Discovery of (4-Pyrazolyl)-2-aminopyrimidines as Potent and Selective Inhibitors of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2

J Med Chem. 2024 Feb 22;67(4):3112-3126. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02287. Epub 2024 Feb 7.

Abstract

CDK2 is a critical regulator of the cell cycle. For a variety of human cancers, the dysregulation of CDK2/cyclin E1 can lead to tumor growth and proliferation. Historically, early efforts to develop CDK2 inhibitors with clinical applications proved unsuccessful due to challenges in achieving selectivity over off-target CDK isoforms with associated toxicity. In this report, we describe the discovery of (4-pyrazolyl)-2-aminopyrimidines as a potent class of CDK2 inhibitors that display selectivity over CDKs 1, 4, 6, 7, and 9. SAR studies led to the identification of compound 17, a kinase selective and highly potent CDK2 inhibitor (IC50 = 0.29 nM). The evaluation of 17 in CCNE1-amplified mouse models shows the pharmacodynamic inhibition of CDK2, measured by reduced Rb phosphorylation, and antitumor activity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 / metabolism
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Pyrazoles / chemistry
  • Pyrazoles / metabolism
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology

Substances

  • 2-aminopyrimidine
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 2
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinases
  • Pyrimidines
  • Pyrazoles