Discovery of a Covalent Inhibitor That Overcame Resistance to Venetoclax in AML Cells Overexpressing BFL-1

J Med Chem. 2024 Jul 11;67(13):10795-10830. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00291. Epub 2024 Jun 24.

Abstract

Clinical and biological studies have shown that overexpression of BFL-1 is one contributing factor to venetoclax resistance. The resistance might be overcome by a potent BFL-1 inhibitor, but such an inhibitor is rare. In this study, we show that 56, featuring an acrylamide moiety, inhibited the BFL-1/BID interaction with a Ki value of 105 nM. More interestingly, 56 formed an irreversible conjugation adduct at the C55 residue of BFL-1. 56 was a selective BFL-1 inhibitor, and its MCL-1 binding affinity was 10-fold weaker, while it did not bind BCL-2 and BCL-xL. Mechanistic studies showed that 56 overcame venetoclax resistance in isogenic AML cell lines MOLM-13-OE and MV4-11-OE, which both overexpressed BFL-1. More importantly, 56 and venetoclax combination promoted stronger apoptosis induction than either single agent. Collectively, our data show that 56 overcame resistance to venetoclax in AML cells overexpressing BFL-1. These attributes make 56 a promising candidate for future optimization.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic* / chemistry
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic* / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Discovery
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / pathology
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2* / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides* / chemical synthesis
  • Sulfonamides* / chemistry
  • Sulfonamides* / pharmacology

Substances

  • venetoclax
  • Sulfonamides
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BCL2-related protein A1
  • Minor Histocompatibility Antigens