1
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Wang P, Raja A, Luscombe VB, Bataille CJR, Lucy D, Rogga VV, Greaves DR, Russell AJ. Development of Highly Potent, G-Protein Pathway Biased, Selective, and Orally Bioavailable GPR84 Agonists. J Med Chem 2024; 67:110-137. [PMID: 38146625 PMCID: PMC10788923 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Orphan G-protein-coupled receptor 84 (GPR84) is a receptor that has been linked to cancer, inflammatory, and fibrotic diseases. We have reported DL-175 as a biased agonist at GPR84 which showed differential signaling via Gαi/cAMP and β-arrestin, but which is rapidly metabolized. Herein, we describe an optimization of DL-175 through a systematic structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis. This reveals that the replacement of the naphthalene group improved metabolic stability and the addition of a 5-hydroxy substituent to the pyridine N-oxide group, yielding compounds 68 (OX04528) and 69 (OX04529), enhanced the potency for cAMP signaling by 3 orders of magnitude to low picomolar values. Neither compound showed detectable effects on β-arrestin recruitment up to 80 μM. Thus, the new GPR84 agonists 68 and 69 displayed excellent potency, high G-protein signaling bias, and an appropriate in vivo pharmacokinetic profile that will allow investigation of GPR84 biased agonist activity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinqi Wang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, U.K.
| | - Arun Raja
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, U.K.
| | - Vincent B. Luscombe
- Sir
William Dunn School of Pathology, University
of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, U.K.
| | - Carole J. R. Bataille
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, U.K.
| | - Daniel Lucy
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Sir
William Dunn School of Pathology, University
of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, U.K.
| | - Vanessa V. Rogga
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
| | - David R. Greaves
- Sir
William Dunn School of Pathology, University
of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, U.K.
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.
- Department
of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, U.K.
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2
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Chatzopoulou M, Conole D, Emer E, Rowley JA, Willis NJ, Squire SE, Gill B, Brough S, Wilson FX, Wynne GM, Davies SG, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Structure-activity relationships of 2-pyrimidinecarbohydrazides as utrophin modulators for the potential treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Bioorg Med Chem 2022; 69:116812. [PMID: 35772287 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2022.116812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
A therapeutic approach that holds the potential to treat all Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patient populations is utrophin modulation. Ezutromid, a first generation utrophin modulator which was later found to act via antagonism of the arylhydrocarbon receptor, progressed to Phase 2 clinical trials. Although interim data showed target engagement and functional improvements, ezutromid ultimately failed to meet its clinical endpoints. We recently described the identification of a new class of hydrazide utrophin modulators which has a different mechanism of action to ezutromid. In this study we report our early optimisation studies on this hydrazide series. The new analogues had significantly improved potency in cell-based assays, increased sp3 character and reduced lipophilicity, which also improved their physicochemical properties. A representative new analogue combining these attributes increased utrophin protein in dystrophic mouse cells showing it can be used as a chemical tool to reveal new insights regarding utrophin upregulation as a strategy for DMD therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Daniel Conole
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Enrico Emer
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Jessica A Rowley
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Nicky J Willis
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Sarah E Squire
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Becky Gill
- Key Organics Ltd, Highfield Road Industrial Estate, Camelford, Cornwall PL32 9RA, UK
| | - Steve Brough
- Key Organics Ltd, Highfield Road Industrial Estate, Camelford, Cornwall PL32 9RA, UK
| | - Francis X Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics Plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, UK
| | - Graham M Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Stephen G Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Kay E Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Angela J Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3TA, UK; Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3PQ, UK
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3
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Lim TX, Pierens GK, Bernhardt PV, Ahamed M, Reutens DC. Synthesis, isolation and characterisation of fluorinated-benzimidazoisoquinoline regioisomers. Magn Reson Chem 2021; 59:1154-1159. [PMID: 34250653 DOI: 10.1002/mrc.5193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A pair of novel fluorinated-benzimidazoisoquinoline regioisomers was synthesised and isolated. Initial structural characterisation and identification employed 1D proton, 1D carbon, correlated spectroscopy (COSY), heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC), and heteronuclear multiple bond correlation (HMBC) nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. However, the fluorinated regioisomers could not be differentiated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) alone. Density functional theory calculations and single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments were used to completely characterise and identify the compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xiang Lim
- ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gregory K Pierens
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul V Bernhardt
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Muneer Ahamed
- ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - David C Reutens
- ARC Training Centre for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging Technology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Centre for Advanced Imaging, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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4
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Soblechero-Martín P, López-Martínez A, de la Puente-Ovejero L, Vallejo-Illarramendi A, Arechavala-Gomeza V. Utrophin modulator drugs as potential therapies for Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 47:711-723. [PMID: 33999469 PMCID: PMC8518368 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Utrophin is an autosomal paralogue of dystrophin, a protein whose deficit causes Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD). Utrophin is naturally overexpressed at the sarcolemma of mature dystrophin‐deficient fibres in DMD and BMD patients as well as in the mdx Duchenne mouse model. Dystrophin and utrophin can co‐localise in human foetal muscle, in the dystrophin‐competent fibres from DMD/BMD carriers, and revertant fibre clusters in biopsies from DMD patients. These findings suggest that utrophin overexpression could act as a surrogate, compensating for the lack of dystrophin, and, as such, it could be used in combination with dystrophin restoration therapies. Different strategies to overexpress utrophin are currently under investigation. In recent years, many compounds have been reported to modulate utrophin expression efficiently in preclinical studies and ameliorate the dystrophic phenotype in animal models of the disease. In this manuscript, we discuss the current knowledge on utrophin protein and the different mechanisms that modulate its expression in skeletal muscle. We also include a comprehensive review of compounds proposed as utrophin regulators and, as such, potential therapeutic candidates for these muscular dystrophies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Soblechero-Martín
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Clinical Laboratory Service, Osakidetza Basque Health Service, Bilbao-Basurto Integrated Health Organisation, Basurto University Hospital, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Andrea López-Martínez
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | | | | | - Virginia Arechavala-Gomeza
- Neuromuscular Disorders, Biocruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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5
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Vuorinen A, Wilkinson IVL, Chatzopoulou M, Edwards B, Squire SE, Fairclough RJ, Bazan NA, Milner JA, Conole D, Donald JR, Shah N, Willis NJ, Martínez RF, Wilson FX, Wynne GM, Davies SG, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Discovery and mechanism of action studies of 4,6-diphenylpyrimidine-2-carbohydrazides as utrophin modulators for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Eur J Med Chem 2021; 220:113431. [PMID: 33915371 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a fatal disease with no cure, caused by lack of the cytoskeletal protein dystrophin. Upregulation of utrophin, a dystrophin paralogue, offers a potential therapy independent of mutation type. The failure of first-in-class utrophin modulator ezutromid/SMT C1100 in Phase II clinical trials necessitates development of compounds with better efficacy, physicochemical and ADME properties and/or complementary mechanisms. We have discovered and performed a preliminary optimisation of a novel class of utrophin modulators using an improved phenotypic screen, where reporter expression is derived from the full genomic context of the utrophin promoter. We further demonstrate through target deconvolution studies, including expression analysis and chemical proteomics, that this compound series operates via a novel mechanism of action, distinct from that of ezutromid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aini Vuorinen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Isabel V L Wilkinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Ben Edwards
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Sarah E Squire
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Rebecca J Fairclough
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Noelia Araujo Bazan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Josh A Milner
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Daniel Conole
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - James R Donald
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Nandini Shah
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Nicky J Willis
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - R Fernando Martínez
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Francis X Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics Plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4SB, UK
| | - Graham M Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Stephen G Davies
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK
| | - Kay E Davies
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sir Henry Wellcome Building of Gene Function, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK.
| | - Angela J Russell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK; Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3PQ, UK.
