Discovery of a Noncovalent, Mutant-Selective Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitor

J Med Chem. 2016 Oct 13;59(19):9080-9093. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00995. Epub 2016 Sep 12.

Abstract

Inhibitors targeting the activating mutants of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) have found success in the treatment of EGFR mutant positive non-small-cell lung cancer. A secondary point mutation (T790M) in the inhibitor binding site has been linked to the acquired resistance against those first generation therapeutics. Herein, we describe the lead optimization of a series of reversible, pan-mutant (L858R, del746-750, T790M/L858R, and T790M/del746-750) EGFR inhibitors. By use of a noncovalent double mutant (T790M/L858R and T790M/del746-750) selective EGFR inhibitor (2) as a starting point, activities against the single mutants (L858R and del746-750) were introduced through a series of structure-guided modifications. The in vitro ADME-PK properties of the lead molecules were further optimized through a number of rational structural changes. The resulting inhibitor (21) exhibited excellent cellular activity against both the single and double mutants of EGFR, demonstrating target engagement in vivo and ADME-PK properties that are suitable for further evaluation. The reversible, noncovalent inhibitors described complement the covalent pan-mutant EGFR inhibitors that have shown encouraging results in recent clinical trials.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Humans
  • Lung / drug effects
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Lung Neoplasms / genetics
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Mutation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • ErbB Receptors