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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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2
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John L, Vijay R. Role of TAM Receptors in Antimalarial Humoral Immune Response. Pathogens 2024; 13:298. [PMID: 38668253 PMCID: PMC11054553 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13040298] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune response against malaria and the clearance of Plasmodium parasite relies on germinal-center-derived B cell responses that are temporally and histologically layered. Despite a well-orchestrated germinal center response, anti-Plasmodium immune response seldom offers sterilizing immunity. Recent studies report that certain pathophysiological features of malaria such as extensive hemolysis, hypoxia as well as the extrafollicular accumulation of short-lived plasmablasts may contribute to this suboptimal immune response. In this review, we summarize some of those studies and attempt to connect certain host intrinsic features in response to the malarial disease and the resultant gaps in the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijo John
- Department of Veterinary Biochemistry, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode 673576, Kerala, India
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60047, USA
| | - Rahul Vijay
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60047, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60047, USA
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3
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Hu Y, Revenko A, Barsoumian H, Bertolet G, Fowlkes NW, Maazi H, Green MM, He K, Sezen D, Voss TA, Leyton CSK, Masrorpour F, Rafiq Z, Puebla-Osorio N, Leuschner C, MacLeod R, Cortez MA, Welsh JW. Inhibition of MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase by an antisense oligonucleotide enhances treatment efficacy of immunoradiotherapy. J Exp Clin Cancer Res 2024; 43:70. [PMID: 38443968 PMCID: PMC10916163 DOI: 10.1186/s13046-024-02992-2] [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: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The combination of radiotherapy and immunotherapy (immunoradiotherapy) has been increasingly used for treating a wide range of cancers. However, some tumors are resistant to immunoradiotherapy. We have previously shown that MER proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MerTK) expressed on macrophages mediates resistance to immunoradiotherapy. We therefore sought to develop therapeutics that can mitigate the negative impact of MerTK. We designed and developed a MerTK specific antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) and characterized its effects on eliciting an anti-tumor immune response in mice. METHODS 344SQR cells were injected into the right legs on day 0 and the left legs on day 4 of 8-12 weeks old female 129sv/ev mice to establish primary and secondary tumors, respectively. Radiation at a dose of 12 Gy was given to the primary tumors on days 8, 9, and 10. Mice received either anti-PD-1, anti-CTLA-4 or/and MerTK ASO starting from day 1 post tumor implantation. The composition of the tumor microenvironment and the level of MerTK on macrophages in the tumor were evaluted by flow cytometry. The expression of immune-related genes was investigated with NanoString. Lastly, the impact of MerTK ASO on the structure of the eye was histologically evaluated. RESULTS Remarkably, the addition of MerTK ASO to XRT+anti-PD1 and XRT+anti-CTLA4 profoundly slowed the growth of both primary and secondary tumors and significantly extended survival. The ASO significantly reduced the expression of MerTK in tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), reprograming their phenotype from M2 to M1. In addition, MerTK ASO increased the percentage of Granzyme B+ CD8+ T cells in the secondary tumors when combined with XRT+anti-CTLA4. NanoString results demonstrated that the MerTK ASO favorably modulated immune-related genes for promoting antitumor immune response in secondary tumors. Importantly, histological analysis of eye tissues demonstrated that unlike small molecules, the MerTK ASO did not produce any detectable pathology in the eyes. CONCLUSIONS The MerTK ASO can significantly downregulate the expression of MerTK on TAMs, thereby promoting antitumor immune response. The combination of MerTK ASO with immunoradiotherapy can safely and significantly slow tumor growth and improve survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Hu
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Hampartsoum Barsoumian
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Genevieve Bertolet
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Natalie Wall Fowlkes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Hadi Maazi
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA, 92008, USA
| | - Morgan Maureen Green
- Department of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Kewen He
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Shandong Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shandong First Medical University and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
| | - Duygu Sezen
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Koc University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tiffany A Voss
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Claudia S Kettlun Leyton
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fatemeh Masrorpour
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zahid Rafiq
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Nahum Puebla-Osorio
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Carola Leuschner
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | | | - Maria Angelica Cortez
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - James W Welsh
- Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.
