JNJ-42756493 anti-proliferative activity against cancer cells lines from multiple origins.. Detailed data supporting Figure 2.

Efficacy of JNJ-42756493 against human tumor xenograft models from different origins and FGFR alteration status. Mice bearing xenograft tumors (100-200mm3) were treated with 25mg/kg of JNJ-42756493 QD for indicated time and percent tumor growth inhibition (%TGI) compared to vehicle treated animal calculated at end of treatment.

A) Structure of JNJ-42541707, a structurally related compound to JNJ-42756493. B) 72h growth inhibition (IC50) of JNJ-42541707 against 236 cancer cell lines from multiple origins color coded based on FGFR1,2,4 mRNA overexpression and FGFR WT.

Supplementary Data from JNJ-26481585, a Novel Second-Generation Oral Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, Shows Broad-Spectrum Preclinical Antitumoral Activity

In vitro kinase inhibition by DiscoverX KinomeScan assay. For details see (19)

Inhibitory activity of Brivanib and JNJ-42756943 in kinase (top) and BaF3 kinase dependent proliferation (bottom) assays and ratio of FGFRs/VEGFR2 activities.

We designed and synthesized a new series of fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitors with potential utility for the treatment of cancer. Extensive SAR studies led to highly active FASN inhibitors with good cellular activity and oral bioavailability, exemplified by compound 34. Compound 34 is a potent inhibitor of human FASN (IC50 = 28 nM) that effectively inhibits proliferation of A2780 ovarian cells (IC50= 13 nM) in lipid-reduced serum (LRS). This cellular activity can be rescued by addition of palmitate, consistent with an on-target effect. Compound 34 is also active in many other cell types, including PC3M (IC50 = 25 nM) and LnCaP-Vancouver prostate cells (IC50 = 66 nM), and is highly bioavailable (F 61%) with good exposure after oral administration. In a pharmacodynamics study in H460 lung xenograft-bearing mice, oral treatment with compound 34 results in elevated tumor levels of malonyl-CoA and decreased tumor levels of palmitate, fully consistent with the desired target engagement. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling plays critical roles in key biological processes ranging from embryogenesis to wound healing and has strong links to several hallmarks of cancer. Genetic alterations in FGF receptor (FGFR) family members are associated with increased tumor growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, and decreased survival. JNJ-42756493, erdafitinib, is an orally active small molecule with potent tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity against all four FGFR family members and selectivity versus other highly related kinases. JNJ-42756493 shows rapid uptake into the lysosomal compartment of cells in culture, which is associated with prolonged inhibition of FGFR signaling, possibly due to sustained release of the inhibitor. In xenografts from human tumor cell lines or patient-derived tumor tissue with activating FGFR alterations, JNJ-42756493 administration results in potent and dose-dependent antitumor activity accompanied by pharmacodynamic modulation of phospho-FGFR and phospho-ERK in tumors. The results of the current study provide a strong rationale for the clinical investigation of JNJ-42756493 in patients with tumors harboring FGFR pathway alterations. Mol Cancer Ther; 16(6); 1010–20. ©2017 AACR.

Inhibition of Flt3 kinase activity is a promising strategy for the treatment of Flt3 mutant acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, clinical studies with Flt3 kinase inhibitors have shown that mutations of the gate keeper or an activation loop residue in the Flt3 catalytic domain limits the duration of response. Such mutations generally reduce kinase domain binding affinity and residence time of the kinase inhibitor, and consequently its efficacy. We therefore investigated whether covalent, irreversible binding to Flt3 could overcome some of the limitations of classic non-covalent Flt3 inhibitors. Here, we report for the first time on the high-affinity Cys828-covalent binding mode of a resorcylic acid lactone to the isolated Flt3 kinase domain using X-ray crystallography and kinetic binding assays. In a cellular context (Ba/F3-Flt3-ITD), mutation of Cys828 to Ala reduces potency (IC50) from low nM to microM, demonstrating all relevant Flt3 inhibition in cells critically depends on Cys828. Consistently, the molecule is a low nM inhibitor of both Flt3-ITD and Flt3D835Y in vitro and in BaF3 cells, translating to potent nM inhibition of Flt3-ITD driven AML cell line proliferation, with only microM antiproliferative activity in non-Flt3 driven AML and unrelated leukemia cell lines. Finally, in spite of its fast clearance when dosed to MV4-11 (Flt3-ITD AML) xenograft bearing mice, robust anti-tumor activity was observed using a once-daily treatment schedule. These data demonstrate the feasibility of covalent Flt3 inhibition, and suggest it represents an attractive novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of Flt3-driven AML. Citation Format: Matthias Versele, Burkhard Haefner, Berthold Wroblowski, Ian Stansfield, Laurence Mevellec, Ron Gilissen, Lars Neumann, Martin Augustin, Kris Jacobs, Jan Cools, S Barluenga, M Rothlingshofer, G Karthikeyan, Ricardo Attar, Lieven Meerpoel, Nicolas Winssinger. Covalent Flt3-Cys828 inhibition represents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of Flt3-ITD and Flt3-D835 mutant acute myeloid leukemia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 4800.

Abstract The fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) tyrosine kinase family members, FGFR1, 2, 3 and 4, have roles in a variety of key cellular processes, including proliferation, migration, survival, and differentiation1. Aberrant activation of FGFRs through mutation, amplification, chromosomal translocation, and ligand up-regulation being strongly implicated in oncogenic signalling in many tumour types, has triggered efforts to identify selective FGFR inhibitors. As a result, several potent FGFR kinase inhibitors are currently being evaluated in clinical studies across many tumor types, including non-small cell lung, breast and bladder cancers. We have designed novel 1,5 and 1,7-naphthyridine derivatives that are potent kinase inhibitors of all FGFR family members in enzymatic and cellular systems. Initial hits were further optimized to increase potency and ADME properties leading to identification of a novel 1,5-naphthyridine-based chemical series with nanomolar affinity for FGFR1, 2, 3, and 4, activity in cells, and selectivity with respect to VEGFR-2. In vivo screening using an FGFR3-driven xenograft model revealed efficacious compounds that could be explored further as antitumoral agents. This report represents the first disclosure of the structure-activity relationship and synthesis pathway of novel naphthyridine chemical series displaying nanomolar affinity for FGFRs1, 2, 3 and 4. 1 Dieci M. V., Ardenos M., Andre F., Soria J.C. Cancer Discovery. 2013, 3(3) 264-279. Citation Format: Patrick R. Angibaud, Michel Obringer, Julien Marin, Matthieu Jeanty, Norbert Esser, Ron Gilissen, Peter King, Lieven Meerpoel, Olivier Querolle, David C. Rees, Bruno Roux, Gordon Saxty, Tinne Verhulst, Berthold Wroblowski, Christopher C. Murray, Jorge Vialard. Identification of naphthyridines as potent inhibitors of fibroblast growth factor receptor kinase family. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3641. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3641

Abstract Recent data obtained in several tumor types have identified Fibroblast Growth Factor signaling as a key factor in the molecular pathology of a number of cancers1. This has stimulated the development of a number of agents that block this pathway, including FGFR kinase inhibitors with diverse inhibition and pharmacological profiles that are currently being evaluated in clinical studies. We recently reported that a quinoxaline moiety can efficiently bind the hinge region of FGFR kinase catalytic sites. In continuation of our efforts to discover additional FGFR1-4 inhibitors, we have identified a quinazolinone scaffold as a novel FGFR kinase hinge binder. Initial hits were optimized into compounds displaying nanomolar affinity for FGFR1-4, potent activity in FGFR driven cells and efficacy in a Ba/F3-FGFR3 xenograft model. This report represents the first disclosure of the structure-activity relationships as well as the chemical synthesis pathways of these novel quinazolinone-based FGFR1-4 inhibitors. Turner N. and Grose R. Nature Reviews-Cancer 2010, 10, 116-129 Citation Format: Olivier Querolle, Patrick Angibaud, Hélène Colombel, Virginie Caron, Isabelle Pilatte, Virginie Poncelet, Norbert Esser, Ron Gilissen, Peter King, Lieven Meerpoel, Tinne Verhulst, Berthold Wroblowski, Jorge Vialard, Chris W. Murray, David C. Rees, Anita Reningovolo, Gordon Saxty. Discovery of quinazolinones as fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR1-4) kinase inhibitors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3640. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3640

