2,4-Diaminoquinazolines as Dual Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 7/8 Modulators for the Treatment of Hepatitis B Virus

J Med Chem. 2018 Jul 26;61(14):6236-6246. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00643. Epub 2018 Jul 17.

Abstract

A novel series of 2,4-diaminoquinazolines was identified as potent dual Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7 and 8 agonists with reduced off-target activity. The stereochemistry of the amino alcohol was found to influence the TLR7/8 selectivity with the ( R) isomer resulting in selective TLR8 agonism. Lead optimization toward a dual agonist afforded ( S)-3-((2-amino-8-fluoroquinazolin-4-yl)amino)hexanol 31 as a potent analog, being structurally different from previously described dual agonists ( McGowan J. Med. Chem. 2016 , 59 , 7936 ). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies revealed the desired high first pass profile aimed at limiting systemic cytokine activation. In vivo pharmacodynamic studies with lead compound 31 demonstrated production of cytokines consistent with TLR7/8 activation in mice and cynomolgus monkeys and ex vivo inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV).

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / chemistry
  • Antiviral Agents / metabolism
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology*
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Hepatitis B virus / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Protein Conformation
  • Quinazolines / chemistry
  • Quinazolines / metabolism
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / chemistry
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7 / metabolism*
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8 / chemistry
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • Quinazolines
  • Toll-Like Receptor 7
  • Toll-Like Receptor 8
  • 2,4-diaminoquinazoline