Cyclic imides as potent and selective alpha-1A adrenergic receptor antagonists.

We disclose a new compound class of potent and selective alpha-1A adrenergic receptor antagonists exemplified by the geminally, disubstituted cyclic imide 7. The optimization of lead compounds resulting in the cyclic imide motif is highlighted. The results of in vitro and in vivo studies of selected compounds are presented.

In vitro studies on L-771,688 (SNAP 6383), a new potent and selective alpha1A-adrenoceptor antagonist.

L-771,688 (SNAP 6383, methyl(4S)-4-(3, 4-difluorophenyl)-6-[(methyloxy)methyl]-2-oxo-3-[(¿3-[4-(2-pyridin yl)-1-piperidinyl]propyl¿amino)carbonyl]-1,2,3, 4-tetrahydro-5-pyrimidine carboxylate) had high affinity (Ki less than or = 1 nM) for [3H]prazosin binding to cloned human, rat and dog alpha1A-adrenoceptors and high selectivity (>500-fold) over alpha1B and alpha1D-adrenoceptors. [3H]Prazosin / (+/-)-beta-[125I]-4-hydroxy-phenyl)-ethyl-aminomethylteralone ([125I]HEAT) binding studies in human and animal tissues known to contain alpha1A and non-alpha1A-adrenoceptors further demonstrated the potency and alpha1A-subtype selectivity of L-771,688. [3H]L-771,688 binding studies at the cloned human alpha1A-adrenoceptors and in rat tissues indicated that specific [3H]L-771,688 binding was saturable and of high affinity (Kd=43-90 pM) and represented binding to the pharmacologically relevant alpha1A-adrenoceptors. L-771,688 antagonized norepinephrine-induced inositol-phosphate responses in cloned human alpha1A-adrenoceptors, as well as phenylephrine or A-61603 (N-[5-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2yl)-2-hydroxy-5,6,7, 8-terahydro-naphthlen-1-yl] methanesulfonamide hydrobromide) induced contraction in isolated rat, dog and human prostate, human and monkey bladder neck and rat caudal artery with apparent Kb values of 0.02-0.28 nM. In contrast, the contraction of rat aorta induced by norepinephrine was resistant to L-771,688. These data indicate that L-771,688 is a highly selective alpha1A-adrenoceptor antagonist.

Phenylacetamides as selective alpha-1A adrenergic receptor antagonists.

A novel class of potent and selective alpha-1a receptor antagonists has been identified. The structures of these antagonists were derived from truncating the 4-aryl dihydropyridine subunit present in known alpha-1a antagonists. The design principles which led to the discovery of substituted phenylacetamides, the synthesis and SAR of key analogues, and the results of select in vitro and in vivo studies are described.

Bradykinin antagonists: new opportunities.

The pro-inflammatory, pain producing, and cardiovascular effects of bradykinin B2 receptor activation are well characterized. Bradykinin B1 receptors also produce inflammation and pain. Therefore, antagonists are expected to be anti-inflammatory/analgesic drugs. Other exploitable clinical opportunities may exist. The newly discovered non-peptide B2 receptor antagonists and the equivalent B1 receptor pharmacological agents, which are in the pipeline, are suitable preclinical tools to properly evaluate potential utilities.

Determination of the relative and absolute stereochemistry of a potent and alpha1A-selective adrenoceptor antagonist.

The binding affinities and selectivities of antagonists 1-4 for the alpha1A-adrenoceptor are dependent on the stereochemical orientation of the groups at the C-4 and C-5 positions of the oxazolidinone ring. The unambiguous assignment of the relative and absolute configurations of the diastereomers of SNAP 7915 (1) is reported.

Nonpeptide oxytocin antagonists: analogs of L-371,257 with improved potency.

Structure-activity studies on the oxytocin antagonist 1 (L-371,257; Ki = 9.3 nM) have led to the identification of a related series of compounds containing an ortho-trifluoroethoxyphenylacetyl core which are orally bioavailable and have significantly improved potency in vitro and in vivo, e.g., compound 8 (L-374,943; Ki = 1.4 nM).

