QSAR: dead or alive? Doweyko, Arthur M.
Journal of computer-aided molecular design,
02/2008, Volume:
22, Issue:
2
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
Open access
This perspective concerns the methods employed within the current drug discovery community to develop predictive quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR). Specifically, a number of ...cautions are provided which may circumvent misuse and misunderstanding of the technique. Ignorance of such caveats has led to a discouraging tendency of the methods to result in poorly predictive models. Among these pitfalls are the fondness with which we associate correlation with causation, the mesmerizing influence of large numbers of molecular descriptors, the incessant misuse of the leave-one-out paradigm, and finally, the QSAR enigma wherein model predictivity is not a necessary component of a model’s usefulness.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
2-Aminothiazole (1) was discovered as a novel Src family kinase inhibitor template through screening of our internal compound collection. Optimization through successive structure−activity ...relationship iterations identified analogs 2 (Dasatinib, BMS-354825) and 12 m as pan-Src inhibitors with nanomolar to subnanomolar potencies in biochemical and cellular assays. Molecular modeling was used to construct a putative binding model for Lck inhibition by this class of compounds. The framework of key hydrogen-bond interactions proposed by this model was in agreement with the subsequent, published crystal structure of 2 bound to structurally similar Abl kinase. The oral efficacy of this class of inhibitors was demonstrated with 12 m in inhibiting the proinflammatory cytokine IL-2 ex vivo in mice (ED50 ∼ 5 mg/kg) and in reducing TNF levels in an acute murine model of inflammation (90% inhibition in LPS-induced TNFα production when dosed orally at 60 mg/kg, 2 h prior to LPS administration). The oral efficacy of 12 m was further demonstrated in a chronic model of adjuvant arthritis in rats with established disease when administered orally at 0.3 and 3 mg/kg twice daily. Dasatinib (2) is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia.
3D-QSAR illusions Doweyko, Arthur M
Journal of computer-aided molecular design,
2004 Jul-Sep, 2004-7-00, 20040701, Volume:
18, Issue:
7-9
Journal Article
Peer reviewed
3D-QSAR is typically used to construct models (1) to predict activities, (2) to illustrate significant regions, and (3) to provide insight into possible interactions. To the contrary, examples are ...described herein which make it clear that the predictivity of such models remains elusive, that so-called significant regions are subject to the vagaries of alignment, and that the nature of possible interactions heavily depends on the eye of the beholder. Although great strides have been made in the imaginative use of 3D-descriptors, 3D-QSAR remains largely a retrospective analytical tool. The arbitrary nature of both the alignment paradigm and atom description lends itself to capricious models, which in turn can lead to distorted conclusions. Despite these illusionary pitfalls, predictions can be enhanced when the test set is bounded by the descriptor space represented in the training set. Interpretation of significant interaction regions becomes more meaningful when alignment is constrained by a binding site. Correlations obtained with a variety of atom descriptors suggest choosing useful ones, in particular, in guiding synthetic effort.
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DOBA, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
A series of substituted 2-(aminopyridyl)- and 2-(aminopyrimidinyl)thiazole-5-carboxamides was identified as potent Src/Abl kinase inhibitors with excellent antiproliferative activity against ...hematological and solid tumor cell lines. Compound 13 was orally active in a K562 xenograft model of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), demonstrating complete tumor regressions and low toxicity at multiple dose levels. On the basis of its robust in vivo activity and favorable pharmacokinetic profile, 13 was selected for additional characterization for oncology indications.
Small molecule inhibition of protein kinases in the treatment of significant diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis has attracted significant attention over ...the past two decades and has clearly become one of the most significant challenges for drug discovery in the 21st century. While the recent identification of 518 different kinases in the human genome has offered a wealth of opportunities for drug intervention in the treatment of these diseases, it has also created a daunting challenge with respect to selective kinase inhibition as a viable strategy in target-based drug design. Over the past decade, the design and development of a small molecule that selectively inhibits the p38 mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase has clearly emerged as one of these challenges within the industry. This review will focus on the comparison of the x-ray crystal structures and binding models of the most recent p38 inhibitor-enzyme complexes and the identification of the structural elements and interactions that may be important in providing inhibitor potency and selectivity toward the p38 MAP kinase.
Structurally novel 5H-chromeno2,3-bpyridine (azaxanthene) selective glucocorticoid receptor (GR) modulators have been identified. A screening paradigm utilizing cellular assays of GR-mediated ...transrepression of proinflammatory transcription factors and transactivation of GR-dependent genes combined with three physiologically relevant assays of cytokine induction in human whole blood has allowed for the identification of high affinity, selective GR ligands that display a broad range of pharmacological profiles. Agonist efficacy in reporter assays can be tuned by halogenation of a pendent phenyl ring and correlates well with efficacy for cytokine inhibition in human whole blood. A hypothetical binding mode is proposed, invoking an expanded ligand binding pocket resembling that of arylpyrazole-bound GR structures. Two compounds of close structural similarity (35 and 37; BMS-776532 and BMS-791826, respectively) have been found to maintain distinct and consistent levels of partial agonist efficacy across several assays, displaying anti-inflammatory activity comparable to that of prednisolone 2 in suppressing cytokine production in whole blood and in rodent models of acute and chronic inflammation.
A series of 2,2-dimethyl-3,3-diphenyl-propanamides as novel glucocorticoid receptor modulators is reported. SAR exploration led to the identification of 4-hydroxyphenyl propanamide derivatives ...displaying good agonist activity in GR-mediated transrepression assays and reduced agonist activity in GR-mediated transactivation assays. Compounds 17 and 30 showed anti-inflammatory activity comparable to prednisolone in the rat carrageenan-induced paw edema model, with markedly decreased side effects with regard to increases in blood glucose and expression of hepatic tyrosine aminotransferase. A hypothetical binding mode accounting for the induction of the functional activity by a 4-hydroxyl group is proposed.
The discovery and characterization of 7k (BMS-582949), a highly selective p38α MAP kinase inhibitor that is currently in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is ...described. A key to the discovery was the rational substitution of N-cyclopropyl for N-methoxy in 1a, a previously reported clinical candidate p38α inhibitor. Unlike alkyl and other cycloalkyls, the sp2 character of the cyclopropyl group can confer improved H-bonding characteristics to the directly substituted amide NH. Inhibitor 7k is slightly less active than 1a in the p38α enzymatic assay but displays a superior pharmacokinetic profile and, as such, was more effective in both the acute murine model of inflammation and pseudoestablished rat AA model. The binding mode of 7k with p38α was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis.
Acylureas and acyclic imides are found to be excellent isosteres for 2-acylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazole in the azaxanthene-based series of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists. The results reported ...herein show that primary acylureas maintain high affinity and selectivity for GR while providing improved CYP450 inhibition and pharmacokinetic profile over 2-acylamino-1,3,4-thiadiazoles. General methods for synthesis of a variety of acylureas and acyclic imides from a carboxylic acid were utilized and are described.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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The design, synthesis and structure–activity relationships of a novel series of 3,4-disubstituted pyrrolidine acid analogs as PPAR ligands is outlined. In both the 1,3- and ...1,4-oxybenzyl pyrrolidine acid series, the preferred stereochemistry was shown to be the cis-3R,4S isomer, as exemplified by the potent dual PPARα/γ agonists 3k and 4i. The N-4-trifluoromethyl-pyrimidinyl pyrrolidine acid analog 4i was efficacious in lowering fasting glucose and triglyceride levels in diabetic db/db mice.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK