Discovery of CP-690,550: a potent and selective Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and organ transplant rejection

J Med Chem. 2010 Dec 23;53(24):8468-84. doi: 10.1021/jm1004286. Epub 2010 Nov 24.

Abstract

There is a critical need for safer and more convenient treatments for organ transplant rejection and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Janus tyrosine kinases (JAK1, JAK3) are expressed in lymphoid cells and are involved in the signaling of multiple cytokines important for various T cell functions. Blockade of the JAK1/JAK3-STAT pathway with a small molecule was anticipated to provide therapeutic immunosuppression/immunomodulation. The Pfizer compound library was screened against the catalytic domain of JAK3 resulting in the identification of a pyrrolopyrimidine-based series of inhibitors represented by CP-352,664 (2a). Synthetic analogues of 2a were screened against the JAK enzymes and evaluated in an IL-2 induced T cell blast proliferation assay. Select compounds were evaluated in rodent efficacy models of allograft rejection and destructive inflammatory arthritis. Optimization within this chemical series led to identification of CP-690,550 1, a potential first-in-class JAK inhibitor for treatment of autoimmune diseases and organ transplant rejection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Autoimmune Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Blood Proteins / metabolism
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Membrane Permeability
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cyclohexane Monoterpenes
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Graft Rejection / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Janus Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Male
  • Models, Molecular
  • Monoterpenes / chemical synthesis
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacokinetics
  • Monoterpenes / pharmacology
  • Piperidines / chemical synthesis
  • Piperidines / pharmacokinetics
  • Piperidines / pharmacology
  • Protein Binding
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrroles / chemical synthesis*
  • Pyrroles / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyrroles / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Cyclohexane Monoterpenes
  • Monoterpenes
  • Piperidines
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrroles
  • carvone
  • tofacitinib
  • Janus Kinases