have succeeded in progressing several pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines to clinical trials, including the BTK inhibitor ibrutinib, which has been approved for the treatment of several B-cell cancers. In this review, we examine the pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines currently in clinical trials for oncology patients, as well as those published in the literature during the last 5 years for different anticancer indications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J Baillache
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre , Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine , University of Edinburgh , Crewe Road South , Edinburgh EH4 2XR , UK .
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre , Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine , University of Edinburgh , Crewe Road South , Edinburgh EH4 2XR , UK .
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16
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Di Stasi R, De Rosa L, D'Andrea LD. Therapeutic aspects of the Axl/Gas6 molecular system. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:2130-2148. [PMID: 33002607 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Axl receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) and its ligand, growth arrest-specific protein 6 (Gas6), are involved in several biological functions and participate in the development and progression of a range of malignancies and autoimmune disorders. In this review, we present this molecular system from a drug discovery perspective, highlighting its therapeutic implications and challenges that need to be addressed. We provide an update on Axl/Gas6 axis biology, exploring its role in fields ranging from angiogenesis, cancer development and metastasis, immune response and inflammation to viral infection. Finally, we summarize the molecules that have been developed to date to target the Axl/Gas6 molecular system for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Di Stasi
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Lucia De Rosa
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Napoli, Italy
| | - Luca D D'Andrea
- Istituto di Biostrutture e Bioimmagini, CNR, Via Nizza 52, 10126 Torino, Italy.
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17
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Huelse J, Fridlyand D, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020; 213:107577. [PMID: 32417270 PMCID: PMC9847360 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Diana Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
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18
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Huelse JM, Fridlyand DM, Earp S, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. MERTK in cancer therapy: Targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase in tumor cells and the immune system. Pharmacol Ther 2020. [PMID: 32417270 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2020.107577107577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase MERTK is aberrantly expressed in numerous human malignancies, and is a novel target in cancer therapeutics. Physiologic roles of MERTK include regulation of tissue homeostasis and repair, innate immune control, and platelet aggregation. However, aberrant expression in a wide range of liquid and solid malignancies promotes neoplasia via growth factor independence, cell cycle progression, proliferation and tumor growth, resistance to apoptosis, and promotion of tumor metastases. Additionally, MERTK signaling contributes to an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment via induction of an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile and regulation of the PD-1 axis, as well as regulation of macrophage, myeloid-derived suppressor cell, natural killer cell and T cell functions. Various MERTK-directed therapies are in preclinical development, and clinical trials are underway. In this review we discuss MERTK inhibition as an emerging strategy for cancer therapy, focusing on MERTK expression and function in neoplasia and its role in mediating resistance to cytotoxic and targeted therapies as well as in suppressing anti-tumor immunity. Additionally, we review preclinical and clinical pharmacological strategies to target MERTK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justus M Huelse
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Diana M Fridlyand
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Shelton Earp
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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19
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Alivernini S, MacDonald L, Elmesmari A, Finlay S, Tolusso B, Gigante MR, Petricca L, Di Mario C, Bui L, Perniola S, Attar M, Gessi M, Fedele AL, Chilaka S, Somma D, Sansom SN, Filer A, McSharry C, Millar NL, Kirschner K, Nerviani A, Lewis MJ, Pitzalis C, Clark AR, Ferraccioli G, Udalova I, Buckley CD, Gremese E, McInnes IB, Otto TD, Kurowska-Stolarska M. Distinct synovial tissue macrophage subsets regulate inflammation and remission in rheumatoid arthritis. Nat Med 2020; 26:1295-1306. [PMID: 32601335 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-020-0939-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 310] [Impact Index Per Article: 77.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Immune-regulatory mechanisms of drug-free remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are unknown. We hypothesized that synovial tissue macrophages (STM), which persist in remission, contribute to joint homeostasis. We used single-cell transcriptomics to profile 32,000 STMs and identified phenotypic changes in patients with early/active RA, treatment-refractory/active RA and RA in sustained remission. Each clinical state was characterized by different frequencies of nine discrete phenotypic clusters within four distinct STM subpopulations with diverse homeostatic, regulatory and inflammatory functions. This cellular atlas, combined with deep-phenotypic, spatial and functional analyses of synovial biopsy fluorescent activated cell sorted STMs, revealed two STM subpopulations (MerTKposTREM2high and MerTKposLYVE1pos) with unique remission transcriptomic signatures enriched in negative regulators of inflammation. These STMs were potent producers of inflammation-resolving lipid mediators and induced the repair response of synovial fibroblasts in vitro. A low proportion of MerTKpos STMs in remission was associated with increased risk of disease flare after treatment cessation. Therapeutic modulation of MerTKpos STM subpopulations could therefore be a potential treatment strategy for RA.
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MESH Headings
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism
- Arthritis, Rheumatoid/pathology
- Biopsy
- Cell Lineage/genetics
- Humans
- Inflammation/genetics
- Inflammation/immunology
- Inflammation/metabolism
- Inflammation/pathology
- Joints/immunology
- Joints/metabolism
- Joints/pathology
- Lectins, C-Type/genetics
- Lectins, C-Type/immunology
- Macrophages/immunology
- Macrophages/metabolism
- Mannose Receptor
- Mannose-Binding Lectins/genetics
- Mannose-Binding Lectins/immunology
- Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics
- Receptors, Cell Surface/immunology
- Receptors, Immunologic/genetics
- Receptors, Immunologic/immunology
- Synovial Fluid/immunology
- Synovial Fluid/metabolism
- Synovial Membrane
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Alivernini
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), .
