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Lu L, Huang Y, Song M, Sun N, Xia L, Yu M, Zhao M, Qiu R, Chen JA, Zhao Y, Wang H, Guo H, Li Y, Zhu D, Wang Y, Xie Q. Discovery of Biaryl Amide Derivatives as Potent, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable RORγt Agonists for Cancer Immunotherapy. J Med Chem 2023; 66:16091-16108. [PMID: 37982494 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01492] [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: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
The master transcription factor receptor retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) regulates the differentiation of T-helper 17 (Th17) cells and the production of interleukin-17 (IL-17). Activation of RORγt+ T cells in the tumor microenvironment promotes immune infiltration to more effectively inhibit tumor growth. Therefore, RORγt agonists provide a reachable approach to cancer immunotherapy. Herein, a series of biaryl amide derivatives as novel RORγt agonists were designed, synthesized, and evaluated. Starting from the reported RORγt inverse agonist GSK805 (1), "functionality switching" and structure-based drug optimization led to the discovery of a promising RORγt agonist lead compound 14, which displayed potent and selective RORγt agonist activity and significantly improved metabolic stability. With excellent in vivo pharmacokinetic profiles, compound 14 demonstrated robust efficacy in preclinical tumor models of mouse B16F10 melanoma and LLC lung adenocarcinoma. Taken together, current studies indicate that 14 deserves further investigation as a potential lead RORγt agonist for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lixue Lu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yafei Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Meiqi Song
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Nannan Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Li Xia
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mingcheng Yu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Meiling Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ruomeng Qiu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Ji-An Chen
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yunpeng Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Haojie Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Huimin Guo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Di Zhu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qiong Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
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Pastwińska J, Karwaciak I, Karaś K, Bachorz RA, Ratajewski M. RORγT agonists as immune modulators in anticancer therapy. Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer 2023; 1878:189021. [PMID: 37951483 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2023.189021] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
RORγT is a transcription factor that directs the development of Th17 lymphocytes and other IL-17-expressing cells (e.g., Tc17 and ILC3 cells). These cells are involved in the body's defense against pathogenic bacteria and fungi, but they also participate in maintaining the proinflammatory environment in some autoimmune diseases and play a role in the immune system's response to cancer. Similar to other members of the nuclear receptor superfamily, the activity of RORγT is regulated by low-molecular-weight ligands. Therefore, extensive efforts have been dedicated to identifying inverse agonists that diminish the activity of this receptor and subsequently inhibit the development of autoimmune diseases. Unfortunately, in the pursuit of an ideal inverse agonist, the development of agonists has been overlooked. It is important to remember that these types of compounds, by stimulating lymphocytes expressing RORγT (Th17 and Tc17), can enhance the immune system's response to tumors. In this review, we present recent advancements in the biology of RORγT agonists and their potential application in anticancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Pastwińska
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Iwona Karwaciak
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Kaja Karaś
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Rafał A Bachorz
- Laboratory of Molecular Modeling, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland
| | - Marcin Ratajewski
- Laboratory of Epigenetics, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Lodowa 106, 93-232 Lodz, Poland.
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Mei L, Xu L, Wu S, Wang Y, Xu C, Wang L, Zhang X, Yu C, Jiang H, Zhang X, Bai F, Xie C. Discovery, structural optimization, and anti-tumor bioactivity evaluations of betulinic acid derivatives as a new type of RORγ antagonists. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 257:115472. [PMID: 37236000 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Betulinic acid (BA) is a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid that has a wide range of biological and pharmacological effects. Here, computational methods such as pharmacophore screening and reverse docking were used to predict the potential target for BA. Retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor gamma (RORγ) was confirmed as its target by several molecular assays as well as crystal complex structure determination. RORγ has been the focus of metabolic regulation, but its potential role in cancer treatment has only recently come to the fore. In this study, rationale optimization of BA was performed and several new derivatives were generated. Among them, the compound 22 showed stronger binding affinity with RORγ (KD = 180 nM), good anti-proliferative activity against cancer cell lines, and potent anti-tumor efficacy with a TGI value of 71.6% (at a dose of 15 mg/kg) in the HPAF-II pancreatic cancer xenograft model. Further RNA-seq analysis and cellular validation experiments supported that RORγ antagonism was closely related to the antitumor activity of BA and 22, resulting in suppression of the RAS/MAPK and AKT/mTORC1 pathway and inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells. RORγ was highly expressed in cancer cells and tissues and positively correlated with the poor prognosis of cancer patients. These results suggest that BA derivatives are potential RORγ antagonists worthy of further exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianghe Mei
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Drug Discovery and Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lansong Xu
- Drug Discovery and Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Anhui Provincial Hospital), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China; Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Sanan Wu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Yafang Wang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Chao Xu
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Lin Wang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Xingyu Zhang
- China Suzhou Institute of Drug Innovation, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China
| | - Chengcheng Yu
- Drug Discovery and Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, China; Drug Discovery and Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Xianglei Zhang
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Fang Bai
- Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; Shanghai Clinical Research and Trial Center, Shanghai, 201210, China.
