7-Oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridines as novel inhibitors of human eosinophil phosphodiesterase

Utilization of Cyclic Amides as Masked Aldehyde Equivalents in Reductive Amination Reactions

An operationally simple protocol has been discovered that couples primary or secondary amines with N-aryl-substituted lactams to deliver differentiated diamines in moderate to high yields. The process allows for the partial reduction of a lactam in the presence of Cp₂ZrHCl (Schwartz's reagent), followed by a reductive amination between the resulting hemiaminal and primary or secondary amine. These reactions can be telescoped in a one-pot fashion to significantly simplify the operation. The scope of amines and substituted lactams of various ring sizes was demonstrated through the formation of a range of differentiated diamine products. Furthermore, this methodology was expanded to include N-aryl pyrrolidinone substrates with an enantiopure ester group at the 5-position, and α-amino piperidinones were prepared with complete retention of stereochemical information. The development of this chemistry has enabled the consideration of lactams as useful synthons.

Organocatalytic Stereoconvergent Synthesis of α-CF3 Amides: Triketopiperazines and Their Heterocyclic Metamorphosis

The highly enantioselective alkylation of α-CF₃ enolates, generated from triketopiperazines, has been accomplished through use of a bifunctional thiourea organocatalyst to facilitate 1,4-addition to varied enone acceptors. On treatment with appropriate nitrogen nucleophiles, the chiral triketopiperazine products undergo a metamorphosis, to provide novel fused heterocyclic lactams such as extended pyrazolopyrimidines.

Synthesis and cAMP-dependent phosphodiesterase inhibition of novel thiazoloquinazoline derivatives

The series of 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-5-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4'-substituted benzylidine)thiazolo(2,3-b)quinazolin-3(2H)-ones (4a-j) and 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-5-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4'-substituted benzylidine)-3-(4-nitrophenyl amino)thiazoloquinazolines (5a-j) were synthesized by the reported method and evaluated for their phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity. All test compounds exhibited good activity. The structure-activity relationships were also studied. In both series of compounds, electron-withdrawing substitutions showed higher activity. Among the tested compounds, 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-5-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4'-fluorobenzylidine)-3-(4-nitrophenylamino)thiazoloquinazoline (5e), 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-5-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4'-nitrobenzylidine)-3-(4-nitrophenylamino)thiazoloquinazoline (5j) and 6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-5H-5-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4'-chlorobenzylidine)-3-(4-nitrophenylamino)thiazoloquinazoline (5f) were found to be more potent than theophylline (IC50 in mmol L-1 of 1.34 ± 0.09 for 5f, 1.44 ± 0.02 for 5e, 1.52 ± 0.05 for 5jvs. 1.72 ± 0.09 for theophylline).

Origin and evolution of high throughput screening

This article reviews the origin and evolution of high throughput screening (HTS) through the experience of an individual pharmaceutical company, revealing some of the mysteries of the early stages of drug discovery to the wider pharmacology audience. HTS in this company (Pfizer, Groton, USA) had its origin in natural products screening in 1986, by substituting fermentation broths with dimethyl sulphoxide solutions of synthetic compounds, using 96-well plates and reduced assay volumes of 50-100 microl. A nominal 30 mM source compound concentration provided high microM assay concentrations. Starting at 800 compounds each week, the process reached a steady state of 7200 compounds per week by 1989. Screening in the Applied Biotechnology and Screening Group was centralized with screens operating in lock-step to maximize efficiency. Initial screens were full files run in triplicate. Autoradiography and image analysis were introduced for (125)I receptor ligand screens. Reverse transcriptase (RT) coupled with quantitative PCR and multiplexing addressed several targets in a single assay. By 1992 HTS produced 'hits' as starting matter for approximately 40% of the Discovery portfolio. In 1995, the HTS methodology was expanded to include ADMET targets. ADME targets required each compound to be physically detected leading to the development of automated high throughput LC-MS. In 1996, 90 compounds/week were screened in microsomal, protein binding and serum stability assays. Subsequently, the mutagenic Ames assay was adapted to a 96-well plate liquid assay and novel algorithms permitted automated image analysis of the micronucleus assay. By 1999 ADME HTS was fully integrated into the discovery cycle.

