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Interleukin-8 modulation is implicated in many inflammatory and cancer diseases. Starting from a mass-screening hit, the synthesis and structure-activity relationship of 2-amino-3-heteroarylquinoxalines as non-peptide, small molecule interleukine-8 receptor antagonists have been developed. The optimized derivatives, PD 0210293 (13y) and PD 0220245 (13r), show inhibition of both IL-8 receptor binding and IL-8-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis.

The discovery of a series of novel (aryloxy)alkylamines with selective affinity for the dopamine D4 receptor is described. Target compounds were tested for binding to cloned human dopamine D2, D3, and D4 receptor subtypes expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) K-1 cells. A number of compounds demonstrated subnanomolar Ki values for binding to the D4 receptor, with several 100-fold selectivities toward the D2 and D3 receptors. Several compounds with combined D3/D4 receptor binding selectivity were also identified. A limited structure-activity relationship study of this chemical series is discussed. In a mitogenesis functional assay, the effect of the test compounds on cellular uptake of [3H]thymidine in D4-transfected CHO 10,001 cells was measured and compared to the response of the full dopamine agonist quinpirole. The activity of the compounds varied from full antagonist to weak partial agonist activity (intrinsic activity of 0-19% in comparison to quinpirole).

The discovery of a series of chromeno[3,4-c]pyridin-5-ones with selective affinity for the dopamine D4 receptor is described. Target compounds were tested for binding to cloned human dopamine D2, D3, and D4 receptor subtypes expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) K-1 cells. Several compounds demonstrated single digit nanomolar Ki values for binding to the D4 receptor with several hundred-fold selectivities toward the D2 and D3 receptors. A limited SAR study of this series is discussed. In a mitogenesis assay measuring [3H]thymidine uptake, the target compounds showed antagonist to weak partial agonist activity at the D4 receptor, with intrinsic activities ranging from 0 to 35%. Compound 6, 3-benzyl-8-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrochromeno[3,4-c]pyridin-5-one, increased DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine) synthesis 84% in the hippocampus and 10% in the striatum of rat brain when dosed orally at 10 mg/kg.

One of the most promising approaches for minimizing the side effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is to concurrently inhibit the activities of both 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) and cyclooxygenase (CO). Many such dual inhibitors of prostaglandin (PG) and leukotriene (LT) production in vitro have been described but, despite intense pharmaceutical research efforts, the translation of this in vitro activity into in vivo efficacy has proven difficult. Chemical modification of one series of inhibitors, the 2,6-di-tert­ butylphenols, has provided a variety of dual inhibitors with antiinflammatory efficacy and superior gastrointestinal (GI) safety. Whereas optimization of the di-t-butylphenols for in vitro activity, inhibitory specificity, oral availability and antiinflammatory efficacy resulted in the identification of Cl-1004 and other clincal candidates, optimization of other chemical series typically resulted in dual inhibitors with potent in vitro effects but little in vivo activity. The development of several dual inhibitors, including tepoxalin, tebufelone and CI-986, has been limited by drug metabolism issues. Translation of the attractive preclinical antiinflammatory and safety profile of dual inhibitors to the clinical arena awaits the completion of thorough clinical studies, such as those currently underway with CI-1004.

The surface levels of ICAM-1 and E-selectin on activated endothelial cells can be reduced by 3-alkoxybenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamides. This property is shared by several N-alkylthiopyridine substituted imides. Combining structural elements of these two diverse series lead to a new class of small molecule inhibitors of adhesion molecule expression.

The preparation of hydroxylamine analogs of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenols (DTBP) and the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (CO) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) by these compounds is discussed.

A variety of benzylideneoxazoles, -thiazoles, and -imidazoles derived from 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol were prepared and evaluated as dual inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells. The target compounds exhibit varying degrees of selectivity toward the two enzymes. Several compounds are orally active in the rat carageenan footpad edema (CFE) and mycobacterium footpad edema (MFE) antiinflammatory models. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. From this work, (Z)-5-[[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4- hydroxyphenyl]-methylene]-2-imino-4-thiazolidinone methanesulfonate salt (CI-1004) was identified as a potent dual inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (IC50 = 0.77 microM) and cyclooxygenase (IC50 = 0.39 microM), with oral activity (ID40 = 0.6 mg/kg) in the rat MFE model of inflammation.

The preparation of a series of 1,3,4-thiadiazoles and 1,3,4-oxadizoles linked by a thioether to 2,6-di-t-butylphenol and the inhibition of cyclooxygenase (CO) and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) by these compounds is dicussed.

