Bioisosteric Discovery of NPA101.3, a Second-Generation RET/VEGFR2 Inhibitor Optimized for Single-Agent Polypharmacology

J Med Chem. 2020 May 14;63(9):4506-4516. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b01336. Epub 2020 Apr 28.

Abstract

RET receptor tyrosine kinase is a driver oncogene in human cancer. We recently identified the clinical drug candidate Pz-1, which targets RET and VEGFR2. A key in vivo metabolite of Pz-1 is its less active demethylated pyrazole analogue. Using bioisosteric substitution methods, here, we report the identification of NPA101.3, lacking the structural liability for demethylation. NPA101.3 showed a selective inhibitory profile and an inhibitory concentration 50 (IC50) of <0.003 μM for both RET and VEGFR2. NPA101.3 inhibited phosphorylation of all tested RET oncoproteins as well as VEGFR2 and proliferation of cells transformed by RET. Oral administration of NPA101.3 (10 mg/kg/day) completely prevented formation of tumors induced by RET/C634Y-transformed cells, while it weakened, but did not abrogate, formation of tumors induced by a control oncogene (HRAS/G12V). The balanced synchronous inhibition of both RET and VEGFR2, as well the resistance to demethylation, renders NPA101.3 a potential clinical candidate for RET-driven cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Discovery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • NIH 3T3 Cells
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Polypharmacology
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Kdr protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
  • RET protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2