Discovery of a novel BTK inhibitor S-016 and identification of a new strategy for the treatment of lymphomas including BTK inhibitor-resistant lymphomas.

Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) has emerged as a therapeutic target for B-cell malignancies, which is substantiated by the efficacy of various irreversible or reversible BTK inhibitors. However, on-target BTK mutations facilitating evasion from BTK inhibition lead to resistance that limits the therapeutic efficacy of BTK inhibitors. In this study we employed structure-based drug design strategies based on established BTK inhibitors and yielded a series of BTK targeting compounds.

DW14383 is an irreversible pan-FGFR inhibitor that suppresses FGFR-dependent tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.

Fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) is a promising anticancer target. Currently, most FGFR inhibitors lack sufficient selectivity and have nonnegligible activity against kinase insert domain receptor (KDR), limiting their feasibility due to the serious side effects. Notably, compensatory activation occurs among FGFR1-4, suggesting the urgent need to develop selective pan-FGFR1-4 inhibitors.

DW10075, a novel selective and small-molecule inhibitor of VEGFR, exhibits antitumor activities both in vitro and in vivo.

Aim: Targeting the VEGF/VEGF receptor (VEGFR) pathway has proved to be an effective antiangiogenic approach for cancer treatment. Here, we identified 6-((2-((3-acetamidophenyl)amino)pyrimidin-4-yl)oxy)-N-phenyl-1-naphthamide (designated herein as DW10075) as a novel and highly selective inhibitor of VEGFRs.

Methods: In vitro tyrosine kinase activity was measured using ELISA, and intracellular signaling pathway proteins were detected by Western blot analysis.

Identification of DW532 as a novel anti-tumor agent targeting both kinases and tubulin.

Aim: 7,8-Dihydroxy-4-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2H-chromen-2-one (DW532) is one of simplified analogues of hematoxylin that has shown broad-spectrum inhibition on tyrosine kinases and in vitro anti-cancer activities. The aim of this study was to identify DW532 as a agent targeting both kinases and tubulin, and to investigate its anti-cancer and anti-angiogenesis activities.

Methods: In vitro tyrosine kinases activity was examined with ELISA, and tyrosine kinases activity in cells was evaluated with Western blot analysis.

DW09849, a selective phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor, prevents PI3K signaling and preferentially inhibits proliferation of cells containing the oncogenic mutation p110α (H1047R).

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, α isoform (PI3Kα) plays essential roles in cell metabolism, growth, and proliferation and has been validated as a promising anticancer target. In an effort to search for new PI3Kα-selective inhibitors, DW series compounds were designed and synthesized aiming to reduce the off-target effects of their parent compound PIK-75 [2-methyl-5-nitro-1-benzenesulfonic acid 2-[(6-bromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)methylene]-1-methylhydrazide], which was reported to selectively target PI3Kα. A series of compounds named DW series potently inhibited the kinase activity of PI3Kα with little activity against PI3K-related protein kinases and a panel of 15 tyrosine kinases.

Mycophenolic acid derivative 118 improves outcome of skin grafts by suppressing IL-17 production.

Aim: To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of 118, a novel derivative of mycophenolic acid, in a murine allogeneic skin graft model.

Methods: Skin grafts were conducted by grafting BALB/c donor tail skin into C57BL/6 skin beds (allograft) or by grafting female C57BL/6 donor tail skin into female C57BL/6 skin beds (syngraft). The mice were treated with the derivative 118 (40 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1), po) for 13 d (3 d before and 10 d after transplantation).

2-Methyl-3-(1H-pyrazol-3-yl)imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine.

In the title compound, C(10)H(9)N(5), the fused 2-methyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidine ring system is approximately planar [dihedral angle of 1.14 (9)° between the two fused rings] and the 1H-pyrazole ring is rotated by 28.16 (11)° out of that plane.

Tryptamine derivatives as novel non-nucleosidic inhibitors against hepatitis B virus.

A series of tryptamine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity and cytotoxicity in the HepG2.2.15 cell line.

BB, a new EGFR inhibitor, exhibits prominent anti-angiogenesis and antitumor activities.

Aberrant activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is closely associated with malignant progression of tumors. EGFR inhibitors have been used successfully in clinic in the treatment of solid tumors. In the present study, we revealed that BB, a new synthetic quinonazoline derivative, was a potent EGFR inhibitor.

GA3, a new gambogic acid derivative, exhibits potent antitumor activities in vitro via apoptosis-involved mechanisms.

Aim: Gambogic acid (GA) is the major active ingredient of gamboge, which is secreted from a Chinese traditional medicine, Garcinia hanburyi, which possesses potent antitumor activity. GA3, a new GA derivative, has been shown to possess better water solubility than GA. The aim of the present study was to examine the antitumor activity of GA3 and the mechanism underlying it.

Differential roles of NMDA receptor subtypes in ischemic neuronal cell death and ischemic tolerance.

Background And Purpose: Activation of NMDA subtypes of glutamate receptors is implicated in cell damage induced by ischemia as well as for the establishment of ischemic tolerance after ischemic preconditioning in animal models. We investigated the contributions of NR2A- and NR2B-containing NMDA receptors to ischemic cell death and ischemic tolerance in a rat model of transient global ischemia.

Methods: Transient global ischemia was produced in rats by 4-vessel occlusion.

Differential roles of NR2A- and NR2B-containing NMDA receptors in activity-dependent brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene regulation and limbic epileptogenesis.

Fleeting activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) induces long-term modification of synaptic connections and refinement of neuronal circuits, which may underlie learning and memory and contribute to pathogenesis of a diversity of neurological diseases, including epilepsy. Here, we found that NR2A and NR2B subunit-containing NMDARs were coupled to distinct intracellular signaling, resulting in differential BDNF expression and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation. Selective activation of NR2A-containing NMDARs increased BDNF gene expression.

[Design and synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives and their antitumor activities].

Aim: To design and synthesize novel quinoxaline derivatives as antitumor agents.

Methods: Using 4-chloro-2-nitroaniline as a starting compound, followed by substitution, reductive cyclization, oxidation, and chlorination, to give the key intermediate 2,7-dichloroquinoxaline (7), which reacted with different phenolic compounds to afford quinoxaline derivatives.

Results: The structures of the target molecules were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, MS, and IR.

Synthesis and pharmacology of 8-amino-3-[(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl] benzomorphan.

Aim: To design and synthesize new chiral 8-(substituted) amino-analogues of 3-[(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl] benzomorphans, to expand knowledge of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) for 8-aminobenzomorphan.

Methods: Target compounds were synthesized from the 8-triflate of the optically active 3-[(tetrahydro-2-furanyl)methyl]-2,6-methano-benzomorphans using Pd-catalyzed aminations. Opioid receptor binding experiments were performed to evaluate their biological activities.

A 3D model of SARS_CoV 3CL proteinase and its inhibitors design by virtual screening.

Aim: To constructed a three-dimensional (3D) model for the 3C like (3CL) proteinase of SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV), and to design inhibitors of the 3CL proteinase based on the 3D model.

Methods: Bioinformatics analyses were performed to search the homologous proteins of the SARS-CoV 3CL proteinase from the GenBank and PDB database. A 3D model of the proteinase was constructed by using homology modeling technique.