Discovery of JNJ-74856665: A Novel Isoquinolinone DHODH Inhibitor for the Treatment of AML

J Med Chem. 2024 Jul 11;67(13):11254-11272. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00809. Epub 2024 Jun 18.

Abstract

Acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), a heterogeneous disease of the blood and bone marrow, is characterized by the inability of myeloblasts to differentiate into mature cell types. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is an enzyme well-known in the pyrimidine biosynthesis pathway and preclinical findings demonstrated that DHODH is a metabolic vulnerability in AML as inhibitors can induce differentiation across multiple AML subtypes. As a result of virtual screening and structure-based drug design approaches, a novel series of isoquinolinone DHODH inhibitors was identified. Further lead optimization afforded JNJ-74856665 as an orally bioavailable, potent, and selective DHODH inhibitor with favorable physicochemical properties selected for clinical development in patients with AML and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase*
  • Drug Discovery
  • Enzyme Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors* / pharmacokinetics
  • Enzyme Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / drug therapy
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors* / metabolism
  • Quinolones / chemical synthesis
  • Quinolones / chemistry
  • Quinolones / pharmacokinetics
  • Quinolones / pharmacology
  • Quinolones / therapeutic use
  • Rats
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Dihydroorotate Dehydrogenase
  • Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Quinolones