Structure guided design of 5-arylindazole glucocorticoid receptor agonists and antagonists

Synthesis and Photophysical Properties of 3-Substituted-1H-Indazoles: A Pd-Catalyzed Double C-N Bond Formation Strategy via 1,6-Conjugate Addition

A Pd-catalyzed cascade process for the direct synthesis of 3-substituted-1H-indazole employing p-quinone methide (p-QM) and arylhydrazine through Pd-catalyzed double C-N bond formation via 1,6-conjugate addition is reported. This reaction strategy affords efficient and practical access to synthetically important diverse 3-substituted-1H-indazoles in good yields. The photophysical properties of the synthesized 3-substituted-1H-indazoles are investigated, and some of them showed very good fluorescence properties with quantum yields up to 85%. Also, the synthesized 3-substituted-1H-indazole exhibits an acid-sensitive fluorescence turn-off activity.

Experimental Glucocorticoid Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Asthma: A Systematic Review

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) are considered the cornerstone of asthma treatment. Despite the solid evidence documenting the efficacy and safety of ICSs at the level of the airways, their use can be affected by pulmonary and systemic adverse events (AEs) when administered chronically and/or at high doses. Thus, there is a pharmacological and medical need for new glucocorticoid (GC) receptor (GR) ligands with a more favorable therapeutic index, in order to overcome the shortcomings of currently available ICSs. The therapeutic profile of GCs can be improved by enhancing genomic mechanisms mediated by transrepression, which is assumed to be responsible for several anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory actions, rather than transactivation, which causes most of the GC-associated AEs. It was assumed that an independent modulation of the molecular mechanisms underlying transactivation and transrepression could translate into the dissociation of beneficial effects from AEs. Therefore, current research is looking for GCs that are able to elicit prevalently transrepression with negligible transactivating activity. These compounds are known as selective glucocorticoid receptor agonists (SEGRAs). In this review, experimental GR agonists currently in pre-clinical and clinical development for the treatment of asthma have been systematically assessed. Several compounds are currently under pre-clinical development, but only three novel experimental GR agonists (GW870086X, AZD5423, AZD7594) seem to have some potential therapeutic relevance and have entered clinical trials for the treatment of asthma. Since data from pre-clinical studies have not always been confirmed in clinical investigations, well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed in asthmatic patients to confirm the potentially positive benefit/risk ratio of each specific SEGRA and to optimize the development strategy of these agents in respiratory medicine.

Novel steroidal 1,3,4-thiadiazines: Synthesis and biological evaluation in androgen receptor-positive prostate cancer 22Rv1 cells

A flexible approach to previously unknown spirofused and linked 1,3,4-thiadiazine derivatives of steroids with selective control of heterocyclization patterns is disclosed. (N-Arylcarbamoyl)spiroandrostene-17,6' [1,3,4]thiadiazines and (N-arylcarbamoyl)17-[1',3',4']thiadiazine-substituted androstenes, novel types of heterosteroids, were prepared from 16β,17β-epoxypregnenolone and 21-bromopregna-5,16-dien-20-one in good to high yields by the treatment with oxamic acid thiohydrazides. The synthesized compounds were screened for antiproliferative activity against the human androgen receptor-positive prostate cancer cell line 22Rv1. Most of (N-arylcarbamoyl)17-[1',3',4']thiadiazine-substituted androstenes exhibit better antiproliferative potency (IC₅₀ = 2.1-6.6 µM) than the antiandrogen bicalutamide. Compounds 7d with IC₅₀ = 3.0 μM and 7j with IC₅₀ = 2.1 μM proved to be the most active in the series under study. Lead synthesized compound 7j downregulates AR expression and activity in 22Rv1 cells. NF-κB activity is also blocked in 7j-treated 22Rv1 cells. Apoptosis is considered as a possible mechanism of 7j-induced cell death.

Selective Nonsteroidal Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulators for the Inhaled Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases

A class of potent, nonsteroidal, selective indazole ether-based glucocorticoid receptor modulators (SGRMs) was developed for the inhaled treatment of respiratory diseases. Starting from an orally available compound with demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity in rat, a soft-drug strategy was implemented to ensure rapid elimination of drug candidates to minimize systemic GR activation. The first clinical candidate 1b (AZD5423) displayed a potent inhibition of lung edema in a rat model of allergic airway inflammation following dry powder inhalation combined with a moderate systemic GR-effect, assessed as thymic involution. Further optimization of inhaled drug properties provided a second, equally potent, candidate, 15m (AZD7594), that demonstrated an improved therapeutic ratio over the benchmark inhaled corticosteroid 3 (fluticasone propionate) and prolonged the inhibition of lung edema, indicating potential for once-daily treatment.

