Download MendeleyDiscovery of KB-0742, a Potent, Selective, Orally Bioavailable Small Molecule Inhibitor of CDK9 for MYC-Dependent Cancers.
Freeman, D.B., Hopkins, T.D., Mikochik, P.J., Vacca, J.P., Gao, H., Naylor-Olsen, A., Rudra, S., Li, H., Pop, M.S., Villagomez, R.A., Lee, C., Li, H., Zhou, M., Saffran, D.C., Rioux, N., Hood, T.R., Day, M.A.L., McKeown, M.R., Lin, C.Y., Bischofberger, N., Trotter, B.W.(2023) J Med Chem 66: 15629-15647
- PubMed: 37967851
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01233
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:
8K5R - PubMed Abstract:
Transcriptional deregulation is a hallmark of many cancers and is exemplified by genomic amplifications of the MYC family of oncogenes, which occur in at least 20% of all solid tumors in adults. Targeting of transcriptional cofactors and the transcriptional cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK9) has emerged as a therapeutic strategy to interdict deregulated transcriptional activity including oncogenic MYC. Here, we report the structural optimization of a small molecule microarray hit, prioritizing maintenance of CDK9 selectivity while improving on-target potency and overall physicochemical and pharmacokinetic (PK) properties. This led to the discovery of the potent, selective, orally bioavailable CDK9 inhibitor 28 ( KB-0742 ). Compound 28 exhibits in vivo antitumor activity in mouse xenograft models and a projected human PK profile anticipated to enable efficacious oral dosing. Notably, 28 is currently being investigated in a phase 1/2 dose escalation and expansion clinical trial in patients with relapsed or refractory solid tumors.
Organizational Affiliation:
Kronos Bio, Inc., 301 Binney Street, 2nd Floor East, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States.
