Discovery of Darovasertib (NVP-LXS196), a Pan-PKC Inhibitor for the Treatment of Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in the adult eye. Despite the aggressive local management of primary UM, the development of metastases is common with no effective treatment options for metastatic disease. Genetic analysis of UM samples reveals the presence of mutually exclusive activating mutations in the Gq alpha subunits GNAQ and GNA11. One of the key downstream targets of the constitutively active Gq alpha subunits is the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway. Herein, we describe the discovery of darovasertib (NVP-LXS196), a potent pan-PKC inhibitor with high whole kinome selectivity. The lead series was optimized for kinase and off target selectivity to afford a compound that is rapidly absorbed and well tolerated in preclinical species. LXS196 is being investigated in the clinic as a monotherapy and in combination with other agents for the treatment of uveal melanoma (UM), including primary UM and metastatic uveal melanoma (MUM).

Ocular Pharmacology and Toxicology of TRPV1 Antagonist SAF312 (Libvatrep)

Purpose

To evaluate the pharmacology and toxicology of SAF312, a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) antagonist.

Methods

TRPV1 expression in human ocular tissues was evaluated with immunohistochemistry. Inhibition of calcium influx in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells expressing human TRPV1 (hTRPV1) and selectivity of SAF312 were assessed by a fluorescent imaging plate reader assay. Ocular tissue and plasma pharmacokinetics (PK) were assessed following a single topical ocular dose of SAF312 (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.5%) in rabbits. Safety and tolerability of SAF312 were evaluated in rabbits and dogs. Effects of SAF312 on corneal wound healing after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) surgery were assessed in rabbits.

Results

TRPV1 expression was noted in human cornea and conjunctiva. SAF312 inhibited calcium influx in CHO-hTRPV1 cells induced by pH 5.5 (2-[N-morpholino] ethanesulfonic acid), N-arachidonoylethanolamine, capsaicin, and N-arachidonoyl dopamine, with IC50 values of 5, 10, 12, and 27 nM, respectively, and inhibition appeared noncompetitive. SAF312 demonstrated high selectivity for TRPV1 (>149-fold) over other TRP channels. PK analysis showed highest concentrations of SAF312 in cornea and conjunctiva. SAF312 was found to be safe and well tolerated in rabbits and dogs up to the highest feasible concentration of 2.5%. No delay in wound healing after PRK was observed.

Conclusions

SAF312 is a potent, selective, and noncompetitive antagonist of hTRPV1 with an acceptable preclinical safety profile for use in future clinical trials.

Translational Relevance

SAF312, which was safe and well tolerated without causing delay in wound healing after PRK in rabbits, may be a potential therapeutic agent for ocular surface pain.

The Discovery of SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Activity as a Novel and Targetable Dependency in Uveal Melanoma

Uveal melanoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that originates in the eye. Currently, there are no approved targeted therapies and very few effective treatments for this cancer. Although activating mutations in the G protein alpha subunits, GNAQ and GNA11, are key genetic drivers of the disease, few additional drug targets have been identified. Recently, studies have identified context-specific roles for the mammalian SWI/SNF chromatin remodeling complexes (also known as BAF/PBAF) in various cancer lineages. Here, we find evidence that the SWI/SNF complex is essential through analysis of functional genomics screens and further validation in a panel of uveal melanoma cell lines using both genetic tools and small-molecule inhibitors of SWI/SNF. In addition, we describe a functional relationship between the SWI/SNF complex and the melanocyte lineage-specific transcription factor Microphthalmia-associated Transcription Factor, suggesting that these two factors cooperate to drive a transcriptional program essential for uveal melanoma cell survival. These studies highlight a critical role for SWI/SNF in uveal melanoma, and demonstrate a novel path toward the treatment of this cancer.

Discovery of a novel indole pharmacophore for the irreversible inhibition of myeloperoxidase (MPO)

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and subsequent generation of hypochlorous acid has been associated with the killing of host-invading microorganisms (e.g. bacteria, viruses, and fungi). However, during oxidative stress, high MPO activity can damage host tissue and is linked to several chronic inflammatory conditions. Herein, we describe the development of a novel biaryl, indole-pyrazole series of irreversible mechanism-based inhibitors of MPO. Derived from an indole-containing high-throughput screen hit, optimization efforts resulted in potent and selective 6-substituted indoles with good oral bioavailability and in vivo activity.

Discovery of Orally Active Inhibitors of Brahma Homolog (BRM)/SMARCA2 ATPase Activity for the Treatment of Brahma Related Gene 1 (BRG1)/SMARCA4-Mutant Cancers

SWI/SNF-related, matrix-associated, actin-dependent regulator of chromatin subfamily A member 2 (SMARCA2), also known as Brahma homologue (BRM), is a Snf2-family DNA-dependent ATPase. BRM and its close homologue Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1), also known as SMARCA4, are mutually exclusive ATPases of the large ATP-dependent SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling complexes involved in transcriptional regulation of gene expression. No small molecules have been reported that modulate SWI/SNF chromatin-remodeling activity via inhibition of its ATPase activity, an important goal given the well-established dependence of BRG1-deficient cancers on BRM. Here, we describe allosteric dual BRM and BRG1 inhibitors that downregulate BRM-dependent gene expression and show antiproliferative activity in a BRG1-mutant-lung-tumor xenograft model upon oral administration. These compounds represent useful tools for understanding the functions of BRM in BRG1-loss-of-function settings and should enable probing the role of SWI/SNF functions more broadly in different cancer contexts and those of other diseases.