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Tutusaus A, Morales A, García de Frutos P, Marí M. GAS6/TAM Axis as Therapeutic Target in Liver Diseases. Semin Liver Dis 2024; 44:99-114. [PMID: 38395061 PMCID: PMC11027478 DOI: 10.1055/a-2275-0408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
TAM (TYRO3, AXL, and MERTK) protein tyrosine kinase membrane receptors and their vitamin K-dependent ligands GAS6 and protein S (PROS) are well-known players in tumor biology and autoimmune diseases. In contrast, TAM regulation of fibrogenesis and the inflammation mechanisms underlying metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), cirrhosis, and, ultimately, liver cancer has recently been revealed. GAS6 and PROS binding to phosphatidylserine exposed in outer membranes of apoptotic cells links TAMs, particularly MERTK, with hepatocellular damage. In addition, AXL and MERTK regulate the development of liver fibrosis and inflammation in chronic liver diseases. Acute hepatic injury is also mediated by the TAM system, as recent data regarding acetaminophen toxicity and acute-on-chronic liver failure have uncovered. Soluble TAM-related proteins, mainly released from activated macrophages and hepatic stellate cells after hepatic deterioration, are proposed as early serum markers for disease progression. In conclusion, the TAM system is becoming an interesting pharmacological target in liver pathology and a focus of future biomedical research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Tutusaus
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Albert Morales
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pablo García de Frutos
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), Barcelona, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain
| | - Montserrat Marí
- Department of Cell Death and Proliferation, IIBB-CSIC, IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain
- Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Group, Barcelona, Spain
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5
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Ryu KY, Pokhrel NK, Jung HJ, Kim HJ, Seok J, Kim TY, Kim HJ, Lee JH, Kim JY, Kim YG, Lee Y. Mer tyrosine kinase regulates bone metabolism, and its deficiency partially ameliorates periodontitis- and ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice. JBMR Plus 2024; 8:ziad014. [PMID: 38505527 PMCID: PMC10945713 DOI: 10.1093/jbmrpl/ziad014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Bone homeostasis is maintained by tightly coordinated activities of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. In the present report, the role of Mer tyrosine kinase (MerTK) in bone metabolism was investigated. The expression of MerTK decreased upon BMP2 stimulation of osteoblast precursors. The femurs of Mertk-deficient mice showed significantly increased bone volume with concomitant increase of bone formation and reduction in bone resorption. These bone phenotypes were attributed to the increased osteoblast differentiation and mineralization accounted by the enhanced β-catenin and Smad signaling in the absence of MerTK in osteoblast precursors. Although the Mertk-deficient bone marrow macrophages were predisposed to enhanced osteoclast differentiation via augmented Ca2+-NFATc1 signaling, the dramatic increase of Tnfsf11b/Tnfsf11 (Opg/Rankl) ratio in Mertk knockout bones and osteoblast precursors corroborated the reduction of osteoclastogenesis in Mertk deficiency. In ligature-induced periodontitis and ovariectomy models, the bone resorption was significantly attenuated in Mertk-deficient mice compared with wild-type control. Taken together, these data indicate novel role of MerTK in bone metabolism and suggest a potential strategy targeting MerTK in treating bone-lytic diseases including periodontitis and osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka-Young Ryu
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
| | - Nitin Kumar Pokhrel
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
| | - Hye-Jin Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
| | - Hyo Jeong Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
| | - Jiwon Seok
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
| | - Tae-Young Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
| | - Hyung Joon Kim
- Department of Oral Physiology, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Ji Hye Lee
- Department of Oral Pathology, School of Dentistry, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
| | - Jae-Young Kim
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
| | - Yong-Gun Kim
- Department of Periodontology, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
| | - Youngkyun Lee
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Dentistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41940, Korea
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6
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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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7
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Zhang J, Li Y, Tang H, Zhou Q, Tong L, Ding J, Xie H, Xiong B, Liu T. Design and synthesis of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives as hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) inhibitors. Bioorg Chem 2023; 140:106811. [PMID: 37659145 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106811] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite immune checkpoint inhibitors' tremendous success in the treatment of tumors, the moderate response rate limits their widespread use. Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) is served as an essential negative regulator of T-cell receptor, which has been identified as a promising target for enhancing antitumor immunity. However, the development of a selective HPK1 inhibitor is still challenging. Herein, we reported a novel series of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine derivatives as HPK1 inhibitors by structure-based rational design. The optimal compound 10n significantly inhibited HPK1 with an IC50 value of 29.0 nM and the phosphorylation of SLP76 at a concentration as low as 0.1 μM. Furthermore, compound 10n exhibited good selectivity over a panel of 25 kinases, including GLK from the same MAP4K family. Together, the current study provided a novel, potent, and selective HPK1 inhibitor, acting as a lead compound for the future development of cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junjie Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Yan Li
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, PR China
| | - Haotian Tang
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Qianqian Zhou
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
| | - Linjiang Tong
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, PR China
| | - Jian Ding
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, PR China
| | - Hua Xie
- Division of Antitumor Pharmacology, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China; Zhongshan Institute for Drug Discovery, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zhongshan 528400, PR China.
| | - Bing Xiong
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Tongchao Liu
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, PR China.