| | - Chengying Xie
- Drug Discovery and Development Center, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai, 201203, China; Shanghai Institute for Advanced Immunochemical Studies, ShanghaiTech University, 393 Middle Huaxia Road, Shanghai, 201210, China; School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China; Lingang Laboratory, Shanghai, 200031, China.
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4
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Zhang J, Chen B, Zhang C, Sun N, Huang X, Wang W, Fu W. Modes of action insights from the crystallographic structures of retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt). Eur J Med Chem 2023; 247:115039. [PMID: 36566711 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2022.115039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
RORγt plays an important role in mediating IL-17 production and some tumor cells. It has four functional domains, of which the ligand-binding domain (LBD) is responsible for binding agonists to recruit co-activators or inverse agonists to prevent co-activator recruiting the agonists. Thus, potent ligands targeting the LBD of this protein could provide novel treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases. In this perspective, we summarized and discussed various modes of action (MOA) of RORγt-ligand binding structures. The ligands can bind with RORγt at either orthosteric site or the allosteric site, and the binding modes at these two sites are different for agonists and inverse agonist. At the orthosteric site, the binding of agonist is to stabilize the H479-Y502-F506 triplet interaction network of RORγt. The binding of inverse agonist features as these four apparent ways: (1) blocking the entrance of the agonist pocket in RORγt; (2) directly breaking the H479-Y502 pair interactions; (3) destabilizing the triplet H479-Y502-F506 interaction network through perturbing the conformation of the side chain in M358 at the bottom of the binding pocket; (4) and destabilizing the triplet H479-Y502-F506 through changing the conformation of the side chain of residue W317 side chain. At the allosteric site of RORγt, the binding of inverse agonist was found recently to inhibit the activation of protein by interacting directly with H12, which results in unfolding of helix 11' and orientation of H12 to directly block cofactor peptide binding. This overview of recent advances in the RORγt structures is expected to provide a guidance of designing more potent drugs to treat RORγt-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Zhang
- School of Pharmacy & Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201301, PR China
| | - Baiyu Chen
- School of Pharmacy & Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201301, PR China
| | - Chao Zhang
- School of Pharmacy & Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201301, PR China
| | - Nannan Sun
- School of Pharmacy & Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201301, PR China
| | - Xiaoqin Huang
- Center for Research Computing, Office of Information Technology, Center for Theoretical Biological Physics, Rice University, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Wuqing Wang
- School of Pharmacy & Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201301, PR China
| | - Wei Fu
- School of Pharmacy & Minhang Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201301, PR China.
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5
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Wu Y, Yang Z, Cheng K, Bi H, Chen J. Small molecule-based immunomodulators for cancer therapy. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:4287-4308. [PMID: 36562003 PMCID: PMC9764074 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapy has led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer. Current cancer immunotherapies are mostly antibody-based, thus possessing advantages in regard to pharmacodynamics (e.g., specificity and efficacy). However, they have limitations in terms of pharmacokinetics including long half-lives, poor tissue/tumor penetration, and little/no oral bioavailability. In addition, therapeutic antibodies are immunogenic, thus may cause unwanted adverse effects. Therefore, researchers have shifted their efforts towards the development of small molecule-based cancer immunotherapy, as small molecules may overcome the above disadvantages associated with antibodies. Further, small molecule-based immunomodulators and therapeutic antibodies are complementary modalities for cancer treatment, and may be combined to elicit synergistic effects. Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of small molecule-based cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we describe the current progress in small molecule-based immunomodulators (inhibitors/agonists/degraders) for cancer therapy, including those targeting PD-1/PD-L1, chemokine receptors, stimulator of interferon genes (STING), Toll-like receptor (TLR), etc. The tumorigenesis mechanism of various targets and their respective modulators that have entered clinical trials are also summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Kui Cheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Huichang Bi
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jianjun Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of New Drug Screening, NMPA Key Laboratory for Research and Evaluation of Drug Metabolism, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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6
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Li Z, Liu T, He X, Bai C. The evolution paths of some reprehensive scaffolds of RORγt modulators, a perspective from medicinal chemistry. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 228:113962. [PMID: 34776280 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The ligand binding domain (LBD) of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptor γt (RORγt) has been exploited as a promising target for the new small molecule therapeutics to cure autoimmune diseases via modulating the IL-17 and IL-22 production by Th17 cells. Diverse chemical scaffolds of these small molecules have been discovered by multiple groups with methods such as high throughput screening (HTS) and virtual screening. These different scaffolds are further developed by medicinal chemists to afford lead compounds the best of which enter clinical trials. In this review, we summarize these chemical scaffolds and their evolution paths according to the groups in which they have been discovered or studied. We combine the data of the chemistry, biological assays and structural biology of each chemical scaffold, in order to afford insight to develop new RORγt modulators with higher potency, less toxicity and elucidated working mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuohao Li
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China; Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China; Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Xixin He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Chuan Bai
- Institute of Human Virology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China; Guangdong Engineering Research Center for Antimicrobial Agent and Immunotechnology, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China.