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Institute of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Lucy MacDonald
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Aziza Elmesmari
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Samuel Finlay
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Barbara Tolusso
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rita Gigante
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Petricca
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Clara Di Mario
- Institute of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Bui
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Simone Perniola
- Institute of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Moustafa Attar
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Marco Gessi
- Division of Pathology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Fedele
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Sabarinadh Chilaka
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Domenico Somma
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Stephen N Sansom
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew Filer
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Charles McSharry
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Neal L Millar
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | | | - Alessandra Nerviani
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Myles J Lewis
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Costantino Pitzalis
- Centre for Experimental Medicine and Rheumatology, William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Andrew R Clark
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Irina Udalova
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christopher D Buckley
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
- NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Elisa Gremese
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- Division of Rheumatology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Institute of Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Iain B McInnes
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE)
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Thomas D Otto
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), .
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
| | - Mariola Kurowska-Stolarska
- Research into Inflammatory Arthritis Centre Versus Arthritis (RACE), .
- Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.
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20
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Zhong Y, Qiu RZ, Sun SL, Zhao C, Fan TY, Chen M, Li NG, Shi ZH. Small-Molecule Fms-like Tyrosine Kinase 3 Inhibitors: An Attractive and Efficient Method for the Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. J Med Chem 2020; 63:12403-12428. [PMID: 32659083 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is an important member of the class III receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family, which is involved in the proliferation of hematopoietic cells and lymphocytes. In recent years, increasing evidence have demonstrated that the activation and mutation of FLT3 is closely implicated in the occurrence and development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The exploration of small-molecule inhibitors targeting FLT3 has aroused wide interest of pharmaceutical chemists and is expected to bring new hope for AML therapy. In this review, we specifically highlighted FLT3 mediated JAK/STAT, RAS/MAPK, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. The structural properties and biological activities of representative FLT3 inhibitors reported from 2014 to the present were also summarized. In addition, the major challenges in the current advance of novel FLT3 inhibitors were further analyzed, with the aim to guide future drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Zhong
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Run-Ze Qiu
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Shan-Liang Sun
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Chao Zhao
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tian-Yuan Fan
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Min Chen
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Nian-Guang Li
- National and Local Collaborative Engineering Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization and Formulae Innovative Medicine, Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Chinese Medicinal Resources Industrialization, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for High Technology Research of TCM Formulae, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zhi-Hao Shi
- Department of Organic Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 211198, China
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21
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Small Ones to Fight a Big Problem-Intervention of Cancer Metastasis by Small Molecules. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12061454. [PMID: 32503267 PMCID: PMC7352875 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12061454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastasis represents the most lethal attribute of cancer and critically limits successful therapies in many tumor entities. The clinical need is defined by the fact that all cancer patients, who have or who will develop distant metastasis, will experience shorter survival. Thus, the ultimate goal in cancer therapy is the restriction of solid cancer metastasis by novel molecularly targeted small molecule based therapies. Biomarkers identifying cancer patients at high risk for metastasis and simultaneously acting as key drivers for metastasis are extremely desired. Clinical interventions targeting these key molecules will result in high efficiency in metastasis intervention. In result of this, personalized tailored interventions for restriction and prevention of cancer progression and metastasis will improve patient survival. This review defines crucial biological steps of the metastatic cascade, such as cell dissemination, migration and invasion as well as the action of metastasis suppressors. Targeting these biological steps with tailored therapeutic strategies of intervention or even prevention of metastasis using a wide range of small molecules will be discussed.
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22
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Abstract
Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3) mutations occur in approximately 30% of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases, suggesting FLT3 as an attractive target for AML treatment. Early FLT3 inhibitors enhance antileukemia efficacy by inhibiting multiple targets, and thus had stronger off-target activity, increasing their toxicity. Recently, a number of potent and selective FLT3 inhibitors have been developed, many of which are effective against multiple mutations. This review outlines the evolution of AML-targeting FLT3 inhibitors by focusing on their chemotypes, selectivity and activity over FLT3 wild-type and FLT3 mutations as well as new techniques related to FLT3. Compounds that currently enter the late clinical stage or have entered the market are also briefly reported.
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23
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Chen Y, Favata M, Pusey M, Li J, Lo Y, Ye M, Wynn R, Wang X, Yao W, Chen Y. Identification of pAKT as a pharmacodynamic marker for MER kinase in human melanoma G361 cells. Biomark Res 2020; 8:4. [PMID: 32042425 PMCID: PMC7001211 DOI: 10.1186/s40364-020-0184-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The MER signaling pathway represents an attractive therapeutic target for human cancers. Growth arrest–specific protein 6 (GAS6)–induced MER phosphorylation is often unstable and difficult to detect without pervanadate pretreatment in human cancer cells, posing a challenge for the development of selective MER kinase inhibitors. Here, we identified phosphorylated AKT (pAKT) as a specific pharmacodynamic marker for MER kinase inhibitors in human melanoma G361 cells. Methods The expression of MER, TYRO3, and AXL were profiled among multiple human cancer cells. To determine whether they play a role in the activation of pAKT, MER and TYRO3 were selectively depleted by small, interfering RNA knockdown. In addition, using AKT phosphorylation as a readout, a high-throughput cell-based assay was established in G361 cells for evaluation of the potency of potential inhibitors of MER pathway activation. Results We demonstrated that high levels of MER and TYRO3, but not AXL, were expressed in G361 cells. In these cells, pAKT was induced by GAS6 treatment, which could be reversed by AXL/MER inhibitors. We showed that GAS6-induced pAKT is only dependent on MER kinase, but not TYRO3, in G361 cells. Furthermore, we observed a correlation in potency between inhibition of pAKT in G361 cells and pMER in MER-overexpressing Ba/F3 cells by these inhibitors. Conclusions In summary, we have demonstrated that GAS6-induced pAKT is a possible pharmacodynamic marker for the inhibition of MER kinase, and we have successfully developed a cell-based functional assay for screening small-molecule inhibitors of MER kinase for potential therapeutic utility in treating GAS6/MER-deregulated human cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaoyu Chen
