RESUMEN
Dysregulation of protein translation is a key driver for the pathogenesis of many cancers. Eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A), an ATP-dependent DEAD-box RNA helicase, is a critical component of the eIF4F complex, which regulates cap-dependent protein synthesis. The flavagline class of natural products (i.e., rocaglamide A) has been shown to inhibit protein synthesis by stabilizing a translation-incompetent complex for select messenger RNAs (mRNAs) with eIF4A. Despite showing promising anticancer phenotypes, the development of flavagline derivatives as therapeutic agents has been hampered because of poor drug-like properties as well as synthetic complexity. A focused effort was undertaken utilizing a ligand-based design strategy to identify a chemotype with optimized physicochemical properties. Also, detailed mechanistic studies were undertaken to further elucidate mRNA sequence selectivity, key regulated target genes, and the associated antitumor phenotype. This work led to the design of eFT226 (Zotatifin), a compound with excellent physicochemical properties and significant antitumor activity that supports clinical development.
Asunto(s)
Benzofuranos/química , Diseño de Fármacos , Factor 4A Eucariótico de Iniciación/antagonistas & inhibidores , Animales , Benzofuranos/farmacocinética , Benzofuranos/uso terapéutico , Sitios de Unión , Neoplasias de la Mama/tratamiento farmacológico , Neoplasias de la Mama/patología , Línea Celular Tumoral , Cristalografía por Rayos X , Factor 4A Eucariótico de Iniciación/genética , Factor 4A Eucariótico de Iniciación/metabolismo , Femenino , Semivida , Humanos , Ligandos , Ratones , Ratones Desnudos , Simulación de Dinámica Molecular , Mutagénesis Sitio-Dirigida , Estructura Terciaria de Proteína , ARN Mensajero/química , ARN Mensajero/metabolismo , Ratas , Relación Estructura-ActividadRESUMEN
Dysregulated translation of mRNA plays a major role in tumorigenesis. Mitogen-activated protein kinase interacting kinases (MNK)1/2 are key regulators of mRNA translation integrating signals from oncogenic and immune signaling pathways through phosphorylation of eIF4E and other mRNA binding proteins. Modulation of these key effector proteins regulates mRNA, which controls tumor/stromal cell signaling. Compound 23 (eFT508), an exquisitely selective, potent dual MNK1/2 inhibitor, was designed to assess the potential for control of oncogene signaling at the level of mRNA translation. The crystal structure-guided design leverages stereoelectronic interactions unique to MNK culminating in a novel pyridone-aminal structure described for the first time in the kinase literature. Compound 23 has potent in vivo antitumor activity in models of diffuse large cell B-cell lymphoma and solid tumors, suggesting that controlling dysregulated translation has real therapeutic potential. Compound 23 is currently being evaluated in Phase 2 clinical trials in solid tumors and lymphoma. Compound 23 is the first highly selective dual MNK inhibitor targeting dysregulated translation being assessed clinically.