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Gold MS, Pineda-Farias JB, Close D, Patel S, Johnston PA, Stocker SD, Journigan VB. Subcutaneous administration of a novel TRPM8 antagonist reverses cold hypersensitivity while attenuating the drop in core body temperature. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:3527-3543. [PMID: 38794851 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16429] [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: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE We extend the characterization of the TRPM8 antagonist VBJ103 with tests of selectivity, specificity and distribution, therapeutic efficacy of systemic administration against oxaliplatin-induced cold hyperalgesia and the impact of systemic administration on core body temperature (CBT). EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Selectivity at human TRPA1 and TRPV1 as well as in vitro safety profiling was determined. Effects of systemic administration of VBJ103 were evaluated in a model of oxaliplatin-induced cold hyperalgesia. Both peripheral and centrally mediated effects of VBJ103 on CBT were assessed with radiotelemetry. KEY RESULTS VBJ103 had no antagonist activity at TRPV1 and TRPA1, but low potency TRPA1 activation. The only safety liability detected was partial inhibition of the dopamine transporter (DAT). VBJ103 delivered subcutaneously dose-dependently attenuated cold hypersensitivity in oxaliplatin-treated mice at 3, 10 and 30 mg·kg-1 (n = 7, P < 0.05). VBJ103 (30 mg·kg-1) antinociception was influenced by neither the TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 nor the DAT antagonist GBR12909. Subcutaneous administration of VBJ103 (3, 10 and 30 mg·kg-1, but not 100 or 300 mg·kg-1, n = 7) decreased CBT (2°C). Intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of VBJ103 (3, 10 and 30 mg·kg-1) dose-dependently decreased CBT to an extent larger than that detected with subcutaneous administration. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration (306 nmol/1 μL; n = 5) did not alter CBT. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS We achieve therapeutic efficacy with subcutaneous administration of a novel TRPM8 antagonist that attenuates deleterious influences on CBT, a side effect that has largely prevented the translation of TRPM8 as a target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael S Gold
- Department of Neurobiology, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jorge B Pineda-Farias
- Department of Neurobiology, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Close
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Smith Patel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Paul A Johnston
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Sean D Stocker
- Department of Neurobiology, Pittsburgh Center for Pain Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - V Blair Journigan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Computational Chemical Genomics Screening Center, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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2
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Dunkoksung W, Udomnilobol U, Ruengsatra T, Chauypen N, Prueksaritanont T. Preclinical characterization of a novel potent core protein assembly modulator for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral infection. Eur J Pharm Sci 2024; 200:106834. [PMID: 38906232 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2024.106834] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
The hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid or core protein is a promising drug target currently being investigated for potential curative therapies for chronic HBV infection. In this study, we performed extensive in vitro and in vivo characterization of a novel and potent HBV core protein assembly modulator (CpAM), CU15, for both anti-HBV activity and druggability properties. CU15 potently inhibited HBV DNA replication in in vitro HBV-infected HepG2.2.15 cells (EC50 of 8.6 nM), with a low serum shift. It was also effective in inhibiting HBV DNA and cccDNA formation in de novo HBV-infected primary human hepatocytes. Furthermore, CU15 was active across several HBV genotypes and across clinically relevant core protein variants. After oral administration to an in vivo HBV mouse model, CU15 significantly reduced plasma HBV DNA and RNA levels, at plasma exposure consistent with the estimated in vitro potency. In vitro, CU15 exhibited excellent passive permeability and relatively high metabolic stability in liver preparations across species (human > dog> rat). In vitro human liver microsomal studies suggest that the compound's major metabolic pathway is CYP3A-mediated oxidation. Consistent with the in vitro findings, CU15 is a compound with a low-to-moderate clearance and high oral bioavailability in rats and dogs. Based on the apparent in vitro-in vivo correlation observed, CU15 has the potential to exhibit low clearance and high oral bioavailability in humans. In addition, CU15 also showed low drug-drug interaction liability with an acceptable in vitro safety profile (IC50 > 10 µM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilasinee Dunkoksung
- Chulalongkorn University Drug Discovery and Drug Development Research Center (Chula4DR), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Udomsak Udomnilobol
- Chulalongkorn University Drug Discovery and Drug Development Research Center (Chula4DR), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tanachote Ruengsatra
- Chulalongkorn University Drug Discovery and Drug Development Research Center (Chula4DR), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Natthaya Chauypen
- Center of Excellence in Hepatitis and Liver Cancer, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thomayant Prueksaritanont
- Chulalongkorn University Drug Discovery and Drug Development Research Center (Chula4DR), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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3
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Firoozbakht F, Elkjaer ML, Handy D, Wang R, Chervontseva Z, Rarey M, Loscalzo J, Baumbach J, Tsoy O. DREAMER: Exploring Common Mechanisms of Adverse Drug Reactions and Disease Phenotypes through Network-Based Analysis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.20.602911. [PMID: 39091742 PMCID: PMC11291051 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.20.602911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a major concern in clinical healthcare, significantly affecting patient safety and drug development. This study introduces DREAMER, a novel network-based method for exploring the mechanisms underlying ADRs and disease phenotypes at a molecular level by leveraging a comprehensive knowledge graph obtained from various datasets. By considering drugs and diseases that cause similar phenotypes, and investigating their commonalities regarding their impact on specific modules of the protein-protein interaction network, DREAMER can robustly identify protein sets associated with the biological mechanisms underlying ADRs and unravel the causal relationships that contribute to the observed clinical outcomes. Applying DREAMER to 649 ADRs, we identified proteins associated with the mechanism of action for 67 ADRs across multiple organ systems. In particular, DREAMER highlights the importance of GABAergic signaling and proteins of the coagulation pathways for personality disorders and intracranial hemorrhage, respectively. We further demonstrate the application of DREAMER in drug repurposing and propose sotalol, ranolazine, and diltiazem as candidate drugs to be repurposed for cardiac arrest. In summary, DREAMER effectively detects molecular mechanisms underlying phenotypes.
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4
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Wood A, Breffa C, Chaine C, Cubberley R, Dent M, Eichhorn J, Fayyaz S, Grimm FA, Houghton J, Kiwamoto R, Kukic P, Lee M, Malcomber S, Martin S, Nicol B, Reynolds J, Riley G, Scott S, Smith C, Westmoreland C, Wieland W, Williams M, Wolton K, Zellmann T, Gutsell S. Next generation risk assessment for occupational chemical safety - A real world example with sodium-2-hydroxyethane sulfonate. Toxicology 2024; 506:153835. [PMID: 38857863 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153835] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Next Generation Risk Assessment (NGRA) is an exposure-led approach to safety assessment that uses New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). Application of NGRA has been largely restricted to assessments of consumer use of cosmetics and is not currently implemented in occupational safety assessments, e.g. under EU REACH. By contrast, a large proportion of regulatory worker safety assessments are underpinned by toxicological studies using experimental animals. Consequently, occupational safety assessment represents an area that would benefit from increasing application of NGRA to safety decision making. Here, a workflow for conducting NGRA under an occupational safety context was developed, which is illustrated with a case study chemical; sodium 2-hydroxyethane sulphonate (sodium isethionate or SI). Exposures were estimated using a standard occupational exposure model following a comprehensive life cycle assessment of SI and considering factory-specific data. Outputs of this model were then used to estimate internal exposures using a Physiologically Based Kinetic (PBK) model, which was constructed with SI specific Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Excretion (ADME) data. PBK modelling indicated a worst-case plasma maximum concentration (Cmax) of 0.8 μM across the SI life cycle. SI bioactivity was assessed in a battery of NAMs relevant to systemic, reproductive, and developmental toxicity; a cell stress panel, high throughput transcriptomics in three cell lines (HepG2, HepaRG and MCF-7 cells), pharmacological profiling and specific assays relating to developmental toxicity (Reprotracker and devTOX quickPredict). Points of Departure (PoDs) for SI ranged from 104 to 5044 µM. Cmax values obtained from PBK modelling of occupational exposures to SI were compared with PoDs from the bioactivity assays to derive Bioactivity Exposure Ratios (BERs) which demonstrated the safety for workers exposed to SI under current levels of factory specific risk management. In summary, the tiered and iterative workflow developed here represents an opportunity for integrating non animal approaches for a large subset of substances for which systemic worker safety assessment is required. Such an approach could be followed to ensure that animal testing is only conducted as a "last resort" e.g. under EU REACH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Wood
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK.
| | - Catherine Breffa
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Caroline Chaine
- Vantage Specialty Chemicals, 3 rue Jules Guesde, Ris Orangis 91130, France
| | - Richard Cubberley
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Matthew Dent
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Joachim Eichhorn
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susann Fayyaz
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Fabian A Grimm
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jade Houghton
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Reiko Kiwamoto
- Unilever, Bronland 14, Wageningen 6708 WH, the Netherlands
| | - Predrag Kukic
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - MoungSook Lee
- Clariant Produkte (Deutschland) GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sophie Malcomber
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Suzanne Martin
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Beate Nicol
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Joe Reynolds
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Gordon Riley
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Sharon Scott
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- ERM Ireland Limited, Ardilaun Court, St Stephen's Green, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Carl Westmoreland
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | | | - Mesha Williams
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | - Kathryn Wolton
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
| | | | - Steve Gutsell
- Unilever Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Colworth Science Park, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire MK44 1LQ, UK
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5
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Yu W, Fang S, Xie X, Liu W, Liu X, Du Y, Zheng P, Liu G. Deuterium Editing of Small Molecules: A Case Study on Antitumor Activity of 1,4-Benzodiazepine-2,5-dione Derivatives. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 39026395 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Substituting hydrogen with deuterium in drug molecules is an appealing bioisosteric strategy for the generation of novel chemical entities in drug development. Optimizing lead compounds through deuteration has proven to be challenging and unpredictable, particularly for compounds with multiple metabolic sites. This study presents the pioneering achievement of substituting up to 19 hydrogen atoms with deuterium on 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione derivatives, shedding light on the structure-metabolism relationship and the impact of multiple deuterations on drug-like properties. Notably, the deuterated compound 3f exhibited remarkable antitumor activity in vivo and demonstrated favorable drug-like properties as a drug candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Yu
- Ningbo Combireg Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Ningbo 315336, P. R. China
| | - Shiping Fang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xilei Xie
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Wenwu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Xinhua Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yanan Du
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Purong Zheng
- Ningbo Combireg Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Ningbo 315336, P. R. China
| | - Gang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tsinghua University, Haidian Dist, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
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6
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Stefan SM, Rafehi M. Medicinal polypharmacology-a scientific glossary of terminology and concepts. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1419110. [PMID: 39092220 PMCID: PMC11292611 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1419110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Medicinal polypharmacology is one answer to the complex reality of multifactorial human diseases that are often unresponsive to single-targeted treatment. It is an admittance that intrinsic feedback mechanisms, crosstalk, and disease networks necessitate drugs with broad modes-of-action and multitarget affinities. Medicinal polypharmacology grew to be an independent research field within the last two decades and stretches from basic drug development to clinical research. It has developed its own terminology embedded in general terms of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development at the intersection of medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and clinical pharmacology. A clear and precise language of critical terms and a thorough understanding of underlying concepts is imperative; however, no comprehensive work exists to this date that could support researchers in this and adjacent research fields. In order to explore novel options, establish interdisciplinary collaborations, and generate high-quality research outputs, the present work provides a first-in-field glossary to clarify the numerous terms that have originated from various individual disciplines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Marcel Stefan
- Medicinal Chemistry and Systems Polypharmacology, Medical Systems Biology Division, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH), Lübeck, Germany
- Department of Biopharmacy, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Muhammad Rafehi
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Medical Education, Augsburg University Medicine, Augsburg, Germany
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7
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Das A, Biswas S, Satyaprakash K, Bhattacharya D, Nanda PK, Patra G, Moirangthem S, Nath S, Dhar P, Verma AK, Biswas O, Tardi NI, Bhunia AK, Das AK. Ratanjot ( Alkanna tinctoria L.) Root Extract, Rich in Antioxidants, Exhibits Strong Antimicrobial Activity against Foodborne Pathogens and Is a Potential Food Preservative. Foods 2024; 13:2254. [PMID: 39063340 PMCID: PMC11275321 DOI: 10.3390/foods13142254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Natural and sustainable plant-based antioxidants and antimicrobials are highly desirable for improving food quality and safety. The present investigation assessed the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of active components from Alkanna tinctoria L. (herb) roots, also known as Ratanjot root. Two methods were used to extract active components: microwave-assisted hot water (MAHW) and ethanolic extraction. MAHW extract yielded 6.29%, while the ethanol extract yielded 18.27%, suggesting superior Ratanjot root extract powder (RRP) solubility in ethanol over water. The ethanol extract showed significantly higher antioxidant activity than the MAHW extract. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis revealed three major phenolic compounds: butanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-; arnebin 7, and diisooctyl pthalate. The color attributes (L*, a*, b*, H°ab, C*ab) for the ethanolic and MAHW extracts revealed significant differences (p < 0.05) in all the above parameters for both types of extracts, except for yellowness (b*) and chroma (C*ab) values. The ethanol extract exhibited antimicrobial activity against 14 foodborne bacteria, with a significantly higher inhibitory effect against Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) than the Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Escherichia coli). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were both 25 mg/mL for the Gram-negative bacteria, while the MIC and MBC concentrations varied for Gram-positive bacteria (0.049-0.098 mg/mL and 0.098-0.195 mg/mL) and the antimicrobial effect was bactericidal. The antimicrobial activities of RRP extract remained stable under broad temperature (37-100 °C) and pH (2-6) conditions, as well as during refrigerated storage for 30 days. Application of RRP at 1% (10 mg/g) and 2.5% (25 mg/g) levels in a cooked chicken meatball model system prevented lipid oxidation and improved sensory attributes and retarded microbial growth during refrigerated (4 °C) storage for 20 days. Furthermore, the RRP extract was non-toxic when tested with sheep erythrocytes and did not inhibit the growth of probiotics, Lacticaseibacillus casei, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. In conclusion, the study suggests that RRP possesses excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, thus making it suitable for food preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annada Das
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata 700037, India; (A.D.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Subhasish Biswas
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata 700037, India; (A.D.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Kaushik Satyaprakash
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur 231001, India;
| | - Dipanwita Bhattacharya
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Mirzapur 231001, India;
| | - Pramod Kumar Nanda
- Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, 37 Belgachia Road, Kolkata 700037, India; (P.K.N.); (S.N.)