Abstract Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) catalyzes the final step in palmitate (PA) synthesis, using acetyl-CoA, malonyl-CoA and NADPH. Most normal tissues express low levels of FASN and rely on uptake of fatty acids (FA) from the diet. It has been proposed that FASN overexpressing tumors including prostate and breast tumors depend on de novo FA synthesis, which is advantageous to tumors by providing lipids for membrane synthesis and increased growth factor receptor expression/signaling in lipid rafts. Overexpression of FASN leads to a higher amount of saturated lipids in membranes which can lead to resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Lastly, NADPH consumption during PA synthesis keeps the redox balance in check. All of the above imply that FASN represents a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of multiple cancer types. At this AACR we report two novel chemical series (posters Connolly et al., Lu et al.). JNJ-53793220 and JNJ-54302833 potently and selectively (< 100nM) inhibit the FASN enzyme and proliferative activity in cells in lipid reduced medium (LRM). Using these, we investigated the underlying hypothesis that tumor cells do not utilize circulating FA and are dependent on de novo synthesis of FA. In a lipid reduced environment many cell lines, particularly of prostate, breast, ovarian or heme origin, proved to be sensitive to JNJ-53793220. However co-administration of PA dose-dependently reversed the anti-proliferative effects. Also androgen driven proliferation of LNCaP cells was potently blocked by JNJ-53793220 (EC50 30 nM), and decreased PSA levels. Both effects were partially rescued by the addition of PA. While the rescue of tumor cells by PA confirmed the on-target activity of the compounds, it also suggested that cancer cells are capable of using external FA. To extend these findings, we screened more than 400 cell lines in lipid containing medium (LCM) for their sensitivity to JNJ-53793220. In LCM sensitivity to FASN inhibition was lower than in LRM conditions. In most, but not all, cases the addition of PA reverted the antiproliferative effects of JNJ-53793220, although target engagement was not reduced in LCM conditions. The EC50 of 14C-acetate incorporation in lipids of ∼30 nM corresponded well with enzymatic and anti-proliferative effects in LRM (27 and 13 nM respectively). Furthermore, growth of pre-established LNCaP xenografts in vivo was not blocked significantly by JNJ-53793220, even though malonyl-CoA levels were increased as expected upon FASN inhibition in the tumor. While circulating lipids in vivo are likely culprits for the lack of efficacy, other factors may play a role as well. In a 3D culture model (poster Vidic et al.) the growth of LNCaP and PC346c spheroids was blocked by JNJ-54302833 (1µM), but growth of PC346c spheroids co-cultured with cancer associated fibroblasts was not inhibited. Taken together our data suggest that the outcome of FASN inhibition is influenced by the tumor environment. Citation Format: Karine A. Smans, Sabine De Breucker, Norbert Esser, Erwin Fraiponts, Ron Gilissen, Ralph Graeser, Boudewijn Janssen, Lieven Meerpoel, Danielle Peeters, Geert Van Hecke, Luc Van Nuffel, Yolanda Chong, Peter Vermeulen, Gilles Bignan, James Bischoff, Peter Connolly, Bruce Grasberger, Tianbao Lu, Donald Ludovici, Carsten Schubert, Michael Parker, Christophe Meyer, Suzana Vidic. Sensitivity of cell lines to Fatty Acid Synthase inhibitors depends on the lipid content in the cellular environment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 801. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-801

Abstract Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN) is a multi-domain protein that carries out de novo fatty acid (palmitate) synthesis from acetate and malonate in mammalian cells. FASN is up-regulated in cancer cells, providing fatty acid building blocks for rapid cell growth and cell division. Increased FASN expression is correlated with disease progression and poor prognosis in many cancers including prostate, breast, ovary, colon, and lung. FASN has been demonstrated to play an important role in carcinogenesis by protecting cells from apoptosis. Herein we report a new series of potent, selective and orally bioavailable FASN inhibitors. Recent publications disclose several FASN inhibitor chemotypes that share a common pharmacophore, wherein an aromatic group and an acylated cyclic amine are attached to a central scaffold. We postulated that a spirocyclic imidazolinone core would be an acceptable and drug-like scaffold, inspired by the precedent of irbesartan, an approved antihypertensive drug in which a spirocyclopentyl-imidazolinone core replaces the substituted imidazole ring of losartan, an older approved agent from the same drug class. This hypothesis led to a new spirocyclic imidazolinone based FASN inhibitors. Extensive SAR efforts resulted in FASN inhibitors with potent enzyme and cell activity, selectivity, and oral bioavailability exemplified by JNJ-54302833. JNJ-54302833 is a potent inhibitor of human FASN (IC50 = 28 nM) and also potently inhibits proliferation of A2780 ovarian cells (IC50 = 13 nM) in lipid-reduced medium. This cellular activity can be rescued by addition of palmitate, demonstrating on-target effects. JNJ-54302833 is also potent in many other cells, including PC3M (IC50 = 25 nM) and LnCaP-Vancouver prostate cells (IC50 = 66 nM), and is highly bioavailable (F 61%) with good exposures. In a pharmacodynamics study in H460 lung xenograft-bearing mice, oral treatment with JNJ-54302833 resulted in elevated tumor levels of malonyl-CoA and decreased tumor levels of palmitate. This novel series potently inhibits the FASN KR domain (IC50 = 54 nM for JNJ-54302833); specific binding to KR was confirmed by crystal structures.In summary, we have designed and discovered a new series of FASN inhibitors that are potent both in enzyme and in cell proliferation assays, are highly bioavailable, and bind to KR domain. Additionally, palmitate rescue of lipid-reduced cellular activity suggests selectivity and pharmacodynamics studies confirm target engagement. Citation Format: Tianbao Lu, Richard Alexander, Gilles Bignan, James Bischoff, Peter Connolly, Max Cummings, Sabine De Breucker, Norbert Esser, Erwin Fraiponts, Ron Gilissen, Bruce Grasberger, Boudewijn Janssens, Donald Ludovici, Lieven Meerpoel, Christophe Meyer, Michael Parker, Danielle Peeters, Carsten Schubert, Karine Smans, Luc Van Nuffel, Peter Vermeulen. Design and synthesis of a series highly potent and bioavailable FASN KR domain inhibitors for cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4747. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4747

