Boheng Wan, Li Liang, Kaihong Zhong, Yiran Ma, Hui Wang, Ziang Wang, Shilong Sun, Tao Lu, Yadong Chen, Yong Zhu
{"title":"Structure-Guided Optimization of 2-Aminoquinazoline Hematopoietic Progenitor Kinase 1 Inhibitors for Improved Oral Bioavailability and Synergistic Antitumor Immunity","authors":"Boheng Wan, Li Liang, Kaihong Zhong, Yiran Ma, Hui Wang, Ziang Wang, Shilong Sun, Tao Lu, Yadong Chen, Yong Zhu","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00762","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00762","url":null,"abstract":"Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1), a pivotal T-cell immunity suppressor, offers transformative potential to overcome immune checkpoint resistance, yet existing inhibitors fail to balance potency, selectivity, and pharmacokinetics. We developed a spatially resolved strategy within a unified chemical framework of our 2-aminoquinazoline core, integrating (1) high-affinity engagement of the HPK1 hinge-region subpocket (Leu23/Phe93/Gly95) through bidentate hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic packing with (2) strategic occupation of a solvent-exposed allosteric site to sterically block CYP3A4/2C9/2D6-mediated oxidative metabolism. Optimized compound <b>39</b> demonstrated subnanomolar binding affinity (IC<sub>50</sub> = 0.70 nM) with moderate selectivity, combined with high metabolic stability in human liver microsomes (CL<sub>int</sub> < 1 mL/min/kg) and favorable oral bioavailability (>100%) in mice. In CT26 models, compound <b>39</b> synergized with anti-PD-1 (60% tumor growth inhibition) by expanding IFN-γ<sup>+</sup>CD8<sup>+</sup> tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (7-fold) and enhancing splenic IFN-γ production (3-fold). This work validates 2-aminoquinazolines as a novel HPK1 chemotype addressing metabolic instability─a key hurdle in kinase drug discovery.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143910902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine-Based Type-I Photosensitizer as an Efficient Pyroptosis Inducer for Tumor Ablation","authors":"Shuo Zhang, Jingru Qiu, Hao Zhang, Baolan Chen, Xinke Zhang, Donghai Li, Guiling Li, Gang Shan","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c03075","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c03075","url":null,"abstract":"Pyroptosis is a proinflammatory and lytic programmed cell death form, which can promote cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) maturation and tumor infiltration through the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Therefore, the induction of pyroptosis by small molecules is a promising strategy to activate antitumor immunity. In this work, we report the design of a new class of pyrazolo[1,5-<i>a</i>]pyrimidine-based type-I photosensitizers (PSs) as efficient pyroptosis inducers for cancer photodynamic therapy (PDT). Among the compounds, <b>ZS-3</b> exhibited the most excellent reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability and phototoxicity in vitro. It was found that <b>ZS-3</b> induced cell pyroptosis through the caspase-3/gasdermin E (GSDME) pathway under light irradiation, characterized by bubble formation and damage-associated molecular pattern release. Furthermore, <b>ZS-3</b> lipid nanoparticles significantly inhibited tumor growth and evoked antitumor immune responses in vivo.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143910328","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Discovery of Novel Cyclic Peptides as SMAD2–SMAD4 Interaction Inhibitors for the Treatment of Hepatic Fibrosis","authors":"Wei Cheng, Yawen Zheng, Qinglin Tang, Liang Qi, Zihan Shi, Qihong Yu, Mingmin Li, Xianzhi Wei, Yifeng Zhou, Xianxing Jiang","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02938","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02938","url":null,"abstract":"Hepatic fibrosis, characterized by the excessive deposition of the extracellular matrix, represents a common consequence of various chronic liver disorders. However, no specific drugs are available for antifibrotic therapy to date. SMAD2 is phosphorylated by transforming growth factor-β and subsequently binds to SMAD4 to generate a heteromeric complex, which then translocates into the nucleus and aggravates liver fibrosis. Herein, based on molecular docking simulation and structure–activity