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8
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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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9
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Abstract
Fluorescent dyes attached to kinase inhibitors (KIs) can be used to probe kinases in vitro, in cells, and in vivo. Ideal characteristics of the dyes vary with their intended applications. Fluorophores used in vitro may inform on kinase active site environments, hence the dyes used should be small and have minimal impact on modes of binding. These probes may have short wavelength emissions since blue fluorophores are perfectly adequate in this context. Thus, for instance, KI fragments that mimic nucleobases may be modified to be fluorescent with minimal perturbation to the kinase inhibitor structure. However, progressively larger dyes, that emit at longer wavelengths, are required for cellular and in vivo work. In cells, it is necessary to have emissions above autofluorescence of biomolecules, and near infrared dyes are needed to enable excitation and observation through tissue in vivo. This review is organized to describe probes intended for applications in vitro, in cells, then in vivo. The readers will observe that the probes featured tend to become larger and responsive to the near infared end of the spectrum as the review progresses. Readers may also be surprised to realize that relatively few dyes have been used for fluorophore-kinase inhibitor conjugates, and the area is open for innovations in the types of fluorophores used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Muhammad Usama
- Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, Box 30012, College Station, TX 77842, USA.
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10
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Chung SH, Park J, Lee JW, Song J, Jung D, Min KH. Structure-activity relationship of 7-aryl-2-anilino-pyrrolopyrimidines as Mer and Axl tyrosine kinase inhibitors. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2021; 35:1822-1833. [PMID: 32972253 PMCID: PMC7534383 DOI: 10.1080/14756366.2020.1825407] [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] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The TAM (Axl, Mer, and Tyro3) family is implicated in the survival and chemoresistance of tumours and has emerged as a potential therapeutic target. A novel series of 7-aryl-2-anilino-pyrrolopyrimidines were identified as potent Axl/Mer tyrosine kinase inhibitors without significant inhibition of Tyro3. A representative compound 27 exhibited IC50 values of 2 nM and 16 nM for Mer and Axl, respectively, and considerable inhibition for Mer phosphorylation in cells. Docking studies suggested that the formation of a salt bridge between the nitrogen of the aniline moiety with ASP678 of the Mer kinase domain as well as an interaction with the hinge region that most kinase inhibitors have in common would be essential to retain activity. These results could provide useful information for finding promising inhibitors of Axl/Mer for the treatment of cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin Hyuck Chung
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiwon Park
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Wuk Lee
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jiho Song
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Danbee Jung
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung Hoon Min
- College of Pharmacy, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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11
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Williamson B, Pilla Reddy V. Blood retinal barrier and ocular pharmacokinetics: Considerations for the development of oncology drugs. Biopharm Drug Dispos 2021; 42:128-136. [PMID: 33759216 DOI: 10.1002/bdd.2276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are an example of targeted drug therapy to treat cancer while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. In contrast to traditional oncology drugs, the toxicity profile of targeted therapies is less well understood and can include severe ocular adverse events, which are among the most common toxicity reported by these therapeutics. Inhibition of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase (MERTK) promotes innate tumor immunity by decreasing M2-macrophage polarization and efferocytosis. This mechanism offers the opportunity for targeted immunotherapy to treat cancer; however, the ocular expression of MERTK increases the difficulty for developing a targeted drug due to toxicity concerns. In this article we review the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters and in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) assays available to evaluate ocular disposition and assess the relationship between clinical PK and reported ocular events for TKIs to allow backtranslation to preclinical models. Understanding the ocular disposition in the context of PK and safety remains an evolving area and is likely to be a key aspect of developing safe and efficacious oncology drugs, devoid of ocular toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth Williamson
- Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, Early Oncology, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
| | - Venkatesh Pilla Reddy
- Modelling and Simulation, Early Oncology, Oncology R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.,Clinical Pharmacology and Quantitative Pharmacology, Biopharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
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Elsocht M, Giron P, Maes L, Versées W, Gutierrez GJ, De Grève J, Ballet S. Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Study of Spautin-1 to Entail the Discovery of Novel NEK4 Inhibitors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22020635. [PMID: 33435251 PMCID: PMC7827406 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Lung cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers accounting for the highest number of cancer-related deaths in the world. Despite significant progress including targeted therapies and immunotherapy, the treatment of advanced lung cancer remains challenging. Targeted therapies are highly efficacious at prolonging life, but not curative. In prior work we have identified Ubiquitin Specific Protease 13 (USP13) as a potential target to significantly enhance the efficacy of mutant EGFR inhibition. The current study aimed to develop lead molecules for the treatment of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by developing potent USP13 inhibitors initially starting from Spautin-1, the only available USP13 inhibitor. A SAR study was performed which revealed that increasing the chain length between the secondary amine and phenyl group and introducing a halogen capable of inducing a halogen bond at position 4' of the phenyl group, dramatically increased the activity. However, we could not confirm the binding between Spautin-1 (or its analogues) and USP13 using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) or thermal shift assay (TSA) but do not exclude binding under physiological conditions. Nevertheless, we found that the anti-proliferative activity displayed by Spautin-1 towards EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells in vitro was at least partially associated with kinase inhibition. In this work, we present N-[2-(substituted-phenyl)ethyl]-6-fluoro-4-quinazolinamines as promising lead compounds for the treatment of NSCLC. These analogues are significantly more effective towards EGFR-mutant NSCLC cells than Spautin-1 and act as potent never in mitosis A related kinase 4 (NEK4) inhibitors (IC50~1 µM) with moderate selectivity over other kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Elsocht
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Philippe Giron
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology and Center of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (P.G.); (J.D.G.)
