Molecular Alterations in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Immunocompetent and Immunosuppressed Hosts-A Systematic Review.

The characterization of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) at the molecular level is lacking in the current literature due to the high mutational burden of this disease. Immunosuppressed patients afflicted with cSCC experience considerable morbidity and mortality. In this article, we review the molecular profile of cSCC among the immunosuppressed and immunocompetent populations at the genetic, epigenetic, transcriptomic, and proteometabolomic levels, as well as describing key differences in the tumor immune microenvironment between these two populations.

Discovery of potent and selective matrix metalloprotease 12 inhibitors for the potential treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an inflammatory lung disease associated with irreversible progressive airflow limitation. Matrix metalloproteinase-12 (MMP-12) has been characterized to be one of the major proteolytic enzymes to induce airway remodeling, destruction of elastin and the aberrant remodeling of damaged alveoli in COPD and asthma. The goal of this project is to develop and identify an orally potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of MMP-12 for treatment of COPD and asthma.

Continued exploration of biphenylsulfonamide scaffold as a platform for aggrecanase-1 inhibition.

Design, synthesis and structure-activity relationship of a series of biphenylsulfonamido-3-methylbutanoic acid based aggrecanase-1 inhibitors are described. In addition to robust aggrecanase-1 inhibition, these compounds also exhibit potent MMP-13 activity. In cell-based cartilage explants assay compound 48 produced 87% inhibition of proteoglycan degradation at 10 μg/mL.

Discovery of 2-[1-(4-chlorophenyl)cyclopropyl]-3-hydroxy-8-(trifluoromethyl)quinoline-4-carboxylic acid (PSI-421), a P-selectin inhibitor with improved pharmacokinetic properties and oral efficacy in models of vascular injury.

Previously, we reported the discovery of PSI-697 (1a), a C-2 benzyl substituted quinoline salicylic acid-based P-selectin inhibitor. It is active in a variety of animal models of cardiovascular disease. Compound 1a has also been shown to be well tolerated and safe in healthy volunteers at doses of up to 1200 mg in a phase 1 single ascending dose study.

Matrix metalloproteinase-12 is a therapeutic target for asthma in children and young adults.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12-mediated pathologic degradation of the extracellular matrix and the subsequent repair cycles influence the airway changes in patients with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The common serine variant at codon 357 of the MMP12 gene (rs652438) is associated with clinical manifestations consistent with more aggressive matrix degradation in other tissues.

Objective: We sought to explore the hypothesis that MMP12 represents a novel therapeutic target in asthma.

Selective functional inhibition of JAK-3 is sufficient for efficacy in collagen-induced arthritis in mice.

Objective: All gamma-chain cytokines signal through JAK-3 and JAK-1 acting in tandem. We undertook this study to determine whether the JAK-3 selective inhibitor WYE-151650 would be sufficient to disrupt cytokine signaling and to ameliorate autoimmune disease pathology without inhibiting other pathways mediated by JAK-1, JAK-2, and Tyk-2.

Methods: JAK-3 kinase selective compounds were characterized by kinase assay and JAK-3-dependent (interleukin-2 [IL-2]) and -independent (IL-6, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor [GM-CSF]) cell-based assays measuring proliferation or STAT phosphorylation.

Identification of an orally efficacious matrix metalloprotease 12 inhibitor for potential treatment of asthma.

MMP-12 plays a significant role in airway inflammation and remodeling. Increased expression and production of MMP-12 have been observed in the lungs of asthmatic patients. Compound 27 was identified as a potent and selective MMP-12 inhibitor possessing good physicochemical properties.

3,4-Disubstituted benzofuran P1' MMP-13 inhibitors: optimization of selectivity and reduction of protein binding.

Potent 3,4-disubstituted benzofuran P1' MMP-13 inhibitors have been prepared. Selectivity over MMP-2 was achieved through a substituent at the C4 position of the benzofuran P1' moiety of the molecule. By replacing a backbone benzene with a pyridine and valine with threonine, compounds (e.