| | - Gopal Patra
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata 700037, India; (A.D.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Sushmita Moirangthem
- Department of Livestock Products Technology, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata 700037, India; (A.D.); (S.B.); (G.P.); (S.M.)
| | - Santanu Nath
- Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, 37 Belgachia Road, Kolkata 700037, India; (P.K.N.); (S.N.)
| | - Pubali Dhar
- Laboratory of Food Science and Technology, Food and Nutrition Division, University of Calcutta, 20B, Judges Court Road, Alipore, Kolkata 700027, India;
| | - Arun K. Verma
- Goat Products Technology Laboratory, ICAR-Central Institute for Research on Goats, Makhdoom, Mathura 281122, India;
| | - Olipriya Biswas
- Department of Fishery Engineering, West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata 700037, India;
| | - Nicole Irizarry Tardi
- Molecular Food Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
| | - Arun K. Bhunia
- Molecular Food Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA;
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - Arun K. Das
- Eastern Regional Station, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, 37 Belgachia Road, Kolkata 700037, India; (P.K.N.); (S.N.)
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Fer M, Amalric C, Arban R, Baron L, Ben Hamida S, Breh-Schlanser P, Cui Y, Darcq E, Eickmeier C, Faye V, Franchet C, Frauli M, Halter C, Heyer M, Hoenke C, Hoerer S, Hucke OT, Joseph C, Kieffer BL, Lebrun L, Lotz N, Mayer S, Omrani A, Recolet M, Schaeffer L, Schann S, Schlecker A, Steinberg E, Viloria M, Würstle K, Young K, Zinser A, Montel F, Klepp J. Discovery of BI-9508, a Brain-Penetrant GPR88-Receptor-Agonist Tool Compound for In Vivo Mouse Studies. J Med Chem 2024; 67:11296-11325. [PMID: 38949964 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Decreased activity and expression of the G-protein coupled receptor GPR88 is linked to many behavior-linked neurological disorders. Published preclinical GPR88 allosteric agonists all have in vivo pharmacokinetic properties that preclude their progression to the clinic, including high lipophilicity and poor brain penetration. Here, we describe our attempts to improve GPR88 agonists' drug-like properties and our analysis of the trade-offs required to successfully target GPR88's allosteric pocket. We discovered two new GPR88 agonists: One that reduced morphine-induced locomotor activity in a murine proof-of-concept study, and the atropoisomeric BI-9508, which is a brain penetrant and has improved pharmacokinetic properties and dosing that recommend it for future in vivo studies in rodents. BI-9508 still suffers from high lipophilicity, and research on this series was halted. Because of its utility as a tool compound, we now offer researchers access to BI-9508 and a negative control free of charge via Boehringer Ingelheim's open innovation portal opnMe.com.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Roberto Arban
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Luc Baron
- Domain Therapeutics, 67400 Illkirch, France
| | - Sami Ben Hamida
- Douglas Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
- INSERM UMR 1247- Research Group on Alcohol & Pharmacodependences (GRAP), Université de Picardie Jules Verne, 80000 Amiens, France
| | | | - Yunhai Cui
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Darcq
- Douglas Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
- INSERM UMR-S1329, Strasbourg Translational Neuroscience & Psychiatry, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67084, France
| | - Christian Eickmeier
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Christoph Hoenke
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Stefan Hoerer
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Oliver T Hucke
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | | | - Brigitte L Kieffer
- Douglas Research Center, Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
- INSERM UMR-S1329, Strasbourg Translational Neuroscience & Psychiatry, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg 67084, France
| | | | | | | | - Azar Omrani
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Annette Schlecker
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | | | | | - Klaus Würstle
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Kyle Young
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Alexander Zinser
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Florian Montel
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
| | - Julian Klepp
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach an der Riß, Germany
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9
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Rao M, McDuffie E, Srivastava S, Plaisted W, Sachs C. Safety Implications of Modulating Nuclear Receptors: A Comprehensive Analysis from Non-Clinical and Clinical Perspectives. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:875. [PMID: 39065726 PMCID: PMC11279859 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070875] [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: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The unintended modulation of nuclear receptor (NR) activity by drugs can lead to toxicities amongst the endocrine, gastrointestinal, hepatic cardiovascular, and central nervous systems. While secondary pharmacology screening assays include NRs, safety risks due to unintended interactions of small molecule drugs with NRs remain poorly understood. To identify potential nonclinical and clinical safety effects resulting from functional interactions with 44 of the 48 human-expressed NRs, we conducted a systematic narrative review of the scientific literature, tissue expression data, and used curated databases (OFF-X™) (Off-X, Clarivate) to organize reported toxicities linked to the functional modulation of NRs in a tabular and machine-readable format. The top five NRs associated with the highest number of safety alerts from peer-reviewed journals, regulatory agency communications, congresses/conferences, clinical trial registries, and company communications were the Glucocorticoid Receptor (GR, 18,328), Androgen Receptor (AR, 18,219), Estrogen Receptor (ER, 12,028), Retinoic acid receptors (RAR, 10,450), and Pregnane X receptor (PXR, 8044). Toxicities associated with NR modulation include hepatotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, endocrine disruption, carcinogenicity, metabolic disorders, and neurotoxicity. These toxicities often arise from the dysregulation of receptors like Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα, PPARγ), the ER, PXR, AR, and GR. This dysregulation leads to various health issues, including liver enlargement, hepatocellular carcinoma, heart-related problems, hormonal imbalances, tumor growth, metabolic syndromes, and brain function impairment. Gene expression analysis using heatmaps for human and rat tissues complemented the functional modulation of NRs associated with the reported toxicities. Interestingly, certain NRs showed ubiquitous expression in tissues not previously linked to toxicities, suggesting the potential utilization of organ-specific NR interactions for therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohan Rao
- Toxicology Department, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, CA 92130, USA (C.S.)
| | - Eric McDuffie
- Toxicology Department, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, CA 92130, USA (C.S.)
| | - Sanjay Srivastava
- Chemistry Department, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, CA 92130, USA
| | - Warren Plaisted
- Biology Department, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, CA 92130, USA
| | - Clifford Sachs
- Toxicology Department, Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc., San Diego, CA 92130, USA (C.S.)
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10
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Liu J, Gui Y, Rao J, Sun J, Wang G, Ren Q, Qu N, Niu B, Chen Z, Sheng X, Wang Y, Zheng M, Li X. In silico off-target profiling for enhanced drug safety assessment. Acta Pharm Sin B 2024; 14:2927-2941. [PMID: 39027254 PMCID: PMC11252485 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Ensuring drug safety in the early stages of drug development is crucial to avoid costly failures in subsequent phases. However, the economic burden associated with detecting drug off-targets and potential side effects through in vitro safety screening and animal testing is substantial. Drug off-target interactions, along with the adverse drug reactions they induce, are significant factors affecting drug safety. To assess the liability of candidate drugs, we developed an artificial intelligence model for the precise prediction of compound off-target interactions, leveraging multi-task graph neural networks. The outcomes of off-target predictions can serve as representations for compounds, enabling the differentiation of drugs under various ATC codes and the classification of compound toxicity. Furthermore, the predicted off-target profiles are employed in adverse drug reaction (ADR) enrichment analysis, facilitating the inference of potential ADRs for a drug. Using the withdrawn drug Pergolide as an example, we elucidate the mechanisms underlying ADRs at the target level, contributing to the exploration of the potential clinical relevance of newly predicted off-target interactions. Overall, our work facilitates the early assessment of compound safety/toxicity based on off-target identification, deduces potential ADRs of drugs, and ultimately promotes the secure development of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yike Gui
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jingxin Rao
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jingjing Sun
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qun Ren
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ning Qu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Buying Niu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zhiyi Chen
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 330106, China
| | - Xia Sheng
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yitian Wang
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mingyue Zheng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210023, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, Hangzhou 330106, China
| | - Xutong Li
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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11
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Brennan RJ, Jenkinson S, Brown A, Delaunois A, Dumotier B, Pannirselvam M, Rao M, Ribeiro LR, Schmidt F, Sibony A, Timsit Y, Sales VT, Armstrong D, Lagrutta A, Mittlestadt SW, Naven R, Peri R, Roberts S, Vergis JM, Valentin JP. The state of the art in secondary pharmacology and its impact on the safety of new medicines. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:525-545. [PMID: 38773351 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-024-00942-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024]
Abstract
Secondary pharmacology screening of investigational small-molecule drugs for potentially adverse off-target activities has become standard practice in pharmaceutical research and development, and regulatory agencies are increasingly requesting data on activity against targets with recognized adverse effect relationships. However, the screening strategies and target panels used by pharmaceutical companies may vary substantially. To help identify commonalities and differences, as well as to highlight opportunities for further optimization of secondary pharmacology assessment, we conducted a broad-ranging survey across 18 companies under the auspices of the DruSafe leadership group of the International Consortium for Innovation and Quality in Pharmaceutical Development. Based on our analysis of this survey and discussions and additional research within the group, we present here an overview of the current state of the art in secondary pharmacology screening. We discuss best practices, including additional safety-associated targets not covered by most current screening panels, and present approaches for interpreting and reporting off-target activities. We also provide an assessment of the safety impact of secondary pharmacology screening, and a perspective on opportunities and challenges in this rapidly developing field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mohan Rao
- Janssen Research & Development, San Diego, CA, USA
- Neurocrine Biosciences, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lyn Rosenbrier Ribeiro
- UCB Biopharma, Braine-l'Alleud, Belgium
- AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK
- Grunenthal, Berkshire, UK
| | | | | | - Yoav Timsit
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Blueprint Medicines, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Duncan Armstrong
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Armstrong Pharmacology, Macclesfield, UK
| | | | | | - Russell Naven
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ravikumar Peri
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, DE, USA
| | - Sonia Roberts
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - James M Vergis
- Faegre Drinker Biddle and Reath, LLP, Washington, DC, USA
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12
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Dumotier BM, Urban L. Preclinical mitigation of 5-HT2B agonism-related cardiac valvulopathy revisited. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2024; 128:107542. [PMID: 39032441 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2024.107542] [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: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Cardiac valvulopathy (Cardiac Valve Disease; CVD) associated with off-target activation of the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2B receptor has been well recognized, but is still poorly predicted during drug development. The regulatory guidance proposes the use of 5-HT2B binding data (i.e., Ki values) and free maximum therapeutic exposure (Cmax) to calculate safety margins as a threshold of detection (>10) for eliminating the risk of drug-induced cardiac valvulopathy. In this paper, we provide additional recommendations for preclinical prediction of CVD risk based on clinical pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic data obtained from drugs with or without 5-HT2B receptor activation. Our investigations showed that 5-HT2B agonist affinity of molecules tested in an in vitro 5-HT2B cell-based functional assay, placed in perspective to their sustained plasma exposure (AUCs) and not to their peak plasma exposure, Cmax (i.e., maximum therapeutic exposure) provide a solid basis for interpreting 5-HT2B data, for calculating safety margins and then, accurately differentiate drugs associated with a clinical risk of CVD from those which are not (despite having some agonist 5-HT2B activity). In addition, we discuss the risk of multi-organ fibrosis linked to 5-HT2B receptor activation, often underestimated, however well reported in FAERS for 5-HT2B agonists. We believe that our recommendations have the potential to mitigate the risk for the clinical development of CVD and fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bérengère M Dumotier
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Translational Medicine, Preclinical Safety, Basel CH-4056, Switzerland.
