Development of Highly Potent and Selective Steroidal Inhibitors and Degraders of CDK8

Cortistatin A is a natural product isolated from the marine sponge Corticium simplex and was found to be a potent and selective inhibitor of CDK8. Many synthetic groups have reported total syntheses of Cortistatin A; however, these syntheses require between 16 and 30 steps and report between 0.012–2% overall yields, which is not amenable to large-scale production. Owing to similarities between the complex core of Cortistatin A and the simple steroid core, we initiated a campaign to design simple, more easily prepared CDK8 inhibitors based on a steroid scaffold that would be more convenient for large-scale synthesis. Herein, we report the discovery and optimization of JH-VIII-49, a potent and selective inhibitor of CDK8 with a simple steroid core that has an eight-step synthesis with a 33% overall yield, making it suitable for large-scale preparation. Using this scaffold, we then developed a bivalent small molecule degrader, JH-XI-10-02, that can recruit the E3 ligase CRL4^Cereblon to promote the ubiquitination and proteosomal degradation of CDK8

Discovery of a benzo[e]pyrimido-[5,4-b][1,4]diazepin-6(11H)-one as a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of Big MAP Kinase 1

Kinome-wide selectivity profiling of a collection of 2-amino-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines followed by cellular structure−activity relationship-guided optimization resulted in the identification of moderately potent and selective inhibitors of BMK1/ERK5 exemplified by <b>11</b>, <b>18</b>, and <b>21</b>. For example, <b>11</b> possesses a dissociation constant (<i>K</i>_d) for BMK1 of 19 nM, a cellular IC₅₀ for inhibiting epidermal growth factor induced BMK1 autophosphorylation of 0.19 ± 0.04 μM, and an Ambit KINOME<i>scan</i> selectivity score (<i>S</i>₅) of 0.035. Inhibitors <b>18</b> and <b>21</b> are also potent BMK1 inhibitors and possess favorable pharmacokinetic properties which enable their use as pharmacological probes of BMK1-dependent phenomena as well as starting points for further optimization efforts

Discovery of a benzo[e]pyrimido-[5,4-b][1,4]diazepin-6(11H)-one as a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of Big MAP Kinase 1

Kinome-wide selectivity profiling of a collection of 2-amino-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines followed by cellular structure−activity relationship-guided optimization resulted in the identification of moderately potent and selective inhibitors of BMK1/ERK5 exemplified by <b>11</b>, <b>18</b>, and <b>21</b>. For example, <b>11</b> possesses a dissociation constant (<i>K</i>_d) for BMK1 of 19 nM, a cellular IC₅₀ for inhibiting epidermal growth factor induced BMK1 autophosphorylation of 0.19 ± 0.04 μM, and an Ambit KINOME<i>scan</i> selectivity score (<i>S</i>₅) of 0.035. Inhibitors <b>18</b> and <b>21</b> are also potent BMK1 inhibitors and possess favorable pharmacokinetic properties which enable their use as pharmacological probes of BMK1-dependent phenomena as well as starting points for further optimization efforts

Table_2_Synergistic Anti-Tumor Effect of Combining Selective CDK7 and BRD4 Inhibition in Neuroblastoma.xlsx

PurposeCyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that have critical roles in RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated gene transcription are emerging as therapeutic targets in cancer. We have previously shown that THZ1, a covalent inhibitor of CDKs 7/12/13, leads to cytotoxicity in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma through the downregulation of super-enhancer-associated transcriptional upregulation. Here we determined the effects of YKL-5-124, a novel covalent inhibitor with greater selectivity for CDK7 in neuroblastoma cells.Experimental DesignWe tested YKL-5-124 in MYCN-amplified and nonamplified neuroblastoma cells individually and in combination with other inhibitors in cell line and animal models. Cell viability, target validation, effects on cell cycle and transcription were analyzed.ResultsCDK7 inhibition with YKL-5-124 did not lead to significant cell death, but resulted in aberrant cell cycle progression especially in MYCN-amplified cells. Unlike THZ1, YKL-5-124 had minimal effects on Pol II C-terminal domain phosphorylation, but significantly inhibited that of the CDK1 and CDK2 cell cycle kinases. Combining YKL-5-124 with the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity. A distinct MYCN-gene expression signature associated with resistance to BRD4 inhibition was suppressed with the combination. The synergy between YKL-5-124 and JQ1 translated into significant tumor regression in cell line and patient-derived xenograft mouse models of neuroblastoma.ConclusionsThe combination of CDK7 and BRD4 inhibition provides a therapeutic option for neuroblastoma and suggests that the addition of YKL-5-124 could improve the therapeutic efficacy of JQ1 and delay resistance to BRD4 inhibition.</p

