Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of the Aryl Acetamide Triazolopyridazines against Cryptosporidium Reveals Remarkable Role of Fluorine

J Med Chem. 2023 Jun 22;66(12):7834-7848. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00110. Epub 2023 Jun 2.

Abstract

Our previous work identified compound 1 (SLU-2633) as a potent lead compound toward the identification of a novel treatment for cryptosporidiosis, caused by the parasite Cryptosporidium (EC50 = 0.17 μM). While this compound is potent and orally efficacious, the mechanism of action and biological target(s) of this series are currently unknown. In this study, we synthesized 70 compounds to develop phenotypic structure-activity relationships around the aryl "tail" group. In this process, we found that 2-substituted compounds are inactive, confirmed that electron withdrawing groups are preferred over electron donating groups, and that fluorine plays a remarkable role in the potency of these compounds. The most potent compound resulting from this work is SLU-10482 (52, EC50 = 0.07 μΜ), which was found to be orally efficacious with an ED90 < 5 mg/kg BID in a Cryptosporidium-infection mouse model, superior to SLU-2633.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cryptosporidiosis* / drug therapy
  • Cryptosporidium*
  • Fluorine
  • Mice
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Fluorine