Discovery of Orally Bioavailable SOS1 Inhibitors for Suppressing KRAS-Driven Carcinoma

J Med Chem. 2022 Oct 13;65(19):13158-13171. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00986. Epub 2022 Sep 29.

Abstract

The interaction between son of sevenless 1 (SOS1) gene and Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS) is crucial for activating signals of proliferation and survival in a range of cancers. We previously discovered compound 40a with a tetracyclic quinazoline pharmacophore as a potent orally bioavailable SOS1 inhibitor. Herein, we disclosed the discovery of compound 13c, which substituted the third ring with the seven-membered ring, as a clinical drug candidate for suppressing KRAS-driven tumors. 13c strongly disrupted the protein-protein interaction between SOS1 and KRAS with low IC50 values of 3.9 nM (biochemical) and 21 nM (cellular). 13c showed a favorable pharmacokinetic profile with a bioavailability of 86.8% in beagles and exhibited 83.0% tumor suppression in Mia-paca-2 pancreas xenograft mice tumor models. 13c exhibited a weak time-dependent CY3A4P inhibition than BI-3406, thereby reducing the risk of drug-drug interaction in drug combination. Toxicological investigations revealed that 13c had a lower risk of sudden cardiac death than BI-3406. Overall, 13c has been under evaluation in preclinical trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Carcinoma*
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nuclear Family
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) / genetics
  • Quinazolines / therapeutic use
  • SOS1 Protein / metabolism

Substances

  • Carbon Isotopes
  • Carbon-13
  • KRAS protein, human
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras)
  • Quinazolines
  • SOS1 Protein
  • BI-3406