| | - Laszlo Urban
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Translational Medicine, Preclinical Safety, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
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13
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Sawada R, Sakajiri Y, Shibata T, Yamanishi Y. Predicting therapeutic and side effects from drug binding affinities to human proteome structures. iScience 2024; 27:110032. [PMID: 38868195 PMCID: PMC11167438 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Evaluation of the binding affinities of drugs to proteins is a crucial process for identifying drug pharmacological actions, but it requires three dimensional structures of proteins. Herein, we propose novel computational methods to predict the therapeutic indications and side effects of drug candidate compounds from the binding affinities to human protein structures on a proteome-wide scale. Large-scale docking simulations were performed for 7,582 drugs with 19,135 protein structures revealed by AlphaFold (including experimentally unresolved proteins), and machine learning models on the proteome-wide binding affinity score (PBAS) profiles were constructed. We demonstrated the usefulness of the method for predicting the therapeutic indications for 559 diseases and side effects for 285 toxicities. The method enabled to predict drug indications for which the related protein structures had not been experimentally determined and to successfully extract proteins eliciting the side effects. The proposed method will be useful in various applications in drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryusuke Sawada
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yuko Sakajiri
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Japan
- Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomokazu Shibata
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Yamanishi
- Department of Bioscience and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Computer Science and Systems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Iizuka, Japan
- Graduate School of Informatics, Nagoya University, Chikusa, Nagoya, Japan
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14
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Najjar A, Kühnl J, Lange D, Géniès C, Jacques C, Fabian E, Zifle A, Hewitt NJ, Schepky A. Next-generation risk assessment read-across case study: application of a 10-step framework to derive a safe concentration of daidzein in a body lotion. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1421601. [PMID: 38962304 PMCID: PMC11220827 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1421601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction: We performed an exposure-based Next Generation Risk Assessment case read-across study using New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) to determine the highest safe concentration of daidzein in a body lotion, based on its similarities with its structural analogue, genistein. Two assumptions were: (1) daidzein is a new chemical and its dietary intake omitted; (2) only in vitro data were used for daidzein, while in vitro and legacy in vivo data for genistein were considered. Methods: The 10-step tiered approach evaluating systemic toxicity included toxicokinetics NAMs: PBPK models and in vitro biokinetics measurements in cells used for toxicogenomics and toxicodynamic NAMs: pharmacology profiling (i.e., interaction with molecular targets), toxicogenomics and EATS assays (endocrine disruption endpoints). Whole body rat and human PBPK models were used to convert external doses of genistein to plasma concentrations and in vitro Points of Departure (PoD) to external doses. The PBPK human dermal module was refined using in vitro human skin metabolism and penetration data. Results: The most relevant endpoint for daidzein was from the ERα assay (Lowest Observed Effective Concentration was 100 ± 0.0 nM), which was converted to an in vitro PoD of 33 nM. After application of a safety factor of 3.3 for intra-individual variability, the safe concentration of daidzein was estimated to be 10 nM. This was extrapolated to an external dose of 0.5 μg/cm2 for a body lotion and face cream, equating to a concentration of 0.1%. Discussion: When in vitro PoD of 33 nM for daidzein was converted to an external oral dose in rats, the value correlated with the in vivo NOAEL. This increased confidence that the rat oral PBPK model provided accurate estimates of internal and external exposure and that the in vitro PoD was relevant in the safety assessment of both chemicals. When plasma concentrations estimated from applications of 0.1% and 0.02% daidzein were used to calculate bioactivity exposure ratios, values were >1, indicating a good margin between exposure and concentrations causing adverse effects. In conclusion, this case study highlights the use of NAMs in a 10-step tiered workflow to conclude that the highest safe concentration of daidzein in a body lotion is 0.1%.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Camille Géniès
- Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique and Personal CareToulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Carine Jacques
- Pierre Fabre Dermo-Cosmétique and Personal CareToulouse, Toulouse, France
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15
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Metha J, Ji Y, Braun C, Nicholson JR, De Lecea L, Murawski C, Hoyer D, Jacobson LH. Hypocretin-1 receptor antagonism improves inhibitory control during the Go/No-Go task in highly motivated, impulsive male mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2024:10.1007/s00213-024-06628-3. [PMID: 38886189 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-024-06628-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE Motivation and inhibitory control are dominantly regulated by the dopaminergic (DA) and noradrenergic (NA) systems, respectively. Hypothalamic hypocretin (orexin) neurons provide afferent inputs to DA and NA nuclei and hypocretin-1 receptors (HcrtR1) are implicated in reward and addiction. However, the role of the HcrtR1 in inhibitory control is not well understood. OBJECTIVES To determine the effects of HcrtR1 antagonism and motivational state in inhibitory control using the go/no-go task in mice. METHODS n = 23 male C57Bl/6JArc mice were trained in a go/no-go task. Decision tree dendrogram analysis of training data identified more and less impulsive clusters of animals. A HcrtR1 antagonist (BI001, 12.5 mg/kg, per os) or vehicle were then administered 30 min before go/no-go testing, once daily for 5 days, under high (food-restricted) and low (free-feeding) motivational states in a latin-square crossover design. Compound exposure levels were assessed in a satellite group of animals. RESULTS HcrtR1 antagonism increased go accuracy and decreased no-go accuracy in free-feeding animals overall, whereas it decreased go accuracy and increased no-go accuracy only in more impulsive, food restricted mice. HcrtR1 antagonism also showed differential effects in premature responding, which was increased in response to the antagonist in free-feeding, less impulsive animals, and decreased in food restricted, more impulsive animals. HcrtR1 receptor occupancy by BI001 was estimated at ~ 66% during the task. CONCLUSIONS These data indicate that hypocretin signalling plays roles in goal-directed behaviour and inhibitory control in a motivational state-dependant manner. While likely not useful in all settings, HcrtR1 antagonism may be beneficial in improving inhibitory control in impulsive subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Metha
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Finance, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Yijun Ji
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Circadian Misalignment and Shift Work Laboratory, Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Notting Hill, VIC, 3162, Australia
| | - Clemens Braun
- Drug Discovery Sciences, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach, Germany
| | - Janet R Nicholson
- CNS Diseases Research, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, 88397 Biberach, Germany
| | - Luis De Lecea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Carsten Murawski
- Department of Finance, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Daniel Hoyer
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
- Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Laura H Jacobson
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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16
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Vu LY, Luo D, Johnson K, Denehy ED, Songrady JC, Martin J, Trivedi R, Alsum AR, Shaykin JD, Chaudhary CL, Woloshin EJ, Kornberger L, Bhuiyan N, Parkin S, Jiang Q, Che T, Alilain W, Turner JR, Bardo MT, Prisinzano TE. Searching for Synthetic Opioid Rescue Agents: Identification of a Potent Opioid Agonist with Reduced Respiratory Depression. J Med Chem 2024; 67:9173-9193. [PMID: 38810170 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
While in the process of designing more effective synthetic opioid rescue agents, we serendipitously identified a new chemotype of potent synthetic opioid. Here, we report that conformational constraint of a piperazine ring converts a mu opioid receptor (MOR) antagonist into a potent MOR agonist. The prototype of the series, which we have termed atoxifent (2), possesses potent in vitro agonist activity. In mice, atoxifent displayed long-lasting antinociception that was reversible with naltrexone. Repeated dosing of atoxifent produced antinociceptive tolerance and a level of withdrawal like that of fentanyl. In rats, while atoxifent produced complete loss of locomotor activity like fentanyl, it failed to produce deep respiratory depression associated with fentanyl-induced lethality. Assessment of brain biodistribution demonstrated ample distribution of atoxifent into the brain with a Tmax of approximately 0.25 h. These results indicate enhanced safety for atoxifent-like molecules compared to fentanyl.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loan Y Vu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
- Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Kai Johnson
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Emily D Denehy
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Judy C Songrady
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Jocelyn Martin
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Riya Trivedi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Alexia R Alsum
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Jakob D Shaykin
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Chhabi Lal Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
- Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Eric J Woloshin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Lindsay Kornberger
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Nazmul Bhuiyan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
- Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Sean Parkin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Qianru Jiang
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Tao Che
- Center for Clinical Pharmacology, University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Warren Alilain
- Spinal Cord and Brain Injury Research Center (SCoBIRC), College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Jill R Turner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
| | - Michael T Bardo
- Department of Psychology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536, United States
| | - Thomas E Prisinzano
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
- Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States
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17
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Alfa R, Considine T, Virani S, Pfeiffer M, Donato A, Dickerson D, Shuster D, Ellis J, Rushton K, Wei H, Gibson C. Clinical pharmacology and tolerability of REC-994, a redox-cycling nitroxide compound, in randomized phase 1 dose-finding studies. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2024; 12:e1200. [PMID: 38655895 PMCID: PMC11040693 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1200] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) has variable clinical symptoms, including potentially fatal hemorrhagic stroke. Treatment options are very limited, presenting a large unmet need. REC-994 (also known as tempol), identified as a potential treatment through an unbiased drug discovery platform, is hypothesized to treat CCMs through a reduction in superoxide, a reactive oxygen species. We investigated the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic profile of REC-994 in healthy volunteers. Single- and multiple-ascending dose (SAD and MAD, respectively) studies were conducted in adult volunteers (ages 18-55). SAD study participants received an oral dose of REC-994 or placebo. MAD study participants were randomized 3:1 to oral doses of REC-994 or matching placebo, once daily for 10 days. Thirty-two healthy volunteers participated in the SAD study and 52 in the MAD study. Systemic exposure increased in proportion to REC-994 dose after single doses of 50-800 mg and after 10 days of dosing over the 16-fold dose range of 50-800 mg. Median Tmax and mean t1/2 were independent of dose in both studies, and the solution formulation was more rapidly absorbed. REC-994 was well tolerated. Treatment-emergent adverse effects across both studies were mild and transient and resolved by the end of the study. REC-994 has a favorable safety profile and was well tolerated in single and multiple doses up to 800 mg with no dose-limiting adverse effects identified. Data support conducting a phase 2 clinical trial in patients with symptomatic CCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ron Alfa
- Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Salt Lake CityUtahUSA
- Present address:
NoetikSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Timothy Considine
- Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Salt Lake CityUtahUSA
- Present address:
Considine Comprehensive ConsultingSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Matt Pfeiffer
- Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Salt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Anthony Donato
- Department of Internal MedicineUniversity of UtahSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | | | - Diana Shuster
- Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Salt Lake CityUtahUSA
- Present address:
CenExelSalt Lake CityUtahUSA
| | - Joel Ellis
- Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Salt Lake CityUtahUSA
- Present address:
Mariner BioPharmaSan JoseCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Helen Wei
- Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Salt Lake CityUtahUSA
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18
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Vahle JL, Dybowski J, Graziano M, Hisada S, Lebron J, Nolte T, Steigerwalt R, Tsubota K, Sistare FD. ICH S1 prospective evaluation study and weight of evidence assessments: commentary from industry representatives. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1377990. [PMID: 38845817 PMCID: PMC11153695 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1377990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Industry representatives on the ICH S1B(R1) Expert Working Group (EWG) worked closely with colleagues from the Drug Regulatory Authorities to develop an addendum to the ICH S1B guideline on carcinogenicity studies that allows for a weight-of-evidence (WoE) carcinogenicity assessment in some cases, rather than conducting a 2-year rat carcinogenicity study. A subgroup of the EWG composed of regulators have published in this issue a detailed analysis of the Prospective Evaluation Study (PES) conducted under the auspices of the ICH S1B(R1) EWG. Based on the experience gained through the Prospective Evaluation Study (PES) process, industry members of the EWG have prepared the following commentary to aid sponsors in assessing the standard WoE factors, considering how novel investigative approaches may be used to support a WoE assessment, and preparing appropriate documentation of the WoE assessment for presentation to regulatory authorities. The commentary also reviews some of the implementation challenges sponsors must consider in developing a carcinogenicity assessment strategy. Finally, case examples drawn from previously marketed products are provided as a supplement to this commentary to provide additional examples of how WoE criteria may be applied. The information and opinions expressed in this commentary are aimed at increasing the quality of WoE assessments to ensure the successful implementation of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- John L. Vahle
