Discovery of a potent, highly selective, and orally bioavailable inhibitor of CDK8 through a structure-based optimisation

Eur J Med Chem. 2021 Mar 26;218:113391. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113391. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTCDK8 is deregulated in multiple types of human cancer and is viewed as a therapeutic target for the treatment of the disease. Accordingly, the search for small-molecule inhibitors of CDK8 is being intensified. Capitalising on our initial discovery of AU1-100, a potent CDK8 inhibitor yet with a limited degree of kinase selectivity, a structure-based optimisation was carried out, with a series of new multi-substituted pyridines rationally designed, chemically prepared and biologically evaluated. Such endeavour has culminated in the identification of 42, a more potent CDK8 inhibitor with superior kinomic selectivity and oral bioavailability. The mechanism underlying the anti-proliferative effect of 42 on MV4-11 cells was studied, revealing that the compound arrested the G1 cell cycle and triggered apoptosis. The low risk of hepato- and cardio-toxicity of 42 was estimated. These findings merit further investigation of 42 as a targeted cancer therapeutic.PMID:33823391 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejmech.2021.113391

Source: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry - April 6, 2021 Category: Chemistry Authors: Mingfeng Yu Yi Long Yuchao Yang Manjun Li Theodosia Teo Benjamin Noll Stephen Philip Shudong Wang Source Type: research