Structure-activity relationships are reported for a novel class of 4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine-6-carboxylic acid derivatives that displace 125I-labeled angiotensin II from a specific subset of angiotensin II (Ang II) binding sites in rat adrenal preparations. This binding site is not the Ang II receptor mediating vascular contraction or aldosterone release, but, rather, is one whose function has not yet been fully elucidated. It has been identified in a number of tissues and has a similar affinity for Ang II and its peptide analogues as does the vascular receptor. The non-peptide compounds reported here are uniquely specific in displacing Ang II at this binding site and are inactive in antagonizing Ang II at the vascular receptor or in pharmacological assays measuring vascular effects. PD 123,319 (79), one of the most potent compounds, has an IC50 of 34 nM. Certain of these compounds may have utility in the definition and study of Ang II receptor subtypes.

While engaged in therapeutic intervention against a number of proliferative diseases, we have discovered the 2-aminopyrido[2, 3-d]pyrimidin-7(8H)-ones as a novel class of potent, broadly active tyrosine kinase (TK) inhibitors. An efficient route was developed that enabled the synthesis of a wide variety of analogues with substitution on several positions of the template. From the lead structure 2, a series of analogues bearing variable substituents at the C-2 position and methyl or ethyl at N-8 was made. Compounds of this series were competitive with ATP and displayed submicromolar to low nanomolar potency against a panel of TKs, including receptor (platelet-derived growth factor, PDGFr; fibroblast growth factor, FGFr; epidermal growth factor, EGFr) and nonreceptor (c-Src) classes. One of the more thoroughly evaluated members was 63 with IC50 values of 0.079 microM (PDGFr), 0.043 microM (bFGFr), 0.044 microM (EGFr), and 0.009 microM (c-Src). In cellular studies, 63 inhibited PDGF-mediated receptor autophosphorylation in a number of cell lines at IC50 values of 0.026-0.002 microM and proliferation of two PDGF-dependent lines at 0.3 microM. It also caused inhibition of soft agar colony formation in three cell lines that overexpress the c-Src TK, with IC50 values of 0.33-1.8 microM. In in vivo studies against a panel of seven xenograft tumor models with known and/or inferred dependence on the EGFr, PDGFr, and c-Src TKs, compound 63 produced a tumor growth delay of 10.6 days against the relatively refractory SK-OV-3 ovarian xenograft and also displayed activity against the HT-29 tumor. In rat oral bioavailability studies, compound 63 plasma concentrations declined in a biexponential manner, and systemic plasma clearance was high relative to liver blood flow. Finally, in rat metabolism studies, HPLC chromatography identified two metabolites of 63, which were proved by mass spectrometry and synthesis to be the primary amine (58) and N-oxide (66). Because of the excellent potency of 63 against selected TKs, in vitro and in vivo studies are underway for this compound in additional tumor models dependent upon PDGFr, FGFr, and c-Src to assess its potential for advancement to clinical trials.

Screening of a compound library led to the identification of 2-amino-6-(2,6-dichlorophenyl)-8-methylpyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine (1) as a inhibitor of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFr), fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFr), and c-src tyrosine kinases (TKs). Replacement of the primary amino group at C-2 of 1 with a 4-(N,N-diethylaminoethoxy)phenylamino group yielded 2a, which had greatly increased activity against all three TKs. In the present work, variation of the aromatic group at C-6 and of the alkyl group at N-8 of the pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine core provided several analogues that retained potency, including derivatives that were biased toward inhibition of the TK activity of PDGFr. Analogues of 2a with a 3-thiophene or an unsubstituted phenyl group at C-6 were the most potent inhibitors. Compound 54, which had IC50 values of 31, 88, and 31 nM against PDGFr, FGFr, and c-src TK activity, respectively, was active in a variety of PDGF-dependent cellular assays and blocked the in vivo growth of three PDGF-dependent tumor lines.

Structure-activity relationships for inhibition of erbB1, erbB2, and erbB4 were determined for a series of alkynamide analogues of quinazoline- and pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine-based compounds. The compounds were prepared by coupling the appropriate 6-aminoquinazolines or 6-aminopyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidines with alkynoic acids, using EDCI.HCl in pyridine. The compounds showed pan-erbB enzyme inhibition but were on average about 10-fold more potent against erbB1 than against erbB2 and erbB4. For cellular inhibition, the nature of the alkylating side chains was an important determinant, with 5-dialkylamino-2-pentynamide type Michael acceptors providing the highest potency. This is suggested to be due to an improved ability of the amine to participate in an autocatalysis of the Michael reaction with enzyme cysteine residues. Pyrido[3,4-d]pyrimidine analogue 39 was selected for in vivo evaluation and achieved tumor regressions at 10 mg/kg in the A431 human epidermoid carcinoma and at 40 mg/kg for the SF767 human glioblastoma and the SKOV3 human ovarian carcinoma. Complete stasis was observed at 40 mg/kg in the BXPC3 human pancreatic carcinoma as well as in the H125 human non-small-cell lung carcinoma.