SAR of a series of 5,6-dihydro-(9H)-pyrazolo[3,4-c]-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-alpha]pyridines as potent inhibitors of human eosinophil phosphodiesterase

The potency and physical properties of a previously reported 7-oxo-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridine series of human eosinophil phosphodiesterase inhibitors were improved by tying the lactam moiety into a triazolo ring. The resulting 5,6-dihydro-(9H)-pyrazolo[3,4-c]-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-alpha]pyridine series provided nonionizable analogs with melting point properties suitable for micronization. Substitution at the 3-position of the 5,6-dihydro-(9H)-pyrazolo[3,4-c]-1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-alpha]pyridine tricycle led to a 2-thienyl analog, 19 (tofimilast), a potent PDE4 inhibitor with low oral bioavailability and no emesis-associated behaviors in ferrets at plasma concentrations up to 152 ng/mL.

The therapeutic potential of PDE4 inhibitors

Phosphodiesterase enzymes are responsible for the inactivation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a cAMP specific phosphodiesterase expressed in inflammatory cells such as eosinophils. Inhibition of PDE4 results in an elevation of cAMP in these cells, which in turn downregulates the inflammatory response. The anti-inflammatory effects of PDE4 inhibitors have been well documented both in vitro and in vivo in a variety of animal models. The potential use of PDE4 inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents for the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory disorders has received considerable attention from the pharmaceutical industry, but to date, there are no selective PDE4 inhibitors on the market. Early PDE4 inhibitors, typified by rolipram, suffered from dose-limiting side effects, including nausea and emesis, which severely restricted their therapeutic utility. Second generation compounds, including CDP840 and SB207499 (Ariflo), have been identified with reduced side effect liability. Recent evidence suggests a correlation between side effects and the ability of compounds to bind at the so-called high affinity rolipram binding site (HPDE), whilst beneficial effects appear to correlate with binding at the catalytic site. A number of companies are actively pursuing compounds which exhibit improved affinity for the catalytic site and reduced affinity for the HPDE, in the expectation that this will provide compounds with an improved therapeutic index.

PDE4 inhibitors as new anti-inflammatory drugs: effects on cell trafficking and cell adhesion molecules expression

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) is a major cyclic AMP-hydrolyzing enzyme in inflammatory and immunomodulatory cells. The wide range of inflammatory mechanisms under control by PDE4 points to this isoenzyme as an attractive target for new anti-inflammatory drugs. Selective inhibitors of PDE4 have demonstrated a broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory activities including the inhibition of cellular trafficking and microvascular leakage, cytokine and chemokine release from inflammatory cells, reactive oxygen species production, and cell adhesion molecule expression in a variety of in vitro and in vivo experimental models. The initially detected side effects, mainly nausea and emesis, appear at least partially overcome by the 'second generation' PDE4 inhibitors, some of which like roflumilast and cilomilast are in the later stages of clinical development for treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. These new drugs may also offer opportunities for treatment of other inflammatory diseases.

Searching for a Reliable Orientation of Ligands in Their Binding Site: Comparison between a Structure-Based (Glide) and a Ligand-Based (FIGO) Approach in the Case Study of PDE4 Inhibitors

Two 3D QSAR Grid/Golpe models, differing in the alignment criterion of the studied phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors, were compared. The docking-guided alignment, obtained by exploiting the known 3D structure of the PDE4, was used to test and validate the field-fit alignment solution proposed by FIGO procedure. The analysis of the direct (docking) and indirect (FIGO) superposition methodologies occurs through the comparison of the respective PLS coefficient maps. The inclusion in the FIGO algorithm of factors related to the hydrophobicity and shape of the molecules leads to promising results, making the new FIGO algorithm a valid alternative in the molecule overlay, particularly when the 3D structure of the target is unknown.

Synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and pharmacological profile of 9-amino-4-oxo-1-phenyl-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[6, 7,1-hi]indoles: discovery of potent, selective phosphodiesterase type 4 inhibitors

The synthesis, structure-activity relationships, and biological properties of a novel series of potent and selective phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) inhibitors are described. These new aminodiazepinoindoles displayed in vitro PDE4 activity with submicromolar IC(50) values and PDE4 selectivity vs PDE1, -3, and -5. Specifically, one compound (CI-1044, 10e) provided efficient in vitro inhibition of TNFalpha release from hPBMC and hWB with IC(50) values of 0.34 and 0.84 microM, respectively. This compound was found to exhibit potent in vivo activity in antigen-induced eosinophil recruitment in Brown-Norway rats (ED(50) = 3.2 mg/kg po) and in production of TNFalpha in Wistar rats (ED(50) = 2.8 mg/kg po). No emetic side effects at therapeutic doses were observed in ferrets.

Synthesis and lateral root-inducing activity of novel N-substituted-2-piperidones with a 1,4-benzodioxan ring

Novel N-substituted-2-piperidones with a 1,4-benzodioxan ring were prepared and evaluated for their activity to induce lateral roots in lettuce seedlings. Compounds were obtained by aldol condensation of the lithium enolate of N-substituted-2-piperidones with 1,4-benzodioxan-6-carbaldehyde. Of the series compounds tested, N-cinnamyl-3-[1-(1,4-benzodioxan-6-yl)-1-hydroxymethyl]-2-piperidone (2e) had the highest activity. In seedlings treated with 10 ppm of 2e, all of the primary roots formed lateral roots. Only erythro-2e showed lateral root-inducing activity, while threo-2e was inactive.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: emerging therapies

Despite the high prevalence of and mortality from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, extensive research on the underlying pathophysiology and specific therapeutics for this disease is, relatively, in its infancy. Several novel molecular targets are being investigated as potential treatments for the disease. The most exciting new class of compounds is the phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors; Ariflo (SB 207499)-a member of this class, and the most advanced in development (Phase III)-was reported recently to have significant clinical efficacy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, such as Ariflo, possibly represent the most important advance in pulmonary medicine in recent years.

Phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors, structurally unrelated to rolipram, as promising agents for the treatment of asthma and other pathologies

An increase of cyclic adenosine and guanosine monophosphate (cAMP and cGMP) level can be achieved by inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDEs), which are the enzymes responsible for the conversion of these second messengers into the corresponding 5-monophosphate inactive counterparts. The high heterogeneity in PDE families and in their tissue distribution, as well as their different functional role, make these enzymes very attractive targets for medicinal chemists. The PDE 4 family is particularly abundant in immunocompetent cells, where an increase of cAMP leads to the inhibition of the synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory mediators, cytokines and active oxygen species. Moreover PDE 4 inhibitors are able to reduce bronchial smooth muscle tone in vitro and show bronchodilatory effects in vivo. Thus, the current therapy for asthma, which is based on a combination of beta(2) agonists and corticosteroids, could be replaced by treatment with PDE 4 inhibitors. This review mainly covers PDE 4 inhibitors structurally related to xanthines and Nitraquazone, which appear to be very attractive models for the synthesis of novel PDE 4 inhibitors potentially useful for the treatment of asthma, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease and some autoimmune diseases. These compounds could be devoid of the central side-effects (nausea, vomiting, headache) of the archetypal Rolipram, which hampered its development as a drug. The review also highlights the novel structural classes of PDE 4 inhibitors recently reported in the literature.

Phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitors in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Phosphodiesterases (PDE) are a family of enzymes responsible for the metabolism of the intracellular second messengers cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. PDE4 is a cyclic AMP specific PDE that is the major if not sole cyclic AMP metabolizing enzymes found in inflammatory and immune cells, and contributes significantly to cyclic AMP metabolism in smooth muscles. Based on its cellular and tissue distribution and the demonstration that selective inhibitors of this isozyme reduce bronchoconstriction in animals and suppress the activation of inflammatory cells, PDE4 has become an important molecular target for the development of novel therapies for asthma and COPD. This chapter will review the evidence demonstrating the ability of PDE4 inhibitors to modify airway obstruction, airway inflammation and airway remodelling and hyperreactivity, will present some preliminary findings obtained with theses compounds in clinical trials and and will discuss experimental approaches designed to identify novel compounds that maintain the beneficial activity of the initial selective PDE4 inhibitors but with a reduced tendency of elicit the gastrointestinal side effects observed with this class of compounds.