Table_3_Synergistic Anti-Tumor Effect of Combining Selective CDK7 and BRD4 Inhibition in Neuroblastoma.xlsx

PurposeCyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that have critical roles in RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated gene transcription are emerging as therapeutic targets in cancer. We have previously shown that THZ1, a covalent inhibitor of CDKs 7/12/13, leads to cytotoxicity in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma through the downregulation of super-enhancer-associated transcriptional upregulation. Here we determined the effects of YKL-5-124, a novel covalent inhibitor with greater selectivity for CDK7 in neuroblastoma cells.Experimental DesignWe tested YKL-5-124 in MYCN-amplified and nonamplified neuroblastoma cells individually and in combination with other inhibitors in cell line and animal models. Cell viability, target validation, effects on cell cycle and transcription were analyzed.ResultsCDK7 inhibition with YKL-5-124 did not lead to significant cell death, but resulted in aberrant cell cycle progression especially in MYCN-amplified cells. Unlike THZ1, YKL-5-124 had minimal effects on Pol II C-terminal domain phosphorylation, but significantly inhibited that of the CDK1 and CDK2 cell cycle kinases. Combining YKL-5-124 with the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity. A distinct MYCN-gene expression signature associated with resistance to BRD4 inhibition was suppressed with the combination. The synergy between YKL-5-124 and JQ1 translated into significant tumor regression in cell line and patient-derived xenograft mouse models of neuroblastoma.ConclusionsThe combination of CDK7 and BRD4 inhibition provides a therapeutic option for neuroblastoma and suggests that the addition of YKL-5-124 could improve the therapeutic efficacy of JQ1 and delay resistance to BRD4 inhibition.</p

Selective Aurora Kinase Inhibitors Identified Using a Taxol-Induced Checkpoint Sensitivity Screen

The members of the Aurora kinase family play critical roles in the regulation of the cell cycle and mitotic spindle assembly and have been intensively investigated as potential targets for a new class of anticancer drugs. We describe a new highly potent and selective class of Aurora kinase inhibitors discovered using a phenotypic cellular screen. Optimized inhibitors display many of the hallmarks of Aurora inhibition including endoreduplication, polyploidy, and loss of cell viability in cancer cells. Structure–activity relationships with respect to kinome-wide selectivity and guided by an Aurora B co-crystal structure resulted in the identification of key selectivity determinants and discovery of a subseries with selectivity toward Aurora A. A direct comparison of biochemical and cellular profiles with respect to published Aurora inhibitors including VX-680, AZD1152, MLN8054, and a pyrimidine-based compound from Genentech demonstrates that compounds <b>1</b> and <b>3</b> will become valuable additional pharmacological probes of Aurora-dependent functions

Table_1_Synergistic Anti-Tumor Effect of Combining Selective CDK7 and BRD4 Inhibition in Neuroblastoma.xls

PurposeCyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that have critical roles in RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated gene transcription are emerging as therapeutic targets in cancer. We have previously shown that THZ1, a covalent inhibitor of CDKs 7/12/13, leads to cytotoxicity in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma through the downregulation of super-enhancer-associated transcriptional upregulation. Here we determined the effects of YKL-5-124, a novel covalent inhibitor with greater selectivity for CDK7 in neuroblastoma cells.Experimental DesignWe tested YKL-5-124 in MYCN-amplified and nonamplified neuroblastoma cells individually and in combination with other inhibitors in cell line and animal models. Cell viability, target validation, effects on cell cycle and transcription were analyzed.ResultsCDK7 inhibition with YKL-5-124 did not lead to significant cell death, but resulted in aberrant cell cycle progression especially in MYCN-amplified cells. Unlike THZ1, YKL-5-124 had minimal effects on Pol II C-terminal domain phosphorylation, but significantly inhibited that of the CDK1 and CDK2 cell cycle kinases. Combining YKL-5-124 with the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity. A distinct MYCN-gene expression signature associated with resistance to BRD4 inhibition was suppressed with the combination. The synergy between YKL-5-124 and JQ1 translated into significant tumor regression in cell line and patient-derived xenograft mouse models of neuroblastoma.ConclusionsThe combination of CDK7 and BRD4 inhibition provides a therapeutic option for neuroblastoma and suggests that the addition of YKL-5-124 could improve the therapeutic efficacy of JQ1 and delay resistance to BRD4 inhibition.</p