Benzylidene di-tert-butylphenols containing oxazole, thiazole, and imidazole substituents are dual inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase with IC50 values

Replacement of the carboxylic acid function of inodmethacin with reversed hydroxamic acids converted this selective cyclooxygenase (CO) inhibitor into dual inhibitors of CO and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO).

Replacement of the carboxylic acid functionality of meclofenamic acid with select heterocycles converted this cyclooxygenase (CO) inhibitor into dual inhibitors of CO and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO).

By replacing the carboxylic acid functionality of several fenamates with 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiones and 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiones we converted selective cycloxygenase (CO) inhibitors ito dual inhibitors of both CO and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO).

The synthesis and antiallergic activity of a series of novel thiophene-, pyrrole-, furan-, and benzenecarboxamidotetrazoles are described. A number of compounds inhibit the release of histamine from anti-IgE-stimulated human basophils. Optimal inhibition is exhibited in compounds with a 3-alkoxy, a 4-halo, and a 5-methyl, 5-methoxy, or 5-bromo on a thiophene-2-carboxamidotetrazole.

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors have been shown to be potent antiinflammatory agents with fewer side effects than currently marketed nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Initial mass screening and subsequent structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies have identified 4b (PD138387) as the most potent and selective COX-2 inhibitor within the thiazolone and oxazolone series of di-tert-butylphenols. Compound 4b has an IC50 of 1.7 microM against recombinant human COX-2 and inhibited COX-2 activity in the J774A.1 cell line with an IC50 of 0.17 microM. It was inactive against purified ovine COX-1 at 100 microM and did not inhibit COX-1 activity in platelets at 20 microM. Compound 4b was also orally active in vivo with an ED40 of 16 mg/kg in the carrageenan footpad edema (CFE) assay and caused no gastrointestinal (GI) damage in rats at the dose of 100 mg/kg but inhibited gastric prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in rats' gastric mucosa by 33% following a dose of 100 mg/kg. The SAR studies of this chemical series revealed that the potency and selectivity are very sensitive to minor structural changes. A simple isosteric replacement led to the reversal of selectivity.

Two isoforms of the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme have been identified: COX-1, which is expressed constitutively, and COX-2, which is induced in inflammation. Recently, it has been shown that selective COX-2 inhibitors have antiinflammatory activity and lack the GI side effects typically associated with NSAIDs. Initial mass screening and subsequent SAR studies have identified 6b (PD164387) as a potent, selective, and orally active COX-2 inhibitor. It had IC50 values of 0.14 and 100 microM against recombinant human COX-2 and purified ovine COX-1, respectively. It inhibited COX-2 activity in the J774A.1 cell line with an IC50 of 0.18 microM and inhibited COX-1 activity in platelets with an IC50 of 3.1 microM. The choline salt of compound 6b was also orally active in vivo with an ED40 of 7. 1 mg/kg in the carrageenan footpad edema (CFE) assay. In vivo studies in rats at a dose of 100 mg/kg showed that this compound inhibited gastric prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in gastric mucosa by 77% but caused minimal GI damage. SAR studies of this chemical series revealed that the potency and selectivity are very sensitive to minor structural changes.

It was previously reported that 3-alkoxybenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamides exemplified by 1, 5-methoxy-3-(1-methylethoxy)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide, decreased the adherence of neutrophils to activated endothelial cells by inhibiting the upregulation of the adhesion molecules E-selectin and ICAM-1 on the surface of the endothelium. This finding is extended here to a series of 3-thiobenzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamides and also heterocyclic analogs of 1, including benzofurans, indoles, and naphthalenes. The compounds that inhibited the expression of E-selectin and ICAM-1 had the same effect on the expression of VCAM-1. PD 144795, 5-methoxy-3-(1-methylethoxy)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboxamide 1-oxide (44), the sulfoxide analog of 1, was orally active in several models of inflammation. The in vitro and in vivo activity of PD 144795 resided predominately in the S-enantiomer.

N-Arylanthranilic acids, known generically as the fenamates, are nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) that block the metabolism of arachidonic acid by the enzyme cyclooxygenase (CO). Substitution of the carboxylic acid functionality of several fenamates with acidic heterocycles provided dual inhibitors of CO and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) activities when tested in an intact rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cell line. Compound 5b (IC50 = 0.77 microM (5-LO), 0.27 microM (CO)) which contains an 1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thione replacement and 10b (IC50 = 0.87 microM (5-LO), 0.85 microM (CO)) which contains a 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thione are the most potent inhibitors of 5-LO and CO activities from these series. Both of these heterocyclic analogs of flufenamic acid are also active in carageenin-induced rat footpad edema (CFE), a model of acute inflammation. When dosed orally the ID50s for 5b and 10b in CFE are 8.5 and 4.7 mg/kg, respectively.