- Lilly Research Laboratories, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Joe Dybowski
- Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | | | - Shigeru Hisada
- Formerly ASKA Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Fujisawa-shi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Jose Lebron
- Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, United States
| | - Thomas Nolte
- Development NCE, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Biberach an der Riss, Germany
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19
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Redd MA, Yoshikawa Y, Khan N, Waqar M, Saez NJ, Outhwaite JE, Russell JS, Hanna AD, Chiu HS, Er SY, Butcher NJ, Mardon K, Fraser JF, Smythe ML, Rash LD, Thomas WG, King GF, Reichelt ME, Palpant NJ. Acid-sensing ion channel 1a blockade reduces myocardial injury in rodent models of myocardial infarction. Eur Heart J 2024; 45:1571-1574. [PMID: 38095341 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Meredith A Redd
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, St.Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital Northside Clinical Unit and Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Yusuke Yoshikawa
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Nemat Khan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Maleeha Waqar
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Natalie J Saez
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, St.Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Queensland, Australia
- Infensa Bioscience Pty Ltd, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Jennifer E Outhwaite
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, St.Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Jake S Russell
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Amy D Hanna
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, St.Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Han S Chiu
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, St.Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Infensa Bioscience Pty Ltd, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Sing Yan Er
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, St.Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | | | - Karine Mardon
- Center for Advanced Imaging, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - John F Fraser
- Critical Care Research Group, The Prince Charles Hospital Northside Clinical Unit and Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Mark L Smythe
- Infensa Bioscience Pty Ltd, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | - Lachlan D Rash
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Walter G Thomas
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia
| | - Glenn F King
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, St.Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, University of Queensland, Australia
- Infensa Bioscience Pty Ltd, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
| | | | - Nathan J Palpant
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, 306 Carmody Road, St.Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Infensa Bioscience Pty Ltd, Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
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20
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Brown AP, Friedrichs GS, Tang HM, Traebert M, Weber V, Yao N, Yan GX. Electrophysiological Changes in the Rabbit Ventricular Wedge and Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem-Cell Derived (IPSC) Cardiomyocytes Translate to Severe Arrhythmia Observed in a Canine Toxicology Study, Not Predicted by Standard In Vitro Ion Channel Assays. Int J Toxicol 2024; 43:231-242. [PMID: 38327194 DOI: 10.1177/10915818241230900] [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] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
During drug discovery, small molecules are typically assayed in vitro for secondary pharmacology effects, which include ion channels relevant to cardiac electrophysiology. Compound A was an irreversible inhibitor of myeloperoxidase investigated for the treatment of peripheral artery disease. Oral doses in dogs at ≥5 mg/kg resulted in cardiac arrhythmias in a dose-dependent manner (at Cmax, free ≥1.53 μM) that progressed in severity with time. Nevertheless, a panel of 13 different cardiac ion channel (K, Na, and Ca) assays, including hERG, failed to identify pharmacologic risks of the molecule. Compound A and a related Compound B were evaluated for electrophysiological effects in the isolated rabbit ventricular wedge assay. Compounds A and B prolonged QT and Tp-e intervals at ≥1 and ≥.3 μM, respectively, and both prolonged QRS at ≥5 μM. Compound A produced early after depolarizations and premature ventricular complexes at ≥5 μM. These data indicate both compounds may be modulating hERG (Ikr) and Nav1.5 ion channels. In human IPSC cardiomyocytes, Compounds A and B prolonged field potential duration at ≥3 μM and induced cellular dysrhythmia at ≥10 and ≥3 μM, respectively. In a rat toxicology study, heart tissue: plasma concentration ratios for Compound A were ≥19X at 24 hours post-dose, indicating significant tissue distribution. In conclusion, in vitro ion channel assays may not always identify cardiovascular electrophysiological risks observed in vivo, which can be affected by tissue drug distribution. Risk for arrhythmia may increase with a "trappable" ion channel inhibitor, particularly if cardiac tissue drug levels achieve a critical threshold for pharmacologic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan P Brown
- Novartis Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Nancy Yao
- Novartis Biomedical Research, East Hanover, NJ, USA
| | - Gan-Xin Yan
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA, USA
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21
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Lu D, Chen J, Qin L, Bijou I, Yi P, Li F, Song X, Mackenzie KR, Yu X, Yang B, Chowdhury SR, Korp JD, O’Malley BW, Lonard DM, Wang J. Lead Compound Development of SRC-3 Inhibitors with Improved Pharmacokinetic Properties and Anticancer Efficacy. J Med Chem 2024; 67:5333-5350. [PMID: 38551814 PMCID: PMC11105966 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01596] [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] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Steroid receptor coactivator 3 (SRC-3) is a critical mediator of many intracellular signaling pathways that are crucial for cancer proliferation and metastasis. In this study, we performed structure-activity relationship exploration and drug-like optimization of the hit compound SI-2, guided by in vitro/in vivo metabolism studies and cytotoxicity assays. Our efforts led to the discovery of two lead compounds, SI-10 and SI-12. Both compounds exhibit potent cytotoxicity against a panel of human cancer cell lines and demonstrate acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. A biotinylated estrogen response element pull-down assay demonstrated that SI-12 could disrupt the recruitment of SRC-3 and p300 in the estrogen receptor complex. Importantly, SI-10 and SI-12 significantly inhibited tumor growth and metastasis in vivo without appreciable acute toxicity. These results demonstrate the potential of SI-10 and SI-12 as drug candidates for cancer therapy, given their potent SRC-3 inhibition and promising pharmacokinetic and toxicity profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Lu
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Jianwei Chen
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Li Qin
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Imani Bijou
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Ping Yi
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, TX 77205
| | - Feng Li
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Xianzhou Song
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Kevin R. Mackenzie
- Department of Pathology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Xin Yu
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Bin Yang
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Sandipan Roy Chowdhury
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - James D. Korp
- Department of Chemistry, University of Houston, TX 77204
| | - Bert W. O’Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - David M. Lonard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Jin Wang
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
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22
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Heyndrickx W, Mervin L, Morawietz T, Sturm N, Friedrich L, Zalewski A, Pentina A, Humbeck L, Oldenhof M, Niwayama R, Schmidtke P, Fechner N, Simm J, Arany A, Drizard N, Jabal R, Afanasyeva A, Loeb R, Verma S, Harnqvist S, Holmes M, Pejo B, Telenczuk M, Holway N, Dieckmann A, Rieke N, Zumsande F, Clevert DA, Krug M, Luscombe C, Green D, Ertl P, Antal P, Marcus D, Do Huu N, Fuji H, Pickett S, Acs G, Boniface E, Beck B, Sun Y, Gohier A, Rippmann F, Engkvist O, Göller AH, Moreau Y, Galtier MN, Schuffenhauer A, Ceulemans H. MELLODDY: Cross-pharma Federated Learning at Unprecedented Scale Unlocks Benefits in QSAR without Compromising Proprietary Information. J Chem Inf Model 2024; 64:2331-2344. [PMID: 37642660 PMCID: PMC11005050 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.3c00799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Federated multipartner machine learning has been touted as an appealing and efficient method to increase the effective training data volume and thereby the predictivity of models, particularly when the generation of training data is resource-intensive. In the landmark MELLODDY project, indeed, each of ten pharmaceutical companies realized aggregated improvements on its own classification or regression models through federated learning. To this end, they leveraged a novel implementation extending multitask learning across partners, on a platform audited for privacy and security. The experiments involved an unprecedented cross-pharma data set of 2.6+ billion confidential experimental activity data points, documenting 21+ million physical small molecules and 40+ thousand assays in on-target and secondary pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics. Appropriate complementary metrics were developed to evaluate the predictive performance in the federated setting. In addition to predictive performance increases in labeled space, the results point toward an extended applicability domain in federated learning. Increases in collective training data volume, including by means of auxiliary data resulting from single concentration high-throughput and imaging assays, continued to boost predictive performance, albeit with a saturating return. Markedly higher improvements were observed for the pharmacokinetics and safety panel assay-based task subsets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lewis Mervin
- AstraZeneca
R&D, Biomedical Campus, 1 Francis Crick Ave, Cambridge CB2 0SL, U.K.
| | - Tobias Morawietz
- Bayer
Pharma
AG, Global Drug Discovery, Chemical Research,
Computational Chemistry, Aprather Weg 18 a, Wuppertal 42096, Germany
| | - Noé Sturm
- Novartis
Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| | - Lukas Friedrich
- Merck KGaA, Global Research & Development, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | - Adam Zalewski
- Amgen Research
(Munich) GmbH, Staffelseestraße
2, Munich 81477, Germany
| | - Anastasia Pentina
- Bayer AG, Machine Learning Research, Research & Development,
Pharmaceuticals, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Lina Humbeck
- BI Medicinal
Chemistry Department, Boehringer Ingelheim
Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, Biberach an der Riss 88397, Germany
| | - Martijn Oldenhof
- KU
Leuven, ESAT-STADIUS, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Ritsuya Niwayama
- Institut
de recherches Servier, 125 chemin de ronde Croissy-sur-Seine, Île-de-France 78290, France
| | | | - Nikolas Fechner
- Novartis
Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| | - Jaak Simm
- KU
Leuven, ESAT-STADIUS, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Adam Arany
- KU
Leuven, ESAT-STADIUS, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | | | - Rama Jabal
- Iktos, 65 rue de Prony, Paris 75017, France
| | - Arina Afanasyeva
- Modality
Informatics Group, Digital Research Solutions, Advanced Informatics
& Analytics, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Regis Loeb
- KU
Leuven, ESAT-STADIUS, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | - Shlok Verma
- GlaxoSmithKline, Computational Sciences, Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage, Herts SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Simon Harnqvist
- GlaxoSmithKline, Computational Sciences, Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage, Herts SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Matthew Holmes
- GlaxoSmithKline, Computational Sciences, Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage, Herts SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Balazs Pejo
- Budapest
University of Technology and Economics, Department of Networked Systems and Services, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Budapest 1111, Hungary
| | | | - Nicholas Holway
- Novartis
Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| | - Arne Dieckmann
- Bayer
AG, API Production, Product Supply, Pharmaceuticals, Ernst-Schering-Straße 14, Bergkamen 59192, Germany
| | - Nicola Rieke
- NVIDIA
GmbH, Floessergasse 2, Munich 81369, Germany
| | | | - Djork-Arné Clevert
- Bayer AG, Machine Learning Research, Research & Development,
Pharmaceuticals, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Michael Krug
- Merck KGaA, Global Research & Development, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | - Christopher Luscombe
- GlaxoSmithKline, Computational Sciences, Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage, Herts SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Darren Green
- GlaxoSmithKline, Computational Sciences, Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage, Herts SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Peter Ertl
- Novartis
Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| | - Peter Antal
- Budapest
University of Technology and Economics, Department of Measurement and Information Systems, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Budapest 1111, Hungary
| | - David Marcus
- GlaxoSmithKline, Computational Sciences, Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage, Herts SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | | | - Hideyoshi Fuji
- Modality
Informatics Group, Digital Research Solutions, Advanced Informatics
& Analytics, Astellas Pharma Inc., 21 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki 305-8585, Japan
| | - Stephen Pickett
- GlaxoSmithKline, Computational Sciences, Gunnels Wood Road Stevenage, Herts SG1 2NY, U.K.