DataSheet_1_Synergistic Anti-Tumor Effect of Combining Selective CDK7 and BRD4 Inhibition in Neuroblastoma.pdf

PurposeCyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) that have critical roles in RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated gene transcription are emerging as therapeutic targets in cancer. We have previously shown that THZ1, a covalent inhibitor of CDKs 7/12/13, leads to cytotoxicity in MYCN-amplified neuroblastoma through the downregulation of super-enhancer-associated transcriptional upregulation. Here we determined the effects of YKL-5-124, a novel covalent inhibitor with greater selectivity for CDK7 in neuroblastoma cells.Experimental DesignWe tested YKL-5-124 in MYCN-amplified and nonamplified neuroblastoma cells individually and in combination with other inhibitors in cell line and animal models. Cell viability, target validation, effects on cell cycle and transcription were analyzed.ResultsCDK7 inhibition with YKL-5-124 did not lead to significant cell death, but resulted in aberrant cell cycle progression especially in MYCN-amplified cells. Unlike THZ1, YKL-5-124 had minimal effects on Pol II C-terminal domain phosphorylation, but significantly inhibited that of the CDK1 and CDK2 cell cycle kinases. Combining YKL-5-124 with the BRD4 inhibitor JQ1 resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity. A distinct MYCN-gene expression signature associated with resistance to BRD4 inhibition was suppressed with the combination. The synergy between YKL-5-124 and JQ1 translated into significant tumor regression in cell line and patient-derived xenograft mouse models of neuroblastoma.ConclusionsThe combination of CDK7 and BRD4 inhibition provides a therapeutic option for neuroblastoma and suggests that the addition of YKL-5-124 could improve the therapeutic efficacy of JQ1 and delay resistance to BRD4 inhibition.</p

Discovery of Selective Aminothiazole Aurora Kinase Inhibitors

Aurora family kinases regulate important events during mitosis including centrosome maturation and separation, mitotic spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation. Misregulation of Aurora kinases due to genetic amplification and protein overexpression results in aneuploidy and may contribute to tumorigenesis. Here we report the discovery of new small molecule aminothiazole inhibitors of Aurora kinases with exceptional kinase selectivity and report a 1.7 Å cocrystal structure with the Aurora B:INCENP complex from Xenopus laevis. The compounds recapitulate the hallmarks of Aurora kinase inhibition, including decreased histone H3 serine 10 phosphorylation, failure to complete cytokinesis, and endoreduplication

Small Molecules Targeting the Flavivirus E Protein with Broad-Spectrum Activity and Antiviral Efficacy in Vivo

Vaccines and antivirals to combat dengue, Zika, and other flavivirus pathogens present a major, unmet medical need. Vaccine development has been severely challenged by the antigenic diversity of these viruses and the propensity of non-neutralizing, cross-reactive antibodies to facilitate cellular infection and increase disease severity. As an alternative, direct-acting antivirals targeting the flavivirus envelope protein, E, have the potential to act via an analogous mode of action without the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement of infection and disease. We previously discovered that structurally diverse small molecule inhibitors of the dengue virus E protein exhibit varying levels of antiviral activity against other flaviviruses in cell culture. Here, we demonstrate that the broad-spectrum activity of several cyanohydrazones against dengue, Zika, and Japanese encephalitis viruses is due to specific inhibition of E-mediated membrane fusion during viral entry and provide proof of concept for pharmacological inhibition of E as an antiviral strategy in vivo