relationship study, we report the discovery of a novel cyclic peptide CMF9 that targets SMAD2 and potently interferes with the SMAD2–SMAD4 interaction. The subsequent <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> pharmacological studies demonstrated that CMF9 dramatically suppressed hepatic stellate cells activation and collagen synthesis, alleviating CCl<sub>4</sub>-induced hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Overall, we first demonstrated that the novel cyclic peptide CMF9 could efficiently block the SMAD2–SMAD4 interaction via selectively inhibiting SMAD2 phosphorylation, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for targeting SMAD2 and an alternative candidate for the treatment of liver fibrosis.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"10 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143910327","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Davide Pozzi, Romain Siegrist, Jens-Uwe Peters, Christopher Kohl, Andreas Mühlemann, Simon Schlienger, Caterina Torrisi, Eleanor Lindenberg, Melanie Kessler, Catherine Roch
{"title":"Discovery of a New Class of Orexin 2 Receptor Agonists as a Potential Treatment for Narcolepsy","authors":"Davide Pozzi, Romain Siegrist, Jens-Uwe Peters, Christopher Kohl, Andreas Mühlemann, Simon Schlienger, Caterina Torrisi, Eleanor Lindenberg, Melanie Kessler, Catherine Roch","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00362","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00362","url":null,"abstract":"The orexinergic system, projecting from the lateral hypothalamus, operates through two receptors, orexin receptor type-1 (OX<sub>1</sub>) and orexin receptor type-2 (OX<sub>2</sub>), stabilizing wakefulness, mainly via OX<sub>2</sub>. Narcolepsy Type 1 (NT1) is characterized by excessive sleepiness and cataplexy, and is linked to a loss of orexin-producing neurons. Current therapies manage the symptoms but do not address the underlying cause of the disease. For example, psychostimulants (e.g., modafinil) reduce excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and sodium oxybate (gammaaminobutyric acid receptor agonist) reduces both EDS and cataplexy. Despite decades of research, no small-molecule OX<sub>2</sub> agonist has reached the market. This study presents the discovery of two new brain-penetrant, orally bioavailable OX<sub>2</sub> agonists with a phenylglycine-like scaffold. These compounds stabilized wakefulness and reduced cataplexy in a mouse model of NT1. In healthy dogs, they increased time in wakefulness. These results highlight their potential as treatment for narcolepsy and other types of hypersomnolence.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143910329","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Eduardo González García, Pablo Varas, Pedro González-Naranjo, Eugenia Ulzurrun, Guillermo Marcos-Ayuso, Concepción Pérez, Juan A. Páez, David Rios Insua, Simón Rodríguez Santana, Nuria E. Campillo
{"title":"AI-Driven De Novo Design and Development of Nontoxic DYRK1A Inhibitors","authors":"Eduardo González García, Pablo Varas, Pedro González-Naranjo, Eugenia Ulzurrun, Guillermo Marcos-Ayuso, Concepción Pérez, Juan A. Páez, David Rios Insua, Simón Rodríguez Santana, Nuria E. Campillo","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00512","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00512","url":null,"abstract":"Dual-specificity tyrosine-phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) is implicated in several human diseases, including DYRK1A syndrome, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, making it a relevant therapeutic target. In this study, we combine artificial intelligence with traditional drug discovery methods to design nontoxic DYRK1A inhibitors. An ensemble QSAR model was used to predict binding affinities, while a directed message passing neural network evaluated toxicity. Novel compounds were generated using a hierarchical graph-based generative model and subsequently refined through molecular docking, chemical synthesis, and experimental validation. This pipeline led to the identification of pyrazolyl-1<i>H</i>-pyrrolo[2,3-<i>b</i>]pyridine <b>1</b> as a potent inhibitor, from which a new derivative series was developed. Enzymatic assays confirmed nanomolar DYRK1A inhibition, and additional assays demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, the resulting compounds exhibit strong DYRK1A inhibition and favorable pharmacological profiles.