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7
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Ma X, Sun N, Li X, Fu W. Discovery of novel N-sulfonamide-tetrahydroisoquinolines as potent retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt agonists. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 222:113585. [PMID: 34118722 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy has become a research hotspot in recent years. A variety of targets were developed for small molecule immuno-oncology agents, including retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt), chemokine receptor, stimulator of interferon genes (Sting), indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), toll-like receptors (TLR), etc. Among them, the retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) has gradually attracted more attention in these years. In particular, LYC-55716 (cintirorgon), a small molecule RORγt agonist developed by Lycera, has entered the phase II clinical study. In this work, starting from compound 7, compound 28 was obtained after 4 rounds of compound design, synthesis and SAR studies, which had an EC50 of 0.021 ± 0.002 μM in dual Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (dual-FRET) assay and an EC50 of 0.021 ± 0.002 μM in mouse Th17 cell differentiation assay. It indicated that compound 28 had excellent RORγt agonistic activity and was expected to be developed as a new type of small molecule drug for cancer immunotherapy. The molecular dynamic simulation revealed that the agonist 28 formed a strong HYF triplet intramolecular interaction to stabilize H12, which helped RORγt to form the protein-binding site and therefore made the receptor ready to recruit coactivator. When the inverse agonist s27 bound with RORγt, the steric hindrance between s27 and H479 caused the destruction of the HYF triplet, leading to the collapse of H12, thus the transcription function of RORγt was interrupted due to the failure of recruiting a coactivator molecule. The triplet HYF in RORγt and the rigidity of 28 and s27 were identified to be the structural determinants for the functional switch of RORγt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojun Ma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Nannan Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xinwei Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, No. 826 Zhangheng Road, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Ruan Z, Park PK, Wei D, Purandare A, Wan H, O'Malley D, Stachura S, Perez H, Cavallaro CL, Weigelt CA, Sack JS, Ruzanov M, Khan J, Gururajan M, Wong JJ, Huang Y, Yarde M, Li Z, Chen C, Sun H, Borowski V, Xie JH, Anthony M, Agler M, Fink BE, Harikrishnan LS. Substituted diaryl ether compounds as retinoic acid-related orphan Receptor-γt (RORγt) agonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2021; 35:127778. [PMID: 33422603 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2021.127778] [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: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of a series of substituted diarylether compounds as retinoic acid related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) agonists is described. Compound 1 was identified from deck mining as a RORγt agonist. Hit-to-lead optimization led to the identification of lead compound 5, which possesses improved potency (10x). Extensive SAR exploration led to the identification of a potent and selective compound 22, that demonstrated an improved pharmacokinetic profile and a dose-dependent pharmacodynamic response. However, when dosed in a MC38 syngeneic tumor model, no evidence of efficacy was observed. ©2020 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheming Ruan
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - Peter K Park
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Donna Wei
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Ashok Purandare
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Honghe Wan
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Daniel O'Malley
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Sylwia Stachura
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Heidi Perez
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Cullen L Cavallaro
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Carolyn A Weigelt
- Molecular Structure & Design, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - John S Sack
- Molecular Structure & Design, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Max Ruzanov
- Molecular Structure & Design, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Javed Khan
- Molecular Structure & Design, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Murali Gururajan
- Immuno-Oncology Small Molecule Biology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Jessica J Wong
- Immuno-Oncology Small Molecule Biology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Yanling Huang
- Immuno-Oncology Small Molecule Biology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Melissa Yarde
- Lead Discovery & Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Zhuyin Li
- Lead Discovery & Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Cliff Chen
- Preclinical Candidate Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Huadong Sun
- Preclinical Candidate Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Virna Borowski
- In vivo Pharmacology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Jenny H Xie
- In vivo Pharmacology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Monique Anthony
- Lead Discovery & Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Michele Agler
- Lead Discovery & Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Brian E Fink
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Lalgudi S Harikrishnan
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
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9