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Margaret Favata
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Michelle Pusey
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Jun Li
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Yvonne Lo
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Min Ye
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Richard Wynn
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Xiaozhao Wang
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Wenqing Yao
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
| | - Yingnan Chen
- Incyte Research Institute, 1801 Augustine Cut-off, Wilmington, DE 19803 USA
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24
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Ghosh Roy S. TAM receptors: A phosphatidylserine receptor family and its implications in viral infections. TAM RECEPTORS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 2020; 357:81-122. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2020.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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25
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Yuan T, Qi B, Jiang Z, Dong W, Zhong L, Bai L, Tong R, Yu J, Shi J. Dual FLT3 inhibitors: Against the drug resistance of acute myeloid leukemia in recent decade. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 178:468-483. [PMID: 31207462 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease characterized by abnormal growth and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells. Although the pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, many specific gene mutations have been found in AML. Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is recognized as a drug target for the treatment of AML, and the activation mutations of FLT3 were found in about 30% of AML patients. Targeted inhibition of FLT3 receptor tyrosine kinase has shown promising results in the treatment of FLT3 mutation AML. Unfortunately, the therapeutic effects of FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitors used as AML monotherapy are usually accompanied by the high risk of resistance development within a few months after treatment. FLT3 dual inhibitors were generated with the co-inhibition of FLT3 and another target, such as CDK4, JAK2, MEK, Mer, Pim, etc., to solve the problems mentioned above. As a result, the therapeutic effect of the drug is significantly improved, while the toxic and side effects are reduced. Besides, the life quality of AML patients with FLT3 mutation has been effectively improved. In this paper, we reviewed the studies of dual FLT3 inhibitors that have been discovered in recent years for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yuan
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Baowen Qi
- College of Pharmacy and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, 610106, China
| | - Zhongliang Jiang
- Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, 33136, USA
| | - Wenjuan Dong
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Lei Zhong
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Lan Bai
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Rongsheng Tong
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Jiying Yu
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China.
| | - Jianyou Shi
- Personalized Drug Therapy Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Academy of Medical Science & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine of University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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26
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Myers KV, Amend SR, Pienta KJ. Targeting Tyro3, Axl and MerTK (TAM receptors): implications for macrophages in the tumor microenvironment. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:94. [PMID: 31088471 PMCID: PMC6515593 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1022-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 246] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor-associated macrophages are an abundant cell type in the tumor microenvironment. These macrophages serve as a promising target for treatment of cancer due to their roles in promoting cancer progression and simultaneous immunosuppression. The TAM receptors (Tyro3, Axl and MerTK) are promising therapeutic targets on tumor-associated macrophages. The TAM receptors are a family of receptor tyrosine kinases with shared ligands Gas6 and Protein S that skew macrophage polarization towards a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype. In macrophages, the TAM receptors also promote apoptotic cell clearance, a tumor-promoting process called efferocytosis. The TAM receptors bind the "eat-me" signal phosphatidylserine on apoptotic cell membranes using Gas6 and Protein S as bridging ligands. Post-efferocytosis, macrophages are further polarized to a pro-tumor M2-like phenotype and secrete increased levels of immunosuppressive cytokines. Since M2 polarization and efferocytosis are tumor-promoting processes, the TAM receptors on macrophages serve as exciting targets for cancer therapy. Current TAM receptor-directed therapies in preclinical development and clinical trials may have anti-cancer effects though impacting macrophage phenotype and function in addition to the cancer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla V. Myers
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Sarah R. Amend
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA
| | - Kenneth J. Pienta
- 0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Department of Urology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Oncology, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD USA ,0000 0001 2171 9311grid.21107.35Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD USA
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27
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Bacillus anthracis Edema Toxin Inhibits Efferocytosis in Human Macrophages and Alters Efferocytic Receptor Signaling. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20051167. [PMID: 30866434 PMCID: PMC6429438 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 02/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bacillus anthracis Edema Toxin (ET), composed of a Protective Antigen (PA) and the Edema Factor (EF), is a cellular adenylate cyclase that alters host responses by elevating cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) to supraphysiologic levels. However, the role of ET in systemic anthrax is unclear. Efferocytosis is a cAMP-sensitive, anti-inflammatory process of apoptotic cell engulfment, the inhibition of which may promote sepsis in systemic anthrax. Here, we tested the hypothesis that ET inhibits efferocytosis by primary human macrophages and evaluated the mechanisms of altered efferocytic signaling. ET, but not PA or EF alone, inhibited the efferocytosis of early apoptotic neutrophils (PMN) by primary human M2 macrophages (polarized with IL-4, IL-10, and/or dexamethasone) at concentrations relevant to those encountered in systemic infection. ET inhibited Protein S- and MFGE8-dependent efferocytosis initiated by signaling through MerTK and αVβ5 receptors, respectively. ET inhibited Rac1 activation as well as the phosphorylation of Rac1 and key activating sites of calcium calmodulin-dependent kinases CamK1α, CamK4, and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, that were induced by the exposure of M2(Dex) macrophages to Protein S-opsonized apoptotic PMN. These results show that ET impairs macrophage efferocytosis and alters efferocytic receptor signaling.