| | - Gergely Acs
- Budapest
University of Technology and Economics, Department of Networked Systems and Services, Műegyetem rkp. 3, Budapest 1111, Hungary
| | - Eric Boniface
- Substra
Foundation - Labelia Labs, 4 rue Voltaire, Nantes 44000, France
| | - Bernd Beck
- BI Medicinal
Chemistry Department, Boehringer Ingelheim
Pharma GmbH & Co. KG, Birkendorfer Str. 65, Biberach an der Riss 88397, Germany
| | - Yax Sun
- Amgen
Research, 1 Amgen Center
Drive, Thousand Oaks, California 92130, United States
| | - Arnaud Gohier
- Institut
de recherches Servier, 125 chemin de ronde Croissy-sur-Seine, Île-de-France 78290, France
| | - Friedrich Rippmann
- Merck KGaA, Global Research & Development, Frankfurter Strasse 250, Darmstadt 64293, Germany
| | - Ola Engkvist
- AstraZeneca, Molecular AI, Discovery Sciences,
R&D, Pepparedsleden
1, Mölndal 431 50, Sweden
| | - Andreas H. Göller
- Bayer
Pharma
AG, Global Drug Discovery, Chemical Research,
Computational Chemistry, Aprather Weg 18 a, Wuppertal 42096, Germany
| | - Yves Moreau
- KU
Leuven, ESAT-STADIUS, Kasteelpark Arenberg 10, Heverlee 3001, Belgium
| | | | - Ansgar Schuffenhauer
- Novartis
Institutes for BioMedical Research, Novartis Campus, Basel 4002, Switzerland
| | - Hugo Ceulemans
- Janssen
Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
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23
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Bassan A, Steigerwalt R, Keller D, Beilke L, Bradley PM, Bringezu F, Brock WJ, Burns-Naas LA, Chambers J, Cross K, Dorato M, Elespuru R, Fuhrer D, Hall F, Hartke J, Jahnke GD, Kluxen FM, McDuffie E, Schmidt F, Valentin JP, Woolley D, Zane D, Myatt GJ. Developing a pragmatic consensus procedure supporting the ICH S1B(R1) weight of evidence carcinogenicity assessment. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1370045. [PMID: 38646442 PMCID: PMC11027748 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1370045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The ICH S1B carcinogenicity global testing guideline has been recently revised with a novel addendum that describes a comprehensive integrated Weight of Evidence (WoE) approach to determine the need for a 2-year rat carcinogenicity study. In the present work, experts from different organizations have joined efforts to standardize as much as possible a procedural framework for the integration of evidence associated with the different ICH S1B(R1) WoE criteria. The framework uses a pragmatic consensus procedure for carcinogenicity hazard assessment to facilitate transparent, consistent, and documented decision-making and it discusses best-practices both for the organization of studies and presentation of data in a format suitable for regulatory review. First, it is acknowledged that the six WoE factors described in the addendum form an integrated network of evidence within a holistic assessment framework that is used synergistically to analyze and explain safety signals. Second, the proposed standardized procedure builds upon different considerations related to the primary sources of evidence, mechanistic analysis, alternative methodologies and novel investigative approaches, metabolites, and reliability of the data and other acquired information. Each of the six WoE factors is described highlighting how they can contribute evidence for the overall WoE assessment. A suggested reporting format to summarize the cross-integration of evidence from the different WoE factors is also presented. This work also notes that even if a 2-year rat study is ultimately required, creating a WoE assessment is valuable in understanding the specific factors and levels of human carcinogenic risk better than have been identified previously with the 2-year rat bioassay alone.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Douglas Keller
- Independent Consultant, Kennett Square, PA, United States
| | - Lisa Beilke
- Toxicology Solutions, Inc., Marana, AZ, United States
| | | | - Frank Bringezu
- Chemical and Preclinical Safety, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany
| | - William J. Brock
- Brock Scientific Consulting, LLC, Hilton Head, SC, United States
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Douglas Fuhrer
- BioXcel Therapeutics, Inc., New Haven, CT, United States
| | | | - Jim Hartke
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
| | | | | | - Eric McDuffie
- Neurocrine Bioscience, Inc., San Diego, CA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Doris Zane
- Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City, CA, United States
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24
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Ullas S, Sinclair C. Applications of Flow Cytometry in Drug Discovery and Translational Research. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3851. [PMID: 38612661 PMCID: PMC11011675 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073851] [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: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Flow cytometry is a mainstay technique in cell biology research, where it is used for phenotypic analysis of mixed cell populations. Quantitative approaches have unlocked a deeper value of flow cytometry in drug discovery research. As the number of drug modalities and druggable mechanisms increases, there is an increasing drive to identify meaningful biomarkers, evaluate the relationship between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (PK/PD), and translate these insights into the evaluation of patients enrolled in early clinical trials. In this review, we discuss emerging roles for flow cytometry in the translational setting that supports the transition and evaluation of novel compounds in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Charles Sinclair
- Flagship Pioneering, 140 First Street, Cambridge, MA 02141, USA;
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25
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Berridge B, Pierson J, Pettit S, Stockbridge N. Challenging the status quo: a framework for mechanistic and human-relevant cardiovascular safety screening. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2024; 6:1352783. [PMID: 38590785 PMCID: PMC10999590 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2024.1352783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Traditional approaches to preclinical drug safety assessment have generally protected human patients from unintended adverse effects. However, these assessments typically occur too late to make changes in the formulation or in phase 1 and beyond, are highly dependent on animal studies and have the potential to lead to the termination of useful drugs due to liabilities in animals that are not applicable in patients. Collectively, these elements come at great detriment to both patients and the drug development sector. This phenomenon is particularly problematic in the area of cardiovascular safety assessment where preclinical attrition is high. We believe that a more efficient and translational approach can be defined. A multi-tiered assessment that leverages our understanding of human cardiovascular biology, applies human cell-based in vitro characterizations of cardiovascular responses to insult, and incorporates computational models of pharmacokinetic relationships would enable earlier and more translational identification of human-relevant liabilities. While this will take time to develop, the ultimate goal would be to implement such assays both in the lead selection phase as well as through regulatory phases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jennifer Pierson
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Syril Pettit
- Health and Environmental Sciences Institute, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Norman Stockbridge
- US Food and Drug Administration, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Silver Spring, MD, United States
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26
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Shu G, He Y, Suo J, Wu C, Gong X, Xiang Y, Yang W, Cheng J, Wang Y, Chen W, Shen J. Cannabidiol exhibits anxiolytic-like effects and antipsychotic-like effects in mice models. Neurosci Lett 2024; 826:137723. [PMID: 38467272 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137723] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant, has been confirmed to induce anxiolytic-like and antipsychotic-like effects. However, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. This study substantiated CBD's interaction with the 5-HT1A receptor (5-HT1AR) in vitro (CHO cells expressing human 5-HT1AR) and in vivo (rat lower lip retraction test, LLR test). We then assessed the impact of CBD in mice using the stress-induced hyperthermia (SIH) model and the phencyclidine (PCP)-induced negative symptoms of schizophrenia model, respectively. Concurrently, we investigated whether WAY-100635, a typical 5-HT1AR antagonist, could attenuate these effects. Furthermore, the neurotransmitter changes through high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were studied. Results revealed that CBD exhibits selective 5-HT1AR agonists-mediated effects in the rat lower lip retraction test, aligning with the robust agonistic (EC50 = 1.75 μM) profile observed in CHO cells. CBD at 3 mg/kg significantly reduced SIH (ΔT), a response that WAY-100635 abolished. Chronic administration of CBD at 100 mg/kg mitigated the increase in PCP-induced immobility time in the forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST). Moreover, it induced significant alterations in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and norepinephrine (NE) levels within the hippocampus (HPC). Thus, we concluded that the 5-HT1AR mediates CBD's anxiolytic-like effects. Additionally, CBD's effects on the negative symptoms of schizophrenia may be linked to changes in GABA and NE levels in the hippocampus. These findings offer novel insights for advancing the exploration of CBD's anxiolytic-like and antipsychotic-like effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangzhao Shu
- College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China
| | - Yang He
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jin Suo
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chunhui Wu
- Vigonvita Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Xudong Gong
- Vigonvita Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201210, China
| | | | - Wenjiao Yang
- State Key Laboratory Basis of Xinjiang Indigenous Medicinal Plants Resource Utilization, And Key Laboratory of Plant Resources and Chemistry of Arid Zone, Xinjiang Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Jiaxin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yu Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Weiming Chen
- College of Pharmacy, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China.
| | - Jingshan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China
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Berridge BR, Bucher JR, Sistare F, Stevens JL, Chappell GA, Clemons M, Snow S, Wignall J, Shipkowski KA. Enabling novel paradigms: a biological questions-based approach to human chemical hazard and drug safety assessment. Toxicol Sci 2024; 198:4-13. [PMID: 38134427 PMCID: PMC10901149 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad124] [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] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Throughput needs, costs of time and resources, and concerns about the use of animals in hazard and safety assessment studies are fueling a growing interest in adopting new approach methodologies for use in product development and risk assessment. However, current efforts to define "next-generation risk assessment" vary considerably across commercial and regulatory sectors, and an a priori definition of the biological scope of data needed to assess hazards is generally lacking. We propose that the absence of clearly defined questions that can be answered during hazard assessment is the primary barrier to the generation of a paradigm flexible enough to be used across varying product development and approval decision contexts. Herein, we propose a biological questions-based approach (BQBA) for hazard and safety assessment to facilitate fit-for-purpose method selection and more efficient evidence-based decision-making. The key pillars of this novel approach are bioavailability, bioactivity, adversity, and susceptibility. This BQBA is compared with current hazard approaches and is applied in scenarios of varying pathobiological understanding and/or regulatory testing requirements. To further define the paradigm and key questions that allow better prediction and characterization of human health hazard, a multidisciplinary collaboration among stakeholder groups should be initiated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian R Berridge
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
| | - John R Bucher
- Retired (Division of Translational Toxicology, NIEHS), Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278, USA
| | | | - James L Stevens
- Paradox Found Consulting Services, Apex, North Carolina 27523, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Kelly A Shipkowski
- Division of Translational Toxicology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA
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28
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Uo T, Ojo KK, Sprenger CC, Epilepsia KS, Perera BGK, Damodarasamy M, Sun S, Kim S, Hogan HH, Hulverson MA, Choi R, Whitman GR, Barrett LK, Michaels SA, Xu LH, Sun VL, Arnold SLM, Pang HJ, Nguyen MM, Vigil ALBG, Kamat V, Sullivan LB, Sweet IR, Vidadala R, Maly DJ, Van Voorhis WC, Plymate SR. A Compound that Inhibits Glycolysis in Prostate Cancer Controls Growth of Advanced Prostate Cancer. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.07.01.547355. [PMID: 37461469 PMCID: PMC10350011 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.01.547355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer remains incurable regardless of recent therapeutic advances. Prostate cancer tumors display highly glycolytic phenotypes as the cancer progresses. Non-specific inhibitors of glycolysis have not been utilized successfully for chemotherapy, because of their penchant to cause systemic toxicity. This study reports the preclinical activity, safety, and pharmacokinetics of a novel small molecule preclinical candidate, BKIDC-1553, with antiglycolytic activity. Experimental design We tested a large battery of prostate cancer cell lines for inhibition of cell proliferation, in vitro. Cell cycle, metabolic and enzymatic assays were used to demonstrate their mechanism of action. A human PDX model implanted in mice and a human organoid were studied for sensitivity to our BKIDC preclinical candidate. A battery of pharmacokinetic experiments, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion experiments, and in vitro and in vivo toxicology experiments were carried out to assess readiness for clinical trials. Results We demonstrate a new class of small molecule inhibitors where antiglycolytic activity in prostate cancer cell lines is mediated through inhibition of hexokinase 2. These compounds display selective growth inhibition across multiple prostate cancer models. We describe a lead BKIDC-1553 that demonstrates promising activity in a preclinical xenograft model of advanced prostate cancer, equivalent to that of enzalutamide. BKIDC-1553 demonstrates safety and pharmacologic properties consistent with a compound that can be taken into human studies with expectations of a good safety margin and predicted dosing for efficacy. Conclusion This work supports testing BKIDC-1553 and its derivatives in clinical trials for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
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29
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Cichońska A, Ravikumar B, Rahman R. AI for targeted polypharmacology: The next frontier in drug discovery. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 84:102771. [PMID: 38215530 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2023.102771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
In drug discovery, targeted polypharmacology, i.e., targeting multiple molecular targets with a single drug, is redefining therapeutic design to address complex diseases. Pre-selected pharmacological profiles, as exemplified in kinase drugs, promise enhanced efficacy and reduced toxicity. Historically, many of such drugs were discovered serendipitously, limiting predictability and efficacy, but currently artificial intelligence (AI) offers a transformative solution. Machine learning and deep learning techniques enable modeling protein structures, generating novel compounds, and decoding their polypharmacological effects, opening an avenue for more systematic and predictive multi-target drug design. This review explores the use of AI in identifying synergistic co-targets and delineating them from anti-targets that lead to adverse effects, and then discusses advances in AI-enabled docking, generative chemistry, and proteochemometric modeling of proteome-wide compound interactions, in the context of polypharmacology. We also provide insights into challenges ahead.
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30
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Stefan SM, Rafehi M. Medicinal polypharmacology: Exploration and exploitation of the polypharmacolome in modern drug development. Drug Dev Res 2024; 85:e22125. [PMID: 37920929 DOI: 10.1002/ddr.22125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
At the core of complex and multifactorial human diseases, such as cancer, metabolic syndrome, or neurodegeneration, are multiple players that cross-talk in robust biological networks which are intrinsically resilient to alterations. These multifactorial diseases are characterized by sophisticated feedback mechanisms which manifest cellular imbalance and resistance to drug therapy. By adhering to the specificity paradigm ("one target-one drug concept"), research focused for many years on drugs with very narrow mechanisms of action. This narrow focus promoted therapy ineffectiveness and resistance. However, modern drug discovery has evolved over the last years, increasingly emphasizing integral strategies for the development of clinically effective drugs. These integral strategies include the controlled engagement of multiple targets to overcome therapy resistance. Apart from the additive or even synergistic effects in therapy, multitarget drugs harbor molecular-structural attributes to explore orphan targets of which intrinsic substrates/physiological role(s) and/or modulators are unknown for future therapy purposes. We designated this multidisciplinary and translational research field between medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and molecular pharmacology as 'medicinal polypharmacology'. Medicinal polypharmacology emerged as alternative approach to common single-targeted pharmacology stretching from basic drug and target identification processes to clinical evaluation of multitarget drugs, and the exploration and exploitation of the 'polypharmacolome' is at the forefront of modern drug development research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Marcel Stefan
- Drug Development and Chemical Biology, Lübeck Institute of Experimental Dermatology (LIED), University of Lübeck and University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Lübeck, Germany
- Translational Neurodegeneration Research and Neuropathology Lab, Department of Pathology, Section of Neuropathology and Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Muhammad Rafehi
- Department of Medical Education, Augsburg University Medicine, Augsburg, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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31
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Dwyer MKR, Amelinez-Robles N, Polsfuss I, Herbert K, Kim C, Varghese N, Parry TJ, Buller B, Verdoorn TA, Billing CB, Morrison B. NTS-105 decreased cell death and preserved long-term potentiation in an in vitro model of moderate traumatic brain injury. Exp Neurol 2024; 371:114608. [PMID: 37949202 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of hospitalization and death. To mitigate these human costs, the search for effective drugs to treat TBI continues. In the current study, we evaluated the efficacy of the novel neurosteroid, NTS-105, to reduce post-traumatic pathobiology in an in vitro model of moderate TBI that utilizes an organotypic hippocampal slice culture. NTS-105 inhibited activation of the androgen receptor and the mineralocorticoid receptor, partially activated the progesterone B receptor and was not active at the glucocorticoid receptor. Treatment with NTS-105 starting one hour after injury decreased post-traumatic cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with 10 nM NTS-105 being most effective. Post-traumatic administration of 10 nM NTS-105 also prevented deficits in long-term potentiation (LTP) without adversely affecting neuronal activity in naïve cultures. We propose that the high potency pleiotropic action of NTS-105 beneficial effects at multiple receptors (e.g. androgen, mineralocorticoid and progesterone) provides significant mechanistic advantages over native neurosteroids such as progesterone, which lacked clinical success for the treatment of TBI. Our results suggest that this pleiotropic pharmacology may be a promising strategy for the effective treatment of TBI, and future studies should test its efficacy in pre-clinical animal models of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Kate R Dwyer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States of America
| | - Nicolas Amelinez-Robles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States of America
| | - Isabella Polsfuss
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States of America
| | - Keondre Herbert
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States of America
| | - Carolyn Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States of America
| | - Nevin Varghese
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States of America
| | - Tom J Parry
- NeuroTrauma Sciences, LLC, Alpharetta, GA 30009, United States of America
| | - Benjamin Buller
- NeuroTrauma Sciences, LLC, Alpharetta, GA 30009, United States of America
| | - Todd A Verdoorn
- NeuroTrauma Sciences, LLC, Alpharetta, GA 30009, United States of America
| | - Clare B Billing
- BioPharmaWorks, LLC, Groton, CT 06340, United States of America
| | - Barclay Morrison
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, United States of America.
