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Thoma G, Miltz W, Srinivas H, Penno CA, Kiffe M, Gajewska M, Klein K, Evans A, Beerli C, Röhn TA. Structure-Guided Elaboration of a Fragment-Like Hit into an Orally Efficacious Leukotriene A4 Hydrolase Inhibitor. J Med Chem 2024. [PMID: 38476002 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
Leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) is the final and rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of pro-inflammatory leukotriene B4 (LTB4). Preclinical studies have provided strong evidence that LTA4H is an attractive drug target for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, we describe the transformation of compound 2, a fragment-like hit, into the potent inhibitor of LTA4H 3. Our strategy involved two key steps. First, we aimed to increase the polarity of fragment 2 to improve its drug-likeness, particularly its solubility, while preserving both its promising potency and low molecular weight. Second, we utilized structural information and incorporated a basic amino function, which allowed for the formation of an essential hydrogen bond with Q136 of LTA4H and consequently enhanced the potency. Compound 3 exhibited exceptional selectivity and showed oral efficacy in a KRN passive serum-induced arthritis model in mice. The anticipated human dose to achieve 90% target engagement at the trough concentration was determined to be 40 mg administered once daily.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gebhard Thoma
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wolfgang Miltz
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Honnappa Srinivas
- Discovery Sciences, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Carlos A Penno
- Discovery Sciences, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Kiffe
- PK Sciences, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Monika Gajewska
- PK Sciences, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Kai Klein
- PK Sciences, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Amanda Evans
- Immunology Disease Area, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Beerli
- Immunology Disease Area, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Till A Röhn
- Immunology Disease Area, Biomedical Research, Novartis Pharma AG, 4002 Basel, Switzerland
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Röhn TA, Numao S, Otto H, Loesche C, Thoma G. Drug discovery strategies for novel leukotriene A4 hydrolase inhibitors. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2021; 16:1483-1495. [PMID: 34191664 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2021.1948998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
IntroductionLeukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H) is the final and rate limiting enzyme regulating the biosynthesis of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a pro-inflammatory lipid mediator implicated in a large number of inflammatory pathologies. Inhibition of LTA4H not only prevents LTB4 biosynthesis but also induces a lipid mediator class-switch within the 5-lipoxygenase pathway, elevating biosynthesis of the anti-inflammatory lipid mediator Lipoxin A4. Ample preclinical evidence advocates LTA4H as attractive drug target for the treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases.Areas coveredThis review covers details about the biochemistry of LTA4H and describes its role in regulating pro- and anti-inflammatory mediator generation. It summarizes recent efforts in medicinal chemistry toward novel LTA4H inhibitors, recent clinical trials testing LTA4H inhibitors in pulmonary inflammatory diseases, and potential reasons for the discontinuation of former development programs.Expert opinionGiven the prominent role of LTB4 in initiating and perpetuating inflammation, LTA4H remains an appealing drug target. The reason former attempts targeting this enzyme have not met with success in the clinic can be attributed to compound-specific liabilities of first-generation inhibitors and/or choice of target indications to test this mode of action. A new generation of highly potent and selective LTA4H inhibitors is currently undergoing clinical testing in indications with a strong link to LTB4 biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Till A Röhn
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Shin Numao
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Heike Otto
- Autoimmunity, Transplantation and Inflammation, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Christian Loesche
- Translational Medicine, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gebhard Thoma
- Global Discovery Chemistry, Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
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Marakalala MB, Mmutlane EM, Kinfe HH. β-Hydroxy sulfides and their syntheses. Beilstein J Org Chem 2018; 14:1668-1692. [PMID: 30013693 PMCID: PMC6036969 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.14.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Sulfur-containing natural products are ubiquitous in nature, their most abundant source being marine organisms since sulfur, in the form of the sulfate ion, is the second most abundant anion in sea water after chloride. As part of natural products, sulfur can appear in a multitude of combinations and oxidation states: thiol, sulfide (acyclic or heterocyclic), disulfide, sulfoxide, sulfonate, thioaminal, hemithioacetal, various thioesters, thiocarbamate and isothiocyanate. This review article focuses on β-hydroxy sulfides and analogs; their presence in natural products, general protocols for their synthesis, and examples of their application in target oriented synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Edwin M Mmutlane
- Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
| | - Henok H Kinfe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, PO Box 524, Auckland Park 2006, South Africa
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