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological Cell Signalling (PACS), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Laila Maes
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (L.M.); (W.V.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wim Versées
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; (L.M.); (W.V.)
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Gustavo J. Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological Cell Signalling (PACS), Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
| | - Jacques De Grève
- Laboratory of Medical and Molecular Oncology and Center of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium; (P.G.); (J.D.G.)
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-2-6293292
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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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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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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: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [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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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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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: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [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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Sayama A, Okado K, Yamaguchi M, Samata N, Imaoka M, Kai K, Mori K. The Impact of the Timing of Dosing on the Severity of UNC569-Induced Ultrastructural Changes in the Mouse Retina. Toxicol Pathol 2020; 48:669-676. [PMID: 32538308 DOI: 10.1177/0192623320931415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mer proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MerTK), expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), regulates the phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor outer segments. To investigate the influence of dosing time on MerTK inhibitor UNC569-induced retinal toxicity, UNC569 at 100 mg/kg was orally administered to male mice at 2 different Zeitgeber times (ZT5.5 or ZT22) for 28 days. Electron microscopy was conducted at ZT2 after the final dosing. Additionally, the visual cycle components (11-cis-retinal, all-trans-retinal, all-trans-retinol, and 11-cis-retinol), which play an important role in maintaining retinal homeostasis, were quantified by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Under electron microscopic examination, the number of phagosomes and phagolysosomes in the RPE increased in both the ZT5.5 and ZT22 administered groups, while endoplasmic reticulum dilatation in the RPE and chromatin aggregation of photoreceptor nuclei were observed only in the ZT22 administered group. No change was observed in any of the visual cycle components. These results suggest that the timing of the dosing in relation to the physiological MerTK phosphorylation affected the severity of changes in the RPE, leading to the apoptosis of the photoreceptor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Sayama
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Okado
- Department of Translational Research, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mayu Yamaguchi
- Department of Pharmaceutical & ADMET Research, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naozumi Samata
- Department of Pharmaceutical & ADMET Research, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masako Imaoka
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyonori Kai
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Mori
- Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co, Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
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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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21
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Abramyan TM, An Y, Kireev D. Off-Pocket Activity Cliffs: A Puzzling Facet of Molecular Recognition. J Chem Inf Model 2019; 60:152-161. [PMID: 31790251 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.9b00731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
While accurate quantitative prediction of ligand-protein binding affinity remains an elusive goal, high-affinity ligands to therapeutic targets are being designed through heuristic optimization of ligand-protein contacts. However, herein, through large-scale data mining and analyses, we demonstrate that a ligand's binding can also be strongly affected through modifying its solvent-exposed portion that does not make contacts with the protein, thus resulting in "off-pocket activity cliffs" (OAC). We then exposed the roots of the OAC phenomenon by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and MD data analyses. We expect OAC to extend our knowledge of molecular recognition and enhance the drug designer's toolkit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tigran M Abramyan
- 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 , 27599-7363
| | - Yi An
- 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 , 27599-7363
| | - 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 , 27599-7363
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AXL receptor tyrosine kinase as a promising anti-cancer approach: functions, molecular mechanisms and clinical applications. Mol Cancer 2019; 18:153. [PMID: 31684958 PMCID: PMC6827209 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-019-1090-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 272] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular targeted therapy for cancer has been a research hotspot for decades. AXL is a member of the TAM family with the high-affinity ligand growth arrest-specific protein 6 (GAS6). The Gas6/AXL signalling pathway is associated with tumour cell growth, metastasis, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, drug resistance, immune regulation and stem cell maintenance. Different therapeutic agents targeting AXL have been developed, typically including small molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), nucleotide aptamers, soluble receptors, and several natural compounds. In this review, we first provide a comprehensive discussion of the structure, function, regulation, and signalling pathways of AXL. Then, we highlight recent strategies for targeting AXL in the treatment of cancer.AXL-targeted drugs, either as single agents or in combination with conventional chemotherapy or other small molecule inhibitors, are likely to improve the survival of many patients. However, future investigations into AXL molecular signalling networks and robust predictive biomarkers are warranted to select patients who could receive clinical benefit and to avoid potential toxicities.
