Identification and optimization of new dual inhibitors of B-Raf and epidermal growth factor receptor kinases for overcoming resistance against vemurafenib

J Med Chem. 2014 Mar 27;57(6):2692-703. doi: 10.1021/jm500007h. Epub 2014 Mar 18.

Abstract

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) amplification has been demonstrated to be critical for the inherent and/or acquired resistance against current B-Raf(V600E) inhibitor therapy for melanoma and colorectal cancer patients. We describe the discovery and structure-activity relationship study of a series of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carboxamide analogues as novel dual inhibitors of EGFR and B-Raf(V600E) mutant. One of the most promising compounds, 6a, potently inhibited both of the kinases with IC50 values of 8.0 and 51 nM, respectively. The compound also strongly suppressed the proliferation of a panel of intrinsic and acquired resistant melanoma and/or colorectal cancer cells harboring overexpressed EGFR with submicromolar IC50 values. Further mechanism investigation revealed that 6a could sustainably inhibit the activation of the MAPK path way in the resistant SK-MEL-28 PR30 melanoma cancer cells and WiDr colorectal cancer cells with EGFR amplification. Our results support the hypothesis that the EGFR/B-Raf(V600E) dual inhibition might be a tractable strategy to overcome the intrinsic and acquired resistance of melanoma and/or colorectal cancers against the current B-Raf(V600E) inhibitor therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • ErbB Receptors / drug effects*
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • Genes, erbB-1 / drug effects
  • Genes, erbB-1 / genetics
  • Humans
  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / drug effects
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / physiology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / drug effects*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / genetics
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides / pharmacology*
  • Vemurafenib

Substances

  • Indicators and Reagents
  • Indoles
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Sulfonamides
  • Vemurafenib
  • ErbB Receptors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases