Discovery of Pyridine-2-Carboxamides Derivatives as Potent and Selective HPK1 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cancer

J Med Chem. 2024 Dec 12;67(23):21520-21544. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c02421. Epub 2024 Nov 25.

Abstract

Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) has emerged as an attractive target for immunotherapy due to its critical role in T cell activation and proliferation. The major challenge in developing HPK1 inhibitors lies in balancing kinase selectivity, pharmacokinetic (PK) properties, and therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we report a series of pyridine-2-carboxamide analogues demonstrating strong HPK1 inhibitory activity in enzymatic and cellular assays, along with good kinase selectivity. Among these analogues, compound 19 showed good in vitro HPK1 inhibitory activity, excellent kinase selectivity (>637-fold vs GCK-like kinase and >1022-fold vs LCK), and robust in vivo efficacy in the CT26 (tumor growth inhibition (TGI) = 94.3%, 2/6 CRs) and MC38 murine colorectal cancer models (TGI = 83.3%, 1/6 complete response) when administered in combination with anti-PD-1. Compound 19 also demonstrated adequate in vitro ADME and in vivo PK properties, displaying good oral bioavailability across multiple species (F % = 35-63). These findings summarize our compound's favorable safety and efficacy profiles, justifying its testing in future translational studies.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Benzimidazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Benzimidazoles / chemistry
  • Benzimidazoles / pharmacology
  • Benzimidazoles / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Discovery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors* / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors* / pharmacokinetics
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases* / metabolism
  • Pyridines* / chemical synthesis
  • Pyridines* / chemistry
  • Pyridines* / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyridines* / pharmacology
  • Pyridines* / therapeutic use
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Pyridines
  • Benzimidazoles