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23
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Sun ZG, Liu JH, Zhang JM, Qian Y. Research Progress of Axl Inhibitors. Curr Top Med Chem 2019; 19:1338-1349. [PMID: 31218961 DOI: 10.2174/1568026619666190620155613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Axl, a Receptor Tyrosine Kinase (RTK) belonging to the TAM (Axl, Mer, Tyro3) family, participates in many signal transduction cascades after mostly being stimulated by Growth arrestspecific 6(Gas6). Axl is widely expressed in many organs, such as macrophages, endothelial cells, heart, liver and skeletal muscle. Over-expression and activation of Axl are associated with promoting chemotherapy resistance, cell proliferation, invasion and metastasis in many human cancers, such as breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Therefore, the research and development of Axl inhibitors is of great significance to strengthen the means of cancer treatment, especially to solve the problem of drug resistance. Axl inhibitors have attracted more and more researchers' attention in recent years. This review discusses the research progress of Axl inhibitors in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Gang Sun
- Central Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, No.17 Jiankang Road, Linyi 276400, China.,State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, No.163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jian-Hua Liu
- Central Laboratory, Linyi Central Hospital, No.17 Jiankang Road, Linyi 276400, China
| | - Jin-Mai Zhang
- Room 205, BIO-X white house, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, No.1954 Huashan Road, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yong Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, No.163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
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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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Muthuraja P, Veeramani V, Prakash S, Himesh M, Venkatasubramanian U, Manisankar P. Structure-activity relationship of pyrazolo pyrimidine derivatives as inhibitors of mitotic kinesin Eg5 and anticancer agents. Bioorg Chem 2019; 84:493-504. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2018.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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26
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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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27
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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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28
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The Dual Role of TAM Receptors in Autoimmune Diseases and Cancer: An Overview. Cells 2018; 7:cells7100166. [PMID: 30322068 PMCID: PMC6210017 DOI: 10.3390/cells7100166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) regulate cellular processes by converting signals from the extracellular environment to the cytoplasm and nucleus. Tyro3, Axl, and Mer (TAM) receptors form an RTK family that plays an intricate role in tissue maintenance, phagocytosis, and inflammation as well as cell proliferation, survival, migration, and development. Defects in TAM signaling are associated with numerous autoimmune diseases and different types of cancers. Here, we review the structure of TAM receptors, their ligands, and their biological functions. We discuss the role of TAM receptors and soluble circulating TAM receptors in the autoimmune diseases systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Lastly, we discuss the effect of TAM receptor deregulation in cancer and explore the therapeutic potential of TAM receptors in the treatment of diseases.
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29
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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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30
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Myers SH, Temps C, Houston DR, Brunton VG, Unciti-Broceta A. Development of Potent Inhibitors of Receptor Tyrosine Kinases by Ligand-Based Drug Design and Target-Biased Phenotypic Screening. J Med Chem 2018; 61:2104-2110. [PMID: 29466002 PMCID: PMC5851644 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.7b01605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Pyrazolopyrimidines with potent antiproliferative
properties were
developed by an adaptive strategy that applies ligand-based design
and phenotypic screening iteratively and is informed by biochemical
assays. To drive development toward specific oncopathways, compounds
were tested against cancer cells that overexpress, or not, AXL kinase.