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28
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Smart SK, Vasileiadi E, Wang X, DeRyckere D, Graham DK. The Emerging Role of TYRO3 as a Therapeutic Target in Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 10:cancers10120474. [PMID: 30501104 PMCID: PMC6316664 DOI: 10.3390/cancers10120474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The TAM family (TYRO3, AXL, MERTK) tyrosine kinases play roles in diverse biological processes including immune regulation, clearance of apoptotic cells, platelet aggregation, and cell proliferation, survival, and migration. While AXL and MERTK have been extensively studied, less is known about TYRO3. Recent studies revealed roles for TYRO3 in cancer and suggest TYRO3 as a therapeutic target in this context. TYRO3 is overexpressed in many types of cancer and functions to promote tumor cell survival and/or proliferation, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy. In addition, higher levels of TYRO3 expression have been associated with decreased overall survival in patients with colorectal, hepatocellular, and breast cancers. Here we review the physiological roles for TYRO3 and its expression and functions in cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment, with emphasis on the signaling pathways that are regulated downstream of TYRO3 and emerging roles for TYRO3 in the immune system. Translational agents that target TYRO3 are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherri K Smart
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Eleana Vasileiadi
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
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29
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Zhao J, Zhang D, Zhang W, Stashko MA, DeRyckere D, Vasileiadi E, Parker RE, Hunter D, Liu Q, Zhang Y, Norris-Drouin J, Li B, Drewry DH, Kireev D, Graham DK, Earp HS, Frye SV, Wang X. Highly Selective MERTK Inhibitors Achieved by a Single Methyl Group. J Med Chem 2018; 61:10242-10254. [PMID: 30347155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Although all kinases share the same ATP binding pocket, subtle differences in the residues that form the pocket differentiate individual kinases' affinity for ATP competitive inhibitors. We have found that by introducing a single methyl group, the selectivity of our MERTK inhibitors over another target, FLT3, was increased up to 1000-fold (compound 31). Compound 19 was identified as an in vivo tool compound with subnanomolar activity against MERTK and 38-fold selectivity over FLT3 in vitro. The potency and selectivity of 19 for MERTK over FLT3 were confirmed in cell-based assays using human cancer cell lines. Compound 19 had favorable pharmacokinetic properties in mice. Phosphorylation of MERTK was decreased by 75% in bone marrow leukemia cells from mice treated with 19 compared to vehicle-treated mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jichen Zhao
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Dehui Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Weihe Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Michael A Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Eleana Vasileiadi
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Rebecca E Parker
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Debra Hunter
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Qingyang Liu
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Yuewei Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Jacqueline Norris-Drouin
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Bing Li
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - David H Drewry
- Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta and Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine , Emory University , Atlanta , Georgia 30322 , United States
| | - Henry Shelton Earp
- Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Department of Pharmacology , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Meryx, Inc. , 450 West Drive , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry , UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States.,Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine , University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill , Chapel Hill , North Carolina 27599 , United States
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30
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Miller MA, Kim E, Cuccarese MF, Plotkin AL, Prytyskach M, Kohler RH, Pittet MJ, Weissleder R. Near infrared imaging of Mer tyrosine kinase (MERTK) using MERi-SiR reveals tumor associated macrophage uptake in metastatic disease. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 54:42-45. [PMID: 29185561 DOI: 10.1039/c7cc07581b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase Mer (MERTK) is a promising drug target in cancer, where it can influence the metastasis-promoting signaling of both tumor cells and immune cells alike; however, no small molecule probes currently exist to selectively image Mer. In this work, we design and synthesize a selective near-infrared fluorescent molecular probe of Mer (MERi-SiR). Confocal microscopy of metastases in mice reveals predominant probe accumulation in Mer-expressing tumor-associated macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miles A Miller
- Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
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31
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von Mässenhausen A, Sanders C, Thewes B, Deng M, Queisser A, Vogel W, Kristiansen G, Duensing S, Schröck A, Bootz F, Brossart P, Kirfel J, Heasley L, Brägelmann J, Perner S. MERTK as a novel therapeutic target in head and neck cancer. Oncotarget 2017; 7:32678-94. [PMID: 27081701 PMCID: PMC5078043 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.8724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/28/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although head and neck cancer (HNSCC) is the sixth most common tumor entity worldwide therapy options remain limited leading to 5-year survival rates of only 50 %. MERTK is a promising therapeutic target in several tumor entities, however, its role in HNSCC has not been described yet. The aim of our study was to investigate the biological significance of MERTK and to evaluate its potential as a novel therapeutic target in this dismal tumor entity. In two large HNSCC cohorts (n=537 and n=520) we found that MERTK is overexpressed in one third of patients. In-vitro, MERTK overexpression led to increased proliferation, migration and invasion whereas MERTK inhibition with the small molecule inhibitor UNC1062 or MERTK knockdown reduced cell motility via the small GTPase RhoA. Taken together, we are the first to show that MERTK is frequently overexpressed in HNSCC and plays an important role in tumor cell motility. It might therefore be a potential target for selected patients suffering from this dismal tumor entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne von Mässenhausen
- Section of Prostate Cancer Research, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christine Sanders
- Section of Prostate Cancer Research, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Britta Thewes
- Section of Prostate Cancer Research, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Mario Deng
- Pathology of The University Hospital of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.,Leibniz Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Angela Queisser
- Section of Prostate Cancer Research, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Wenzel Vogel
- Pathology of The University Hospital of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.,Leibniz Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
| | - Glen Kristiansen
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stefan Duensing
- Department of Urology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schröck
- Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Friedrich Bootz
- Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Otorhinolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Brossart
- Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jutta Kirfel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lynn Heasley
- Department of Craniofacial Biology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Johannes Brägelmann
- Section of Prostate Cancer Research, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Center for Integrated Oncology Cologne/Bonn, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.,Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sven Perner
- Pathology of The University Hospital of Luebeck, Luebeck, Germany.,Leibniz Research Center Borstel, Borstel, Germany
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Abstract
Virtual screening (VS) is an efficient hit-finding tool. Its distinctive strength is that it allows one to screen compound libraries that are not available in the lab. Moreover, structure-based (SB) VS also enables an understanding of how the hit compounds bind the protein target, thus laying ground work for the rational hit-to-lead progression. SBVS requires a very limited experimental effort and is particularly well suited for academic labs and small biotech companies that, unlike pharmaceutical companies, do not have physical access to quality small-molecule libraries. Here, we describe SBVS of commercial compound libraries for Mer kinase inhibitors. The screening protocol relies on the docking algorithm Glide complemented by a post-docking filter based on structural protein-ligand interaction fingerprints (SPLIF).
