Bioisosteric discovery of NPA101.3, a second generation RET/VEGFR2 inhibitor optimized for single-agent polypharmacology
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Marialuisa Moccia Brendan Frett Lingtain Zhang Naga Rajiv Lakkaniga David Briggs Rakhee Chauhan Annalisa Brescia Giorgia Federico Wei Yan Massimo Santoro Neil McDonald Hong-yu Li Francesca CarlomagnoAbstract
RET receptor tyrosine kinase is a driver oncogene in human cancer. We recently identified the clinical drug candidate Pz-1, which targets RET and VEGFR2. A key metabolite of Pz-1 is its less active demethylated pyrazole analogue. Using bioisosteric substitution methods, here, we report the identification of NPA101.3, lacking the structural liability for demethylation. NPA101.3 showed a selective inhibitory profile and an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC) of <0.003 μM for both RET and VEGFR2. NPA101.3 inhibited phosphorylation of all tested RET oncoproteins as well as VEGFR2 and proliferation of cells transformed by RET. Oral administration of NPA101.3 (10 mg/kg/day) completely prevented formation of tumors induced by RET/C634Y-transformed cells, while it weakened, but did not abrogate, formation of tumors induced by a control oncogene (HRAS/G12V). The balanced synchronous inhibition of both RET and VEGFR2, as well the resistance to demethylation, renders NPA101.3 a potential clinical candidate for RET-driven cancers.
Journal details
Journal Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Volume 63
Issue number 9
Pages 4506-4516
Available online
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Publisher website (DOI) 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01336
Europe PubMed Central 32298114
Pubmed 32298114
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