Benzhydrylquinazolinediones: novel cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha inhibitors with improved physicochemical properties.

The synthesis and optimization of a class of trisubstituted quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione cPLA(2)alpha inhibitors are described. Utilizing pharmacophores that were found to be important in our indole series, we discovered inhibitors with reduced lipophilicity and improved aqueous solubility. These compounds are active in whole blood assays, and cell-based assay results indicate that prevention of arachidonic acid release arises from selective cPLA(2)alpha inhibition.

Selective inhibitors of tumor progression loci-2 (Tpl2) kinase with potent inhibition of TNF-alpha production in human whole blood.

Tpl2 (cot/MAP3K8) is an upstream kinase of MEK in the ERK pathway. It plays an important role in Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production and signaling. We have discovered that 8-halo-4-(3-chloro-4-fluoro-phenylamino)-6-[(1H-[1,2,3]triazol-4-ylmethyl)-amino]-quinoline-3-carbonitriles (4) are potent inhibitors of this enzyme.

A selective matrix metalloprotease 12 inhibitor for potential treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): discovery of (S)-2-(8-(methoxycarbonylamino)dibenzo[b,d]furan-3-sulfonamido)-3-methylbutanoic acid (MMP408).

Matrix metalloprotease 12 plays a significant role in airway inflammation and remodeling. Increased expression and production of MMP-12 have been found in the lung of human COPD patients. MMP408 (14), a potent and selective MMP-12 inhibitor, was derived from a potent matrix metalloprotease 2 and 13 inhibitor via lead optimization and has good physical properties and bioavailability.

Reactions of functionalized sulfonamides: application to lowering the lipophilicity of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha inhibitors.

The cPLA(2)alpha inhibitors we reported earlier were potent in both isolated enzyme and rat whole blood assays but have high plogD(7.4). To address these issues, reactions of electrophilic sulfonamides 9-12 were employed to incorporate various heterocyclic or heteroatom-based reagents into cPLA(2)alpha inhibitors.

Indole cytosolic phospholipase A2 alpha inhibitors: discovery and in vitro and in vivo characterization of 4-{3-[5-chloro-2-(2-{[(3,4-dichlorobenzyl)sulfonyl]amino}ethyl)-1-(diphenylmethyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]propyl}benzoic acid, efipladib.

The optimization of a class of indole cPLA 2 alpha inhibitors is described herein. The importance of the substituent at C3 and the substitution pattern of the phenylmethane sulfonamide region are highlighted. Optimization of these regions led to the discovery of 111 (efipladib) and 121 (WAY-196025), which are shown to be potent, selective inhibitors of cPLA 2 alpha in a variety of isolated enzyme assays, cell based assays, and rat and human whole blood assays.

Benzenesulfonamide indole inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha: optimization of in vitro potency and rat pharmacokinetics for oral efficacy.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationship of a series of benzenesulfonamide indole inhibitors of cPLA(2)alpha are described. Substitution of the benzenesulfonamide led to analogues with 50-fold improvement in potency versus the unsubstituted benzenesulfonamide lead compound. Rat pharmacokinetics in a minimal formulation was used to prioritize compounds, leading to the discovery of a potent inhibitor of cPLA(2)alpha with oral efficacy in models of rat carrageenan paw edema and Ascaris suum airway challenge in naturally sensitized sheep.

Pharmacologic inhibition of tpl2 blocks inflammatory responses in primary human monocytes, synoviocytes, and blood.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine that controls the initiation and progression of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Tpl2 is a MAPKKK in the MAPK (i.e.

Inhibitors of tumor progression loci-2 (Tpl2) kinase and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) production: selectivity and in vivo antiinflammatory activity of novel 8-substituted-4-anilino-6-aminoquinoline-3-carbonitriles.

