Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines active in vivo on the Bcr-Abl T315I mutant

J Med Chem. 2013 Jul 11;56(13):5382-94. doi: 10.1021/jm400233w. Epub 2013 Jun 20.

Abstract

Starting from our in-house library of pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines, a cross-docking simulation was conducted on Bcr-Abl T315I mutant. Among the selected compounds (2a-e), the 4-bromo derivative 2b showed the best activity against the Bcr-Abl T315I mutant. Deeper computational studies highlighted the importance of the bromine atom in the para position of the N1 side chain phenyl ring for the interaction with the T315I mutant. A series of 4-bromo derivatives was thus synthesized and biologically evaluated. Compound 2j showed a good balance of different ADME properties, high activity in cell-free assays, and a submicromolar potency against T315I Bcr-Abl expressing cells. In addition, it was converted into a water-soluble formulation by liposome encapsulation, preserving a good activity on leukemic T315I cells and avoiding the use of DMSO as solubilizing agent. In vivo studies on mice inoculated with 32D-T315I cells and treated with 2j showed a more than 50% reduction in tumor volumes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Drug Design
  • Female
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / chemistry
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl / genetics
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Models, Chemical
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Pyrazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Transfection
  • Tumor Burden / drug effects

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines
  • Fusion Proteins, bcr-abl