Discovery of ARD-2051 as a Potent and Orally Efficacious Proteolysis Targeting Chimera (PROTAC) Degrader of Androgen Receptor for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer

J Med Chem. 2023 Jul 13;66(13):8822-8843. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00405. Epub 2023 Jun 29.

Abstract

We report the discovery of ARD-2051 as a potent and orally efficacious androgen receptor (AR) proteolysis-targeting chimera degrader. ARD-2051 achieves DC50 values of 0.6 nM and Dmax >90% in inducing AR protein degradation in both the LNCaP and VCaP prostate cancer cell lines, potently and effectively suppresses AR-regulated genes, and inhibits cancer cell growth. ARD-2051 achieves a good oral bioavailability and pharmacokinetic profile in mouse, rat, and dog. A single oral dose of ARD-2051 strongly reduces AR protein and suppresses AR-regulated gene expression in the VCaP xenograft tumor tissue in mice. Oral administration of ARD-2051 effectively inhibits VCaP tumor growth and causes no signs of toxicity in mice. ARD-2051 is a promising AR degrader for advanced preclinical development for the treatment of AR+ human cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Dogs
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Proteolysis
  • Proteolysis Targeting Chimera
  • Rats
  • Receptors, Androgen* / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Proteolysis Targeting Chimera