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6
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Chatzopoulou M, Emer E, Lecci C, Rowley JA, Casagrande AS, Moir L, Squire SE, Davies SG, Harriman S, Wynne GM, Wilson FX, Davies KE, Russell AJ. Decreasing HepG2 Cytotoxicity by Lowering the Lipophilicity of Benzo[d]oxazolephosphinate Ester Utrophin Modulators. ACS Med Chem Lett 2020; 11:2421-2427. [PMID: 33335663 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.0c00405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Utrophin modulation is a disease-modifying therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy that would be applicable to all patient populations. To improve the suboptimal profile of ezutromid, the first-in-class clinical candidate, a second generation of utrophin modulators bearing a phosphinate ester moiety was developed. This modification significantly improved the physicochemical and ADME properties, but one of the main lead molecules was found to have dose-limiting hepatotoxicity. In this work we describe how less lipophilic analogues retained utrophin modulatory activity in a reporter gene assay, upregulated utrophin protein in dystrophic mouse muscle cells, but also had improved physicochemical and ADME properties. Notably, ClogP was found to directly correlate with pIC50 in HepG2 cells, hence leading to a potentially safer toxicological profiles in this series. Compound 21 showed a balanced profile (H2K EC50: 4.17 μM, solubility: 477 μM, mouse hepatocyte T 1/2 > 240 min) and increased utrophin protein 1.6-fold in a Western blot assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Enrico Emer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Cristina Lecci
- Evoetec (U.K.) Ltd, 114 Innovation Drive, Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4RZ, U.K
| | - Jessica A. Rowley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | | | - Lee Moir
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Sarah E. Squire
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Stephen G. Davies
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Shawn Harriman
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Graham M. Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Francis X. Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Kay E. Davies
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Angela J. Russell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, Chemistry Research Laboratory, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3PQ, U.K
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7
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Shu C, Parfenova L, Mokhonova E, Collado JR, Damoiseaux R, Campagna J, John V, Crosbie RH. High-throughput screening identifies modulators of sarcospan that stabilize muscle cells and exhibit activity in the mouse model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Skelet Muscle 2020; 10:26. [PMID: 32948250 PMCID: PMC7499884 DOI: 10.1186/s13395-020-00244-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a degenerative muscle disease caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene. Loss of dystrophin prevents the formation of a critical connection between the muscle cell membrane and the extracellular matrix. Overexpression of sarcospan (SSPN) in the mouse model of DMD restores the membrane connection and reduces disease severity, making SSPN a promising therapeutic target for pharmacological upregulation. METHODS Using a previously described cell-based promoter reporter assay of SSPN gene expression (hSSPN-EGFP), we conducted high-throughput screening on libraries of over 200,000 curated small molecules to identify SSPN modulators. The hits were validated in both hSSPN-EGFP and hSSPN-luciferase reporter cells. Hit selection was conducted on dystrophin-deficient mouse and human myotubes with assessments of (1) SSPN gene expression using quantitative PCR and (2) SSPN protein expression using immunoblotting and an ELISA. A membrane stability assay using osmotic shock was used to validate the functional effects of treatment followed by cell surface biotinylation to label cell surface proteins. Dystrophin-deficient mdx mice were treated with compound, and muscle was subjected to quantitative PCR to assess SSPN gene expression. RESULTS We identified and validated lead compounds that increased SSPN gene and protein expression in dystrophin-deficient mouse and human muscle cells. The lead compound OT-9 increased cell membrane localization of compensatory laminin-binding adhesion complexes and improved membrane stability in DMD myotubes. We demonstrated that the membrane stabilizing benefit is dependent on SSPN. Intramuscular injection of OT-9 in the mouse model of DMD increased SSPN gene expression. CONCLUSIONS This study identifies a pharmacological approach to treat DMD and sets the path for the development of SSPN-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cynthia Shu
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Liubov Parfenova
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Ekaterina Mokhonova
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Judd R Collado
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Robert Damoiseaux
- Department of Molecular and Medicinal Pharmacology, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jesus Campagna
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Drug Discovery Lab, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Varghese John
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Drug Discovery Lab, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rachelle H Crosbie