Synthesis of substituted 2H-benzo[e]indazole-9-carboxylate as a potent antihyperglycemic agent that may act through IRS-1, Akt and GSK-3β pathways

Based on high throughput screening of our chemical library, we identified two 4,5-dihydro-2H-benzo[e]indazole derivatives (5d and 5g), which displayed a significant effect on glucose uptake in L6 skeletal muscle cells. Based on these lead molecules, a series of benzo[e]indazole derivatives were prepared. Among all the synthesized dihydro-2H-benzo[e]indazoles, 8-(methylthio)-2-phenyl-6-p-tolyl-4,5-dihydro-2H-benzo[e]indazole-9-carboxylate (5e) showed significant glucose uptake stimulation in L6 skeletal muscle cells, even better than lead compounds. Additionally, 5e decreased glucagon-induced glucose release in HepG2 hepatoma cells. The 2H-benzo[e]indazole 5e exerted an antihyperglycemic effect in normal, sucrose challenged streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and type 2 diabetic db/db mice. Treatment with 5e at a dose of 30 mg kg-1 in db/db mice caused a significant decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and increased the HDL-C level in a significant manner. The mechanistic studies revealed that the 2H-benzo[e]indazole 5e significantly stimulated insulin-induced signaling at the level of IRS-1, Akt and GSK-3β in L6 skeletal muscle cells, possibly by inhibiting protein tyrosine phosphatase-1B. This new 2H-benzo[e]indazole derivative has potential for the treatment of diabetes with improved lipid profile.

Oral Corticosterone Administration Reduces Insulitis but Promotes Insulin Resistance and Hyperglycemia in Male Nonobese Diabetic Mice

Steroid-induced diabetes is the most common form of drug-induced hyperglycemia. Therefore, metabolic and immunological alterations associated with chronic oral corticosterone were investigated using male nonobese diabetic mice. Three weeks after corticosterone delivery, there was reduced sensitivity to insulin action measured by insulin tolerance test. Body composition measurements revealed increased fat mass and decreased lean mass. Overt hyperglycemia (>250 mg/dL) manifested 6 weeks after the start of glucocorticoid administration, whereas 100% of the mice receiving the vehicle control remained normoglycemic. This phenotype was fully reversed during the washout phase and readily reproducible across institutions. Relative to the vehicle control group, mice receiving corticosterone had a significant enhancement in pancreatic insulin-positive area, but a marked decrease in CD3⁺ cell infiltration. In addition, there were striking increases in both citrate synthase gene expression and enzymatic activity in skeletal muscle of mice in the corticosterone group relative to vehicle control. Moreover, glycogen synthase expression was greatly enhanced, consistent with elevations in muscle glycogen storage in mice receiving corticosterone. Corticosterone-induced hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and changes in muscle gene expression were all reversed by the end of the washout phase, indicating that the metabolic alterations were not permanent. Thus, male nonobese diabetic mice allow for translational studies on the metabolic and immunological consequences of glucocorticoid-associated interventions in a mouse model with genetic susceptibility to autoimmune disease.

Access to steroidal pyridazines via modified thiohydrazides

Cytotoxic effects against breast cancer cells.

Emerging corticosteroid agonists for the treatment of asthma

INTRODUCTION

Asthma is one of the most frequent chronic diseases worldwide. For decades, asthma has been treated with bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids (ICS). However, adverse effects of ICS and disease heterogeneity necessitate improvements in the existing treatment regimes. Recently approved ICS show improved pharmocodynamic properties. Nevertheless, emerging drugs acting on the same receptor as the ICS, glucocorticoid receptor agonists (GRAs), are under current research. These drugs exhibit selective action on the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which may improve their adverse effect profile, compared to the currently approved ICS that act unselectively on the GR.

AREAS COVERED

The present article reviews emerging GRAs for the treatment of asthma. Furthermore, the more recently approved ICS with improved safety profiles are reviewed.

EXPERT OPINION

Compared with drugs acting on other pathological pathways, research in GRAs for asthma is sparse. However, a few promising agents acting selectively on the GR are currently under investigation and may reach approval for asthma treatment. These drugs exhibit improved pharmacodynamic properties due to selectivity in the mechanism of action, including promotion of transrepression and reduction of transactivation. However, competition from already approved ICS and other emerging treatment options may lead to cessation of development of the new GRAs.

The long-acting β2 -adrenoceptor agonist, indacaterol, enhances glucocorticoid receptor-mediated transcription in human airway epithelial cells in a gene- and agonist-dependent manner

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Inhaled glucocorticoid (ICS)/long-acting β2 -adrenoceptor agonist (LABA) combination therapy is a recommended treatment option for patients with moderate/severe asthma in whom adequate control cannot be achieved by an ICS alone. Previously, we discovered that LABAs can augment dexamethasone-inducible gene expression and proposed that this effect may explain how these two drugs interact to deliver superior clinical benefit. Herein, we extended that observation by analysing, pharmacodynamically, the effect of the LABA, indacaterol, on glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated gene transcription induced by seven ligands with intrinsic activity values that span the spectrum of full agonism to antagonism.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

BEAS-2B human airway epithelial cells stably transfected with a 2× glucocorticoid response element luciferase reporter were used to model gene transcription together with an analysis of several glucocorticoid-inducible genes.

