AZD7648 is a potent and selective DNA-PK inhibitor that enhances radiation, chemotherapy and olaparib activity.

DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is a critical player in the DNA damage response (DDR) and instrumental in the non-homologous end-joining pathway (NHEJ) used to detect and repair DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). We demonstrate that the potent and highly selective DNA-PK inhibitor, AZD7648, is an efficient sensitizer of radiation- and doxorubicin-induced DNA damage, with combinations in xenograft and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models inducing sustained regressions. Using ATM-deficient cells, we demonstrate that AZD7648, in combination with the PARP inhibitor olaparib, increases genomic instability, resulting in cell growth inhibition and apoptosis.

Synthesis, Biological, and Structural Explorations of New Zwitterionic Derivatives of 14- O-Methyloxymorphone, as Potent μ/δ Opioid Agonists and Peripherally Selective Antinociceptives.

Herein, the synthesis and pharmacological characterization of an extended library of differently substituted N-methyl-14- O-methylmorphinans with natural and unnatural amino acids and three dipeptides at position 6 that emerged as potent μ/δ opioid receptor (MOR/DOR) agonists with peripheral antinociceptive efficacy is reported. The current study adds significant value to our initial structure-activity relationships on a series of zwitterionic analogues of 1 (14- O-methyloxymorphone) by targeting additional amino acid residues. The new derivatives showed high binding and potent agonism at MOR and DOR in vitro.

Fluorinated Fe(III) salophene complexes: optimization of tumor cell specific activity and utilization of fluorine labeling for in vitro analysis.

Fluorine-substituted iron(III) salophene complexes (salophene = N,N'-bis(salicylidene)-1,2-phenylenediamine) were synthesized and evaluated for biological activity. All complexes showed growth inhibitory effects with IC50 values ranging from 0.05 to 2.

Synthesis and characterization of thiazolo- and thiazinomorphinans and their intermediate products as novel opioid-active derivatives.

A new procedure was elaborated for the synthesis of potentially opioid-active thiazolo- and thiazinomorphinans. These derivatives and some intermediates related with the synthesis were tested in opioid receptor binding studies. Two compounds showed remarkable µ opioid activities and specificities.