Identified phenotypic hits were found to inhibit oncotargets AXL,
RET, and FLT3. Subsequent optimization generated antiproliferative
lead compounds with unique selectivity profiles, including selective
AXL inhibitors and a highly potent inhibitor of FLT3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel H Myers
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine , University of Edinburgh , Crewe Road South , Edinburgh EH4 2XR , U.K
| | - Carolin Temps
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine , University of Edinburgh , Crewe Road South , Edinburgh EH4 2XR , U.K
| | - Douglas R Houston
- Institute of Quantitative Biology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology , University of Edinburgh , Edinburgh EH9 3BF , U.K
| | - Valerie G Brunton
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine , University of Edinburgh , Crewe Road South , Edinburgh EH4 2XR , U.K
| | - Asier Unciti-Broceta
- Cancer Research UK Edinburgh Centre, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine , University of Edinburgh , Crewe Road South , Edinburgh EH4 2XR , U.K
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31
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Sayama A, Okado K, Nakamura K, Kawaguchi T, Iguchi T, Makino T, Yabe K, Kai K, Mori K. UNC569-induced Morphological Changes in Pigment Epithelia and Photoreceptor Cells in the Retina through MerTK Inhibition in Mice. Toxicol Pathol 2018; 46:193-201. [PMID: 29310530 DOI: 10.1177/0192623317749469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Mer proto-oncogene tyrosine kinase (MerTK), which is expressed in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), regulates phagocytosis of shed photoreceptor outer segments (POS). To investigate the effects of drug-induced MerTK inhibition on the retina, UNC569, a specific MerTK inhibitor, was orally administered to male mice at a concentration of 60, 100, or 150 mg/kg for up to 14 days. Furthermore, MerTK inhibition in the retinal tissue sample was examined using a phosphorylation assay following a single dose of UNC569 at 100 mg/kg. In electron microscopic examination, UNC569 at 100 mg/kg or more increased phagosomes and phagolysosomes in the RPE. In addition, UNC569 at 150 mg/kg increased chromatin-condensed nuclei in the outer nuclear layer, indicating the early phase of apoptosis of photoreceptor cells. MiR-183, miR-96, and miR-124, which are enriched in photoreceptor cells, were elevated in the plasma of mice following treatment of 150-mg/kg UNC569, in conjunction with the photoreceptor lesion. Additionally, 100-mg/kg UNC569 inhibited MerTK phosphorylation in the retina. These results suggest that MerTK inhibition impaired phagocytic function of the retina, leading to accumulation of shed POS within the POS layer and increasing phagosomes and phagolysosomes in the RPE to delay POS renewal, resulting in apoptosis of photoreceptor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayako Sayama
- 1 Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiko Okado
- 2 Discovery Science and Technology Department, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Nakamura
- 3 Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Kawaguchi
- 2 Discovery Science and Technology Department, Daiichi Sankyo RD Novare Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takuma Iguchi
- 1 Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Makino
- 1 Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Yabe
- 1 Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kiyonori Kai
- 1 Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Mori
- 1 Medicinal Safety Research Laboratories, Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
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32
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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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Promiscuity and selectivity of small-molecule inhibitors across TAM receptor tyrosine kinases in pediatric leukemia. J Mol Graph Model 2017; 75:125-131. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2017.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2017] [Revised: 04/30/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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34
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Gajiwala KS, Grodsky N, Bolaños B, Feng J, Ferre R, Timofeevski S, Xu M, Murray BW, Johnson TW, Stewart A. The Axl kinase domain in complex with a macrocyclic inhibitor offers first structural insights into an active TAM receptor kinase. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:15705-15716. [PMID: 28724631 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.771485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Revised: 07/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The receptor tyrosine kinase family consisting of Tyro3, Axl, and Mer (TAM) is one of the most recently identified receptor tyrosine kinase families. TAM receptors are up-regulated postnatally and maintained at high levels in adults. They all play an important role in immunity, but Axl has also been implicated in cancer and therefore is a target in the discovery and development of novel therapeutics. However, of the three members of the TAM family, the Axl kinase domain is the only one that has so far eluded structure determination. To this end, using differential scanning fluorimetry and hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, we show here that a lower stability and greater dynamic nature of the Axl kinase domain may account for its poor crystallizability. We present the first structural characterization of the Axl kinase domain in complex with a small-molecule macrocyclic inhibitor. The Axl crystal structure revealed two distinct conformational states of the enzyme, providing a first glimpse of what an active TAM receptor kinase may look like and suggesting a potential role for the juxtamembrane region in enzyme activity. We noted that the ATP/inhibitor-binding sites of the TAM members closely resemble each other, posing a challenge for the design of a selective inhibitor. We propose that the differences in the conformational dynamics among the TAM family members could potentially be exploited to achieve inhibitor selectivity for targeted receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sergei Timofeevski
- Oncology Research and Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, San Diego, California 92121
| | - Meirong Xu
- Oncology Research and Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, San Diego, California 92121
| | - Brion W Murray
- Oncology Research and Development, Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, San Diego, California 92121
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35
