Structure activity optimization of 6H-pyrrolo[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazines as Jak1 kinase inhibitors.

Previous work investigating tricyclic pyrrolopyrazines as kinase cores led to the discovery that 1-cyclohexyl-6H-pyrrolo[2,3-e][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine (12) had Jak inhibitory activity. Herein we describe our initial efforts to develop orally bioavailable analogs of 12 with improved selectivity of Jak1 over Jak2.

Tricyclic covalent inhibitors selectively target Jak3 through an active site thiol.

The action of Janus kinases (JAKs) is required for multiple cytokine signaling pathways, and as such, JAK inhibitors hold promise for treatment of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis. However, due to high similarity in the active sites of the four members (Jak1, Jak2, Jak3, and Tyk2), developing selective inhibitors within this family is challenging. We have designed and characterized substituted, tricyclic Jak3 inhibitors that selectively avoid inhibition of the other JAKs.

Design and synthesis of tricyclic cores for kinase inhibition.

Interest in therapeutic kinase inhibitors continues to grow beyond success in oncology. To date, ATP-mimetic kinase inhibitors have focused primarily on monocyclic and bicyclic heterocyclic cores. We sought to expand on the repertoire of potential cores for kinase inhibition by exploring tricyclic variants of classical bicyclic hinge binding motifs such as pyrrolopyridine and pyrrolopyrazine.