CC-115, a dual inhibitor of mTOR kinase and DNA-PK, blocks DNA damage repair pathways and selectively inhibits ATM-deficient cell growth .

CC-115, a selective dual inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase and DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), is undergoing Phase 1 clinical studies. Here we report the characterization of DNA-PK inhibitory activity of CC-115 in cancer cell lines. CC-115 inhibits auto-phosphorylation of the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-PKcs) at the S2056 site (pDNA-PK S2056), leading to blockade of DNA-PK-mediated non-homologous end joining (NHEJ).

Optimization of a Series of Triazole Containing Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR) Kinase Inhibitors and the Discovery of CC-115.

We report here the synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a novel series of triazole containing mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase inhibitors. SAR studies examining the potency, selectivity, and PK parameters for a series of triazole containing 4,6- or 1,7-disubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrazino[2,3-b]pyrazine-2(1H)-ones resulted in the identification of triazole containing mTOR kinase inhibitors with improved PK properties. Potent compounds from this series were found to block both mTORC1(pS6) and mTORC2(pAktS473) signaling in PC-3 cancer cells, in vitro and in vivo.

Discovery of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase inhibitor CC-223.

We report here the synthesis and structure-activity relationship (SAR) of a novel series of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) kinase inhibitors. A series of 4,6- or 1,7-disubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrazino[2,3-b]pyrazine-2(1H)-ones were optimized for in vivo efficacy. These efforts resulted in the identification of compounds with excellent mTOR kinase inhibitory potency, with exquisite kinase selectivity over the related lipid kinase PI3K.

CC-223, a Potent and Selective Inhibitor of mTOR Kinase: In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization.

mTOR is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates cell growth, metabolism, proliferation, and survival. mTOR complex-1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex-2 (mTORC2) are critical mediators of the PI3K-AKT pathway, which is frequently mutated in many cancers, leading to hyperactivation of mTOR signaling. Although rapamycin analogues, allosteric inhibitors that target only the mTORC1 complex, have shown some clinical activity, it is hypothesized that mTOR kinase inhibitors, blocking both mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling, will have expanded therapeutic potential.

Use of core modification in the discovery of CC214-2, an orally available, selective inhibitor of mTOR kinase.

We report here the discovery of a novel series of selective mTOR kinase inhibitors and the identification of CC214-2, a compound with demonstrated anti-tumor activity upon oral dosing in a PC3 prostate cancer xenograft model. A series of 4,6-disubstituted-3,4-dihydropyrazino[2,3-b]pyrazine-2(1H)-ones were discovered through a core modification of our original compound series. Analogs from this series have excellent mTOR potency and maintain selectivity over the related PI3Kα lipid kinase.

Discovery and SAR exploration of a novel series of imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-ones as potent and selective mTOR kinase inhibitors.

We report here the discovery of a novel series of selective mTOR kinase inhibitors. A series of imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazin-2-ones, represented by screening hit 1, was developed into lead compounds with excellent mTOR potency and exquisite kinase selectivity. Potent compounds from this series show >1000-fold selectivity over the related PI3Kα lipid kinase.

REDD1, an inhibitor of mTOR signalling, is regulated by the CUL4A-DDB1 ubiquitin ligase.

The cellular response to hypoxia involves several signalling pathways that mediate adaptation and survival. REDD1 (regulated in development and DNA damage responses 1), a hypoxia-inducible factor-1 target gene, has a crucial role in inhibiting mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling during hypoxic stress. However, little is known about the signalling pathways and post-translational modifications that regulate REDD1 function.

CC-4047 promotes Th1 cell differentiation and reprograms polarized human Th2 cells by enhancing transcription factor T-bet.

The IMiDs immunomodulatory drugs are an expanding family of compounds under investigation in a broad range of diseases because they exhibit immunomodulatory and anti-tumorigenic properties. Although the molecular targets remain unidentified, the broad activity of select IMiDs immunomodulatory drugs on cell signaling pathways and transcription regulation has been partly described. One characteristic of these compounds is their ability to act as a co-stimulus of TCR ligation leading to increased IL-2, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma expression indicative of a Th1 phenotype.

IKK-i signals through IRF3 and NFkappaB to mediate the production of inflammatory cytokines.

IKK-i and TBK1 were recently identified as IKK-related kinases that are activated by toll-like receptors TLR3 and TLR4. These kinases were identified as essential components of the virus-activated as well as LPS-MyD88 independent kinase complex that phosphorylates IRF3 and results in the production of cytokines involved in innate immunity. Both IKK-i and TBK1 have also been implicated in the activation of the NFkappaB pathway but the precise mechanism is not clear.

Functional significance of Tie2 signaling in the adult vasculature.

Abundant data now demonstrate that the growth of new blood vessels, termed angiogenesis, plays both pathological and beneficial roles in human disease. Based on these data, a tremendous effort has been undertaken to understand the molecular mechanisms that drive blood vessel growth in adult tissues. Tie2 recently was identified as a receptor tyrosine kinase expressed principally on vascular endothelium.