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32
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Najjar A, Wilm A, Meinhardt J, Mueller N, Boettcher M, Ebmeyer J, Schepky A, Lange D. Evaluation of new alternative methods for the identification of estrogenic, androgenic and steroidogenic effects: a comparative in vitro/in silico study. Arch Toxicol 2024; 98:251-266. [PMID: 37819454 PMCID: PMC10761396 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03616-y] [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: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
A suite of in vitro assays and in silico models were evaluated to identify which best detected the endocrine-disrupting (ED) potential of 10 test chemicals according to their estrogenic, androgenic and steroidogenic (EAS) potential compared to the outcomes from ToxCast. In vitro methods included receptor-binding, CALUX transactivation, H295R steroidogenesis, aromatase activity inhibition and the Yeast oestrogen (YES) and Yeast androgen screen (YAS) assays. The impact of metabolism was also evaluated. The YES/YAS assays exhibited a high sensitivity for ER effects and, despite some challenges in predicting AR effects, is a good initial screening assay. Results from receptor-binding and CALUX assays generally correlated and were in accordance with classifications based on ToxCast assays. ER agonism and AR antagonism of benzyl butyl phthalate were abolished when CALUX assays included liver S9. In silico final calls were mostly in agreement with the in vitro assays, and predicted ER and AR effects well. The efficiency of the in silico models (reflecting applicability domains or inconclusive results) was 43-100%. The percentage of correct calls for ER (50-100%), AR (57-100%) and aromatase (33-100%) effects when compared to the final ToxCast call covered a wide range from highly reliable to less reliable models. In conclusion, Danish (Q)SAR, Opera, ADMET Lab LBD and ProToxII models demonstrated the best overall performance for ER and AR effects. These can be combined with the YES/YAS assays in an initial screen of chemicals in the early tiers of an NGRA to inform on the MoA and the design of mechanistic in vitro assays used later in the assessment. Inhibition of aromatase was best predicted by the Vega, AdmetLab and ProToxII models. Other mechanisms and exposure should be considered when making a conclusion with respect to ED effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Najjar
- Beiersdorf AG, Beiersdorfstr. 1-9, 20245, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - A Wilm
- Beiersdorf AG, Beiersdorfstr. 1-9, 20245, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J Meinhardt
- Beiersdorf AG, Beiersdorfstr. 1-9, 20245, Hamburg, Germany
| | - N Mueller
- Beiersdorf AG, Beiersdorfstr. 1-9, 20245, Hamburg, Germany
| | - M Boettcher
- Beiersdorf AG, Beiersdorfstr. 1-9, 20245, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J Ebmeyer
- Beiersdorf AG, Beiersdorfstr. 1-9, 20245, Hamburg, Germany
| | - A Schepky
- Beiersdorf AG, Beiersdorfstr. 1-9, 20245, Hamburg, Germany
| | - D Lange
- Beiersdorf AG, Beiersdorfstr. 1-9, 20245, Hamburg, Germany
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33
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Choi K. Structure-property Relationships Reported for the New Drugs Approved in 2022. Mini Rev Med Chem 2024; 24:330-340. [PMID: 37211842 DOI: 10.2174/1389557523666230519162803] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The structure-property relationship illustrates how modifying the chemical structure of a pharmaceutical compound influences its absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and other related properties. Understanding structure-property relationships of clinically approved drugs could provide useful information for drug design and optimization strategies. METHOD Among new drugs approved around the world in 2022, including 37 in the US, structure- property relationships of seven drugs were compiled from medicinal chemistry literature, in which detailed pharmacokinetic and/or physicochemical properties were disclosed not only for the final drug but also for its key analogues generated during drug development. RESULTS The discovery campaigns for these seven drugs demonstrate extensive design and optimization efforts to identify suitable candidates for clinical development. Several strategies have been successfully employed, such as attaching a solubilizing group, bioisosteric replacement, and deuterium incorporation, resulting in new compounds with enhanced physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties. CONCLUSION The structure-property relationships hereby summarized illustrate how proper structural modifications could successfully improve the overall drug-like properties. The structure-property relationships of clinically approved drugs are expected to continue to provide valuable references and guides for the development of future drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kihang Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea (ROK)
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34
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Bampali K, Koniuszewski F, Vogel FD, Fabjan J, Andronis C, Lekka E, Virvillis V, Seidel T, Delaunois A, Royer L, Rolf MG, Giuliano C, Traebert M, Roussignol G, Fric-Bordat M, Mazelin-Winum L, Bryant SD, Langer T, Ernst M. GABA A receptor-mediated seizure liabilities: a mixed-methods screening approach. Cell Biol Toxicol 2023; 39:2793-2819. [PMID: 37093397 PMCID: PMC10693519 DOI: 10.1007/s10565-023-09803-y] [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: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
GABAA receptors, members of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel superfamily, are widely expressed in the central nervous system and mediate a broad range of pharmaco-toxicological effects including bidirectional changes to seizure threshold. Thus, detection of GABAA receptor-mediated seizure liabilities is a big, partly unmet need in early preclinical drug development. This is in part due to the plethora of allosteric binding sites that are present on different subtypes of GABAA receptors and the critical lack of screening methods that detect interactions with any of these sites. To improve in silico screening methods, we assembled an inventory of allosteric binding sites based on structural data. Pharmacophore models representing several of the binding sites were constructed. These models from the NeuroDeRisk IL Profiler were used for in silico screening of a compiled collection of drugs with known GABAA receptor interactions to generate testable hypotheses. Amoxapine was one of the hits identified and subjected to an array of in vitro assays to examine molecular and cellular effects on neuronal excitability and in vivo locomotor pattern changes in zebrafish larvae. An additional level of analysis for our compound collection is provided by pharmacovigilance alerts using FAERS data. Inspired by the Adverse Outcome Pathway framework, we postulate several candidate pathways leading from specific binding sites to acute seizure induction. The whole workflow can be utilized for any compound collection and should inform about GABAA receptor-mediated seizure risks more comprehensively compared to standard displacement screens, as it rests chiefly on functional data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Bampali
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Filip Koniuszewski
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian D Vogel
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jure Fabjan
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Seidel
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Annie Delaunois
- UCB Biopharma SRL, Chemin du Foriest, Braine-L'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Leandro Royer
- UCB Biopharma SRL, Chemin du Foriest, Braine-L'Alleud, Belgium
| | - Michael G Rolf
- R&D Biopharmaceuticals, Astra Zeneca, Pepparedsleden 1, 431 83, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Chiara Giuliano
- R&D Biopharmaceuticals, Astra Zeneca, Fleming Building (B623), Babraham Research Park, Babraham, Cambridgeshire, CB22 3AT, UK
| | - Martin Traebert
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Fabrikstrasse 2, CH-4056, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | | | | | - Sharon D Bryant
- Inte:Ligand GmbH, Mariahilferstrasse 74B/11, 1070, Vienna, Austria
| | - Thierry Langer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Vienna, Josef-Holaubek-Platz 2, 1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Margot Ernst
- Department of Pathobiology of the Nervous System, Center for Brain Research, Medical University Vienna, Spitalgasse 4, 1090, Vienna, Austria.
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35
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Sakata K, Lowe MA, Xuan M, Bruffaerts J, Stasi LP, Lallemand B, Cardenas A, Taylor RD, Vidler LR, King L, Valentin JP, Laleu B, de Haro T. Design of Novel Series of Antimalarial PMX Inhibitors with Increased Half-Life via Molecular Property Optimization. ACS Med Chem Lett 2023; 14:1582-1588. [PMID: 37974949 PMCID: PMC10641918 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.3c00404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmepsin X (PMX) has been identified as a multistage antimalarial target. PMX is a malarial aspartyl protease essential for merozoite egress from infected red blood cells and invasion of the host erythrocytes. Previously, we reported the identification of PMX inhibitors by structure-based optimization of a cyclic guanidine core. Preclinical assessment of UCB7362, which displayed both in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity, revealed a suboptimal dose paradigm (once daily dosing of 50 mg for 7 days for treatment of uncomplicated malaria) relative to current standard of care (three-dose regime). We report here the efforts toward extending the half-life (t1/2) by reducing metabolic clearance and increasing volume of distribution (Vss). Our efforts culminated in the identification of a biaryl series, with an expected longer t1/2 in human than UCB7362 while maintaining a similar in vitro off-target hit rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komei Sakata
- UCB, 216 Bath Road, Slough SL1 3WE, United
Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lloyd King
- UCB, 216 Bath Road, Slough SL1 3WE, United
Kingdom
| | | | - Benoît Laleu
- Medicines
for Malaria Venture, ICC, Route de Pré-Bois 20, 1215 Geneva, Switzerland
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36
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Cheng Y, Ji C, Xu J, Chen R, Guo Y, Bian Q, Shen Z, Zhang B. LCK-SafeScreen-Model: An Advanced Ensemble Machine Learning Approach for Estimating the Binding Affinity between Compounds and LCK Target. Molecules 2023; 28:7382. [PMID: 37959801 PMCID: PMC10650606 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28217382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The lymphocyte-specific protein tyrosine kinase (LCK) is a critical target in leukemia treatment. However, potential off-target interactions involving LCK can lead to unintended consequences. This underscores the importance of accurately predicting the inhibitory reactions of drug molecules with LCK during the research and development stage. To address this, we introduce an advanced ensemble machine learning technique designed to estimate the binding affinity between molecules and LCK. This comprehensive method includes the generation and selection of molecular fingerprints, the design of the machine learning model, hyperparameter tuning, and a model ensemble. Through rigorous optimization, the predictive capabilities of our model have been significantly enhanced, raising test R2 values from 0.644 to 0.730 and reducing test RMSE values from 0.841 to 0.732. Utilizing these advancements, our refined ensemble model was employed to screen an MCE -like drug library. Through screening, we selected the top ten scoring compounds, and tested them using the ADP-Glo bioactivity assay. Subsequently, we employed molecular docking techniques to further validate the binding mode analysis of these compounds with LCK. The exceptional predictive accuracy of our model in identifying LCK inhibitors not only emphasizes its effectiveness in projecting LCK-related safety panel predictions but also in discovering new LCK inhibitors. For added user convenience, we have also established a webserver, and a GitHub repository to share the project.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Cheng
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China; (Y.C.); (C.J.); (J.X.)
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Cong Ji
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China; (Y.C.); (C.J.); (J.X.)
| | - Jun Xu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China; (Y.C.); (C.J.); (J.X.)
- Department of Pharmacy, Huzhou Central Hospital, Huzhou 313000, China
| | - Roufen Chen
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Yu Guo
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Qingyu Bian
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Zheyuan Shen
- Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (R.C.); (Y.G.); (Q.B.)
| | - Bo Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hangzhou First People’s Hospital, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou 311402, China; (Y.C.); (C.J.); (J.X.)