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"109 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143903004","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel Activators of Human Caseinolytic Protease P with a Pyrazololactam Scaffold","authors":"Rui Tang, Qiannan Li, Heyang Zhou, Yu Li, Tong Li, Jinxin Jiang, Ziyuan Chen, Lingmei Kong, Yan Li, Yibei Xiao, Haiying Sun","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c03000","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c03000","url":null,"abstract":"Based on <b>D9</b>, a previously reported small-molecule agonist of hClpP, a class of novel hClpP activators with a pyrazololactam scaffold was designed and synthesized. Detailed structure–activity relationship studies (SAR) for this class of compounds led to the identification of compound <b>24</b>, which potently activated recombinant hClpP in a proteolysis assay with submicromolar potency and effectively inhibited cell growth in a broad panel of cancer cell lines with IC<sub>50</sub> values of 0.1–1 μM. Mechanism studies indicated that compound <b>24</b> can potently bind to cellular hClpP, effectively promote the formation of the hClpP tetradecamer, efficiently induce the degradation of hClpP substrates, robustly upregulate the expression of ATF4, and strongly induce apoptosis in Molm13 and MDA-MB-231 cells. More importantly, compound <b>24</b> has promising PK and safety profiles, and showed potent antitumor activity in a murine MDA-MB-231 xenograft model.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"92 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143903003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of a Novel Positron Emission Tomography Tracer Targeting Fibroblast Activation Protein: From Bench to Bedside","authors":"Ganghua Tang, Rongqin Zhang, Xiaojun Zhang, KeYin Chen, Fengping Gong, Yanchao Huang, Zhanwen Zhang, Jiawen Huang","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02961","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02961","url":null,"abstract":"FAPI-PET/CT has become a promising tool for cancer diagnosis. However, the pharmacokinetic properties of FAPI tracers need optimization. Here, we developed a novel FAPI tracer, [<sup>18</sup>F]AlF-NOTA-SP<sub>2</sub>A-FAPT, for cancer imaging. NOTA-SP<sub>2</sub>A-FAPT was successfully synthesized and radiolabeled with a high radiochemical purity. [<sup>18</sup>F]AlF-NOTA-SP<sub>2</sub>A-FAPT displayed satisfying stability, hydrophilicity, and affinity to FAP, as well as specific uptake in A549-FAP cells. Micro-PET/CT showed that [<sup>18</sup>F]AlF-NOTA-SP<sub>2</sub>A-FAPT is rapidly excreted through the renal system. [<sup>18</sup>F]AlF-NOTA-SP<sub>2</sub>A-FAPT exhibited high tumor uptake and excellent retention, showing better tumor delineation compared to [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG and [<sup>18</sup>F]AlF-NOTA-FAPI-42. Pilot clinical studies of [<sup>18</sup>F]AlF-NOTA-SP<sub>2</sub>A-FAPT and head-to-head comparison with [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG were performed on 13 cancer patients. Compared to [<sup>18</sup>F]FDG, [<sup>18</sup>F]AlF-NOTA-SP<sub>2</sub>A-FAPT had higher uptake in primary tumor and lymph node metastases as well as favorable distribution and good tumor retention. In conclusion, [<sup>18</sup>F]AlF-NOTA-SP<sub>2</sub>A-FAPT demonstrated high tumor accumulation, as well as improved pharmacokinetic properties. [<sup>18</sup>F]AlF-NOTA-SP<sub>2</sub>A-FAPT could emerge as a promising alternative to the currently established FAPI tracers.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143901258","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
JunHyuk Kim, Arun Dattatray Kulthe, Su Jeong Park, Vinit Raj, Woo Ram Lee, Satish Balasaheb Nimse