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Nishijima N, Hirai T, Misato K, Aoyama M, Kuroda E, Ishii KJ, Higashisaka K, Yoshioka Y, Tsutsumi Y. Human Scavenger Receptor A1-Mediated Inflammatory Response to Silica Particle Exposure Is Size Specific. Front Immunol 2017; 8:379. [PMID: 28421077 PMCID: PMC5377922 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The application of nanotechnology in the health care setting has many potential benefits; however, our understanding of the interactions between nanoparticles and our immune system remains incomplete. Although many of the biological effects of nanoparticles are negatively correlated with particle size, some are clearly size specific and the mechanisms underlying these size-specific biological effects remain unknown. Here, we examined the pro-inflammatory effects of silica particles in THP-1 cells with respect to particle size; a large overall size range with narrow intervals between particle diameters (particle diameter: 10, 30, 50, 70, 100, 300, and 1,000 nm) was used. Secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α induced by exposure to the silica particles had a bell-shaped distribution, where the maximal secretion was induced by silica nanoparticles with a diameter of 50 nm and particles with smaller or larger diameters had progressively less effect. We found that blockade of IL-1β secretion markedly inhibited TNF-α secretion, suggesting that IL-1β is upstream of TNF-α in the inflammatory cascade induced by exposure to silica particles, and that the induction of IL-1β secretion was dependent on both the NLRP3 inflammasome and on uptake of the silica particles into the cells via endocytosis. However, a quantitative analysis of silica particle uptake showed that IL-1β secretion was not correlated with the amount of silica particles taken up by the cells. Further investigation revealed that the induction of IL-1β secretion and uptake of silica nanoparticles with diameters of 50 or 100 nm, but not of 10 or 1,000 nm, was dependent on scavenger receptor (SR) A1. In addition, of the silica particles examined, only those with a diameter of 50 nm induced strong IL-1β secretion via activation of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase, a signal mediator of SR A1. Together, our results suggest that the SR A1-mediated pro-inflammatory response is dependent on ligand size and that both SR A1-mediated endocytosis and receptor-mediated signaling are required to produce the maximal pro-inflammatory response to exposure to silica particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuo Nishijima
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Toshiro Hirai
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Kazuki Misato
- Vaccine Creation Project, BIKEN Innovative Vaccine Research Alliance Laboratories, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Michihiko Aoyama
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Etsushi Kuroda
- Laboratory of Vaccine Science, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (iFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Laboratory of Adjuvant Innovation, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Ken J Ishii
- Laboratory of Vaccine Science, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (iFReC), Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Laboratory of Adjuvant Innovation, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NIBIOHN), Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazuma Higashisaka
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yasuo Yoshioka
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Vaccine Creation Project, BIKEN Innovative Vaccine Research Alliance Laboratories, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,BIKEN Center for Innovative Vaccine Research and Development, The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yasuo Tsutsumi
- Laboratory of Toxicology and Safety Science, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,The Center for Advanced Medical Engineering and Informatics, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
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36
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Kimani SG, Kumar S, Bansal N, Singh K, Kholodovych V, Comollo T, Peng Y, Kotenko SV, Sarafianos SG, Bertino JR, Welsh WJ, Birge RB. Small molecule inhibitors block Gas6-inducible TAM activation and tumorigenicity. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43908. [PMID: 28272423 PMCID: PMC5341070 DOI: 10.1038/srep43908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
TAM receptors (Tyro-3, Axl, and Mertk) are a family of three homologous type I receptor tyrosine kinases that are implicated in several human malignancies. Overexpression of TAMs and their major ligand Growth arrest-specific factor 6 (Gas6) is associated with more aggressive staging of cancers, poorer predicted patient survival, acquired drug resistance and metastasis. Here we describe small molecule inhibitors (RU-301 and RU-302) that target the extracellular domain of Axl at the interface of the Ig-1 ectodomain of Axl and the Lg-1 of Gas6. These inhibitors effectively block Gas6-inducible Axl receptor activation with low micromolar IC50s in cell-based reporter assays, inhibit Gas6-inducible motility in Axl-expressing cell lines, and suppress H1299 lung cancer tumor growth in a mouse xenograft NOD-SCIDγ model. Furthermore, using homology models and biochemical verifications, we show that RU301 and 302 also inhibit Gas6 inducible activation of Mertk and Tyro3 suggesting they can act as pan-TAM inhibitors that block the interface between the TAM Ig1 ectodomain and the Gas6 Lg domain. Together, these observations establish that small molecules that bind to the interface between TAM Ig1 domain and Gas6 Lg1 domain can inhibit TAM activation, and support the further development of small molecule Gas6-TAM interaction inhibitors as a novel class of cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanley G Kimani
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Sushil Kumar
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Nitu Bansal
- Rutgers University, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Kamalendra Singh
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Biochemistry, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Vladyslav Kholodovych
- Rutgers University, Office of Advanced Research Computing, 96 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.,Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Thomas Comollo
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Youyi Peng
- Rutgers University, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - Sergei V Kotenko
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Stefan G Sarafianos
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, and Department of Biochemistry, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Joseph R Bertino
- Rutgers University, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA
| | - William J Welsh
- Rutgers University, Cancer Institute of New Jersey, 195 Little Albany Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, USA.,Rutgers University, Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, Department of Pharmacology, 675 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Raymond B Birge
- Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Cancer Center, 205 South Orange Ave, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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37
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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: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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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38
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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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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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40
