Discovery of a Series of 2'-α-Fluoro,2'-β-bromo-ribonucleosides and Their Phosphoramidate Prodrugs as Potent Pan-Genotypic Inhibitors of Hepatitis C Virus

J Med Chem. 2019 Feb 28;62(4):1859-1874. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01300. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) nucleoside inhibitors display pan-genotypic activity, a high barrier to the selection of resistant virus, and are some of the most potent direct-acting agents with durable sustained virologic response in humans. Herein, we report, the discovery of β-d-2'-Br,2'-F-uridine phosphoramidate diastereomers 27 and 28, as nontoxic pan-genotypic anti-HCV agents. Extensive profiling of these two phosphorous diastereomers was performed to select one for in-depth preclinical profiling. The 5'-triphosphate formed from these phosphoramidates selectively inhibited HCV NS5B polymerase with no inhibition of human polymerases and cellular mitochondrial RNA polymerase up to 100 μM. Both are nontoxic by a variety of measures and display good stability in human blood and favorable metabolism in human intestinal microsomes and liver microsomes. Ultimately, a preliminary oral pharmacokinetics study in male beagles showed that 28 is superior to 27 and is an attractive candidate for further studies to establish its potential value as a new clinical anti-HCV agent.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Deoxyribonucleosides / chemical synthesis
  • Deoxyribonucleosides / pharmacokinetics
  • Deoxyribonucleosides / pharmacology*
  • Deoxyuracil Nucleotides / chemical synthesis
  • Deoxyuracil Nucleotides / pharmacokinetics
  • Deoxyuracil Nucleotides / pharmacology*
  • Dogs
  • Drug Discovery
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Hepacivirus / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Prodrugs / chemical synthesis
  • Prodrugs / pharmacokinetics
  • Prodrugs / pharmacology*
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Deoxyribonucleosides
  • Deoxyuracil Nucleotides
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Prodrugs
  • Viral Nonstructural Proteins
  • NS-5 protein, hepatitis C virus