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The inhibition of ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) has been shown to chemo- and radio-sensitize human glioma cells in vitro and therefore might provide an exciting new paradigm in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). The effective treatment of GBM will likely require a compound with the potential to efficiently cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Starting from clinical candidate AZD0156, 4, we investigated the imidazoquinolin-2-one scaffold with the goal of improving likely CNS exposure in humans. Strategies aimed at reducing hydrogen bonding, basicity, and flexibility of the molecule were explored alongside modulating lipophilicity. These studies identified compound 24(AZD1390) as an exceptionally potent and selective inhibitor of ATM with a good preclinical pharmacokinetic profile. 24showed an absence of human transporter efflux in MDCKII-MDR1-BCRP studies (efflux ratio <2), significant BBB penetrance in nonhuman primate PET studies (Kp,uu0.33) and was deemed suitable for development as a clinical candidate to explore the radiosensitizing effects of ATM in intracranial malignancies.

A CDK9 inhibitor having short target engagement would enable a reduction of Mcl-1 activity, resulting in apoptosis in cancer cells dependent on Mcl-1 for survival. We report the optimization of a series of amidopyridines (from compound 2), focusing on properties suitable for achieving short target engagement after intravenous administration. By increasing potency and human metabolic clearance, we identified compound 24, a potent and selective CDK9 inhibitor with suitable predicted human pharmacokinetic properties to deliver transient inhibition of CDK9. Furthermore, the solubility of 24was considered adequate to allow i.v. formulation at the anticipated effective dose. Short-term treatment with compound 24led to a rapid dose- and time-dependent decrease of pSer2-RNAP2 and Mcl-1, resulting in cell apoptosis in multiple hematological cancer cell lines. Intermittent dosing of compound 24demonstrated efficacy in xenograft models derived from multiple hematological tumors. Compound 24is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of hematological malignancies.

The natural product deoxyschizandrin has been shown to have a wide range of biological activities. In recent years the therapeutic potential of this compound against cancers has attracted significant interest. Herein we describe a concise de novo total synthesis of deoxyschizandrin based around a double organocuprate oxidation strategy. In addition, we present the results of biological studies exploring the ability of deoxyschizandrin and synthetic precursors lacking the medium ring biaryl unit to inhibit the proliferation of a human cancer cell line. These studies led to the identification of a structurally novel agent with in vitro anticancer activity.

1,2 Disubstituted methylenecyclopropyl bromides, 6and 11, undergo radical cascade reactions, involving cyclisation, ring-opening and further cyclisation, to give cisbicyclic products in 67% and 41% yields respectively.

Aberrant activity of the histone methyltransferase polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) has been linked to several cancers, with small-molecule inhibitors of the catalytic subunit of the PRC2 enhancer of zeste homologue 2 (EZH2) being recently approved for the treatment of epithelioid sarcoma (ES) and follicular lymphoma (FL). Compounds binding to the EED subunit of PRC2 have recently emerged as allosteric inhibitors of PRC2 methyltransferase activity. In contrast to orthosteric inhibitors that target EZH2, small molecules that bind to EED retain their efficacy in EZH2 inhibitor-resistant cell lines. In this paper we disclose the discovery of potent and orally bioavailable EED ligands with good solubilities. The solubility of the EED ligands was optimized through a variety of design tactics, with the resulting compounds exhibiting in vivo efficacy in EZH2-driven tumors.

Optimization of a series of azabenzimidazoles identified from screening hit 2and the information gained from a co-crystal structure of the azabenzimidazole-based lead 6bound to CDK9 led to the discovery of azaindoles as highly potent and selective CDK9 inhibitors. With the goal of discovering a highly selective and potent CDK9 inhibitor administrated intravenously that would enable transient target engagement of CDK9 for the treatment of hematological malignancies, further optimization focusing on physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties led to azaindoles 38and 39. These compounds are highly potent and selective CDK9 inhibitors having short half-lives in rodents, suitable physical properties for intravenous administration, and the potential to achieve profound but transient inhibition of CDK9 in vivo.

Chemotherapy-resistant acute myeloid leukemia may respond to inhibition of ATR or ATM.

The efficient and stereoselective method involves the oxidation of organocuprates, generated from alkenyl bromides.

A one‐pot tandem carbocupration/oxidation of alkynyl esters provides rapid access to highly substituted symmetrical 1,3‐dienes [cf.

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ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.

ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a “Full Text” option. The original article is trackable via the “References” option.