Synthesis of 11beta-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-17beta-hydroxy-17alpha- (3-methyl-1-butynyl)-4, 9-estradien-3-one and 11beta-(4-acetophenyl)- 17beta-hydroxy-17alpha-(3-methyl-1-butynyl)-4, 9-estradien-3-one: two new analogs of mifepristone (RU-486)

Discovery of a Potent and Selective Steroidal Glucocorticoid Receptor Antagonist (ORIC-101)

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR) has been linked to therapy resistance across a wide range of cancer types. Preclinical data suggest that antagonists of this nuclear receptor may enhance the activity of anticancer therapy. The first-generation GR antagonist mifepristone is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in various oncology settings. Structure-based modification of mifepristone led to the discovery of ORIC-101 (28), a highly potent steroidal GR antagonist with reduced androgen receptor (AR) agonistic activity amenable for dosing in androgen receptor positive tumors and with improved CYP2C8 and CYP2C9 inhibition profile to minimize drug-drug interaction potential. Unlike mifepristone, 28 could be codosed with chemotherapeutic agents readily metabolized by CYP2C8 such as paclitaxel. Furthermore, 28 demonstrated in vivo antitumor activity by enhancing response to chemotherapy in the GR⁺ OVCAR5 ovarian cancer xenograft model. Clinical evaluation of safety and therapeutic potential of 28 is underway.

Synthesis and identification of novel oxa-steroids as progesterone receptor antagonists

A novel series of oxa-steroids 6 derived from (8S, 13S, 14R)-7-oxa-estra-4,9-diene-3,17-dione 1 have been synthesized and identified as potent and selective progesterone receptor antagonists. These novel oxa-steroids showed similar potency to mifepristone. Preliminary SAR study resulted in the most potent 17-phenylethynyl oxa-steroid 6i wih an IC(50) of 1.4nM. In contrast to the equipotent mifepristone toward the progesterone receptor (PR) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR), compound 6i had over 200-fold selectivity for PR over GR.

Cobalt(I)-Mediated [2 + 2 + 2] Cyclization of Allenediynes toward a Diastereoselective Approach to 11-Aryl Steroid Skeletons

[reaction: see text] An 11-aryl steroid skeleton has been built in one step with a simultaneous introduction of the substituents at both C11 and C10 in 48% overall yield from a trans-allenediyne, whereas a formal Alder ene reaction leading to a bicyclic yne-trienic compound becomes the major process from the cis-allenediyne.

A straightforward chemical synthesis of 17-ketosteroids by cleavage of the C-17-dihydroxy acetone side chain in corticosteroids

A facile and convenient approach to 17-ketosteroids is described. Treatment of steroids containing the C-17-dihydroxy acetone side chain with an excess of sodium methoxide in dry 1,4-dioxane under reflux, affords high yields of the corresponding 17-ketosteroids that are recovered as pure products, without the need of further purification.