Highly potent and orally active CCR5 antagonists as anti-HIV-1 agents: synthesis and biological activities of 1-benzazocine derivatives containing a sulfoxide moiety

J Med Chem. 2006 Mar 23;49(6):2037-48. doi: 10.1021/jm0509703.

Abstract

Chemical modification has been performed on an orally bioavailable and potent CCR5 antagonist, sulfoxide compound 4, mainly focusing on replacement of the [6,7]-fused 1-benzazepine nucleus. We designed, synthesized, and evaluated the biological activities of ring-expanded [6,8]-, [6,9]-, and [6,10]-fused compounds containing S-sulfoxide moieties, which led to the discovery of 1-benzazocine and 1-benzazonine compounds that exhibited potent inhibitory activities (equivalent to compound 4) in a binding assay. In addition, 1-benzazocine compounds possessing the S-sulfoxide moiety ((S)-(-)-5a,b,d,e) showed greater potency than compound 4 in a fusion assay. From further investigation in a multi-round infection assay, it was found that 1-isobutyl-1-benzazocine compound (S)-(-)-5b, containing the S-{[(1-propyl-1H-imidazol)-5-yl]methyl}sulfinyl group, showed the most potent anti-HIV-1 activity (IC90=0.81 nM, in MOLT4/CCR5 cells). Compound (S)-(-)-5b (TAK-652) also inhibited the replication of six macrophage-tropic (CCR5-using or R5) HIV-1 clinical isolates in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) (mean IC90=0.25 nM). It was also absorbed after oral administration in rats, dogs, and monkeys and was thus selected as a clinical candidate. The synthesis and biological activity of the 1-benzazocine compound (S)-(-)-5b and its related derivatives are described.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anti-HIV Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-HIV Agents / pharmacology
  • Azocines / chemical synthesis*
  • Azocines / chemistry
  • Azocines / pharmacology
  • Biological Availability
  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists*
  • Cell Line
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Dogs
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / physiology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / isolation & purification
  • Half-Life
  • Humans
  • Imidazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Imidazoles / chemistry
  • Imidazoles / pharmacology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / drug effects
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / virology
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Male
  • Membrane Fusion / drug effects
  • Rats
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Sulfoxides / chemical synthesis*
  • Sulfoxides / chemistry
  • Sulfoxides / pharmacology
  • Virus Replication / drug effects

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Azocines
  • CCR5 Receptor Antagonists
  • HIV Envelope Protein gp120
  • Imidazoles
  • Sulfoxides
  • cenicriviroc