Discovery of Novel 5-(Pyridazin-3-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1 H,3 H)-dione Derivatives as Potent and Orally Bioavailable Inhibitors Targeting Ecto-5'-nucleotidase

J Med Chem. 2024 Oct 24;67(20):18491-18511. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01793. Epub 2024 Oct 10.

Abstract

Ecto-5-nucleotidase (CD73) is overexpressed in a variety of cancers and associated with the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, making it an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of novel (pyridazine-3-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione derivatives as CD73 inhibitors. These compounds exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against CD73 in both enzymatic biochemical and cellular assays. Among them, compound 35j proved to be one of the most potent inhibitors and an uncompetitive inhibitor with no obvious cytotoxicity. This compound showed high metabolic stability in rat liver microsomes and favorable pharmacokinetic profiles in rats (T1/2 = 3.37 h, F = 50.24%). Importantly, orally administered 35j significantly inhibited tumor growth in the triple-negative breast cancer 4T1 mouse model (TGI = 73.6%, 50 mg/kg). Immunoassays suggested that 35j remarkably increased the infiltration of positive immune cells, thereby reinvigorating antitumor immunity. These results demonstrate that 35j is a potent CD73 inhibitor worthy of further development.

MeSH terms

  • 5'-Nucleotidase* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • 5'-Nucleotidase* / metabolism
  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Biological Availability
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Discovery
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacokinetics
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Female
  • GPI-Linked Proteins
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Pyridazines / chemistry
  • Pyridazines / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyridazines / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidinones / chemistry
  • Pyrimidinones / pharmacokinetics
  • Pyrimidinones / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • 5'-Nucleotidase
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Pyridazines
  • NT5E protein, human
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrimidinones
  • GPI-Linked Proteins