Precise Conformational Control Yielding Highly Potent and Exceptionally Selective BRD4 Degraders with Strong Antitumor Activity

J Med Chem. 2023 Jun 22;66(12):8222-8237. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00520. Epub 2023 Jun 8.

Abstract

Starting from a nonselective bromodomain and extraterminal (BET) inhibitor and a cereblon ligand, we have used precise conformational control for the development of two potent and highly selective BRD4 degraders, BD-7148 and BD-9136. These compounds induce rapid degradation of BRD4 protein in cells at concentrations as low as 1 nM and demonstrate ≥1000-fold degradation selectivity over BRD2 or BRD3 protein. Proteomic analysis of >5700 proteins confirmed their highly selective BRD4 degradation. A single dose of BD-9136 selectively and effectively depletes BRD4 protein in tumor tissues for >48 h. BD-9136 effectively inhibits tumor growth without adverse effects on mice and is more efficacious than the corresponding pan BET inhibitor. This study suggests selective degradation of BRD4 as a strategy for the treatment of human cancers and demonstrates a strategy for the design of highly selective PROTAC degraders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms*
  • Nuclear Proteins*
  • Proteomics
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • BRD4 protein, human