4-Oxospiro[benzopyran-2,4'-piperidines] as selective alpha 1a-adrenergic receptor antagonists.

The 4-oxospiro[benzopyran-2,4'-piperidine] ring system is contained within potent class III antiarrhythmic agents. We highlight how these agents can be chemically transformed into a new class of potent (< 1 nM) and selective (> 25-fold) alpha 1a-receptor subtype adrenergic antagonists.

Nonpeptide oxytocin antagonists: potent, orally bioavailable analogs of L-371,257 containing a 1-R-(pyridyl)ethyl ether terminus.

Structure-activity studies on the oxytocin antagonist 1 (L-371,257) have identified a new series of high affinity, receptor-selective OT antagonists in which the N-acetyl-4-piperidinyl ether terminus in 1 has been replaced with a 1-(aryl)ethoxy group.

Selective alpha-1a adrenergic receptor antagonists. Effects of pharmacophore regio- and stereochemistry on potency and selectivity.

The anti-anxiety agent ipsapirone has been shown to have modest affinity for alpha-1 receptors. We disclose the discovery of potent alpha-1a receptor subtype selective antagonists based on the ipsapirone structure which possess selectivity versus the 5-HT receptors tested. These antagonists were obtained by tethering a saccharin ring to 4-phenyl-3-carboxyethyl piperidines. The design principles which led to this structural motif are discussed. The synthesis of key analogs, their SAR, as well as results of selected in vitro and in vivo studies are described.

Progress in the development of oxytocin antagonists for use in preterm labor.

There is currently a need for new therapeutic agents for treating preterm labor which could offer improved safety and efficacy beyond what has been achieved with the widely employed beta-mimetics. In this regard, the longstanding hypothesis of oxytocin receptor blockade as representing a potentially more selective method of tocolysis has continued to gain support from results obtained in clinical studies with the peptide oxytocin antagonist, atosiban. Our laboratory has focussed on the identification of non-peptide oxytocin antagonists with properties suitable for both oral and intravenous administration. We have previously described the development of potent, camphor-based oxytocin antagonists, including L-368,899 which entered phase I human studies. More recently we have pursued a new structural class of oxytocin antagonists based on the 1-(N-benzoylpiperidin-4-yl)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-2(1H)-one template. L-372,662 is a new member of this structural class and in our preclinical assays possesses an attractive overall profile from the standpoint of human oxytocin receptor affinity (Ki = 4.9 nM), human oxytocin vs. vasopressin receptor selectivity (> 500-fold), potency as an antagonist of oxytocin-induced uterine contractions in late gestation pregnant rhesus monkeys (AD50 = 36 micrograms/kg), oral bioavailability (F = 90% in dogs), and aqueous solubility (10 mg/mL).

Discovery of a novel, selective, and orally bioavailable class of thrombin inhibitors incorporating aminopyridyl moieties at the P1 position.

A novel class of thrombin inhibitors incorporating aminopyridyl moieties at the P1 position has been discovered. Four of these thrombin inhibitors (13b,c,e and 14d) showed nanomolar potency (Ki 0.8-12 nM), 300-1500-fold selectivity for thrombin compared with trypsin, and good oral bioavailability (F = 40-76%) in rats or dogs. The neutral P1 was expected to increase metabolic stability and oral absorption. Identification of this novel aminopyridyl group at P1 was a key step in our search for a clinical candidate.

Progress in the development of oxytocin antagonists for use in preterm labor.

