Download MendeleyParallel Optimization of Potency and Pharmacokinetics Leading to the Discovery of a Pyrrole Carboxamide ERK5 Kinase Domain Inhibitor.
Miller, D.C., Reuillon, T., Molyneux, L., Blackburn, T., Cook, S.J., Edwards, N., Endicott, J.A., Golding, B.T., Griffin, R.J., Hardcastle, I., Harnor, S.J., Heptinstall, A., Lochhead, P., Martin, M.P., Martin, N.C., Myers, S., Newell, D.R., Noble, R.A., Phillips, N., Rigoreau, L., Thomas, H., Tucker, J.A., Wang, L.Z., Waring, M.J., Wong, A.C., Wedge, S.R., Noble, M.E.M., Cano, C.(2022) J Med Chem 65: 6513-6540
- PubMed: 35468293
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01756
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
7PUS - PubMed Abstract:
The nonclassical extracellular signal-related kinase 5 (ERK5) mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway has been implicated in increased cellular proliferation, migration, survival, and angiogenesis; hence, ERK5 inhibition may be an attractive approach for cancer treatment. However, the development of selective ERK5 inhibitors has been challenging. Previously, we described the development of a pyrrole carboxamide high-throughput screening hit into a selective, submicromolar inhibitor of ERK5 kinase activity. Improvement in the ERK5 potency was necessary for the identification of a tool ERK5 inhibitor for target validation studies. Herein, we describe the optimization of this series to identify nanomolar pyrrole carboxamide inhibitors of ERK5 incorporating a basic center, which suffered from poor oral bioavailability. Parallel optimization of potency and in vitro pharmacokinetic parameters led to the identification of a nonbasic pyrazole analogue with an optimal balance of ERK5 inhibition and oral exposure.
Organizational Affiliation:
Cancer Research UK Newcastle Drug Discovery Unit, Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Bedson Building, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, U.K.
