4-(4-cycloalkyl/aryl-oxazol-5-yl)benzenesulfonamides as selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors: enhancement of the selectivity by introduction of a fluorine atom and identification of a potent, highly selective, and orally active COX-2 inhibitor JTE-522(1)

J Med Chem. 2002 Mar 28;45(7):1511-7. doi: 10.1021/jm010484p.

Abstract

A series of 4-(4-cycloalkyl/aryl-oxazol-5-yl)benzenesulfonamide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for their abilities to inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) enzymes. In this series, substituent effects at the ortho position to the sulfonamide group on the phenyl ring were examined. Most substituents reduced or lost both COX-2 and COX-1 activities. In contrast, introduction of a fluorine atom preserved COX-2 potency and notably increased COX1/COX-2 selectivity. This work led to the identification of a potent, highly selective, and orally active COX-2 inhibitor JTE-522 [9d, 4-(4-cyclohexyl-2-methyloxazol-5-yl)-2-fluorobenzenesulfonamide], which is currently in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and acute pain.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy
  • Benzenesulfonates / chemistry*
  • Benzenesulfonates / pharmacology*
  • Cyclooxygenase 1
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Fluorine / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Inhibitory Concentration 50
  • Isoenzymes / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Isoenzymes / chemistry*
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Models, Chemical
  • Oxazoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Oxazoles / chemistry*
  • Oxazoles / pharmacology*
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / chemistry*
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases / metabolism
  • Sulfonamides / chemical synthesis*
  • Sulfonamides / chemistry*
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*
  • Temperature

Substances

  • 4-(4-cyclohexyl-2-methyloxazol-5-yl)-2-fluorobenzenesulfonamide
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Benzenesulfonates
  • Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors
  • Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors
  • Isoenzymes
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Oxazoles
  • Sulfonamides
  • Fluorine
  • Cyclooxygenase 1
  • Cyclooxygenase 2
  • PTGS1 protein, human
  • PTGS2 protein, human
  • Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases