Wanwan Zhang , Jinfeng Wen , Yuanyuan Wu , Yong Xuan , Qiangqiang Han , Xi Chen , Jingtian Yu , Haijun Yu , Baishan Jiang
{"title":"Discovery of WWZ-11-098: a rigid and selective CDK6 degrader","authors":"Wanwan Zhang , Jinfeng Wen , Yuanyuan Wu , Yong Xuan , Qiangqiang Han , Xi Chen , Jingtian Yu , Haijun Yu , Baishan Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118569","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118569","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dysregulation of the cell cycle, a hallmark of cancer, frequently involves aberrant activation of cyclin D-CDK4/6 complexes. Although dual-CDK4/6 inhibitors are effective in advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer, CDK6 is preferentially expressed and functionally upregulated in hematologic malignancies, making it a promising therapeutic target. The high structural homology between CDK4 and CDK6, however, has made developing selective CDK6 inhibitors exceptionally difficult. Herein, we report the design and synthesis of a novel series of CDK6 degraders based on a CDK2/4/6 inhibitor. This investigation led to the discovery of a CDK6 degrader <strong>WWZ-11</strong>–<strong>098</strong>. <strong>WWZ-11</strong>–<strong>098</strong> induced pronounced CDK6 degradation (DC<sub>50</sub> = 2.6 nM and D<sub>max</sub> >99 %) in a Cereblon (CRBN)-dependent manner, while sparing CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, and CDK9. Moreover, <strong>WWZ-11</strong>–<strong>098</strong> exhibited potent antiproliferation activity (MOLT-4: IC<sub>50</sub> = 70 nM) by inducing G1-S cell cycle arrest. In addition, <strong>WWZ-11</strong>–<strong>098</strong> displayed favorable pharmacokinetic properties (C<sub>max</sub> = 11833 ng/mL, T<sub>1/2</sub> = 2.64 h after a 5 mpk IV dose) and exhibited robust antitumor efficacy (TGI: 77.1 % @10 mpk) in a MOLT-4 xenograft model without signs of toxicity. The compound provides not only a valuable chemical probe but also a lead structure for further development of CDK6 degraders.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 118569"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145956874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Christopher Zi Qian Choo, Joey Yun Xuan Ching, Myra Mazhar Ud Deen, Zhi Yuan Kok
{"title":"Small-molecule fluorescent probes for the aminergic GPCRs – What new tool compounds do we have post-2014 and what can they do?","authors":"Christopher Zi Qian Choo, Joey Yun Xuan Ching, Myra Mazhar Ud Deen, Zhi Yuan Kok","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118579","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118579","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Aminergic G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are heavily involved in the physiological functions of the human body and represent prominent drug targets for numerous diseases. Despite extensive work over the years, knowledge gaps persist as not all aminergic GPCRs are currently drugged. This gap could be addressed by using small-molecule fluorescent probes across a range of assay formats and experiments to obtain deeper insights into the molecular pharmacology of these receptors. This review highlights key developments from 2014 to 2024 in the design and application of fluorescent probes targeting aminergic GPCRs, featuring a total of 36 fluorescent probes spanning all prominent aminergic GPCR subfamilies: adrenergic, dopaminergic, histaminergic, muscarinic, and serotonergic receptors. This review provides a detailed overview of the approaches to probe design, their pharmacological profiles and their reported utilities in ligand binding assays and imaging studies. In recent years, these applications have expanded to include <em>ex vivo</em> and <em>in vivo</em> studies in both mice and human tissue models. With the integration of cutting-edge image processing and artificial intelligence-driven image recognition technologies, fluorescent probes will remain indispensable tools for investigating the molecular pharmacology of aminergic GPCRs, playing a crucial role in driving forward drug discovery in this field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 118579"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145995779","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Binghan Xue , Yao Xiao , Weipeng Hu , Fangli Zhou , Bowen Zhang , Yiwen Zhang
{"title":"Small-molecule drug discovery targeting the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPR84 as potential therapeutics","authors":"Binghan Xue , Yao Xiao , Weipeng Hu , Fangli Zhou , Bowen Zhang , Yiwen Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118561","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118561","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>GPR84 (EX33), a member of the rhodopsin family of G protein-coupled receptors, has been implicated in inflammatory and fibrotic diseases through its roles in immune cell function, making it a promising therapeutic target. Consequently, targeting GPR84 represents a potential strategy for treating a range of related diseases. Despite the advancement of several GPR84-targeting small molecules like DIM into clinical trials, none have gained market approval. Therefore, exploring novel chemical scaffolds is essential for drug discovery targeting GPR84. However, the structure and mechanism of GPR84 remain poorly understood, impeding the development of small-molecule therapeutics targeting GPR84. This perspective delves into the structure, function, and mechanisms of GPR84, examines its disease associations and therapeutic prospects, and surveys the current clinical landscape. It highlights the analysis of structure-activity relationships and the hallmarks of known GPR84 scaffolds, providing a proposed set of molecular design principles, for developing next-generation agonists and antagonists with superior efficacy and selectivity.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 118561"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145897661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gang Li , Xudong Qian , Yan Geng , Jun Wang , Jiaxin Chen , Yanghui Ou , Cheng Chen , Yuchuan Zhong , Wei Pan , Nan Hao , Jiaxin Huang , Guoqin Wu , Qi Zhou , Yali Zhang , Liyan Song , Shuirong Chen , Lianbao Ye , Wen-Hua Chen , Hongliang Yao
{"title":"Design, synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of dual PDE3/4 inhibitors for therapy of liver injuries","authors":"Gang Li , Xudong Qian , Yan Geng , Jun Wang , Jiaxin Chen , Yanghui Ou , Cheng Chen , Yuchuan Zhong , Wei Pan , Nan Hao , Jiaxin Huang , Guoqin Wu , Qi Zhou , Yali Zhang , Liyan Song , Shuirong Chen , Lianbao Ye , Wen-Hua Chen , Hongliang Yao","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118557","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118557","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Liver injury represents a serious and potentially life-threatening medical condition. Currently, there are no sufficiently targeted or highly effective therapeutic interventions available. Herein, a new series of dual PDE3/4 inhibitors was designed and synthesized for the treatment of liver injury. Among them, compound <strong>D5</strong> exhibited IC<sub>50</sub> values of 10 and 9.4 nM against PDE3A and PDE4B, respectively, and inhibited the pro-inflammatory factor IL-6 (IC<sub>50</sub> = 14.89 μM). In both cholestatic and sepsis–induced liver disease mice models, <strong>D5</strong> significantly reduced the expression levels of inflammatory markers in liver tissue and attenuated fibrosis, thereby limiting liver damage. Furthermore, <strong>D5</strong> was found to act by modulating the cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway. These findings suggest that the dual PDE3/4 inhibitor <strong>D5</strong> is a promising therapeutic candidate for liver injury.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 118557"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145956882","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Liuzhi Hu , Shuang Wu , Wentao Wang , Hongbo He , Jinxin Che , Mingfei Wu , Xiaowu Dong
{"title":"Advances in novel modification strategies for enhancing the tumor tissue specificity of PROTACs","authors":"Liuzhi Hu , Shuang Wu , Wentao Wang , Hongbo He , Jinxin Che , Mingfei Wu , Xiaowu Dong","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118499","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118499","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs), a pioneering Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) technology, have emerged as a powerful therapeutic modality for cancer by mediating the degradation of proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Despite their promise, the clinical translation of PROTACs is frequently hampered by significant challenges, including suboptimal pharmacokinetic properties, poor stability, and most critically, a lack of tumor specificity, which can lead to on-target, off-tumor toxicities and a narrow therapeutic window. To address these limitations, a variety of innovative strategies have been developed to enhance the tumor-specific accumulation of PROTACs. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent advances in this field. We systematically discuss three major approaches: intrinsic structural modifications of the PROTAC scaffold to confer tissue selectivity; the design of activatable prodrugs that respond to the unique tumor microenvironment; and the development of intelligent nano-delivery systems for targeted release. Collectively, these next-generation modification strategies aim to maximize the therapeutic index of PROTACs by improving their efficacy and safety profiles. This review highlights the technological pathways poised to accelerate the clinical development of tissue-specific protein degraders for oncology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 118499"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145785939","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Multi-target incretin-based therapeutics: The rise of dual and triple agonists for metabolic disorders","authors":"Seyed Ebrahim Alavi , Reza Boshrouyeh , Aun Raza , Hasan Ebrahimi Shahmabadi","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118587","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118587","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Dual and triple incretin-based therapies are transforming treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. By targeting glucagon-like peptide-1, glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, and glucagon receptors, these agents enhance glycemic control, reduce body weight, and improve liver outcomes. Drugs like tirzepatide and retatrutide have shown unprecedented efficacy and tolerability. This review summarizes their mechanisms, clinical progress, and limitations, highlighting how dual and triple incretin agonists may extend or refine the therapeutic benefits established by current GLP-1–based therapies. While challenges remain in safety, accessibility, and long-term use, multi-target agonists represent a promising future in metabolic disease management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 118587"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trivalent triterpenoids block SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus infection by directly targeting homotrimeric envelope proteins","authors":"Liwen Hua , Mengyang Wang , Qianqian Gao , Honggao Duan , Yiming Wang , Rui Feng , Yiping Zhong , Xingxing Zhu , Yu Mu , Yongmin Zhang , Demin Zhou , Sulong Xiao","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses are major causes of contagious respiratory disease, posing a significant challenge to global public health. In previous work, we identified a class of triterpenoids with broad-spectrum antiviral activity by manipulating virus-host fusion. Here we further report the design and synthesis of 24 trivalent triterpenoid derivatives by targeting the homotrimeric spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza virus. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus screening in HEK293T-ACE2 cells identified two derivatives <strong>18d</strong> and <strong>20c</strong> as potent entry inhibitors with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 0.82 μM and 0.36 μM, respectively, and negligible cytotoxicity. Flow cytometry and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays confirmed that these compounds block viral entry by directly binding to the spike protein. Notably, compound <strong>20c</strong> also exhibited potent anti-influenza A virus activity in MDCK cells with EC<sub>50</sub> value of 0.61 μM. Time-of-addition and SPR assays revealed that <strong>20c</strong> acts at the early stage of infection, significantly suppressing HA expression. Molecular docking simulations further elucidated that the binding mode of triterpenoid moiety within the binding pocket of HA and identified key residues involved in the interaction. Collectively, our findings suggest that trivalent triterpenoid derivatives represent a promising class of broad-spectrum antiviral entry agents that inhibit the entry of both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza virus by targeting the homotrimeric envelope proteins.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 118566"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145955798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cheng-Han Lin , Hua-Hsin Chiang , Xin-Rui Yang , Tzu-Ching Lin , Chin-Hung Tsai , Chih-Sheng Lin
{"title":"Novel dual-functional peptides designed via NanoBiT spike pseudovirus system for real-time monitoring and inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 infection","authors":"Cheng-Han Lin , Hua-Hsin Chiang , Xin-Rui Yang , Tzu-Ching Lin , Chin-Hung Tsai , Chih-Sheng Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118568","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2026.118568","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) initiates viral infection by binding its surface spike protein to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. Precise delineation of spike–hACE2 engagement is essential for viral entry and a prime target for therapeutic intervention. However, the current antiviral strategies provided only endpoint readouts and delayed the prioritization against emerging variants. Here, this study introduced novel antiviral compounds designed via a NanoLuc Binary Technology-based pseudovirus [NanoBiT; a structural complementation reporter composed of a Large BiT (LgBiT) and a Small BiT (SmBiT)]. Upon Omicron BA.2-SmBiT spike pseudoviruses infecting LgBiT–hACE2 cells, reconstituted NanoLuc generated quantifiable bioluminescence for real-time spike–hACE2 interaction during viral infection. Within this framework, dual-functional theranostic Anti-spike peptide (S7; ACTPHVSPTHCS) and the Anti-hACE2 peptide (A6; WSTDPGAHLRDY) were identified that not only inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry by targeting spike and hACE2 proteins, but also serve as diagnostic probes for real-time monitoring. Under optimized conditions, significant inhibition of virus infection was validated in both Anti-spike peptide-treated pseudovirus and Anti-hACE2 peptide-treated hACE2 cells, with a synergistic score of 17.092. Cross-variant efficacy extended to the Omicron JN.1 lineage using a newly constructed JN.1-SmBiT pseudovirus, with molecular docking supporting binding at conserved residues. LgBiT–hACE2 transgenic mice and noninvasive bioluminescence imaging verified <em>in vivo</em> suppression and demonstrated enhanced inhibition with combined treatment. This programmable peptide–NanoBiT framework provided multifunctional compounds that integrate therapeutic efficacy with diagnostic capability. Importantly, the modular design highlights its adaptability to other virus–receptor interactions to underscore its potential in pandemic preparedness.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 118568"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145920574","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design, semisynthesis, and anti-inflammatory activity evaluation of a terphenyllin compound library for alleviating ulcerative colitis","authors":"Cui-Fang Wang , Tian-Yi Zhou , Liu-Xia Lv , Xi-Zhen Cao , Jun-Na Yin , Wen-Hui Wang , Qian-Qian Jing , Yu-Cheng Gu , Mei-Yan Wei , Guang-Ying Chen , Chang-Lun Shao","doi":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118539","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ejmech.2025.118539","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic enteritis, seriously affecting patients’ quality of life and significantly increasing the risk of cancer. We screened a marine natural product-derived library and identified a derivative (<strong>a4</strong>) of natural terphenyllin (<strong>1</strong>) as the bioactive scaffold for anti-inflammatory activity. To improve its activity, a total of 101 derivatives (<strong>a1</strong>–<strong>a29</strong>, <strong>b1</strong>–<strong>b40,</strong> and <strong>c1</strong>–<strong>c32</strong>) of <strong>a4</strong> were rationally designed and semisynthesized. Among them, <strong>c13</strong> (CHNQD-03005) emerged as the optimal lead, displaying the most potent inhibitory efficacy on the production of TNF-<em>α</em>, IL-6, and IL-1<em>β</em> with IC<sub>50</sub> values ranging from 0.095 μM to 0.45 μM. Notably, <strong>c13</strong> (1 mg/kg, p.o.) demonstrated notable therapeutic efficacy in a mouse model of DSS-induced ulcerative colitis, together with a favorable safety profile (MTD >100 mg/kg, p.o.). Mechanistically, <strong>c13</strong> alleviated colitis by suppressing the expression of inflammatory signaling iNOS/COX-2, and downregulating the levels of NO, TNF-<em>α</em>, IL-6, and IL-1<em>β</em>. In conclusion, this study provided a promising oral natural terphenyllin derivative <strong>c13</strong>, which inhibited multiple inflammatory pathways to impede colitis progression, as a therapeutic candidate in the treatment of UC for further development.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":314,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"305 ","pages":"Article 118539"},"PeriodicalIF":5.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145895301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}