Second-generation peptidomimetic inhibitors of protein farnesyltransferase demonstrating improved cellular potency and significant in vivo efficacy

J Med Chem. 1999 Sep 9;42(18):3701-10. doi: 10.1021/jm9901935.

Abstract

The synthesis and evaluation of analogues of previously reported farnesyltransferase inhibitors, pyridyl benzyl ether 3 and pyridylbenzylamine 4, are described. Substitution of 3 at the 5-position of the core aryl ring resulted in inhibitors of equal or less potency against the enzyme and decreased efficacy in a cellular assay against Ras processing by the enzyme. Substitution of 4 at the benzyl nitrogen yielded 26, which showed improved efficacy and potency and yet presented a poor pharmacokinetic profile. Further modification afforded 30, which demonstrated a dramatically improved pharmacokinetic profile. Compounds 26 and 29 demonstrated significant in vivo efficacy in nude mice inoculated with MiaPaCa-2, a human pancreatic tumor-derived cell line.

MeSH terms

  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Benzylamines / chemical synthesis
  • Benzylamines / pharmacology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Ethers / chemical synthesis
  • Ethers / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Neuropeptides / genetics
  • Neuropeptides / metabolism
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • fas Receptor

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzylamines
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Ethers
  • FAS protein, human
  • Fas protein, mouse
  • Neuropeptides
  • Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor
  • fas Receptor
  • Alkyl and Aryl Transferases
  • p21(ras) farnesyl-protein transferase