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Scott JS, Klinowska TCM. Selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) and covalent antagonists (SERCAs): a patent review (July 2021-December 2023). Expert Opin Ther Pat 2024; 34:333-350. [PMID: 38836316 DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2024.2364803] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide. With around 70% of breast cancers expressing the estrogen receptor (ER), molecules capable of antagonizing and degrading ER (SERDs) or covalently binding to and antagonizing ER (SERCAs) are at the forefront of efforts to bring better treatments to patients. AREAS COVERED This review summarizes patent applications that claim estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) and covalent antagonists (SERCAs) identified using SciFinder between the period July 2021 to December 2023. A total of 91 new patent applications from 32 different applicants are evaluated with stratification into acidic SERDs, basic SERDs, SERCAs and miscellaneous degraders. EXPERT OPINION The widespread adoption of fulvestrant in the treatment of ER+ breast cancer continues to stimulate research into orally bioavailable SERDs and SERCAs. A number of molecules have entered clinical development and, although some have been discontinued, a cohort of potential new treatments have generated encouraging efficacy and safety data. Notably, the first example of an oral SERD, elacestrant, has now been approved by the FDA and EMA, providing further encouragement for this class of targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- James S Scott
- AstraZeneca, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
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Setia N, Almuqdadi HTA, Abid M. Journey of Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) E3 ligase in PROTACs design: From VHL ligands to VHL-based degraders. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 265:116041. [PMID: 38199162 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116041] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
The scientific community has shown considerable interest in proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) in the last decade, indicating their remarkable potential as a means of achieving targeted protein degradation (TPD). Not only are PROTACs seen as valuable tools in molecular biology but their emergence as a modality for drug discovery has also garnered significant attention. PROTACs bind to E3 ligases and target proteins through respective ligands connected via a linker to induce proteasome-mediated protein degradation. The discovery of small molecule ligands for E3 ligases has led to the prevalent use of various E3 ligases in PROTAC design. Furthermore, the incorporation of different types of linkers has proven beneficial in enhancing the efficacy of PROTACs. By far more than 3300 PROTACs have been reported in the literature. Notably, Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-based PROTACs have surfaced as a propitious strategy for targeting proteins, even encompassing those that were previously considered non-druggable. VHL is extensively utilized as an E3 ligase in the advancement of PROTACs owing to its widespread expression in various tissues and well-documented binders. Here, we review the discovery of VHL ligands, the types of linkers employed to develop VHL-based PROTACs, and their subsequent modulation to design advanced non-conventional degraders to target various disease-causing proteins. Furthermore, we provide an overview of other E3 ligases recruited in the field of PROTAC technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisha Setia
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India
| | | | - Mohammad Abid
- Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi, 110025, India.
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Bai C, Lv Y, Xiong S, Wu S, Qi L, Ren S, Zhu M, Dong H, Shen H, Li Z, Zhu Y, Ye H, Hao H, Xiao Y, Xiang H, Luo G. X-ray crystallography study and optimization of novel benzothiophene analogs as potent selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs) with improved potency and safety profiles. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106919. [PMID: 37871388 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106919] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Endocrine therapy (ET) is a well-validated strategy for estrogen receptor α positive (ERα + ) breast cancer therapy. Despite the clinical success of current standard of care (SoC), endocrine-resistance inevitably emerges and remains a significant medical challenge. Herein, we describe the structural optimization and evaluation of a new series of selective estrogen receptor covalent antagonists (SERCAs) based on benzothiophene scaffold. Among them, compounds 15b and 39d were identified as two highly potent covalent antagonists, which exhibits superior antiproliferation activity than positive controls against MCF-7 cells and shows high selectivity over ERα negative (ERα-) cells. More importantly, their mode of covalent engagement at Cys530 residue was accurately illustrated by a cocrystal structure of 15b-bound ERαY537S (PDB ID: 7WNV) and intact mass spectrometry, respectively. Further in vivo studies demonstrated potent antitumor activity in MCF-7 xenograft mouse model and an improved safety profile. Collectively, these compounds could be promising candidates for future development of the next generation SERCAs for endocrine-resistant ERα + breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengfeng Bai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yang Lv
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shuangshuang Xiong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shuangjie Wu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Lin Qi
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Shengnan Ren
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Meiqi Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haijuan Dong
- The Public Laboratory Platform, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hongtao Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Zhaoxing Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yinxue Zhu
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Hui Ye
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Haiping Hao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Drug Metabolism and Pharmacokinetics, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yibei Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Hua Xiang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
| | - Guoshun Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Design and Optimization, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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