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33
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Chen L, Fu W, Zheng L, Liu Z, Liang G. Recent Progress of Small-Molecule Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Inhibitors against C797S Resistance in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. J Med Chem 2017; 61:4290-4300. [PMID: 29136465 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been a particular interest for drug development for treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The current third-generation EGFR small-molecule inhibitors, especially osimertinib, are at the forefront clinically for treatment of patients with NSCLC. However, a high percentage of these treated patients developed a tertiary cystein-797 to serine-790 (C797S) mutation in the EGFR kinase domain. This C797S mutation is thought to induce resistance to all current irreversible EGFR TKIs. In this Miniperspective, we present key mechanisms of resistance in response to third-generation EGFR TKIs, and emerging reports on novel EGFR TKIs to combat the resistance. Specifically, we analyze the allosteric and ATP-competitive inhibitors in terms of drug discovery, binding mechanism, and their potency and selectivity against EGFR harboring C797S mutations. Lastly, we provide some perspectives on new challenges and future directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingfeng Chen
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , Zhejiang 325035 , China.,School of Chemical Engineering , Nanjing University of Science and Technology , Nanjing , Jiangsu 210094 , China
| | - Weitao Fu
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , Zhejiang 325035 , China
| | - Lulu Zheng
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , Zhejiang 325035 , China
| | - Zhiguo Liu
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , Zhejiang 325035 , China
| | - Guang Liang
- Chemical Biology Research Center at School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou , Zhejiang 325035 , China.,School of Chemical Engineering , Nanjing University of Science and Technology , Nanjing , Jiangsu 210094 , China
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34
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Zhao F, Shi Y, Huang Y, Zhan Y, Zhou L, Li Y, Wan Y, Li H, Huang H, Ruan H, Luo L, Li L. Irf8 regulates the progression of myeloproliferative neoplasm-like syndrome via Mertk signaling in zebrafish. Leukemia 2017. [PMID: 28626217 DOI: 10.1038/leu.2017.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-8 is a critical transcription factor involved in the pathogenesis of myeloid neoplasia. However, the underlying mechanisms in vivo are not well known. Investigation of irf8-mutant zebrafish in this study indicated that Irf8 is evolutionarily conserved as an essential neoplastic suppressor through tight control of the proliferation and longevity of myeloid cells. Surviving irf8 mutants quickly developed a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN)-like disease with enhanced output of the myeloid precursors, which recurred after transplantation. Multiple molecules presented notable alteration and Mertk signaling was aberrantly activated in the hematopoietic cells in irf8 mutants. Transgenic mertk overexpression in Tg(coro1a:mertk) zebrafish recapitulated the myeloid neoplasia-like syndrome in irf8 mutants. Moreover, functional interference with Mertk, via morpholino knockdown or genetic disruption, attenuated the myeloid expansion phenotype caused by Irf8 deficiency. Therefore, Mertk signaling is a critical downstream player in the Irf8-mediated regulation of the progression of myeloid neoplasia. Our study extends the understanding of the mechanisms underlying leukemogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Y Shi
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Y Huang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Y Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - L Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Y Li
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Key Laboratory of Cytomics, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Y Wan
- Biomedical Analysis Center, Key Laboratory of Cytomics, The Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - H Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - H Huang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - H Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - L Luo
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - L Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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35
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McIver AL, Zhang W, Liu Q, Jiang X, Stashko MA, Nichols J, Miley MJ, Norris-Drouin J, Machius M, DeRyckere D, Wood E, Graham DK, Earp HS, Kireev D, Frye SV, Wang X. Discovery of Macrocyclic Pyrimidines as MerTK-Specific Inhibitors. ChemMedChem 2017; 12:207-213. [PMID: 28032464 PMCID: PMC5336325 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201600589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2016] [Revised: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Macrocycles have attracted significant attention in drug discovery recently. In fact, a few de novo designed macrocyclic kinase inhibitors are currently in clinical trials with good potency and selectivity for their intended target. In this study, we successfully engaged a structure-based drug design approach to discover macrocyclic pyrimidines as potent Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK)-specific inhibitors. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 384-well format was employed to evaluate the inhibitory activity of macrocycles in a cell-based assay assessing tyrosine phosphorylation of MerTK. Through structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies, analogue 11 [UNC2541; (S)-7-amino-N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-8-oxo-2,9,16-triaza-1(2,4)-pyrimidinacyclohexadecaphane-1-carboxamide] was identified as a potent and MerTK-specific inhibitor that exhibits sub-micromolar inhibitory activity in the cell-based ELISA. In addition, an X-ray structure of MerTK protein in complex with 11 was resolved to show that these macrocycles bind in the MerTK ATP pocket.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew L. McIver
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Weihe Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Qingyang Liu
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Xinpeng Jiang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Michael A. Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | | | - Michael J Miley
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jacqueline Norris-Drouin
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Mischa Machius
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | | | - Douglas K. Graham
- Meryx, Inc., USA
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Meryx, Inc., USA
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
- Meryx, Inc., USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
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36
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Wang X, Liu J, Zhang W, Stashko MA, Nichols J, Miley M, Norris-Drouin J, Chen Z, Machius M, DeRyckere D, Wood E, Graham DK, Earp HS, Kireev D, Frye SV. Design and Synthesis of Novel Macrocyclic Mer Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors. ACS Med Chem Lett 2016; 7:1044-1049. [PMID: 27994735 PMCID: PMC5151143 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.6b00221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) is aberrantly elevated in various tumor cells and has a normal anti-inflammatory role in the innate immune system. Inhibition of MerTK may provide dual effects against these MerTK-expressing tumors through reducing cancer cell survival and redirecting the innate immune response. Recently, we have designed novel and potent macrocyclic pyrrolopyrimidines as MerTK inhibitors using a structure-based approach. The most active macrocycles had an EC50 below 40 nM in a cell-based MerTK phosphor-protein ELISA assay. The X-ray structure of macrocyclic analogue 3 complexed with MerTK was also resolved and demonstrated macrocycles binding in the ATP binding pocket of the MerTK protein as anticipated. In addition, the lead compound 16 (UNC3133) had a 1.6 h half-life and 16% oral bioavailability in a mouse PK study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Wang