From a targeted screening effort and medicinal chemistry program, L-368,899 was selected as the first orally-active oxytocin (OT) antagonist to enter clinical trials. In animal studies, L-368,899 was shown to be a potent and selective OT antagonist and was orally bioavailable in rats, dogs and chimpanzees. L-368,899 was further shown to be a potent OT antagonist in pregnant rhesus and to inhibit spontaneous nocturnal uterine contractions. In Phase I human studies, L-368,899 was generally well-tolerated given intravenously and showed significant plasma levels after oral administration. In addition, L-368,899 blocked OT-stimulated uterine activity in postpartum women with a potency similar to that in the pregnant rhesus monkey. More recently, another structural series has been pursued, represented by L-371,257 [1-(1-(4-(N-acetyl-4-piperidinyloxy)-2-methoxybenzoyl)pip eridin-4-yl)- 1,2-dihydro-4(H)-3,1-benzoxazin-2-one]. L-371,257 exhibits high affinity (Ki, 4.6 nM) for human uterine OT receptors with high selectivity vs. human vasopressin receptors. In rat tissues in vitro, L-371,257 is a potent and competitive OT antagonist (pA2, 8.4) and, in vivo, blocks OT-stimulated uterine activity given both i.v. and intraduodenally. L-371,257 highlights the promise of this novel structural class.

Selective non-peptide ligands for an accommodating peptide receptor. Imidazobenzodiazepines as potent cholecystokinin type B receptor antagonists.

A series of imidazobenzodiazepines, non-peptide antagonists of the peptide hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), are described. Derived by chemical modification of the benzodiazepine ring system embedded within the CCK-B antagonist L-365,260, these compounds display CCK-B/CCK-A selectivity and some analogs have receptor binding affinities in the subnanomolar range. This group of novel imidazobenzodiazepines, among which N-[(2S,4R)-methyl-6-phenyl-2,4-dihydro-1H-imidazo[1,2- alpha][1,4]benzodiazepin-4-yl]-N'-[3-methylphenyl]-urea (12) is the principal compound, expands the structural diversity of the collection of non-peptide CCK-B antagonists and will be useful in further delineating the function of CCK in the central nervous system.

1-((7,7-Dimethyl-2(S)-(2(S)-amino-4-(methylsulfonyl)butyramido)bicyclo [2.2.1]-heptan-1(S)-yl)methyl)sulfonyl)-4-(2-methylphenyl)piperaz ine (L-368,899): an orally bioavailable, non-peptide oxytocin antagonist with potential utility for managing preterm labor.

Modifications to the previously reported spiroindenylpiperidine camphor-sulfonamide oxytocin (OT) antagonist L-366,509 have produced a new series of o-tolylpiperazine (TP) camphor-sulfonamides. A number of analogues in the TP series that incorporate a modified or unmodified L-methionine sulfone amide at the C2 endo position on the camphor ring exhibit high affinity for OT receptors (IC50 = 1.3-15 nM) and good selectivity for binding to OT versus arginine vasopressin V1a and V2 receptors. Several of these analogues were additionally characterized as potent antagonists of OT-stimulated contractions of the isolated and/or in situ rat uterus. Compound 7 (L-368,899) exhibited the best overall profile of OT receptor affinity (IC50 = 8.9 nM, rat uterus; 26 nM, human uterus), potency for inhibition of OT-stimulated contractions of the isolated rat uterus (pA2 = 8.9) and in situ rat uterus (AD50 = 0.35 mg/kg after intravenous (i.v.) administration and 7.0 mg/kg after intraduodenal administration), aqueous solubility (3.7 mg/mL at pH 5.0), and oral bioavailability in several species (35% (rat), 25% (dog), and 21% (chimpanzee) as estimated from radioreceptor determination of drug levels in plasma after oral and i.v. dosing). On the basis of these favorable properties, 7 has begun clinical testing for use as an oral and i.v. tocolytic agent. Molecular modeling alignment studies have provided support for the hypothesis that the TP camphor-sulfonamide portion of the non-peptide structures may serve as a mimetic of the important D-AA2-Ile3 dipeptide (AA = aromatic amino acid) found in many potent OT antagonists from the cyclic hexapeptide and OT analogue structural classes.

Development of 1,4-benzodiazepine cholecystokinin type B antagonists.

