2. Academic Validation
  3. Design and Activity of Specific Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2α (HIF-2α) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Discovery of Clinical Candidate ( S)-3-((2,2-Difluoro-1-hydroxy-7-(methylsulfonyl)-2,3-dihydro-1 H-inden-4-yl)oxy)-5-fluorobenzonitrile (PT2385)

Design and Activity of Specific Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-2α (HIF-2α) Inhibitors for the Treatment of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: Discovery of Clinical Candidate ( S)-3-((2,2-Difluoro-1-hydroxy-7-(methylsulfonyl)-2,3-dihydro-1 H-inden-4-yl)oxy)-5-fluorobenzonitrile (PT2385)

  • J Med Chem. 2018 Nov 8;61(21):9691-9721. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01196.
Paul M Wehn 1,  James P Rizzi 1,  Darryl D Dixon 1,  Jonas A Grina 1,  Stephen T Schlachter 1,  Bin Wang 1,  Rui Xu 1,  Hanbiao Yang 1,  Xinlin Du 1,  Guangzhou Han 1,  Keshi Wang 1,  Zhaodan Cao 1,  Tzuling Cheng 1,  Robert M Czerwinski 1,  Barry S Goggin 1,  Heli Huang 1,  Megan M Halfmann 1,  Melissa A Maddie 1,  Emily L Morton 1,  Sarah R Olive 1,  Huiling Tan 1,  Shanhai Xie 1,  Tai Wong 1,  John A Josey 1,  Eli M Wallace 1
Affiliations

Affiliation

  • 1 Peloton Therapeutics, Inc. , 2330 Inwood Road, Suite 226 , Dallas , Texas 75235 , United States.
PMID: 30289716 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01196
Abstract

HIF-2α, a member of the HIF family of transcription factors, is a key oncogenic driver in cancers such as clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). A signature feature of these cancers is the overaccumulation of HIF-2α protein, often by inactivation of the E3 Ligase VHL (von Hippel-Lindau). Herein we disclose our structure based drug design (SBDD) approach that culminated in the identification of PT2385, the first HIF-2α antagonist to enter clinical trials. Highlights include the use of a putative n → π*Ar interaction to guide early analog design, the conformational restriction of an essential hydroxyl moiety, and the remarkable impact of fluorination near the hydroxyl group. Evaluation of select compounds from two structural classes in a sequence of PK/PD, efficacy, PK, and metabolite profiling identified 10i (PT2385, luciferase EC50 = 27 nM) as the clinical candidate. Finally, a retrospective crystallographic analysis describes the structural perturbations necessary for efficient antagonism.

Figures
Products