1
|
Nirogi R, Jayarajan P, Benade V, Abraham R, Goyal VK. Hits and misses with animal models of narcolepsy and the implications for drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:755-768. [PMID: 38747534 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2354293] [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: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Narcolepsy is a chronic and rare neurological disorder characterized by disordered sleep. Based on animal models and further research in humans, the dysfunctional orexin system was identified as a contributing factor to the pathophysiology of narcolepsy. Animal models played a larger role in the discovery of some of the pharmacological agents with established benefit/risk profiles. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors examine the phenotypes observed in animal models of narcolepsy and the characteristics of clinically used pharmacological agents in these animal models. Additionally, the authors compare the effects of clinically used pharmacological agents on the phenotypes in animal models with those observed in narcolepsy patients. EXPERT OPINION Research in canine and mouse models have linked narcolepsy to the O×R2mutation and orexin deficiency, leading to new diagnostic criteria and a drug development focus. Advancements in pharmacological therapies have significantly improved narcolepsy management, with insights from both clinical experience and from animal models having led to new treatments such as low sodium oxybate and solriamfetol. However, challenges persist in addressing symptoms beyond excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy, highlighting the need for further research, including the development of diurnal animal models to enhance understanding and treatment options for narcolepsy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ramakrishna Nirogi
- Drug Discovery & Development, Suven Life Sciences Limited, Hyderabad, India
| | - Pradeep Jayarajan
- Drug Discovery & Development, Suven Life Sciences Limited, Hyderabad, India
| | - Vijay Benade
- Drug Discovery & Development, Suven Life Sciences Limited, Hyderabad, India
| | - Renny Abraham
- Drug Discovery & Development, Suven Life Sciences Limited, Hyderabad, India
| | - Vinod Kumar Goyal
- Drug Discovery & Development, Suven Life Sciences Limited, Hyderabad, India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Glen A, Bürli RW, Livermore D, Buffham W, Merison S, Rowland AE, Newman R, Fieldhouse C, Miller DJ, Dawson LA, Matthews K, Carlton MB, Brice NL. Discovery and first-time disclosure of CVN766, an exquisitely selective orexin 1 receptor antagonist. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 100:129629. [PMID: 38295907 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129629] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Modulators of orexin receptors are being developed for neurological illnesses such as sleep disorders, addictive behaviours and other psychiatric diseases. We herein describe the discovery of CVN766, a potent orexin 1 receptor antagonist that has greater than 1000-fold selectivity for the orexin 1 receptor over the orexin 2 receptor and demonstrates low off target hits in a diversity screen. In agreement with its in vitro ADME data, CVN766 demonstrated moderate in vivo clearance in rodents and displayed good brain permeability and target occupancy. This drug candidate is currently being investigated in clinical trials for schizophrenia and related psychiatric conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Glen
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Roland W Bürli
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - David Livermore
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - William Buffham
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Stephanie Merison
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Anna E Rowland
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK; Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Robert Newman
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK; Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Charlotte Fieldhouse
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - David J Miller
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Lee A Dawson
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Kim Matthews
- Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Mark B Carlton
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK; Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK
| | - Nicola L Brice
- Takeda Cambridge Ltd., 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK; Cerevance Ltd, 418 Cambridge Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge CB4 0PZ, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang W, Ranjan A, Zhang W, Liang Q, MacMillan KS, Chapman K, Wang X, Chandrasekaran P, Williams NS, Rosenbaum DM, De Brabander JK. Novel orexin receptor agonists based on arene- or pyridine-fused 1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazole-2-imines. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2024; 99:129624. [PMID: 38272190 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2024.129624] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
A structurally novel class of benzo- or pyrido-fused 1,3-dihydro-2H-imidazole-2-imines was designed and evaluated in an inositol phosphate accumulation assay for Gq signaling to measure agonistic activation of the orexin receptor type 2 (OX2R). These compounds were synthesized in 4-9 steps overall from readily available starting materials. Analogs that contain a stereogenic methyl or cyclopropyl substituent at the benzylic center, and a correctly configured alkyl ether, alkoxyalkyl ether, cyanoalkyl ether, or α-hydroxyacetamido substituted homobenzylic sidechain were identified as the most potent activators of OX2R coupled Gq signaling. Our results also indicate that agonistic activity was stereospecific at both the benzylic and homobenzylic stereogenic centra. We identified methoxyethoxy-substituted pyrido-fused dihydroimidazolimine analog 63c containing a stereogenic benzylic methyl group was the most potent agonist, registering a respectable EC50 of 339 nM and a maximal response (Emax) of 96 % in this assay. In vivo pharmacokinetic analysis indicated good brain exposure for several analogs. Our combined results provide important information towards a structurally novel class of orexin receptor agonists distinct from current chemotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wentian Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - Alok Ranjan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - Qiren Liang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - Karen S MacMillan
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - Karen Chapman
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA
| | - Xiaoyu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - Preethi Chandrasekaran
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA
| | - Noelle S Williams
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA
| | - Daniel M Rosenbaum
- Department of Biophysics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 6001 Forest Park Rd., Dallas, TX 75390-9041, USA.
| | - Jef K De Brabander
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Mogavero MP, Godos J, Grosso G, Caraci F, Ferri R. Rethinking the Role of Orexin in the Regulation of REM Sleep and Appetite. Nutrients 2023; 15:3679. [PMID: 37686711 PMCID: PMC10489991 DOI: 10.3390/nu15173679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Orexin plays a significant role in the modulation of REM sleep, as well as in the regulation of appetite and feeding. This review explores, first, the current evidence on the role of orexin in the modulation of sleep and wakefulness and highlights that orexin should be considered essentially as a neurotransmitter inhibiting REM sleep and, to a much lesser extent, a wake promoting agent. Subsequently, the relationship between orexin, REM sleep, and appetite regulation is examined in detail, shedding light on their interconnected nature in both physiological conditions and diseases (such as narcolepsy, sleep-related eating disorder, idiopathic hypersomnia, and night eating syndrome). Understanding the intricate relationship between orexin, REM sleep, and appetite regulation is vital for unraveling the complex mechanisms underlying sleep-wake patterns and metabolic control. Further research in this field is encouraged in order to pave the way for novel therapeutic approaches to sleep disorders and metabolic conditions associated with orexin dysregulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria P. Mogavero
- Department of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, 20132 Milan, Italy;
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Sleep Disorders Center, 20127 Milan, Italy
| | - Justyna Godos
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (J.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Giuseppe Grosso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; (J.G.); (G.G.)
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Neuropharmacology and Translational Neurosciences Research Unit, Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy;
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Raffaele Ferri
- Sleep Research Centre, Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|