- Center
for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical
Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jing Liu
- Center
for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical
Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Weihe Zhang
- Center
for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical
Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Michael A. Stashko
- Center
for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical
Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - James Nichols
- Meryx,
Inc., 450 West Dr., Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Michael
J. Miley
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jacqueline Norris-Drouin
- Center
for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical
Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Zhilong Chen
- Center
for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical
Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Mischa Machius
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac
Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare
of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Edgar Wood
- Meryx,
Inc., 450 West Dr., Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Meryx,
Inc., 450 West Dr., Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Aflac
Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare
of Atlanta, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- Center
for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical
Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Meryx,
Inc., 450 West Dr., Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- Center
for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical
Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- Center
for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Division of Chemical
Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Meryx,
Inc., 450 West Dr., Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
- Lineberger
Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
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37
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Targeting the TAM Receptors in Leukemia. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:cancers8110101. [PMID: 27834816 PMCID: PMC5126761 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8110101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Targeted inhibition of members of the TAM (TYRO-3, AXL, MERTK) family of receptor tyrosine kinases has recently been investigated as a novel strategy for treatment of hematologic malignancies. The physiologic functions of the TAM receptors in innate immune control, natural killer (NK) cell differentiation, efferocytosis, clearance of apoptotic debris, and hemostasis have previously been described and more recent data implicate TAM kinases as important regulators of erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis. The TAM receptors are aberrantly or ectopically expressed in many hematologic malignancies including acute myeloid leukemia, B- and T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and multiple myeloma. TAM receptors contribute to leukemic phenotypes through activation of pro-survival signaling pathways and interplay with other oncogenic proteins such as FLT3, LYN, and FGFR3. The TAM receptors also contribute to resistance to both cytotoxic chemotherapeutics and targeted agents, making them attractive therapeutic targets. A number of translational strategies for TAM inhibition are in development, including small molecule inhibitors, ligand traps, and monoclonal antibodies. Emerging areas of research include modulation of TAM receptors to enhance anti-tumor immunity, potential roles for TYRO-3 in leukemogenesis, and the function of the bone marrow microenvironment in mediating resistance to TAM inhibition.
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38
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Determination of structural requirements of Mer kinase inhibitors and binding interaction analysis using in silico approaches. Med Chem Res 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-016-1722-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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39
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Healy LM, Perron G, Won SY, Michell-Robinson MA, Rezk A, Ludwin SK, Moore CS, Hall JA, Bar-Or A, Antel JP. MerTK Is a Functional Regulator of Myelin Phagocytosis by Human Myeloid Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2016; 196:3375-84. [PMID: 26962228 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1502562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Multifocal inflammatory lesions featuring destruction of lipid-rich myelin are pathologic hallmarks of multiple sclerosis. Lesion activity is assessed by the extent and composition of myelin uptake by myeloid cells present in such lesions. In the inflamed CNS, myeloid cells are comprised of brain-resident microglia, an endogenous cell population, and monocyte-derived macrophages, which infiltrate from the systemic compartment. Using microglia isolated from the adult human brain, we demonstrate that myelin phagocytosis is dependent on the polarization state of the cells. Myelin ingestion is significantly enhanced in cells exposed to TGF-β compared with resting basal conditions and markedly reduced in classically activated polarized cells. Transcriptional analysis indicated that TGF-β-treated microglia closely resembled M0 cells. The tyrosine kinase phagocytic receptor MerTK was one of the most upregulated among a select number of differentially expressed genes in TGF-β-treated microglia. In contrast, MerTK and its known ligands, growth arrest-specific 6 and Protein S, were downregulated in classically activated cells. MerTK expression and myelin phagocytosis were higher in CNS-derived microglia than observed in monocyte-derived macrophages, both basally and under all tested polarization conditions. Specific MerTK inhibitors reduced myelin phagocytosis and the resultant anti-inflammatory biased cytokine responses for both cell types. Defining and modulating the mechanisms that regulate myelin phagocytosis has the potential to impact lesion and disease evolution in multiple sclerosis. Relevant effects would include enhancing myelin clearance, increasing anti-inflammatory molecule production by myeloid cells, and thereby permitting subsequent tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke M Healy
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Gabrielle Perron
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - So-Yoon Won
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | | | - Ayman Rezk
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Samuel K Ludwin
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Craig S Moore
- Division of BioMedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland A1B 3V6, Canada; and
| | - Jeffery A Hall
- Department of Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Amit Bar-Or
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Jack P Antel
- Neuroimmunology Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada;
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40
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Axl and Mer Receptor Tyrosine Kinases: Distinct and Nonoverlapping Roles in Inflammation and Cancer? ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2016; 930:113-32. [PMID: 27558819 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-39406-0_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinases Axl and Mer subserve the process of termination of proinflammatory signaling and have key roles in both the resolution of inflammation and restoration of homeostasis. Axl functions prominently under conditions of tissue stress or in response to infection, whereas Mer has a major role in maintenance of homeostasis within tissues. Distinct patterns of expression of Axl and Mer underlie their clearly defined functional roles during the initiation and progression of inflammation. Axl and Mer are expressed by tumor cells and by infiltrating inflammatory cells and the regulation of cellular function via Axl and Mer signaling is also important for tumorigenesis, tumor progression, and metastasis. In this review, we consider the divergent functions of Axl and Mer in the context of inflammatory processes within tumors and the implications for development of therapeutic agents targeting these receptors.