Synthetic phospholipids as specific substrates for plasma endothelial lipase

We designed and prepared synthetic phospholipids that generate lyso-phosphatidylcholine products with a unique mass for convenient detection by LC-MS in complex biological matrices. We demonstrated that compound 4, formulated either as a Triton X-100 emulsion or incorporated in synthetic HDL particles can serve as a substrate for plasma EL with useful specificity.

Discovery of N-[5-(6-Chloro-3-cyano-1-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-pyridin-3-ylmethyl]-ethanesulfonamide, a Cortisol-Sparing CYP11B2 Inhibitor that Lowers Aldosterone in Human Subjects

Human clinical studies conducted with LCI699 established aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) inhibition as a promising novel mechanism to lower arterial blood pressure. However, LCI699's low CYP11B1/CYP11B2 selectivity resulted in blunting of adrenocorticotropic hormone-stimulated cortisol secretion. This property of LCI699 prompted its development in Cushing's disease, but limited more extensive clinical studies in hypertensive populations, and provided an impetus for the search for cortisol-sparing CYP11B2 inhibitors. This paper summarizes the discovery, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamic data in preclinical species and human subjects of the selective CYP11B2 inhibitor 8.

Discovery and in Vivo Evaluation of Potent Dual CYP11B2 (Aldosterone Synthase) and CYP11B1 Inhibitors

Aldosterone is a key signaling component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system and as such has been shown to contribute to cardiovascular pathology such as hypertension and heart failure. Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) is responsible for the final three steps of aldosterone synthesis and thus is a viable therapeutic target. A series of imidazole derived inhibitors, including clinical candidate 7n, have been identified through design and structure-activity relationship studies both in vitro and in vivo. Compound 7n was also found to be a potent inhibitor of 11β-hydroxylase (CYP11B1), which is responsible for cortisol production. Inhibition of CYP11B1 is being evaluated in the clinic for potential treatment of hypercortisol diseases such as Cushing's syndrome.

Ru-catalyzed alkene-alkyne coupling. Total synthesis of amphidinolide P

A coordinatively unsaturated ruthenium complex catalyzed the formation of a carbon-carbon bond between two judiciously chosen alkene and alkyne partners in good yield, and in a chemo- and regioselective fashion, despite the significant degree of unsaturation of the substrates. The resulting 1,4-diene forms the backbone of the cytotoxic marine natural product amphidinolide P. The alkene partner was rapidly assembled from (R)-glycidyl tosylate, which served as a linchpin in a one-flask, sequential three-components coupling process using vinyllithium and a vinyl cyanocuprate. The synthesis of the alkyne partner made use of an unusual anti-selective addition under chelation-control conditions of an allyltin reagent derived from tiglic acid. In addition, a remarkably E-selective E2 process using the azodicarboxylate-triphenylphosphine system is featured. Also featured is the first example of the use of a beta-lactone as a thermodynamic spring to effect macrolactonization. The oxetanone ring was thus used as a productive protecting group that increased the overall efficiency of this total synthesis. This work was also an opportunity to further probe the scope of the ruthenium-catalyzed alkene-alkyne coupling, in particular using enynes, and studies using various functionalized substrates are described.

Dinuclear asymmetric Zn aldol additions: formal asymmetric synthesis of fostriecin

Direct asymmetric aldol reactions constitute a powerful methodology for the efficient synthesis of complex natural products. Herein we report the first application of our recently reported dinuclear Zn-catalyzed direct aldol addition of alkynyl ketones to aldehydes in a short and efficient formal asymmetric synthesis of fostriecin, a potent cyctotoxic natural product. This work highlights not only the power of the aldol methodology but also the utility of the akynyl silane aldol adducts, as it is subsequently utilized in a vinyl silane cross-coupling reaction which affords the target molecule in 14 steps for the longest linear sequence in 8.5% overall yield.

Alkene-alkyne coupling as a linchpin: an efficient and convergent synthesis of amphidinolide P

A short and efficient synthesis of the cytotoxic macrolide amphidinolide P is described. A remarkably chemo- and regioselective ruthenium-catalyzed alkene-alkyne coupling allows for a convergent synthesis and demonstrates that both enynes and beta-lactones are suitable coupling partners. This work also features a novel strategy for the preparation of macrolactones via intramolecular transesterification of beta-lactones. The target structure was prepared in 15 steps for the longest linear sequence and 10% overall yield, 24 steps total.

The preparation of nonracemic secondary alpha-(carbamoyloxy)alkylzinc and copper reagents. A versatile approach to enantioenriched alcohols

[reaction: see text] Chiral alpha-(carbamoyloxy)alkyllithium reagents, prepared using Hoppe's sBuLi/(-)-sparteine methodology, were transmetalated with ZnCl(2). Further transmetalation with CuCN with overall retention of configuration gave chiral species that reacted with various electrophiles to give enantiomerically pure alcohols after deprotection. A short, highly efficient synthesis of an industrially relevant pheromone, japonilure, illustrates the value of the methodology.