Preclinical and clinical pharmacodynamic assessment of L-778,123, a dual inhibitor of farnesyl:protein transferase and geranylgeranyl:protein transferase type-I.

Farnesyl:protein transferase (FPTase) inhibitors were developed as anti-Ras drugs, but they fail to inhibit Ki-Ras activity because Ki-Ras can be modified by geranylgeranyl:protein transferase type-I (GGPTase-I). L-778,123, an inhibitor of FPTase and GGPTase-I, was developed in part because it can completely inhibit Ki-Ras prenylation. To support the clinical development of L-778,123, we developed pharmacodynamic assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to measure the inhibition of prenylation of HDJ2 and Rap1A, proteins that are FPTase- and GGPTase-I substrates, respectively.

LC/MS/MS plasma assay for the peptidomimetic VLA4 antagonist I and its major active metabolite II: for treatment of asthma by inhalation.

In vitro and in animals, I is a potent and specific peptidomimetic for the potential treatment of airway inflammation in the pathogenesis of asthma. Preclinical studies indicated extensive conversion of I to an active metabolite II, and thus, a very sensitive assay for I and II was needed to support an inhalation ascending-dose study in man. The LC/MS/MS plasma/urine assay method (1.