Abstract The fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling axis is increasingly implicated in tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. Alterations in FGFR family members including focal amplification of FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1), mutations in FGFR 2, 3 and 4, translocations involving FGFR 2 and FGFR3, as well as amplification or transcriptional upregulation of various ligand family members have been associated with tumor growth and survival, suggesting that FGFR inhibitors may be a viable therapeutic option in subsets of various disease settings. A number of agents targeting the FGF signaling axis including small-molecule FGFR targeted agents, with diverse kinase inhibitory and pharmacological profiles, are currently in clinical development. JNJ-42756493 (first disclosure of the structure) has a pharmacological profile that is differentiated from other agents in this class currently under investigation. JNJ-42756493 displays single digit nanomolar FGFR (1, 2, 3 4) tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity. JNJ-42756493 inhibited recombinant FGFR kinase activity in vitro and suppressed FGFR signaling and growth in engineered cell lines and tumor cell lines dependent upon deregulated FGFR expression. JNJ-42756493 demonstrated highly specific tumor inhibitory effects in FGFR1-4 dependent cell lines, in vitro cell lines based xenografts and direct patient derived xenografts, with no discernible activity in models that were not dependent on FGFR signaling. JNJ-42756493 showed favorable drug like properties and displayed a high distribution to lung, liver and kidney tissue. JNJ-42756493 was well tolerated at efficacious doses and resulted in potent dose-dependent antitumor activity accompanied by pharmacodynamic modulation of tumor FGFR and downstream pathway components. Data presented here highlights JNJ-42756493 as a novel, highly potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of all four known active FGFR kinase family members with potent antitumor activity against FGFR-dependent tumor models. These data, together with emerging observations from our ongoing Phase 1 clinical trial, position JNJ-42756493 as a differentiated FGFR 1, 2, 3 and 4 kinase inhibitor and support its continued clinical development in lung cancer and other malignancies associated with aberrant FGFR signaling. Citation Format: Timothy Perera, Eleanora Jovcheva, Jorge Vialard, Tinne Verhulst, Norbert Esser, Berthold Wroblowski, Ron Gilissen, Eddy Freyne, Peter King, Suso Platero, Olivier Querolle, Laurence Mevellec, Christopher Murray, Lynsey Fazal, Gordon Saxty, George Ward, Matthew Squires, Neil Thompson, David Newell, Patrick Angibaud. JNJ-42756493 is an inhibitor of FGFR-1, 2, 3 and 4 with nanomolar affinity for targeted therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1738. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1738