KEY RESULTS

Indacaterol augmented glucocorticoid-induced reporter activation in a manner that was positively related to the intrinsic activity of the GR agonist. This effect was demonstrated by an increase in response maxima without a change in GR agonist affinity or efficacy. Indacaterol also enhanced glucocorticoid-inducible gene expression. However, the magnitude of this effect was dependent on both the GR agonist and the gene of interest.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

These data suggest that indacaterol activates a molecular rheostat, which increases the transcriptional competency of GR in an agonist- and gene-dependent manner without apparently changing the relationship between fractional GR occupancy and response. These findings provide a platform to rationally design ICS/LABA combination therapy that is based on the generation of agonist-dependent gene expression profiles in target and off-target tissues.

Cytokine-induced loss of glucocorticoid function: effect of kinase inhibitors, long-acting β(2)-adrenoceptor [corrected] agonist and glucocorticoid receptor ligands

Acting on the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), glucocorticoids are widely used to treat inflammatory diseases. However, glucocorticoid resistance often leads to suboptimal asthma control. Since glucocorticoid-induced gene expression contributes to glucocorticoid activity, the aim of this study was to use a 2 × glucocorticoid response element (GRE) reporter and glucocorticoid-induced gene expression to investigate approaches to combat cytokine-induced glucocorticoid resistance. Pre-treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF) or interleukin-1β inhibited dexamethasone-induced mRNA expression of the putative anti-inflammatory genes RGS2 and TSC22D3, or just TSC22D3, in primary human airway epithelial and smooth muscle cells, respectively. Dexamethasone-induced DUSP1 mRNA was unaffected. In human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells, dexamethasone-induced TSC22D3 and CDKN1C expression (at 6 h) was reduced by TNF pre-treatment, whereas DUSP1 and RGS2 mRNAs were unaffected. TNF pre-treatment also reduced dexamethasone-dependent 2×GRE reporter activation. This was partially reversed by PS-1145 and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor VIII, inhibitors of IKK2 and JNK, respectively. However, neither inhibitor affected TNF-dependent loss of dexamethasone-induced CDKN1C or TSC22D3 mRNA. Similarly, inhibitors of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38, phosphoinositide 3-kinase or protein kinase C pathways failed to attenuate TNF-dependent repression of the 2×GRE reporter. Fluticasone furoate, fluticasone propionate and budesonide were full agonists relative to dexamethasone, while GSK9027, RU24858, des-ciclesonide and GW870086X were partial agonists on the 2×GRE reporter. TNF reduced reporter activity in proportion with agonist efficacy. Full and partial agonists showed various degrees of agonism on RGS2 and TSC22D3 expression, but were equally effective at inducing CDKN1C and DUSP1, and did not affect the repression of CDKN1C or TSC22D3 expression by TNF. Finally, formoterol-enhanced 2×GRE reporter activity was also proportional to agonist efficacy and functionally reversed repression by TNF. As similar effects were apparent on glucocorticoid-induced gene expression, the most effective strategy to overcome glucocorticoid resistance in this model was addition of formoterol to high efficacy NR3C1 agonists.

The Suzuki reaction applied to the synthesis of novel pyrrolyl and thiophenyl indazoles

The paper describes the Suzuki cross-coupling of a variety of N and C-3 substituted 5-bromoindazoles with N-Boc-2-pyrrole and 2-thiopheneboronic acids. The reactions, performed in the presence of K(2)CO(3), dimethoxyethane and Pd(dppf)Cl(2) as catalyst, gave the corresponding adducts in good yields. The methodology allows the facile production of indazole-based heteroaryl compounds, a unique architectural motif that is ubiquitous in biologically active molecules.

Dimethyl-diphenyl-propanamide derivatives as nonsteroidal dissociated glucocorticoid receptor agonists

A series of 2,2-dimethyl-3,3-diphenyl-propanamides as novel glucocorticoid receptor modulators is reported. SAR exploration led to the identification of 4-hydroxyphenyl propanamide derivatives displaying good agonist activity in GR-mediated transrepression assays and reduced agonist activity in GR-mediated transactivation assays. Compounds 17 and 30 showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to prednisolone in the rat carrageenan-induced paw edema model, with markedly decreased side effects with regard to increases in blood glucose and expression of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase. A hypothetical binding mode accounting for the induction of the functional activity by a 4-hydroxyl group is proposed.