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37
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Jiang X, Su H, Shang W, Zhou F, Zhang Y, Zhao W, Zhang Q, Xie H, Jiang L, Nie T, Yang F, Xiong M, Huang X, Li M, Chen P, Peng S, Xiao G, Jiang H, Tang R, Zhang L, Shen J, Xu Y. Structure-based development and preclinical evaluation of the SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease inhibitor simnotrelvir. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6463. [PMID: 37833261 PMCID: PMC10575921 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42102-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The persistent pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants accentuates the great demand for developing effective therapeutic agents. Here, we report the development of an orally bioavailable SARS-CoV-2 3C-like protease (3CLpro) inhibitor, namely simnotrelvir, and its preclinical evaluation, which lay the foundation for clinical trials studies as well as the conditional approval of simnotrelvir in combination with ritonavir for the treatment of COVID-19. The structure-based optimization of boceprevir, an approved HCV protease inhibitor, leads to identification of simnotrelvir that covalently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro with an enthalpy-driven thermodynamic binding signature. Multiple enzymatic assays reveal that simnotrelvir is a potent pan-CoV 3CLpro inhibitor but has high selectivity. It effectively blocks replications of SARS-CoV-2 variants in cell-based assays and exhibits good pharmacokinetic and safety profiles in male and female rats and monkeys, leading to robust oral efficacy in a male mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 Delta infection in which it not only significantly reduces lung viral loads but also eliminates the virus from brains. The discovery of simnotrelvir thereby highlights the utility of structure-based development of marked protease inhibitors for providing a small molecule therapeutic effectively combatting human coronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangrui Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Haixia Su
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Weijuan Shang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
| | - Feng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, 210023, Nanjing, China
- Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 200000, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenfeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiumeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Hang Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 200000, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianqing Nie
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Feipu Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Muya Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxing Huang
- Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 200000, Shanghai, China
| | - Minjun Li
- Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201210, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Chen
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Shaoping Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, 210023, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Simcere Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 210023, Nanjing, China
| | - Gengfu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China
| | - Hualiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China
| | - Renhong Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Neurology and Oncology Drug Development, 210023, Nanjing, China.
- Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, 200000, Shanghai, China.
| | - Leike Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 430071, Wuhan, China.
- Hubei jiangxia Laboratory, 430200, Wuhan, China.
| | - Jingshan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
| | - Yechun Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 201203, Shanghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049, Beijing, China.
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 310024, Hangzhou, China.
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Zhao S, Jiang M, Qing H, Ni J. Cathepsins and SARS-CoV-2 infection: From pathogenic factors to potential therapeutic targets. Br J Pharmacol 2023; 180:2455-2481. [PMID: 37403614 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020 and has wrought havoc on health and economic systems worldwide. Efficacious treatment for COVID-19 is lacking: Only preventive measures as well as symptomatic and supportive care are available. Preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that lysosomal cathepsins might contribute to the pathogenesis and disease outcome of COVID-19. Here, we discuss cutting-edge evidence on the pathological roles of cathepsins in SARS-CoV-2 infection, host immune dysregulations, and the possible underlying mechanisms. Cathepsins are attractive drug targets because of their defined substrate-binding pockets, which can be exploited as binding sites for pharmaceutical enzyme inhibitors. Accordingly, the potential modulatory strategies of cathepsin activity are discussed. These insights could shed light on the development of cathepsin-based interventions for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuxuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Muzhou Jiang
- Department of Periodontics, Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, School and Hospital of Stomatology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hong Qing
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Junjun Ni
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine and Biotherapy, School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
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Fan C, He J, Xu S, Yan J, Jin L, Dai J, Hu B. Advances in biomaterial-based cardiac organoids. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 153:213502. [PMID: 37352743 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 05/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the important causes of death worldwide. The incidence and mortality rates are increasing annually with the intensification of social aging. The efficacy of drug therapy is limited in individuals suffering from severe heart failure due to the inability of myocardial cells to undergo regeneration and the challenging nature of cardiac tissue repair following injury. Consequently, surgical transplantation stands as the most efficient approach for treatment. Nevertheless, the shortage of donors and the considerable number of heart failure patients worldwide, estimated at 26 million, results in an alarming treatment deficit, with only around 5000 heart transplants feasible annually. The existing major alternatives, such as mechanical or xenogeneic hearts, have significant flaws, such as high cost and rejection, and are challenging to implement for large-scale, long-term use. An organoid is a three-dimensional (3D) cell tissue that mimics the characteristics of an organ. The critical application has been rated in annual biotechnology by authoritative journals, such as Science and Cell. Related industries have achieved rapid growth in recent years. Based on this technology, cardiac organoids are expected to pave the way for viable heart repair and treatment and play an essential role in pathological research, drug screening, and other areas. This review centers on the examination of biomaterials employed in cardiac repair, strategies employed for the reconstruction of cardiac structure and function, clinical investigations pertaining to cardiac repair, and the prospective applications of cardiac organoids. From basic research to clinical practice, the current status, latest progress, challenges, and prospects of biomaterial-based cardiac repair are summarized and discussed, providing a reference for future exploration and development of cardiac regeneration strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Fan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jiaxiong He
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Sijia Xu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junyan Yan
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Lifang Jin
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Jianwu Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China.
| | - Baowei Hu
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, China.
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40
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Santillo MF, Sprando RL. Predicting binding between 55 cannabinoids and 4,799 biological targets by in silico methods. J Appl Toxicol 2023; 43:1476-1487. [PMID: 37101313 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4478] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Recently, there has been an increase in cannabis-derived products being marketed as foods, dietary supplements, and other consumer products. Cannabis contains over a hundred cannabinoids, many of which have unknown physiological effects. Since there are large numbers of cannabinoids, and many are not commercially available for in vitro testing, an in silico tool (Chemotargets Clarity software) was used to predict binding between 55 cannabinoids and 4,799 biological targets (enzymes, ion channels, receptors, and transporters). This tool relied on quantitative structure activity relationships (QSAR), structural similarity, and other approaches to predict binding. From this screening, 827 cannabinoid-target binding pairs were predicted, which included 143 unique targets. Many cannabinoids sharing core structures (cannabinoid "types") had similar binding profiles, whereas most cannabinoids containing carboxylic acid groups were similar without regards to their core structure. For some of the binding predictions (43), in vitro binding data were available, and they agreed well with in silico binding data (median fourfold difference in binding concentrations). Finally, clinical adverse effects associated with 22 predicted targets were identified from an online database (Clarivate Off-X), providing important insights on potential human health hazards. Overall, in silico biological target predictions are a rapid means to identify potential hazards due to cannabinoid-target interactions, and the data can be used to prioritize subsequent in vitro and in vivo testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Santillo
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, US Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert L Sprando
- Division of Toxicology, Office of Applied Research and Safety Assessment, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, US Food and Drug Administration, Laurel, Maryland, USA
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41
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Yang Z, Zhang Y, Wang J, Yin J, Wang Z, Pei R. Cardiac organoid: multiple construction approaches and potential applications. J Mater Chem B 2023; 11:7567-7581. [PMID: 37477533 DOI: 10.1039/d3tb00783a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
The human cardiac organoid (hCO) is three-dimensional tissue model that is similar to an in vivo organ and has great potential on heart development biology, disease modeling, drug screening and regenerative medicine. However, the construction of hCO presents a unique challenge compared with other organoids such as the lung, small intestine, pancreas, liver. Since heart disease is the dominant cause of death and the treatment of such disease is one of the most unmet medical needs worldwide, developing technologies for the construction and application of hCO is a critical task for the scientific community. In this review, we discuss the current classification and construction methods of hCO. In addition, we describe its applications in drug screening, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine. Finally, we propose the limitations of the cardiac organoid and future research directions. A detailed understanding of hCO will provide ways to improve its construction and expand its applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, 200444 Shanghai, China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 215123 Suzhou, China.
| | - Yajie Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 215123 Suzhou, China.
| | - Jine Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 215123 Suzhou, China.
| | - Jingbo Yin
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai University, 200444 Shanghai, China
| | - Zheng Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 215123 Suzhou, China.
| | - Renjun Pei
- CAS Key Laboratory for Nano-Bio Interface, Suzhou Institute of Nano-tech and Nano-bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 215123 Suzhou, China.
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42
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Green JR, Mahalingaiah PKS, Gopalakrishnan SM, Liguori MJ, Mittelstadt SW, Blomme EAG, Van Vleet TR. Off-target pharmacological activity at various kinases: Potential functional and pathological side effects. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods 2023; 123:107468. [PMID: 37553032 DOI: 10.1016/j.vascn.2023.107468] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
In drug discovery, during the lead optimization and candidate characterization stages, novel small molecules are frequently evaluated in a battery of in vitro pharmacology assays to identify potential unintended, off-target interactions with various receptors, transporters, ion channels, and enzymes, including kinases. Furthermore, these screening panels may also provide utility at later stages of development to provide a mechanistic understanding of unexpected safety findings. Here, we present a compendium of the most likely functional and pathological outcomes associated with interaction(s) to a panel of 95 kinases based on an extensive curation of the scientific literature. This panel of kinases was designed by AbbVie based on safety-related data extracted from the literature, as well as from over 20 years of institutional knowledge generated from discovery efforts. For each kinase, the scientific literature was reviewed using online databases and the most often reported functional and pathological effects were summarized. This work should serve as a practical guide for small molecule drug discovery scientists and clinical investigators to predict and/or interpret adverse effects related to pharmacological interactions with these kinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathon R Green
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States.
| | | | - Sujatha M Gopalakrishnan
- Drug Discovery Science and Technology, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
| | - Michael J Liguori
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
| | - Scott W Mittelstadt
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
| | - Eric A G Blomme
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
| | - Terry R Van Vleet
- Departments of Preclinical Safety, AbbVie, 1 North Waukegan Road, North Chicago, IL 60064, United States
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Caufriez A, Lamouroux A, Martin C, Iaculli D, Ince Ergüç E, Gozalbes R, Mayan MD, Kwak BR, Tabernilla A, Vinken M, Ballet S. Determination of structural features that underpin the pannexin1 channel inhibitory activity of the peptide 10Panx1. Bioorg Chem 2023; 138:106612. [PMID: 37210827 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106612] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Pannexin1 channels facilitate paracrine communication and are involved in a broad spectrum of diseases. Attempts to find appropriate pannexin1 channel inhibitors that showcase target-selective properties and in vivo applicability remain nonetheless scarce. However, a promising lead candidate, the ten amino acid long peptide mimetic 10Panx1 (H-Trp1-Arg2-Gln3-Ala4-Ala5-Phe6-Val7-Asp8-Ser9-Tyr10-OH), has shown potential as a pannexin1 channel inhibitor in both in vitro and in vivo studies. Nonetheless, structural optimization is critical for clinical use. One of the main hurdles to overcome along the optimization process consists of subduing the low biological stability (10Panx1 t1/2 = 2.27 ± 0.11 min). To tackle this issue, identification of important structural features within the decapeptide structure is warranted. For this reason, a structure-activity relationship study was performed to proteolytically stabilize the sequence. Through an Alanine scan, this study demonstrated that the side chains of Gln3 and Asp8 are crucial for 10Panx1's channel inhibitory capacity. Guided by plasma stability experiments, scissile amide bonds were identified and stabilized, while extracellular adenosine triphosphate release experiments, indicative of pannexin1 channel functionality, allowed to enhance the in vitro inhibitory capacity of 10Panx1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Caufriez
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Research Group of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Arthur Lamouroux
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Martin
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Debora Iaculli
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elif Ince Ergüç
- Research Group of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Rafael Gozalbes
- ProtoQSAR SL, Centro Europeo de Empresas Innovadoras, Parque Tecnológico de Valencia, Avda. Benjamin Franklin 12, 46980 Paterna, Spain
| | - Maria D Mayan
- CellCOM Research Group, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de A Coruña, Servizo Galego de Saúde, Universidade da Coruña, 15071 A Coruña, Spain
| | - Brenda R Kwak
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Rue Michel-Servet 1, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Andrés Tabernilla
- Research Group of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Vinken
- Research Group of In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-cosmetology, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Steven Ballet
- Research Group of Organic Chemistry, Departments of Chemistry and Bioengineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium.