{"title":"Transforming Small-Molecule Nanoaggregation into Functional Drug Delivery Platforms","authors":"JunHyuk Kim, Arun Dattatray Kulthe, Su Jeong Park, Vinit Raj, Woo Ram Lee, Satish Balasaheb Nimse","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00562","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00562","url":null,"abstract":"The development of stimuli-responsive nanoaggregates offers a transformative approach to cancer therapy, addressing the challenges of selectivity and efficacy. The spontaneous formation of nanoscale aggregates of small organic molecules through self-assembly is a major hurdle in early-stage drug discovery. However, this disadvantage can be transformed with a meticulous design into a functional drug delivery platform. Here, we report <b>Nano-CC1-Acl</b>, a nanoaggregate engineered for targeted anticancer activity. <b>CC1</b> and <b>CC1-Acl</b>, benzimidazole derivatives, undergo self-assembly in aqueous environments to generate <b>Nano-CC1</b> (235.2 ± 28.2 nm; IC<sub>50</sub> > 100 μM) and <b>Nano-CC1-Acl</b> (110.6 ± 23.1 nm; IC<sub>50</sub> = 2.88–3.40 μM) nanoaggregates. The IC<sub>50</sub> value of <b>Nano-CC1-Acl</b> further decreases to 0.20 ± 0.16 μM in the presence of cysteine, a biothiol. Triggered by intracellular biothiols, <b>Nano-CC1-Acl</b> disassembles to release <b>CC1</b>, a potent microtubule-targeting agent that disrupts microtubule polymerization. Results presented here indicate that small molecule nanoaggregation can be utilized to develop functional drug delivery platforms.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"5 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"PSMA-Guided PROTAC Degraders for Tumor-Specific Protein Degradation in Prostate Cancer","authors":"Xiaolei Meng, Xiaolin Hu, Shan Gao, Wenrui Jia, Sai Zhang, Siqi Zhang, Xiao Wang, Shumin Ma, Chong Qin","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00226","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5c00226","url":null,"abstract":"PROTACs that degrade target proteins to treat diseases represent a highly promising strategy in drug design. However, the degradation of target proteins in nondisease tissues may lead to systemic toxicity. Herein, capitalizing on the characteristic overexpression of PSMA in prostate cancer, we devised PSMA-guided PROTACs-specific targeting to prostate cancer. By conjugation of AR degraders and BET degraders separately with PSMA ligands via cleavable linkers, two classes of PSMA-guided PROTACs were obtained. <i>In vitro</i> experiments demonstrated that PSMA-guided PROTACs selectively degraded target proteins in PSMA-overexpressing prostate cancer cells without affecting target proteins in other cells. <i>In vivo</i> studies revealed that compared to conventional PROTACs, PSMA-guided PROTACs enhanced drug exposure in prostate cancer tissues and prolonged half-life and consequently achieved stronger and more sustained therapeutic effects. This work provides a novel avenue for disease tissue-specific PROTAC research, holding significant implications for targeted therapy in prostate cancer.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"73 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Structural Optimization of Pyrazole Compounds as Hsp90 Regulators with Enhanced Antitumor Activity","authors":"Zi-Wen Feng, Li Li, Shi-Duo Zhang, Ying-Ji Wang, Jia-Yue Pei, Nan-Nan Chen, Bei-Duo Wu, Qiu-Ling Zheng, Qi-Dong You, Xiao-Ke Guo, Xiao-Li Xu","doi":"10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02182","url":null,"abstract":"Targeting Hsp90 is an effective strategy for cancer therapy. TAS-116 has been approved for the treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors. Our previous studies identified a series of pyrazole derivatives as covalent Hsp90 inhibitors that allosterically disrupt the Hsp90-Cdc37 interaction. Here, through systematic structure–activity relationship (SAR) optimization, compound <b>39</b> (<b>DDO-6691</b>) with a new covalent warhead was developed, which demonstrates improved ADME properties and significantly enhanced antitumor activity. Notably, parental HCT-116 cells exhibited markedly greater sensitivity to compound <b>39</b> (IC<sub>50</sub> > 50 μM) compared to their Cdc37-knockout counterparts. Importantly, compound <b>39</b> displayed potent tumor growth inhibition in HCT-116 xenograft mouse models. These collective findings underscore the therapeutic promise of covalent Hsp90-targeted disruption of the Hsp90-Cdc37 complex, offering a novel mechanistic approach to cancer treatment.","PeriodicalId":46,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Medicinal Chemistry","volume":"56 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":7.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143898181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}