JAK3 Inhibitors: Covalent and Noncovalent Interactions of a Cyanamide Group Investigated by Multiscale Free-Energy Simulations.

Janus kinase type 3 (JAK3), an emerging target for treating autoimmune diseases, possesses a front pocket cysteine that is targeted by covalent modifiers, best represented by the marketed drug ritlecitinib (). Recently, 2,3-dihydro-1-inden-1-ylcyanamides have been developed as novel JAK3 inhibitors. Among them, the -(6-(7-pyrrolo[2,3-]pyrimidin-4-yl)-2,3-dihydro-1-inden-1-yl)cyanamide inhibitor () and its methylated analogue (), while being potent inhibitors, displayed different mechanisms of action (covalent vs noncovalent) and binding modes (Casimiro-Garcia et al.

Discovery of a new 1-(phenylsulfonyl)-1H-indole derivative targeting the EphA2 receptor with antiproliferative activity on U251 glioblastoma cell line.

In our continuing effort devoted at developing agents targeting the EphA2 receptor by means of protein-protein interaction (PPI) inhibitors, we report here the design and synthesis of a new class of l-β-homotryptophan conjugates of 3-β-hydroxy-Δ-cholenic acid bearing a set of arylsulfonyl substituents at the indole nitrogen atom. An extensive structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis indicates that the presence of a bulky lipophilic moiety at the indole nitrogen is fundamental for improving potency on the EphA2 receptor, while abrogating activity on the EphB1-EphB3 receptor subtypes. A rational exploration, guided by the combined application of an experimental design on σ and π physicochemical descriptors and docking simulations, led to the discovery of UniPR1454, a 1-(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)sulfonyl derivative acting as potent and competitive EphA2 antagonist able to inhibit ephrin-A1 dependent signals and to reduce proliferation of glioblastoma (U251) cell line at micromolar concentration.

Targeting metabolic adaptive responses induced by glucose starvation inhibits cell proliferation and enhances cell death in osimertinib-resistant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines.

Osimertinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting mutant EGFR, has received approval for initial treatment in patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). While effective in both first- and second-line treatments, patients eventually develop acquired resistance. Metabolic reprogramming represents a strategy through which cancer cells may resist and adapt to the selective pressure exerted by the drug.