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41
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Myers SH, Brunton VG, Unciti-Broceta A. AXL Inhibitors in Cancer: A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective. J Med Chem 2015; 59:3593-608. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b01273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel H. Myers
- Edinburgh Cancer Research
UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, U.K
| | - Valerie G. Brunton
- Edinburgh Cancer Research
UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, U.K
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Edinburgh Cancer Research
UK Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Crewe Road South, Edinburgh EH4 2XR, U.K
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42
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Baladi T, Abet V, Piguel S. State-of-the-art of small molecule inhibitors of the TAM family: the point of view of the chemist. Eur J Med Chem 2015; 105:220-37. [PMID: 26498569 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The TAM family of tyrosine kinases receptors (Tyro3, Axl and Mer) is implicated in cancer development, autoimmune reactions and viral infection and is therefore emerging as an effective and attractive therapeutic target. To date, only a few small molecules have been intentionally designed to block the TAM kinases, while most of the inhibitors were developed for blocking different protein kinases and then identified through selectivity profile studies. This minireview will examine in terms of chemical structure the different compounds able to act on either one, two or three TAM kinases with details about structure-activity relationships, drug-metabolism and pharmacokinetics properties where they exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Baladi
- Institut Curie/UMR9187-U1196, 91405 Orsay cedex, France; Univ Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France
| | | | - Sandrine Piguel
- Institut Curie/UMR9187-U1196, 91405 Orsay cedex, France; Univ Paris Sud, 91405 Orsay cedex, France.
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43
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Cummings CT, Linger RMA, Cohen RA, Sather S, Kirkpatrick GD, Davies KD, DeRyckere D, Earp HS, Graham DK. Mer590, a novel monoclonal antibody targeting MER receptor tyrosine kinase, decreases colony formation and increases chemosensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer. Oncotarget 2015; 5:10434-45. [PMID: 25372020 PMCID: PMC4279384 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The successes of targeted therapeutics against EGFR and ALK in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have demonstrated the substantial survival gains made possible by precision therapy. However, the majority of patients do not have tumors with genetic alterations responsive to these therapies, and therefore identification of new targets is needed. Our laboratory previously identified MER receptor tyrosine kinase as one such potential target. We now report our findings targeting MER with a clinically translatable agent – Mer590, a monoclonal antibody specific for MER. Mer590 rapidly and robustly reduced surface and total MER levels in multiple cell lines. Treatment reduced surface MER levels by 87%, and this effect was maximal within four hours. Total MER levels were also dramatically reduced, and this persisted for at least seven days. Mechanistically, MER down-regulation was mediated by receptor internalization and degradation, leading to inhibition of downstream signaling through STAT6, AKT, and ERK1/2. Functionally, this resulted in increased apoptosis, increased chemosensitivity to carboplatin, and decreased colony formation. In addition to carboplatin, Mer590 interacted cooperatively with shRNA-mediated MER inhibition to augment apoptosis. These data demonstrate that MER inhibition can be achieved with a monoclonal antibody in NSCLC. Optimization toward a clinically available anti-MER antibody is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Cummings
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Rachel M A Linger
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Parker, CO, USA
| | - Rebecca A Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Susan Sather
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Gregory D Kirkpatrick
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Kurtis D Davies
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, NC, USA. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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Balupuri A, Balasubramanian PK, Cho SJ. Molecular modeling study on Mer kinase inhibitors using 3D-QSAR and docking approaches. Med Chem Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00044-015-1416-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Cummings CT, Zhang W, Davies KD, Kirkpatrick GD, Zhang D, DeRyckere D, Wang X, Frye SV, Earp HS, Graham DK. Small Molecule Inhibition of MERTK Is Efficacious in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Models Independent of Driver Oncogene Status. Mol Cancer Ther 2015; 14:2014-22. [PMID: 26162689 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-15-0116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been transformed by targeted therapies directed against molecular aberrations specifically activated within an individual patient's tumor. However, such therapies are currently only available against a small number of such aberrations, and new targets and therapeutics are needed. Our laboratory has previously identified the MERTK receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) as a potential drug target in multiple cancer types, including NSCLC. We have recently developed UNC2025--the first-in-class small molecule inhibitor targeting MERTK with pharmacokinetic properties sufficient for clinical translation. Here, we utilize this compound to further validate the important emerging biologic functions of MERTK in lung cancer pathogenesis, to establish that MERTK can be effectively targeted by a clinically translatable agent, and to demonstrate that inhibition of MERTK is a valid treatment strategy in a wide variety of NSCLC lines independent of their driver oncogene status, including in lines with an EGFR mutation, a KRAS/NRAS mutation, an RTK fusion, or another or unknown driver oncogene. Biochemically, we report the selectivity of UNC2025 for MERTK, and its inhibition of oncogenic downstream signaling. Functionally, we demonstrate that UNC2025 induces apoptosis of MERTK-dependent NSCLC cell lines, while decreasing colony formation in vitro and tumor xenograft growth in vivo in murine models. These findings provide further evidence for the importance of MERTK in NSCLC, and demonstrate that MERTK inhibition by UNC2025 is a feasible, clinically relevant treatment strategy in a wide variety of NSCLC subtypes, which warrants further investigation in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher T Cummings
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Weihe Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Kurtis D Davies
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Gregory D Kirkpatrick
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Dehui Zhang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Stephen V Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery and Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - H Shelton Earp
- Department of Medicine, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Douglas K Graham
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology, Oncology, and Bone Marrow Transplantation, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado.
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Abstract
Introduction The role of MerTK has not been assessed in gastric cancer (GC). The aim of this study was to identify a subgroup of GC patients with MerTK tumor overexpression, and to evaluate MerTK as a potential therapeutic target in this disease. Methods Protein and mRNA expression of MerTK were evaluated, and other various in vitro analyses including shRNA transfection, cell cycle anslysis, MTS assay and colony forming assay were carried out with GC cell lines and GC patient-derived cells (PDCs). Results shRNA-mediated knockdown of MerTK resulted in inhibition of cell growth, as well as increased cellular apoptosis in MerTK positive GC cells. Out of 192 GC patients, 16 (8.3%) patients showed strong protein expression and they had a significantly shorter overall survival compared to those with no MerTK expression. In 54 cases of GC PDCs, 4 cases (7.4%) showed mRNA overexpression, which was comparable to the protein expression rate. When we administered UNC1062, a novel MerTK-selective small molecular tyrosine kinase inhibitor, proliferation of MerTK overexpressing GC cells and PDCs were considerably inhibited. Conclusion MerTK may be involved in GC carcinogenesis, and it could be a potential novel therapeutic target in GC patients.
