Steven Durrant

Discovery of potent and selective inhibitors of ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3 related (ATR) protein kinase as potential anticancer agents.

DNA-damaging agents are among the most frequently used anticancer drugs. However, they provide only modest benefit in most cancers. This may be attributed to a genome maintenance network, the DNA damage response (DDR), that recognizes and repairs damaged DNA. ATR is a major regulator of the DDR and an attractive anticancer target. Herein, we describe the discovery of a series of aminopyrazines with potent and selective ATR inhibition. Compound 45 inhibits ATR with a K(i) of 6 nM, shows >600-fold selectivity over related kinases ATM or DNA-PK, and blocks ATR signaling in cells with an IC(50) of 0.42 μM. Using this compound, we show that ATR inhibition markedly enhances death induced by DNA-damaging agents in certain cancers but not normal cells. This differential response between cancer and normal cells highlights the great potential for ATR inhibition as a novel mechanism to dramatically increase the efficacy of many established drugs and ionizing radiation.

Discovery and structure-activity relationship of 3-aminopyrid-2-ones as potent and selective interleukin-2 inducible T-cell kinase (Itk) inhibitors

Interleukin-2 inducible T-cell kinase (Itk) plays a role in T-cell functions, and its inhibition potentially represents an attractive intervention point to treat autoimmune and allergic diseases. Herein we describe the discovery of a series of potent and selective novel inhibitors of Itk. These inhibitors were identified by structure-based design, starting from a fragment generated de novo, the 3-aminopyrid-2-one motif. Functionalization of the 3-amino group enabled rapid enhancement of the inhibitory activity against Itk, while introduction of a substituted heteroaromatic ring in position 5 of the pyridone fragment was key to achieving optimal selectivity over related kinases. A careful analysis of the hydration patterns in the kinase active site was necessary to fully explain the observed selectivity profile. The best molecule prepared in this optimization campaign, 7v, inhibits Itk with a K(i) of 7 nM and has a good selectivity profile across kinases.

Catalyst-Switchable Regiocontrol in the Direct Arylation of Remote C-H Groups in Pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines.

The regiodivergent palladium-catalyzed C–H arylation of pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine has been achieved, wherein the switch in regioselectivity between positions C3 and C7 is under complete catalyst control. A phosphine-containing palladium catalyst promotes the direct arylation at the most acidic position (C7), whereas a phosphine-free catalyst targets the most electron-rich position (C3).

Synthesis and evaluation of novel prodrugs of caspase inhibitors

A novel type of caspase inhibitor prodrug that improves systemic exposure after oral administration in rats has been designed. Such a prodrug, based on a 6,6a-dihydrofuro[3,2-d]oxazol-5(3aH)-one motif, has the advantage of rapidly liberating the active inhibitor without producing any cleavage by-product. Prodrugs 6-8, are synthesised in a high yielding one-step transformation from the active parents with high diastereomeric excess.

Palladium-Catalyzed Ortho-Arylation of Carbamate-Protected Estrogens

The palladium-catalyzed ortho-arylation of diethyl carbamate-protected estrone and estriol with aryl iodides gives the 2-arylated analogues. Subsequent removal of the carbamate directing group furnishes 2-arylated estrone, estradiol, or estriol depending on the method used.