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Xia Y, Yu M, Zhao Y, Xia L, Huang Y, Sun N, Song M, Guo H, Zhang Y, Zhu D, Xie Q, Wang Y. Discovery of tetrahydroquinolines and benzomorpholines as novel potent RORγt agonists. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 211:113013. [PMID: 33272782 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.113013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptor γt (RORγt) is an important nuclear receptor that regulates the differentiation of Th17 cells and production of interleukin 17(IL-17). RORγt agonists increase basal activity of RORγt and could provide a potential approach to cancer immunotherapy. Herein, hit compound 1 was identified as a weak RORγt agonist during in-house library screening. Changes in LHS core of 1 led to the identification of tetrahydroquinoline compound 6 as a partial RORγt agonist (max. act. = 39.3%). Detailed structure-activity relationship on substituent of the LHS core, amide linker and RHS arylsulfonyl moiety was explored and a novel series of tetrahydroquinolines and benzomorpholines was discovered as potent RORγt agonists. Tetrahydroquinoline compound 8g (EC50 = 8.9 ± 0.4 nM, max. act. = 104.5%) and benzomorpholine compound 9g (EC50 = 7.5 ± 0.6 nM, max. act. = 105.8%) were representative compounds with high RORγt agonistic activity in dual FRET assay, and they showed good activity in cell-based Gal4 reporter gene assay and Th17 cell differentiation assay (104.5% activation at 300 nM of 8g; 59.4% activation at 300 nM of 9g). The binding modes of 8g and 9g as well as the two RORγt inverse agonists accidentally discovered were also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuehan Xia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Mingcheng Yu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yunpeng Zhao
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Li Xia
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yafei Huang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Nannan Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China; Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Molecular Medicine, The Ministry of Education, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Meiqi Song
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Huimin Guo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Yunyi Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Di Zhu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Qiong Xie
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China; Fudan Zhangjiang Institute, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Yonghui Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, 826 ZhanghengRoad, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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10
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Harikrishnan LS, Gill P, Kamau MG, Qin LY, Ruan Z, O'Malley D, Huynh T, Stachura S, Cavallaro CL, Lu Z, J-W Duan J, Weigelt CA, Sack JS, Ruzanov M, Khan J, Gururajan M, Wong JJ, Huang Y, Yarde M, Li Z, Chen C, Sun H, Borowski V, Murtaza A, Fink BE. Substituted benzyloxytricyclic compounds as retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt) agonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2020; 30:127204. [PMID: 32334911 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2020.127204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Substituted benzyloxy aryl compound 2 was identified as an RORγt agonist. Structure based drug design efforts resulted in a potent and selective tricyclic compound 19 which, when administered orally in an MC38 mouse tumor model, demonstrated a desired pharmacokinetic profile as well as a dose-dependent pharmacodynamic response. However, no perceptible efficacy was observed in this tumor model at the doses investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lalgudi S Harikrishnan
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA.
| | - Patrice Gill
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Muthoni G Kamau
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Lan-Ying Qin
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Zheming Ruan
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Daniel O'Malley
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Tram Huynh
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Sylwia Stachura
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Cullen L Cavallaro
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Zhonghui Lu
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - James J-W Duan
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Carolyn A Weigelt
- Molecular Structure & Design, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - John S Sack
- Molecular Structure & Design, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Max Ruzanov
- Molecular Structure & Design, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Javed Khan
- Molecular Structure & Design, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Murali Gururajan
- Immuno-Oncology Small Molecule Biology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Jessica J Wong
- Immuno-Oncology Small Molecule Biology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Yanling Huang
- Immuno-Oncology Small Molecule Biology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Melissa Yarde
- Lead Discovery & Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Zhuyin Li
- Lead Discovery & Optimization, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Cliff Chen
- Preclinical Candidate Optimization, MAP, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Huadong Sun
- Preclinical Candidate Optimization, MAP, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Virna Borowski
- In vivo Pharmacology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Anwar Murtaza
- In vivo Pharmacology, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
| | - Brian E Fink
- Department of Chemistry, Bristol Myers Squibb Company, P.O. Box 4000, Princeton, NJ, USA
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