Structurally novel PI3Kδ/γ dual inhibitors characterized by a seven-membered spirocyclic spacer: The SARs investigation and PK evaluation

Abstract

Herein, we communicate our recent medicinal chemistry efforts which have culminated in a series of PI3Kδ/γ dual inhibitors structurally featuring a seven-membered spirocyclic spacer. Compound 26, the most potent one among them, exhibited superior PI3Kδ inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 1.0 nM) to that of the approved PI3Kδ inhibitor Idelalisib. Besides, it exerted remarkable anti-proliferative efficacy against human malignant B-cell line SU-DHL-6 with GI₅₀ value of 33 nM. The biochemical assay against the other three class I PI3K isoforms identified compound 26 as a potent PI3Kδ/γ dual inhibitor with considerable selectivity over PI3Kα and PI3Kβ. In SU-DHL-6 cells, a dramatic down-regulation of PI3K signaling was observed following compound 26-treatment at the concentration as low as 10 nM. Inspiringly, the pharmacokinetic (PK) study in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats revealed it was orally available with a favorable bioavailability (F = 87.5%). Overall, compound 26, a promising PI3Kδ/γ dual inhibitor, has the potential to emerge as a clinical candidate for the treatment of leukocyte-mediated malignancies after extensive functional investigation.

Keywords: Anti-proliferative efficacy; PI3K signaling; PI3Kδ/γ dual inhibitor; PK study; Spirocyclic spacer.