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of California Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
- Center for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, 610 Charles E. Young Drive East, Terasaki Life Sciences Building, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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8
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Babbs A, Berg A, Chatzopoulou M, Davies KE, Davies SG, Edwards B, Elsey DJ, Emer E, Guiraud S, Harriman S, Lecci C, Moir L, Peters D, Robinson N, Rowley JA, Russell AJ, Squire SE, Tinsley JM, Wilson FX, Wynne GM. 2-Arylbenzo[ d]oxazole Phosphinate Esters as Second-Generation Modulators of Utrophin for the Treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. J Med Chem 2020; 63:7880-7891. [PMID: 32551645 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Utrophin modulation is a promising therapeutic strategy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), which should be applicable to all patient populations. Following on from ezutromid, the first-generation utrophin modulator, we describe the development of a second generation of utrophin modulators, based on the bioisosteric replacement of the sulfone group with a phosphinate ester and substitution of the metabolically labile naphthalene with a haloaryl substituent. The improved physicochemical and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties, further reflected in the enhanced pharmacokinetic profile of the most advanced compounds, 30 and 27, led to significantly better in vivo exposure compared to ezutromid and alleviation of the dystrophic phenotype in mdx mice. While 30 was found to have dose-limiting hepatotoxicity, 27 and its enantiomers exhibited limited off-target effects, resulting in a safe profile and highlighting their potential utility as next-generation utrophin modulators suitable for progression toward a future DMD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arran Babbs
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Adam Berg
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Maria Chatzopoulou
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Kay E Davies
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Stephen G Davies
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Benjamin Edwards
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - David J Elsey
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Enrico Emer
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Simon Guiraud
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Shawn Harriman
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Cristina Lecci
- Evotec (UK) Ltd, 114 Innovation Dr, Milton Park, Milton, Abingdon OX14 4RZ, U.K
| | - Lee Moir
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - David Peters
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Neil Robinson
- S.H.B. Enterprises Ltd, 55 Station Road, Beaconsfield HP19 1QL, U.K
| | - Jessica A Rowley
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
| | - Angela J Russell
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K.,Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3PQ, U.K
| | - Sarah E Squire
- MDUK Oxford Neuromuscular Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PT, U.K
| | - Jonathon M Tinsley
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Francis X Wilson
- Summit Therapeutics plc, 136a Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SB, U.K
| | - Graham M Wynne
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3TA, U.K
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9
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Babbs A, Chatzopoulou M, Edwards B, Squire SE, Wilkinson IVL, Wynne GM, Russell AJ, Davies KE. From diagnosis to therapy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Biochem Soc Trans 2020; 48:813-21. [PMID: 32597486 DOI: 10.1042/BST20190282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Genetic approaches for the diagnosis and treatment of inherited muscle diseases have advanced rapidly in recent years. Many of the advances have occurred in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a muscle wasting disease where affected boys are typically wheelchair bound by age 12 years and generally die in their twenties from respiratory failure or cardiomyopathy. Dystrophin is a 421 kD protein which links F-actin to the extracellular matrix via the dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) at the muscle membrane. In the absence of dystrophin, the DAPC is lost, making the muscle membrane more susceptible to contraction-induced injury. The identification of the gene causing DMD in 1986 resulted in improved diagnosis of the disease and the identification of hotspots for mutation. There is currently no effective treatment. However, there are several promising genetic therapeutic approaches at the preclinical stage or in clinical trials including read-through of stop codons, exon skipping, delivery of dystrophin minigenes and the modulation of expression of the dystrophin related protein, utrophin. In spite of significant progress, the problem of targeting all muscles, including diaphragm and heart at sufficiently high levels, remains a challenge. Any therapy also needs to consider the immune response and some treatments are mutation specific and therefore limited to a subgroup of patients. This short review provides a summary of the current status of DMD therapy with a particular focus on those genetic strategies that have been taken to the clinic.
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