To discover dual inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase (LO) and cyclooxygenase (CO) with improved pharmacokinetic properties, we have designed and synthesized series of 1,2,4-triazole, 1,3,4-oxadiazole, and 1,3,4-thiadiazole di-tert-butylphenol derivatives which exhibit a wide range of log P (2.3 to > 4) and pKa (5.5-12) values. From this work 5-[3,5-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2(3H)- thione, choline salt (12a, CI-986) was found to be a potent inhibitor of 5-LO (IC50 = 2.8 microM) and CO (IC50 = 0.8 microM), orally active in rat models of inflammation and nonulcerogenic.

A series of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles and 1,2,4-thiadiazoles containing a 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol substituent were prepared and evaluated as dual inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase in rat basophilic leukemia (RBL-1) cells. Several of these compounds show oral efficacy in the rat carrageenan footpad edema (CFE) and mycobacterium footpad edema (MFE) antiinflammatory models, without concomitant gastric ulceration. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. The best compounds (ID40 values in MFE of 3-8 mg/kg po) contain guanidine-derived substituents on the heterocyclic ring.

A series of styrylpyrazoles, styrylisoxazoles, and styrylisothiazoles were prepared and found to be dual inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase in rat basophilic leukemia cells. Compounds from this series also were found to inhibit the in vivo production of LTB4 when dosed orally in rats. Among these compounds, di-tert-butylphenols 19 and 33 exhibit oral activity in various models of inflammation and, most importantly, are devoid of ulcerogenic potential.

A series of 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines with substitutions in the 2, 3, and 7 positions was prepared. The compounds were evaluated in the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test for antiallergy activity. Several compounds had potent oral activity and were found to be superior to disodium cromoglycate and doxantrazole. Structure-activity relationships are discussed.

A series of 3-(aminoalkyl)benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyridin-5-ones was prepared and tested as potential orally active anticholinergic bronchodilators. Inhibition of methacholine-induced collapse in guinea pigs and inhibition of pilocarpine-induced bronchoconstriction in dogs served as in vivo models. Simultaneous measurement of salivary inhibition in the dog model allowed determination of a pulmonary selectivity ratio. The benzopyrano[3,4-c]pyridin-5-one parent ring system was prepared by Pechman condensation of phenols with a piperidine beta-keto ester. Alkylation with aminoalkyl halides, or with 1-chloro-2-propanone followed by reductive amination, yielded the 3-substituted target compounds. Bronchodilator potency was related to the extent of steric crowding surrounding the side-chain terminal amine function. Addition of a methyl substituent on the carbon alpha to the terminal amine often increased potency or pulmonary selectivity. After secondary pharmacological evaluation, compound 7a, designated CI-923, was selected for clinical trial as a bronchodilator.

Ambruticin represents a new class of antibiotics isolated from a strain of Polyangium cellulosum var. firlvum, a bacterium belonging to the class Myxobacteriales. This antibiotic is a cyclopropyl-polyene-pyran acid and is active in vitro against fungi.

Alcohol, ketone, aldehyde, and oxime analogues of ambruticin (1) were prepared. The analogues were tested against Histoplasma capsulatum, Microsporum fulvum, Candida albicans, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Structure-activity relationships are described. Increasing the bulk of substituent at C1 and C5 reduces antifungal activity.

The thermal rearrangement of antifungal antibiotic 1, isolated from Polyangium cellulosum var. fulvum, to cycloheptadiene derivative 2 is described.

Synthesis and antiallergy activity of 10-oxo-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,2-d]pyrimidines (2 and 3) and 10-oxo-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,4-d]pyrimidines (4 and 5) are described. The activity, shown by these compounds in the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test, is compared to the PCA data previously reported for a series of 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidines. 10-Oxo-N-1H-tetrazol-5-yl-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,4-d]pyri midine (2b), 10-oxo-7-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-10H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3,4-d]py rimidine (4e), and 3,10-dihydro-10-oxo-7-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-1H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[3, 4-d] pyrimidine (7e) gave a 100% inhibition in the rat PCA test at a dose of 5 mg/kg. The activity displayed by these compounds is comparable to that of the most active compounds in the 4-oxo-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine series.

A series of ester and amide analogues of ambruticin (1) was prepared. The analogues were tested against Histoplasma capsulatum, Microsporum fulvum, Candida albicans and Streptococcus pyogenes. Structure-activity relationships are described.