Tumor progression loci-2 (Tpl2) (Cot/MAP3K8) is a serine/threonine kinase in the MAP3K family directly upstream of MEK. Recent studies using Tpl2 knockout mice have indicated an important role for Tpl2 in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and other proinflammatory cytokines involved in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Initial 4-anilino-6-aminoquinoline-3-carbonitrile leads showed poor selectivity for Tpl2 over epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase.

Structure-based optimization of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors: from the active site to the second phosphotyrosine binding site.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) is a negative regulator of the insulin and leptin receptor pathways and thus an attractive therapeutic target for diabetes and obesity. Starting with a high micromolar lead compound, structure-based optimization of novel PTP1B inhibitors by extension of the molecule from the enzyme active site into the second phosphotyrosine binding site is described. Medicinal chemistry, guided by X-ray complex structure and molecular modeling, has yielded low nanomolar PTP1B inhibitors in an efficient manner.

Identification of a novel class of selective Tpl2 kinase inhibitors: 4-Alkylamino-[1,7]naphthyridine-3-carbonitriles.

We have previously reported the discovery and initial SAR of the [1,7]naphthyridine-3-carbonitriles and quinoline-3-carbonitriles as Tumor Progression Loci-2 (Tpl2) kinase inhibitors. In this paper, we report new SAR efforts which have led to the identification of 4-alkylamino-[1,7]naphthyridine-3-carbonitriles. These compounds show good in vitro and in vivo activity against Tpl2 and improved pharmacokinetic properties.

Probing acid replacements of thiophene PTP1B inhibitors.

The following account describes our systematic effort to replace one of the carboxylate groups of our diacid thiophene PTP1B inhibitors. Active hits were validated using enzymatic assays before pursuing efforts to improve the potency. Only when the C2 carboxylic acid was replaced with another ionizable functional group was reversible and competitive inhibition retained.

Discovery of Ecopladib, an indole inhibitor of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha.

The synthesis and structure-activity relationship of a series of indole inhibitors of cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha (cPLA2alpha, type IVA phospholipase) are described. Inhibitors of cPLA2alpha are predicted to be efficacious in treating asthma as well as the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and pain. The introduction of a benzyl sulfonamide substituent at C2 was found to impart improved potency of these inhibitors, and the SAR of these sulfonamide analogues is disclosed.

2-(4-Chlorobenzyl)-3-hydroxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[H]quinoline-4-carboxylic acid (PSI-697): identification of a clinical candidate from the quinoline salicylic acid series of P-selectin antagonists.

P-selectin-PSGL-1 interaction causes rolling of leukocytes on the endothelial cell surface, which subsequently leads to firm adherence and leukocyte transmigration through the vessel wall into the surrounding tissues. P-selectin is upregulated on the surface of both platelets and endothelium in a variety of atherosclerosis-associated conditions. Consequently, inhibition of this interaction by means of a small molecule P-selectin antagonist is an attractive strategy for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of quinoline salicylic acids as P-selectin antagonists.

Leukocyte recruitment of sites of inflammation and tissue injury involves leukocyte rolling along the endothelial wall, followed by firm adherence of the leukocyte, and finally transmigration of the leukocyte across cell junctions into the underlying tissue. The initial rolling step is mediated by the interaction of leukocyte glycoproteins containing active moieties such as sialyl Lewisx (sLex) with P-selectin expressed on endothelial cells. Consequently, inhibition of this interaction by means of a small molecule P-selectin antagonist is an attractive strategy for the treatment of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.

Inhibition of Tpl2 kinase and TNFalpha production with quinoline-3-carbonitriles for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

The synthesis and structure-activity studies of a series of quinoline-3-carbonitriles as inhibitors of Tpl2 kinase are described. Potent inhibitors of Tpl2 kinase with selectivity against a panel of selected kinases in enzymatic assays and specificity in cell-based phosphorylation assays in LPS-treated human monocytes were identified. Selected inhibitors with moderate activity in human whole blood assay effectively inhibited LPS/D-Gal induced TNFalpha release when administered intraperitoneally in mice.