A series of 3-(arylureido)-5-phenyl-1,4-benzodiazepines, nonpeptidal antagonists of the peptide hormone cholecystokinin (CCK), are described. Derived by reasoned modification of the CCK-A selective 3-carboxamido-1,4-benzodiazepine, MK-329, this paper chronicles the development of potent, orally effective compounds in which selectivity for the CCK-B receptor subtype was achieved. The principal lead structure that emerged from these studied is L-365,260, a compound which has been submitted for clinical evaluation. Details of the ability to modulate the receptor interactions of these benzodiazepines by appropriate structure modifications are discussed which imply the possibility of further refining the CCK-B receptor affinity and selectivity of this class of compounds.

Nanomolar-affinity, non-peptide oxytocin receptor antagonists.

Non-peptide antagonists of the peptide hormone oxytocin (OT) with nanomolar OT receptor affinities are described. These compounds incorporate novel amido- and amidoalkylcamphor variations to the lead structure L-366,509 (1) to achieve receptor affinity enhancements of 2-3 orders of magnitude over that compound. The new OT antagonist L-367,773 (35) is shown to be an orally bioavailable agent with good duration in vivo and to inhibit OT-stimulated uterine contractions effectively in several in vitro and in vivo models.

Development of a novel class of cyclic hexapeptide oxytocin antagonists based on a natural product.

A new structural class of cyclic hexapeptide oxytocin antagonists derived from Streptomyces silvensis and typified by L-365,209 (cyclo-[L-prolyl1-D-phenylalanyl2-L- isoleucyl3-D-dehydropiperazyl4-L-dehydroperazyl5-D-(N- methyl)phenylalanyl6]) was recently reported. In this paper we further delineate the structure-activity profile for this new class by systematic study of L-365,209 analogs obtained by total synthesis. The optimal combination of cyclic amino acid ring sizes at positions 1, 4, and 5 and the role of the N-alkyl substituent at position 6 was elucidated. The lipophilic amino acids at positions 2 and 3 and the unusual amino acid D-dehydropiperazic acid at position 4 were found to be the most critical residues for obtaining good oxytocin receptor affinity. Analogs containing a basic side chain at the less critical 5- and 6-positions maintained good receptor affinity and also had useful levels of water solubility for intravenous formulation. By combining potency- and solubility-enhancing substitutions, several analogs were identified that have the desired combination of properties in vitro (22, cyclo-[L-prolyl-D-tryptophanyl-L-isoleucyl-D-pipecolyl-L-pipeco lyl-D- histidyl]; 25, cyclo-[L-prolyl-D-2-naphthylalanyl-L-isoleucyl-D-pipecolyl-L -pipecolyl-D- histidyl]; 26, cyclo-[L-prolyl-D-tryptophanyl-L-isoleucyl-D-dehydropiperazyl-L-++ pipecolyl-D-histidyl]; 33, cyclo-[L-prolyl-D-tryptophanyl-L-isoleucyl-D-pipecolyl-L- piperazinylcarboxy-D-(N-methyl)phenylalanyl]; 34, cyclo-[L-prolyl-D-phenylalanyl-L-isoleucyl-D-dehydropiperazyl-L-or nithyl- D-(N-methyl)phenylalanyl]). In general, this class exhibited good selectivity for binding to the oxytocin receptor versus the arginine vasopressin V1a and V2 receptor subtypes, although increased V2 receptor affinity was observed in one case (32, cyclo[L-prolyl-D-2-naphthylalanyl-L-isoleucyl-D-pipecolyl-L- lysyl-D-(N- methyl)phenylalanyl]). Unexpectedly, compound 33 was found to stimulate contractions of the isolated rat uterus via activation of the uterine bradykinin receptor. Compounds 22, 25, 26, 33, and 34 were found to be potent antagonists of oxytocin-stimulated contraction of the rat uterus in vitro and in vivo. Compounds 22 and 25 were additionally characterized as potent antagonists of oxytocin-stimulated uterine contractions in the near-term pregnant rhesus monkey. These studies thus demonstrate the selectivity and efficacy of certain members of this novel class of antagonists and suggest their use as pharmacological tools in further defining the role of oxytocin in both term and preterm labor.