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Lee-Sherick AB, Zhang W, Menachof KK, Hill AA, Rinella S, Kirkpatrick G, Page LS, Stashko MA, Jordan CT, Wei Q, Liu J, Zhang D, DeRyckere D, Wang X, Frye S, Earp HS, Graham DK. Efficacy of a Mer and Flt3 tyrosine kinase small molecule inhibitor, UNC1666, in acute myeloid leukemia. Oncotarget 2015; 6:6722-36. [PMID: 25762638 PMCID: PMC4466645 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.3156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Mer and Flt3 receptor tyrosine kinases have been implicated as therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). In this manuscript we describe UNC1666, a novel ATP-competitive small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which potently diminishes Mer and Flt3 phosphorylation in AML. Treatment with UNC1666 mediated biochemical and functional effects in AML cell lines expressing Mer or Flt3 internal tandem duplication (ITD), including decreased phosphorylation of Mer, Flt3 and downstream effectors Stat, Akt and Erk, induction of apoptosis in up to 98% of cells, and reduction of colony formation by greater than 90%, compared to treatment with vehicle. These effects were dose-dependent, with inhibition of downstream signaling and functional effects correlating with the degree of Mer or Flt3 kinase inhibition. Treatment of primary AML patient samples expressing Mer and/or Flt3-ITD with UNC1666 also inhibited Mer and Flt3 intracellular signaling, induced apoptosis, and inhibited colony formation. In summary, UNC1666 is a novel potent small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that decreases oncogenic signaling and myeloblast survival, thereby validating dual Mer/Flt3 inhibition as an attractive treatment strategy for AML.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Weihe Zhang
- University of North Carolina, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Amanda A. Hill
- University of Colorado, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Sean Rinella
- University of Colorado, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Lauren S. Page
- University of Colorado, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Michael A. Stashko
- University of North Carolina, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Craig T. Jordan
- University of Colorado, Department of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Qi Wei
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Department of Pathology, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Jing Liu
- University of North Carolina, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Dehui Zhang
- University of North Carolina, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Xiaodong Wang
- University of North Carolina, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Stephen Frye
- University of North Carolina, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- University of North Carolina, Department of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Da C, Stashko M, Jayakody C, Wang X, Janzen W, Frye S, Kireev D. Discovery of Mer kinase inhibitors by virtual screening using Structural Protein-Ligand Interaction Fingerprints. Bioorg Med Chem 2015; 23:1096-101. [PMID: 25638502 PMCID: PMC4339536 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2014] [Revised: 12/25/2014] [Accepted: 01/01/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Mer is a receptor tyrosine kinase implicated in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common malignancy in children. The currently available data provide a rationale for development of Mer kinase inhibitors as cancer therapeutics that can target both cell autologous and immune-modulatory anti-tumor effects. We have previously reported several series of potent Mer inhibitors and the objective of the current report is to identify a chemically dissimilar back-up series that might circumvent potential, but currently unknown, flaws inherent to the lead series. To this end, we virtually screened a database of ∼3.8million commercially available compounds using high-throughput docking followed by a filter involving Structural Protein-Ligand Interaction Fingerprints (SPLIF). SPLIF permits a quantitative assessment of whether a docking pose interacts with the protein target similarly to an endogenous or known synthetic ligand, and therefore helps to improve both sensitivity and specificity with respect to the docking score alone. Of the total of 62 experimentally tested compounds, 15 demonstrated reliable dose-dependent responses in the Mer in vitro kinase activity assay with inhibitory potencies ranging from 0.46μM to 9.9μM.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Da
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7360, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7363, United States
| | - M Stashko
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7360, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7363, United States
| | - C Jayakody
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7360, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7363, United States
| | - X Wang
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7360, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7363, United States
| | - W Janzen
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7360, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7363, United States
| | - S Frye
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7360, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7363, United States
| | - D Kireev
- Center for Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #7360, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7363, United States.
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Mer tyrosine kinase promotes the survival of t(1;19)-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the central nervous system (CNS). Blood 2015; 125:820-30. [DOI: 10.1182/blood-2014-06-583062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Key Points
Mer mediates quiescence and chemotherapy resistance in a CNS coculture model and causes CNS infiltration in immunodeficient mice. Mer expression correlates with CNS positivity upon initial diagnosis in t(1;19)-positive pediatric ALL patients.
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Graham DK, DeRyckere D, Davies KD, Earp HS. The TAM family: phosphatidylserine sensing receptor tyrosine kinases gone awry in cancer. Nat Rev Cancer 2014; 14:769-85. [PMID: 25568918 DOI: 10.1038/nrc3847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 518] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The TYRO3, AXL (also known as UFO) and MERTK (TAM) family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) are aberrantly expressed in multiple haematological and epithelial malignancies. Rather than functioning as oncogenic drivers, their induction in tumour cells predominately promotes survival, chemoresistance and motility. The unique mode of maximal activation of this RTK family requires an extracellular lipid–protein complex. For example, the protein ligand, growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6), binds to phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) that is externalized on apoptotic cell membranes, which activates MERTK on macrophages. This triggers engulfment of apoptotic material and subsequent anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization. In tumours, autocrine and paracrine ligands and apoptotic cells are abundant, which provide a survival signal to the tumour cell and favour an anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive microenvironment. Thus, TAM kinase inhibition could stimulate antitumour immunity, reduce tumour cell survival, enhance chemosensitivity and diminish metastatic potential.
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