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44
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Brooun A, Zhang J, Li C, Lam R, Cheng H, Shoemaker R, Daly J, Olaharski A. The pharmacologic and toxicologic characterization of the potent and selective KRAS G12D inhibitors ERAS-4693 and ERAS-5024. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2023; 474:116601. [PMID: 37321326 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2023.116601] [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: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Two potent and selective KRASG12D inhibitors, ERAS-4693 and ERAS-5024, were generated as possible clinical candidates to treat patients harboring G12D mutations in solid tumors. Both molecules exhibited strong anti-tumor activity in the KRASG12D mutant PDAC xenograft mouse models while ERAS-5024 also showed tumor growth inhibition when administered on an intermittent dosing regimen. Acute dose-limiting toxicity consistent with an allergic reaction was observed for both molecules shortly after administration at doses just above those which demonstrated anti-tumor activity, indicative of a narrow therapeutic index. A series of studies were subsequently conducted to identify a common underlying mechanism for the observed toxicity, including CETSA® (Cellular Thermal Shift Assay) as well as several functional off-target screens. Both ERAS-4693 and ERAS-5024 were identified to agonize MRGPRX2 which has been linked to pseudo-allergic reactions. In vivo toxicologic characterization of both molecules included repeat-dose studies in the rat and dog. Dose-limiting toxicities were observed in both species with ERAS-4693 and ERAS-5024 and plasma exposure levels at the maximum tolerated doses were generally below that which caused strong anti-tumor activity, supporting the initial observation of a narrow therapeutic index. Additional overlapping toxicities included a reduction in reticulocytes and clinical pathological changes suggestive of an inflammatory response. Furthermore, increases in plasma histamine were observed in dogs administered ERAS-5024, supporting the hypothesis that MRGPRX2 agonism may be the cause of the pseudo-allergic reaction. This work highlights the importance of balancing both the safety and efficacy of KRASG12D inhibitors as this class of molecules begins to enter clinical development.
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Peters DE, Norris LD, Tenora L, Šnajdr I, Ponti AK, Zhu X, Sakamoto S, Veeravalli V, Pradhan M, Alt J, Thomas AG, Majer P, Rais R, McDonald C, Slusher BS. A gut-restricted glutamate carboxypeptidase II inhibitor reduces monocytic inflammation and improves preclinical colitis. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eabn7491. [PMID: 37556558 PMCID: PMC10661206 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn7491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
There is an urgent need to develop therapeutics for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) because up to 40% of patients with moderate-to-severe IBD are not adequately controlled with existing drugs. Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target. This enzyme is minimally expressed in normal ileum and colon, but it is markedly up-regulated in biopsies from patients with IBD and preclinical colitis models. Here, we generated a class of GCPII inhibitors designed to be gut-restricted for oral administration, and we interrogated efficacy and mechanism using in vitro and in vivo models. The lead inhibitor, (S)-IBD3540, was potent (half maximal inhibitory concentration = 4 nanomolar), selective, gut-restricted (AUCcolon/plasma > 50 in mice with colitis), and efficacious in acute and chronic rodent colitis models. In dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis, oral (S)-IBD3540 inhibited >75% of colon GCPII activity, dose-dependently improved gross and histologic disease, and markedly attenuated monocytic inflammation. In spontaneous colitis in interleukin-10 (IL-10) knockout mice, once-daily oral (S)-IBD3540 initiated after disease onset improved disease, normalized colon histology, and attenuated inflammation as evidenced by reduced fecal lipocalin 2 and colon pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-17. Using primary human colon epithelial air-liquid interface monolayers to interrogate the mechanism, we further found that (S)-IBD3540 protected against submersion-induced oxidative stress injury by decreasing barrier permeability, normalizing tight junction protein expression, and reducing procaspase-3 activation. Together, this work demonstrated that local inhibition of dysregulated gastrointestinal GCPII using the gut-restricted, orally active, small-molecule (S)-IBD3540 is a promising approach for IBD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane E. Peters
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lauren D. Norris
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Lukáš Tenora
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 160 00 Prague, Czechia
| | - Ivan Šnajdr
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 160 00 Prague, Czechia
| | - András K. Ponti
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Xiaolei Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Shinji Sakamoto
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Vijayabhaskar Veeravalli
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Manisha Pradhan
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Jesse Alt
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ajit G. Thomas
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Pavel Majer
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, 160 00 Prague, Czechia
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Christine McDonald
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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46
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Gould S, Templin MV. Off target toxicities and links with physicochemical properties of medicinal products, including antibiotics, oligonucleotides, lipid nanoparticles (with cationic and/or anionic charges). Data review suggests an emerging pattern. Toxicol Lett 2023; 384:14-29. [PMID: 37454775 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2023.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Toxicology is an essential part of any drug development plan. Circumnavigating the risk of failure because of a toxicity issue can be a challenge, and failure in late development is extremely costly. To identify potential risks, it requires more than just understanding the biological target. The toxicologist needs to consider a compound's structure, it's physicochemical properties (including the impact of the overall formulation), as well as the biological target (e.g., receptor interactions). Understanding the impact of the physicochemical properties can be used to predict potential toxicities in advance by incorporating key endpoints in early screening strategies and/or used to compare toxicity profiles across lead candidates. This review discussed the risks of off-target and/or non-specific toxicities that may be associated with the physicochemical properties of compounds, especially those carrying dominant positive or negative charges, including amphiphilic small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides and lipids/liposomes/lipid nanoparticles. The latter of which are being seen more and more in drug development, including the recent Covid pandemic, where mRNA and lipid nanoparticle technology is playing more of a role in vaccine development. The translation between non-clinical and clinical data is also considered, questioning how a physicochemical driven toxicity may be more universal across species, which means that such toxicity may be reassuringly translatable between species and as such, this information may also be considered as a support to the 3 R's, particularly in the early screening stages of a drug development plan.
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Jaki T, Burdon A, Chen X, Mozgunov P, Zheng H, Baird R. Early phase clinical trials in oncology: Realising the potential of seamless designs. Eur J Cancer 2023; 189:112916. [PMID: 37301716 PMCID: PMC7614750 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejca.2023.05.005] [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: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pharmaceutical industry's productivity has been declining over the last two decades and high attrition rates and reduced regulatory approvals are being seen. The development of oncology drugs is particularly challenging with low rates of approval for novel treatments when compared with other therapeutic areas. Reliably establishing the potential of novel treatment and the corresponding optimal dosage is a key component to ensure efficient overall development. A growing interest lies in terminating developments of poor treatments quickly while enabling accelerated development for highly promising interventions. METHODS One approach to reliably establish the optimal dosage and the potential of a novel treatment and thereby improve efficiency in the drug development pathway is the use of novel statistical designs that make efficient use of the data collected. RESULTS In this paper, we discuss different (seamless) strategies for early oncology development and illustrate their strengths and weaknesses through real trial examples. We provide some directions for good practices in early oncology development, discuss frequently seen missed opportunities for improved efficiency and some future opportunities that have yet to fully develop their potential in early oncology treatment development. DISCUSSION Modern methods for dose-finding have the potential to shorten and improve dose-finding and only small changes to current approaches are required to realise this potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Jaki
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, UK; University of Regensburg, Germany.
| | | | - Xijin Chen
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Haiyan Zheng
- MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, UK
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Sutherland JJ, Yonchev D, Fekete A, Urban L. A preclinical secondary pharmacology resource illuminates target-adverse drug reaction associations of marketed drugs. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4323. [PMID: 37468498 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40064-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro secondary pharmacology assays are an important tool for predicting clinical adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of investigational drugs. We created the Secondary Pharmacology Database (SPD) by testing 1958 drugs using 200 assays to validate target-ADR associations. Compared to public and subscription resources, 95% of all and 36% of active (AC50 < 1 µM) results are unique to SPD, with bias towards higher activity in public resources. Annotating drugs with free maximal plasma concentrations, we find 684 physiologically relevant unpublished off-target activities. Furthermore, 64% of putative ADRs linked to target activity in key literature reviews are not statistically significant in SPD. Systematic analysis of all target-ADR pairs identifies several putative associations supported by publications. Finally, candidate mechanisms for known ADRs are proposed based on SPD off-target activities. Here we present a freely-available resource for benchmarking ADR predictions, explaining phenotypic activity and investigating clinical properties of marketed drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitar Yonchev
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | | | - Laszlo Urban
- Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Scholz O, Huß E, Otter S, Herebian D, Hamacher A, Levy LM, Hristeva S, Sanz M, Ajani H, Puentes AR, Hoffmann T, Hogeback J, Unger A, Terheyden S, Reina do Fundo M, Dewidar B, Roden M, Lammert E. Protection of pancreatic islets from oxidative cell death by a peripherally-active morphinan with increased drug safety. Mol Metab 2023:101775. [PMID: 37451343 PMCID: PMC10403733 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dextromethorphan (DXM) is a commonly used antitussive medication with positive effects in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus, since it increases glucose tolerance and protects pancreatic islets from cell death. However, its use as an antidiabetic medication is limited due to its central nervous side effects and potential use as a recreational drug. Therefore, we recently modified DXM chemically to reduce its blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and central side effects. However, our best compound interacted with the cardiac potassium channel hERG (human ether-à-go-go-related gene product) and the μ-opioid receptor (MOR). Thus, the goal of this study was to reduce the interaction of our compound with these targets, while maintaining its beneficial properties. METHODS Receptor and channel binding assays were conducted to evaluate the drug safety of our DXM derivative. Pancreatic islets were used to investigate the effect of the compound on insulin secretion and islet cell survival. Via liquor collection from the brain and a behavioral assay, we analyzed the BBB permeability. By performing intraperitoneal and oral glucose tolerance tests as well as pharmacokinetic analyses, the antidiabetic potential and elimination half-life were investigated, respectively. To analyze the islet cell-protective effect, we used fluorescence microscopy as well as flow cytometric analyses. RESULTS Here, we report the design and synthesis of an optimized, orally available BBB-impermeable DXM derivative with lesser binding to hERG and MOR than previous ones. We also show that the new compound substantially enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) from mouse and human islets and glucose tolerance in mice as well as protects pancreatic islets from cell death induced by reactive oxygen species and that it amplifies the effects of tirzepatide on GSIS and islet cell viability. CONCLUSIONS We succeeded to design and synthesize a novel morphinan derivative that is BBB-impermeable, glucose-lowering and islet cell-protective and has good drug safety despite its morphinan and imidazole structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okka Scholz
- Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Neuherberg, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Elena Huß
- Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Neuherberg, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Silke Otter
- Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Neuherberg, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Diran Herebian
- Department of General Pediatrics, Neonatology and Pediatric Cardiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Anna Hamacher
- Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | | | - Miguel Sanz
- Taros Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | - Haresh Ajani
- Taros Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | | | | | - Jens Hogeback
- A&M Labor für Analytik und Metabolismusforschung Service GmbH, D-50126 Bergheim, Germany
| | - Anke Unger
- Lead Discovery Center GmbH & Co. KG, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany
| | | | - Michelle Reina do Fundo
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Neuherberg, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Bedair Dewidar
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Neuherberg, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Michael Roden
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Neuherberg, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany; Institute for Clinical Diabetology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Department of Endocrinology and Diabetology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital, Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Eckhard Lammert
- Institute of Metabolic Physiology, Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute for Vascular and Islet Cell Biology, German Diabetes Center (DDZ), Leibniz Center for Diabetes Research at Heinrich Heine University, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD e.V.), Partner Düsseldorf, Neuherberg, D-85764 Neuherberg, Germany.
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Lunghini F, Fava A, Pisapia V, Sacco F, Iaconis D, Beccari AR. ProfhEX: AI-based platform for small molecules liability profiling. J Cheminform 2023; 15:60. [PMID: 37296454 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-023-00728-6] [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: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Off-target drug interactions are a major reason for candidate failure in the drug discovery process. Anticipating potential drug's adverse effects in the early stages is necessary to minimize health risks to patients, animal testing, and economical costs. With the constantly increasing size of virtual screening libraries, AI-driven methods can be exploited as first-tier screening tools to provide liability estimation for drug candidates. In this work we present ProfhEX, an AI-driven suite of 46 OECD-compliant machine learning models that can profile small molecules on 7 relevant liability groups: cardiovascular, central nervous system, gastrointestinal, endocrine, renal, pulmonary and immune system toxicities. Experimental affinity data was collected from public and commercial data sources. The entire chemical space comprised 289'202 activity data for a total of 210'116 unique compounds, spanning over 46 targets with dataset sizes ranging from 819 to 18896. Gradient boosting and random forest algorithms were initially employed and ensembled for the selection of a champion model. Models were validated according to the OECD principles, including robust internal (cross validation, bootstrap, y-scrambling) and external validation. Champion models achieved an average Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.84 (SD of 0.05), an R2 determination coefficient of 0.68 (SD = 0.1) and a root mean squared error of 0.69 (SD of 0.08). All liability groups showed good hit-detection power with an average enrichment factor at 5% of 13.1 (SD of 4.5) and AUC of 0.92 (SD of 0.05). Benchmarking against already existing tools demonstrated the predictive power of ProfhEX models for large-scale liability profiling. This platform will be further expanded with the inclusion of new targets and through complementary modelling approaches, such as structure and pharmacophore-based models. ProfhEX is freely accessible at the following address: https://profhex.exscalate.eu/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Lunghini
- EXSCALATE, Dompé Farmaceutici SpA, Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80123, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna Fava
- EXSCALATE, Dompé Farmaceutici SpA, Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80123, Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Pisapia
- Professional Service Department, SAS Institute, Via Darwin 20/22, 20143, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesco Sacco
- Professional Service Department, SAS Institute, Via Darwin 20/22, 20143, Milan, Italy
| | - Daniela Iaconis
- EXSCALATE, Dompé Farmaceutici SpA, Via Tommaso de Amicis 95, 80123, Naples, Italy
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