Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4'-(6,7-disubstituted-2,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-biphenyl-4-ol as potent Chk1 inhibitors

A new series of potent tricyclic pyrazole-based Chk1 inhibitors are described. Analogues disubstituted on the 6- and 7-positions show improved Chk1 inhibition potency compared with analogues with a single substituent on either the 6- or 7-position. Based on the lead compound 4'-(6,7-dimethoxy-2,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-3-yl)-biphenyl-4-ol (2), detailed SAR studies on the 6- and 7-positions were performed. 3'-morpholin-4'-yl-propoxy, pyridin-4'-ylmethoxy, pyridin-3'-ylmethoxy, 2'-(5'-ethyl-pyridin-2'-yl)-ethoxy, pyridin-2'-ylethoxy, (6'-methyl-pyridin-2'-yl)-propoxyethoxy, 2',3'-dihydroxyl-1'-yl-propoxy, and tetrahydro-furan-3'-yloxy have been identified as the best groups on the 6-position when the 7-position is substituted with methoxyl group. Pyridin-2'-ylmethoxy and pyridin-3'-ylmethoxy have been identified as the best substituents at the 7-position while the 6-position bearing methoxyl group. These compounds significantly potentiate the cytotoxicity of DNA-damaging antitumor agents in a cell-based assay and efficiently abrogate the doxorubicin-induced G2/M and the camptothecin-induced S checkpoints, suggesting that their potent biological activities are mechanism-based through Chk1 inhibition.     

Synthesis and bioactivity studies on new 4-(3-(4-Substitutedphenyl)-3a,4-dihydro-3H-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl) benzenesulfonamides

A series of new 4-(3-(4-substitutedphenyl)-3a,4-dihydro-3H-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl) benzenesulfonamides (7–12) was synthesized starting from 2-(4-substitutedbenzylidene)-2,3-dihydro-1H-inden-1-one (1–6) and 4-hydrazinobenzenesulfonamide. The substituted benzaldehydes from which the key intermediate was prepared by introducing 2- or 4-substituents such as fluorine, hydroxy, methoxy, or the 3,4,5-trimethoxy moieties. The compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity, tumor-specificity and potential as carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) inhibitors. The 3,4,5-trimethoxy and the 4-hydroxy derivatives showed interesting cytotoxic activities, which may be crucial for further anti-tumor activity studies, whereas some of these sulfonamides strongly inhibited both human (h) cytosolic isoforms hCA I and II.     

Discovery of 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles as a novel class of potent and selective checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitors

A new class of checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK-1) inhibitors bearing a 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazole core was developed after initial hits from high throughput screening. The efficient hit-to-lead process was facilitated by X-ray crystallography and led to potent inhibitors (<10nM) against CHK-1. X-ray co-crystal structures of bound inhibitors demonstrated that two sub-series of this class of compounds, exemplified by 21 and 41, exhibit distinctive hydrogen bonding patterns in the specificity pocket of the active site. Two compounds, 41 and 43, were capable of potentiating doxorubicin and camptothecin, both DNA-damaging agents, in cell proliferation assays (MTS and soft agar assays) and abrogating G2/M checkpoint in a mechanism-based FACS assay.     

Cyanopyridyl containing 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles as potent checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitors: improving oral biovailability

A series of 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazole compounds with a cyanopyridine moiety at the 3-position of the tricyclic pyrazole core was explored as potent CHK-1 inhibitors. The impact of substitutions at the 6 and/or 7-position of the core on pharmacokinetic properties was studied in detail. Compounds carrying a side chain with an ether linker at the 7-position and a terminal morpholino group, such as 29 and 30, exhibited much-improved oral biovailability in mice as compared to earlier generation inhibitors. These compounds also possessed desirable cellular activity in potentiating doxorubicin and will serve as valuable tool compounds for in vivo evaluation of CHK-1 inhibitors to sensitize DNA-damaging agents.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 6, 7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-substituted phenylmethanone/ethanone derivatives

A series of 6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-substituted phenylmethanone/ethanone derivatives were synthesized and in vitro activity against mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and INHR-MTB were carried out. Among the synthesized compounds, compound (4h) 6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-pyridyl methanone was found to be the most active agent against MTB and INHR-MTB with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.22 μM.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel 6, 7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-substituted phenylmethanone/ethanone derivatives

A series of 6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-substituted phenylmethanone/ethanone derivatives were synthesized and in vitro activity against mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and INHR-MTB were carried out. Among the synthesized compounds, compound (4h) 6,7-dimethoxy-3-(4-pyridyl)-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-2-yl-4-pyridyl methanone was found to be the most active agent against MTB and INHR-MTB with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.22 μM.     

Hit-to-lead optimization of 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles as a novel class of KDR kinase inhibitors

A series of 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles was prepared and evaluated for their enzymatic inhibition of KDR kinase. Computer modeling studies revealed the importance of attaching a basic side chain in predicting the binding mode of those compounds. Further investigation of structure-activity relationships led to 19, a lead compound with an acceptable selectivity profile, activity in whole cells, and good oral efficacy in an estradiol-induced murine uterine edema model of VEGF activity.     

Novel and potent transforming growth factor beta type I receptor kinase domain inhibitor: 7-amino 4-(2-pyridin-2-yl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazol-3-yl)-quinolines

A novel series of 7-amino 4-(2-pyridin-2-yl-5,6-dihydro-4H-pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyrazol-3-yl)-quinolines was synthesized and their TbetaR-1 inhibitory, p38 MAPK inhibitory, and TbetaR-1-dependent cellular activity were evaluated. Compound 5a was found to be a highly potent in the enzyme assay and TbetaR-1-dependent cellular assays. In addition, dimer (4g), with a urea linker, shows a similar enzyme and cellular activity despite a bulky substitution.     

Novel potent and selective Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channel inhibitors. Part 3: synthesis and CRAC channel inhibitory activity of 4'-[(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]carboxanilides

From a series of 4'-[(trifluoromethyl)pyrazol-1-yl]carboxanilides derived from 4-methyl-4'-[3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]-1,2,3-thiadiazole-5-carboxanilide, one inhibited thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ influx in Jurkat T cells (IC(50)=77 nM) and exhibited high selectivity for the CRAC channel over the VOC channel (index: >130). Another acted as an inhibitor for both T lymphocyte activation-induced diseases and ovalbumin-induced airway eosinophilia in rats (ED(50)=1.3 mg/kg) p.o.     

Novel vasopressin V2 receptor-selective antagonists, pyrrolo[2,1-a]quinoxaline and pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine derivatives.

The intent of the work was to study the structure-activity relationships of AVP receptor antagonists bearing a chiral ring as a partial structure since such studies had been reported for only achiral compounds. In the present paper, we deal with compounds consisting of the chiral tricyclic hetero ring (1,2,3,3a,4,5-hexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline and 1,2,3,10,11,11a-hexahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benzodiazepine) and 2-phenylbenzanilide analogues. These compounds exhibited a highly selective affinity for V2 receptor, and their stereochemical configuration had a great influence on V2 receptor binding. VP-343 (N-[4-[[(2S,3aR)-2-hydroxy-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a] quinoxalin-5(1H)-yl]carbonyl]phenyl]-4'-methyl[1,1'-biphenyl]-2-ca rboxamide), VP-365 (N-[4-[[(11aS)-2,3,11,11a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]benz odiazepin-10(5H)-yl]carbonyl]phenyl][1,1'-biphenyl-2-carboxamide) and VP-339 (N-[4-[[(11aS)-5-oxo-2,3,11,11a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrrolo[2,1-c][1,4]+ ++benzodiazepin-10(5H)-yl]carbonyl]phenyl][1,1'-biphenyl]-2-carboxami de) were the most potent compounds in vitro and in vivo. The IC50 values of VP-343, VP-365 and VP-339 against V2 receptor were 0.772, 1.18 and 0.216 nM, respectively. The ED300 values (dose required to increase three times the urine volume of the control rats; oral administration) of VP-343, VP-365 and VP-339 were 0.22, 0.31 and 0.78 mg/kg, respectively.     

Synthesis of 3'-deoxy-3'-[4-(pyrimidin-1-yl)methyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]thymidine via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition

The synthesis of new 3'-deoxy-3'-[4-(pyrimidin-1-yl)methyl-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]-thymidine 6a-f, from 3'-azido-3'-deoxy-5'-O-monomethoxytrityl-thymidine is described. The key step is the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between the azido group of the protected AZT 3 and N-1-propargylpyrimidine derivatives 2a-f. All new derivatives 6a-f were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against the replication of HIV-1 (IIIB), HIV-2 (ROD). No marked activity was found.     

1,4-Dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles as novel multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors

A series of 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles with a 3-thiophene substituent carrying a urea-type side chain were identified as potent multitargeted (VEGFR and PDGFR families) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors. A KDR homology model suggested that the urea moiety is able to interact with a recognition motif in the hydrophobic specificity pocket of the enzyme.     

Synthesis and monoamine transporter binding properties of 2beta-[3'-(substituted benzyl)isoxazol-5-yl]- and 2beta-[3'-methyl-4'-(substituted phenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]-3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropanes

A series of 2beta-[3'-(substituted benzyl)isoxazol-5-yl]- and 2beta-[3'-methyl-4'-(substituted phenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]-3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropanes were prepared and evaluated for affinities at dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine transporters using competitive radioligand binding assays. The 2beta-[3'-(substituted benzyl)isoxazol-5-yl]-3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropanes (3a-h) showed high binding affinities for the dopamine transporter (DAT). The IC(50) values ranged from 5.9 to 22nM. On the other hand, the 2beta-[3'-methyl-4'-(substituted phenyl)isoxazol-5-yl]-3beta-(substituted phenyl)tropanes (4a-h), with IC(50) values ranging from 65 to 173nM, were approximately 3- to 25-fold less potent than the corresponding 2beta-[3'-(substituted benzyl)isoxazol]tropanes. All tested compounds were selective for the DAT relative to the norepinephrine transporter (NET) and serotonin transporter (5-HTT). 3Beta-(4-Methylphenyl)-2beta-[3'-(4-fluorobenzyl)isoxazol-5-yl]tropane (3b) with IC(50) of 5.9nM at the DAT and K(i)s of 454 and 113nM at the NET and 5-HTT, respectively, was the most potent and DAT-selective analog. Molecular modeling studies suggested that the rigid conformation of the isoxazole side chain in 4a-h might play an important role on their low DAT binding affinities.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-substituted 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles as multitargeted receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors

We report the synthesis and biological evaluation of 5-substituted 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles as multitargeted kinase inhibitors. Initial efforts focused on the development of selective KDR inhibitors, while later strategies involved the improvement of potency toward multiple kinase targets. Thus, several compounds were identified as potent KDR, Flt1, Flt3, and c-Kit inhibitors.     

1-[3-Aminobenzisoxazol-5'-yl]-3-trifluoromethyl-6-[2'-(3-(R)-hydroxy-N-pyrrolidinyl)methyl-[1,1']-biphen-4-yl]-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrazolo-[3,4-c]-pyridin-7-one (BMS-740808) a highly potent, selective, efficacious, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of blood coagulation factor Xa

Attempts to further optimize the pyrazole factor Xa inhibitors centered on masking the aryl aniline P4 moiety. Scaffold optimization resulted in the identification of a novel bicyclic pyrazolo-pyridinone scaffold which retained fXa potency. The novel bicyclic scaffold preserved all binding interactions observed with the monocyclic counterpart and importantly the carboxamido moiety was integrated within the scaffold making it less susceptible to hydrolysis. These efforts led to the identification of 1-[3-aminobenzisoxazol-5'-yl]-3-trifluoromethyl-6-[2'-(3-(R)-hydroxy-N-pyrrolidinyl)methyl-[1,1']-biphen-4-yl]-1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrazolo-[3,4-c]-pyridin-7-one 6f (BMS-740808), a highly potent (fXa Ki=30 pM) with a rapid onset of inhibition (2.7x10(7) M-1 s-1) in vitro, selective (>1000-fold over other proteases), efficacious in the AVShunt thrombosis model, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of blood coagulation factor Xa.     

Investigation of novel 7,8-disubstituted-5,10-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-11-ones as potent Chk1 inhibitors

The synthesis and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of Chk1 inhibitors based on a 5,10-dihydro-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepin-11-one core are described. Specifically, an exploration of the 7 and 8 positions on this previously disclosed core afforded compounds with improved enzymatic and cellular potency.     

4-(1,1-Dioxo-1,4-dihydro-1lambda6-benzo[1,4]thiazin-3-yl)-5-hydroxy-2H-pyridazin-3-ones as potent inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase

4-(1,1-Dioxo-1,4-dihydro-1lambda(6)-benzo[1,4]thiazin-3-yl)-5-hydroxy-2H-pyridazin-3-one analogs were discovered as a novel class of inhibitors of HCV NS5B polymerase. Structure-based design led to the identification of compound 3a that displayed potent inhibitory activities in biochemical and replicon assays (1b IC(50)<10 nM; 1b EC(50)=1.1 nM) as well as good stability toward human liver microsomes (HLM t(1/2)>60 min).     

1,2-Diaryl-1-ethanone and pyrazolo [4,3-c] quinoline-4-one as novel selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors

Novel 1,2-diaryl-1-ethanone 1 and pyrazolo [4,3-c] quinoline-4-one 2, with pharmacophores different from the known COX inhibitors were identified as selective COX-2 inhibitors. The communication briefly describes SAR of both the series.     

Design and synthesis of 3-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-yl)-1H-quinolin-2-ones as VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitors

A series of 3-(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-3H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin-2-yl)-1H-quinolin-2-ones have been identified as a new class of VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitors. A variety of (4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-imidazo[5,4-c]pyridin-2-yl)-acetic acid ethyl esters were synthesized, and their VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity was evaluated. Described herein are the preparation of the series and the effects of the compounds on VEGFR-2 kinase activity.     

1,4-Dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles as potent checkpoint kinase 1 inhibitors: extended exploration on phenyl ring substitutions and preliminary ADME/PK studies

A study on substitutions at the four open positions on the phenyl ring of the 1,4-dihydroindeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles as potent CHK-1 inhibitors is described. Bis-substitution at both the 6- and 7-positions led to inhibitors with IC(50) values below 0.3nM. The compound with the best overall activities (36) was able to potentiate the anti-proliferative effect of doxorubicin in HeLa cells by at least 47-fold. Physicochemical, metabolic, and pharmacokinetic properties of selected inhibitors are also disclosed.