Abstract Chromosomal rearrangements resulting in oncogenic fusion proteins containing the ROS1 receptor tyrosine kinase have been described in subsets of a variety of human malignancies including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), cholangiocarcinoma, and glioblastoma multiforme. Promising clinical responses have been observed in patients bearing tumors with ROS1 fusions treated with Xalkori, an ALK/MET kinase inhibitor that also inhibits Ros1. However, resistance has been observed and a ROS1 kinase domain mutation, G2032R, was identified in a ROS1 fusion positive NSCLC patient who developed resistance to Xalkori treatment. Clinical experience with other receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors suggests that additional resistance mutations are likely to arise, highlighting the need for therapeutic agents that can overcome this type of resistance. We identified a novel chemical series of potent and selective Ros1 inhibitors with a unique DFG-out binding mode. The structure of human Ros1 in a complex with a ligand from this chemical class was confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Here we describe the structure-activity relationships and synthesis route for this chemical series. A representative compound from this series inhibited isolated recombinant Ros1 kinase activity with an IC50 of approximately 30 nM. This compound inhibited less than 6% of kinases in a panel of 400 at 1 μM concentration. Growth of Ba/F3 cells engineered to express Ros1 autophosphorylation in HCC78 NSCLC cells that harbor a SLC34A2-ROS1 fusion were inhibited at similar concentrations as the isolated protein. This activity translated into potent Ba/F3-Ros1 tumor growth inhibition in mice. This compound was also active on Ba/F3 cells containing Ros1 with a mutation in the gatekeeper residue, L2026M, in cell growth assays in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. Furthermore, this unique binding mode provides scope for activity on additional Ros1 mutations that confer resistance to Xalkori, such as the clinically relevant G2032R mutation. The results shown here describe a novel chemical series with a unique binding mode that has potential for activity in Ros1 driven tumors with mutations that confer resistance to Xalkori. Citation Format: Laurence Mevellec, Berthold Wroblowski, Ron Gilissen, Sophie Descamps, Elisabeth Pasquier, Christophe Adelinet, Marine Bourgeois, Guillaume Mercey, Matthieu Jeanty, Thierry Jousseaume, Aurélie Luguern, Javier Astray Gandara, Said Akzinnay, Etienne Daras, Inge Boeckx, Nele Van Slycken, Mariette Bekkers, Jeroen Van De Ven, Tinne Verhulst, Lieven Meerpoel, Jorge Vialard. Discovery of potent and selective Ros1 inhibitors with a unique DFG-out binding mode. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4745. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4745

Abstract De novo synthesis of fatty acids in mammalian cells is catalyzed by Fatty Acid Synthase (FASN), a complex dimeric protein with seven catalytic domains that processes acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA into palmitic acid. Palmitate and other fatty acids are essential for normal physiological processes like energy storage and production and are key intermediates in the biosynthesis of hormones and other essential biomolecules. The role of FASN in cancer has been well documented over the past decade. While FASN is expressed at low levels in most normal tissue (except liver and adipose tissue), it is highly expressed in many tumors including prostate, breast, and colon. FASN overexpression and activity is correlated with poor prognosis and disease progression. Numerous publications describing anti-cancer effects of small molecule FASN inhibitors have appeared in the scientific and patent literature. Recently, several groups reported anticancer and antiviral activities of N-benzoyl arylpiperidine FASN inhibitors. In this work we describe the discovery of novel N-benzoyl arylpiperidine and arylazetidine compounds that potently inhibit FASN enzymatic activity in vitro and antiproliferative activity in FASN-sensitive cell lines. We conducted focused structure-activity (SAR) studies exploring the benzoyl group and the aryl substituent on the piperidine or azetidine heterocycle to optimize potency, improve properties and oral bioavailability, and achieve in vivo FASN-driven pharmacodynamic (PD) activity. X-ray crystal structures of these molecules confirm a unique binding mode within the KR subdomain of FASN. Using structural information and molecular modeling, we were able to rationalize SAR trends and design FASN inhibitors with excellent in vitro potency and cellular activity. These efforts resulted in the discovery of compounds exemplified by JNJ-54380482, a potent FASN inhibitor (IC50 = 26 nM) that inhibits proliferation of A2780 ovarian cells in lipid-reduced medium (LRM, IC50 = 8.9 nM). Engagement of FASN in cellular assays is confirmed by rescue of proliferation upon addition of palmitate. JNJ-54380482 is orally bioavailable in mice (F% = 51) and exhibits excellent plasma exposure when dosed at 10 mg/kg (Cmax = 2.6 µM, T1/2 = 5 h). In a PD study using H460 lung xenograft-bearing mice, oral treatment with 30 mg/kg of JNJ-54380482 results in 36-fold higher tumor levels of malonyl-CoA vs vehicle. In summary, we synthesized several hundred compounds having the N-benzoyl arylpiperidine and arylazetidine chemotypes. Utilizing structural information from X-ray co-crystals to understand SAR and guide the design of more potent molecules, we identified >100 analogs with highly potent FASN enzymatic (IC50 ≤ 50 nM) and antiproliferative activities in A2780 cells in LRM (IC50 ≤ 100 nM). Key examples from these series have good in vitro properties, are orally bioavailable, and demonstrate FASN target engagement in a mouse PD model. Citation Format: Peter J. Connolly, Gilles Bignan, James Bischoff, Sabine De Breucker, Norbert Esser, Erwin Fraiponts, Ron Gilissen, Bruce Grasberger, Boudewijn Janssens, Tianbao Lu, Donald Ludovici, Lieven Meerpoel, Christophe Meyer, Michael Parker, Danielle Peeters, Carsten Schubert, Karine Smans, Luc Van Nuffel, Peter Vermeulen. Structure-activity relationships of novel N-benzoyl arylpiperidine and arylazetidine FASN inhibitors. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2535. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2535

ABSTRACT Emergence of drug-resistant bacteria represents a high, unmet medical need, and discovery of new antibacterials acting on new bacterial targets is strongly needed. ATP synthase has been validated as an antibacterial target in Mycobacterium tuberculosis , where its activity can be specifically blocked by the diarylquinoline TMC207. However, potency of TMC207 is restricted to mycobacteria with little or no effect on the growth of other Gram-positive or Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we identify diarylquinolines with activity against key Gram-positive pathogens, significantly extending the antibacterial spectrum of the diarylquinoline class of drugs. These compounds inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus in planktonic state as well as in metabolically resting bacteria grown in a biofilm culture. Furthermore, time-kill experiments showed that the selected hits are rapidly bactericidal. Drug-resistant mutations were mapped to the ATP synthase enzyme, and biochemical analysis as well as drug-target interaction studies reveal ATP synthase as a target for these compounds. Moreover, knockdown of the ATP synthase expression strongly suppressed growth of S. aureus , revealing a crucial role of this target in bacterial growth and metabolism. Our data represent a proof of principle for using the diarylquinoline class of antibacterials in key Gram-positive pathogens. Our results suggest that broadening the antibacterial spectrum for this chemical class is possible without drifting off from the target. Development of the diarylquinolines class may represent a promising strategy for combating Gram-positive pathogens.

Background and Objectives: Empirically based methods remain one of our tools in human pharmacokinetic predictions. The Dedrick approach and the steady-state plasma drug concentration (C-ss)-mean residence time (MRT) approach are based on the assumption that concentration-time profiles are similar among species, including man, and that curves derived from a variety of animal species can be superimposed after mathematical transformation. In the Dedrick approach the transformation is based on the slope and intercept of the allometric relationship. The C-ss-MRT approach is based on the implementation of measured animal and predicted human MRT and dose/volume of distribution at steady state (V-ss). The aims of the present study were to compare the predictive performance of concentration-time profiles obtained by these approaches, to evaluate the prediction of individual pharmacokinetic parameters by these approaches and to further refine these approaches incorporating the experience from our previous work.Methods: A retrospective analysis using 35 proprietary compounds developed at Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development was conducted to compare the accuracies of the Dedrick and C-ss-MRT approaches for predicting oral concentration-time profiles and pharmacokinetic parameters in man. In the first step, input for the transformation was based on simple allometry. Then we assessed whether both methods could be fine-tuned by systematically incorporating correction factors (maximum life span potential, brain weight and plasma protein binding), depending on the interspecies relationship. In addition, for the C-ss-MRT approach, we used formulas based on multivariate regression analysis as input for the transformation.Results: Inclusion of correction factors significantly improved the profile predictability for the Dedrick and C-ss-MRT approaches. This was mainly linked to an improved prediction of terminal elimination half-life (t(1/2)) MRT and the ratio between the maximum plasma concentration and the concentration at the last observed time point (C-max/C-last). No significant differences were observed between the Dedrick approach with correction factors, the C-ss-MRT approach with correction factors and the C-ss-MRT approach, based on the regression equations.Conclusions: Based on the dataset evaluated in this study, we demonstrated that human plasma concentration-time profiles and pharmacokinetic parameters could be predicted with the Dedrick and C-ss-MRT approaches and that if correction factors were implemented, the predictions improved significantly. With the requirement of only a limited preclinical in vivo pharmacokinetic dataset, these empirical methods could offer potential in the early stages of drug discovery.