Design, synthesis, and optimization of novel PD-L1 inhibitors and the identification of a highly potent and orally bioavailable PD-L1 inhibitor.

In this paper we report the discovery of structurally novel and highly potent programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors targeting surface and intracellular PD-L1. A ring fusion design utilizing dimethoxyphenyl indazole derivatives was used, followed by structural extension, which further improved potency by inducing the formation of additional symmetrical interactions within the PD-L1 binding site, leading to the discovery of novel and highly active tetra-aryl-scaffold inhibitors. Key optimizations involved polar tail chain modifications that improve potency and minimize cell cytotoxicity.

Preclinical characterization of a novel potent core protein assembly modulator for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral infection.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid or core protein is a promising drug target currently being investigated for potential curative therapies for chronic HBV infection. In this study, we performed extensive in vitro and in vivo characterization of a novel and potent HBV core protein assembly modulator (CpAM), CU15, for both anti-HBV activity and druggability properties. CU15 potently inhibited HBV DNA replication in in vitro HBV-infected HepG2.

Assessing the relative contribution of CYP3A-and P-gp-mediated pathways to the overall disposition and drug-drug interaction of dabigatran etexilate using a comprehensive mechanistic physiological-based pharmacokinetic model.

Dabigatran etexilate (DABE) is a clinical probe substrate for studying drug-drug interaction (DDI) through an intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp). A recent study, however, has suggested a potentially significant involvement of CYP3A-mediated oxidative metabolism of DABE and its intermediate monoester BIBR0951 in DDI following microdose administration of DABE. In this study, the relative significance of CYP3A- and P-gp-mediated pathways to the overall disposition of DABE has been explored using mechanistic physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling approach.

Binding characteristics of pyrrole-scaffold hepatitis B virus capsid inhibitors and identification of novel potent compounds.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) are currently being evaluated in clinical trials as potential curative therapies for HBV. This study used computational modeling to provide insights into the binding characteristics between the HBV core protein and two pyrrole-scaffold inhibitors, JNJ-6379 and GLP-26, both in the CAM-Normal (CAM-N) series. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that the pyrrole inhibitors displayed similar general binding-interaction patterns to NVR 3-778, another CAM-N, with hydrophobic interactions serving as the major driving force.

Rhinacanthin-C Mediated Herb-Drug Interactions with Drug Transporters and Phase I Drug-Metabolizing Enzymes.

Rhinacanthin-C is a major active constituent in (L.) Kurz, a plant widely used in herbal remedies. Its potential for pharmacokinetic herb-drug interaction may exist with drug transporters and drug metabolizing enzymes.

Potential P-glycoprotein-mediated herb-drug interaction of phyllanthin at the intestinal absorptive barrier.

Objectives: This study investigated the absorptive potential of phyllanthin across the polarized Caco-2 monolayers and the potential role of phyllanthin in P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated drug interaction.

Methods: The absorptive potential of phyllanthin was predicted from its apparent permeability (P ) across the Caco-2 monolayers under the pH gradient condition (pH 6.5 -7.