Discovery of a Potent and Selective CCR8 Small Molecular Antagonist IPG7236 for the Treatment of Cancer

J Med Chem. 2023 Apr 13;66(7):4548-4564. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00030. Epub 2023 Mar 29.

Abstract

Recently, there has been increasing evidence indicating that the CC chemokine receptor 8 (CCR8) plays an important role in mediating the recruitment and immunosuppressive function of regulatory T (Treg) cells in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, the development of a specific CCR8 antagonist presents a potential therapeutic strategy against cancer. Despite a few small molecules having been reported as CCR8 antagonists, none has progressed to the clinical stage. Herein, we described a potent and selective CCR8 antagonist (compound 1, IPG7236) as the first small molecule to advance to the clinical stage. IPG7236 demonstrated an anti-cancer effect via modulating Treg and cytotoxic T (CD8+ T) cells. IPG7236 alone or in combination with PD-1 antibody exhibited significant tumor suppression effects in the mouse xenograft model of human breast cancer. IPG7236 is a promising clinical candidate that targets CCR8 with excellent in vitro ADMET properties, pharmacokinetics, safety profiles, and in vivo efficacy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms*
  • Receptors, CCR8
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Receptors, CCR8
  • CCR8 protein, human
  • Ccr8 protein, mouse