Discovery of Orally Bioavailable Phthalazinone Analogues as an ENPP1 Inhibitor for STING-Mediated Cancer Immunotherapy

J Med Chem. 2023 Nov 23;66(22):15141-15170. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01061. Epub 2023 Nov 14.

Abstract

A lack of the T cell-inflamed tumor microenvironment limits the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Activation of stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-mediated innate immunity has emerged as a novel therapeutic approach in cancer therapy. 2',3'-Cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) is a natural STING agonist; however, cGAMP is subjected to endogenous degradation by ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1 (ENPP1). To improve the ICI response rate, we developed 29f, a novel ENPP1 inhibitor with phthalazin-1(2H)-one as the core scaffold. 29f inhibited the cGAMP hydrolysis by ENPP1 in vitro (IC50 = 68 nM) and enhanced the STING-mediated type I interferon response in both immune and tumor cells. 29f demonstrated excellent metabolic stability and bioavailability (F = 65%). Orally administered 29f promoted tumor growth inhibition in a CT26 syngeneic model and increased the anti-PD-L1 response. Furthermore, 29f-induced immunological memory prevented the tumor relapse against tumor rechallenge, suggesting the promising therapeutic potential of 29f.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy
  • Neoplasms* / therapy
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases* / metabolism
  • Pyrophosphatases
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase phosphodiesterase 1
  • Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases
  • Pyrophosphatases