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Design and optimization of (3-aryl-1 H -indazol-6-yl)spiro[cyclopropane-1,3′-indolin]-2′-ones as potent PLK4 inhibitors with oral antitumor efficacy. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:4625-4630. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.08.063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2016] [Revised: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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41
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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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42
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Wang SB, Cui MT, Wang XF, Ohkoshi E, Goto M, Yang DX, Li L, Yuan S, Morris-Natschke SL, Lee KH, Xie L. Synthesis, biological evaluation, and physicochemical property assessment of 4-substituted 2-phenylaminoquinazolines as Mer tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem 2016; 24:3083-3092. [PMID: 27238842 PMCID: PMC4920374 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2016] [Revised: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Current results identified 4-substituted 2-phenylaminoquinazoline compounds as novel Mer tyrosine kinase (Mer TK) inhibitors with a new scaffold. Twenty-one 2,4-disubstituted quinazolines (series 4-7) were designed, synthesized, and evaluated against Mer TK and a panel of human tumor cell lines aimed at exploring new Mer TK inhibitors as novel potential antitumor agents. A new lead, 4b, was discovered with a good balance between high potency (IC50 0.68μM) in the Mer TK assay and antiproliferative activity against MV4-11 (GI50 8.54μM), as well as other human tumor cell lines (GI50<20μM), and a desirable druglike property profile with low logP value (2.54) and high aqueous solubility (95.6μg/mL). Molecular modeling elucidated an expected binding mode of 4b with Mer TK and necessary interactions between them, thus supporting the hypothesis that Mer TK might be a biologic target of this kind of new active compound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng-Biao Wang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Mu-Tian Cui
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Wang
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850, China; Pharmacy Department, Urumqi General Hospital, Lanzhou Military Region, Urumqi 830000, China
| | - Emika Ohkoshi
- Natural Products Research Laboratories, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Masuo Goto
- Natural Products Research Laboratories, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - De-Xuan Yang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Linna Li
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Shoujun Yuan
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850, China
| | - Susan L Morris-Natschke
- Natural Products Research Laboratories, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kuo-Hsiung Lee
- Natural Products Research Laboratories, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Chinese Medicine Research and Development Center, China Medical University & Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - Lan Xie
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology & Toxicology, 27 Tai-Ping Road, Beijing 100850, China; Natural Products Research Laboratories, UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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Minson KA, Smith CC, DeRyckere D, Libbrecht C, Lee-Sherick AB, Huey MG, Lasater EA, Kirkpatrick GD, Stashko MA, Zhang W, Jordan CT, Kireev D, Wang X, Frye SV, Earp HS, Shah NP, Graham DK. The MERTK/FLT3 inhibitor MRX-2843 overcomes resistance-conferring FLT3 mutations in acute myeloid leukemia. JCI Insight 2016; 1:e85630. [PMID: 27158668 PMCID: PMC4855528 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.85630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3-targeted (FLT3-targeted) therapies have shown initial promise for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) expressing FLT3-activating mutations; however, resistance emerges rapidly. Furthermore, limited options exist for the treatment of FLT3-independent AML, demonstrating the need for novel therapies that reduce toxicity and improve survival. MERTK receptor tyrosine kinase is overexpressed in 80% to 90% of AMLs and contributes to leukemogenesis. Here, we describe MRX-2843, a type 1 small-molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that abrogates activation of both MERTK and FLT3 and their downstream effectors. MRX-2843 treatment induces apoptosis and inhibits colony formation in AML cell lines and primary patient samples expressing MERTK and/or FLT3-ITD, with a wide therapeutic window compared with that of normal human cord blood cells. In murine orthotopic xenograft models, once-daily oral therapy prolonged survival 2- to 3-fold over that of vehicle-treated controls. Additionally, MRX-2843 retained activity against quizartinib-resistant FLT3-ITD-mutant proteins with clinically relevant alterations at the D835 or F691 loci and prolonged survival in xenograft models of quizartinib-resistant AML. Together, these observations validate MRX-2843 as a translational agent and support its clinical development for the treatment of AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A. Minson
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | - Deborah DeRyckere
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Clara Libbrecht
- University of Colorado, Department of Pediatrics, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | | | - Madeline G. Huey
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | | | | | - Michael A. Stashko
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Weihe Zhang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Craig T. Jordan
- University of Colorado, Department of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Dmitri Kireev
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xiaodong Wang
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephen V. Frye
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - H. Shelton Earp
- UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Department of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Neil P. Shah
- UCSF, Department of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Douglas K. Graham
- Aflac Cancer Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Emory University Department of Pediatrics, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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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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45
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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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46
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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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47
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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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48
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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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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: 498] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.8] [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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