beta-Alkylthio indolyl carbinols: potent nonsteroidal antiandrogens with oral efficacy in a prostate cancer model.

Through an in vivo screening model, we developed the in vivo SAR of beta-alkylthio indolyl carbinols. Through these efforts we identified a compound with potent oral in vivo efficacy in both immature and mature rat prostate weight reduction models and in a murine xenograft prostate cancer model.

Discovery of novel phosphorus-containing steroids as selective glucocorticoid receptor antagonist.

Mifepristone is a non-selective antagonist of 3-oxosteroid receptors with both abortifacient and anti-diabetic activities. For glucocorticoid receptor (GR) program, we sought an unexplored, synthetically accessible phosphorus-containing steroidal mimetic of mifepristone, suitable for parallel synthesis of analogues. One compound 4a, with high oral bioavailability (59%) in rat, exhibited functional antagonism of GR in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Thus this series of compounds might be potentially useful for the treatment of type II diabetes.

A selective androgen receptor modulator that reduces prostate tumor size and prevents orchidectomy-induced bone loss in rats.

The pharmacological activity of JNJ-26146900 is described. JNJ-26146900 is a nonsteroidal androgen receptor (AR) ligand with tissue-selective activity in rats. The compound was evaluated in in vitro and in vivo models of AR activity. It binds to the rat AR with a K(i) of 400nM and acts as a pure androgen antagonist in an in vitro cell-based assay. Its in vitro profile is similar to the androgen antagonist bicalutamide (Casodex). In intact rats, JNJ-26146900 reduces ventral prostate weight with an oral potency (ED(50)) of 20-30mg/kg, again comparable to that of bicalutamide. JNJ-26146900 prevented prostate tumor growth in the Dunning rat model, maximally inhibiting growth at a dose of 10mg/kg. It slowed tumor growth significantly in a CWR22-LD1 mouse xenograft model of human prostate cancer. It was tested in aged male rats for its ability to prevent bone loss and loss of lean body mass following orchidectomy. After 6 weeks of dosing, bone volume decreased by 33% in orchidectomized versus intact vehicle-treated rats with a probability (P) of less than 0.05, as measured by micro-computerized tomography analysis. At a dose of 30mg/kg, JNJ-26146900 significantly reduced castration-induced tibial bone loss as indicated by the following parameters: bone volume, trabecular connectivity, trabecular number and spacing between trabeculae. Bone mineral density decreased from 229+/-34mg/cm(3) of hydroxyapatite to 166+/-26mg/cm(3) following orchidectomy, and was maintained at 194+/-20mg/cm(3) with JNJ-26146900 treatment (P<0.05 relative to orchidectomy alone). Using magnetic resonance imaging, the compound was found to partially prevent orchidectomy-induced loss of lean body mass. Our data show that selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) have the potential for anabolic effects on bone and muscle while maintaining therapeutic efficacy in prostate cancer.

The discovery of a potent orally efficacious indole androgen receptor antagonist through in vivo screening.

A series of novel 2-(1H-indol-2-yl)-propan-2-ols have been designed, synthesized, and screened for their ability to inhibit testosterone-induced prostate weight increases in immature rats. Through the use of this paradigm, we were able to identify compounds that exhibited in vivo potency equal to that of the marketed antiandrogen Casodex when orally administered.

A bioisosteric approach to the discovery of indole carbinol androgen receptor ligands.

Two potential bioisosteres of the nonsteroidal antiandrogen bicalutamide, an imidazolidinone and an indole, were synthesized and tested for their androgen receptor binding. Indole was discovered to be a suitable bioisostere for the acyl anilide moiety in the parent compound. Several analogs in the indole series were found to be 10-fold better than bicalutamide in binding to the recombinant androgen receptor binding domain.

Novel phosphorus-containing 17beta-side chain mifepristone analogues as progesterone receptor antagonists.

A novel series of steroidal compounds were designed and synthesized with various phosphorus-containing groups on the 17beta-side chain as progesterone receptor antagonists. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds are discussed. Selected compounds were tested in an rat progesterone-sensitive assay. Some of these compounds are more potent than mifepristone, with a better selectivity profile in differentiating progesterone receptor from glucocorticoid receptor.

New progesterone receptor antagonists: phosphorus-containing 11beta-aryl-substituted steroids.

A new series of phosphorus-containing 11beta-aryl-substituted steroids have been synthesized in an eight-step sequence involving a palladium-catalyzed coupling reaction to introduce a phosphorus group onto the aromatic ring. The compounds were evaluated for progesterone receptor (PR) antagonist activity in a T47D cell-based assay and for glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist activity in an A549 cell-based assay. The structure-activity relationships of these compounds are discussed. Selected compounds were tested in vivo in a rat complement C3 assay.

Structure-activity relationships of N-acyl pyrroloquinolone PDE-5 inhibitors.

The discovery of the potent and selective PDE-5 inhibitory activity of a pyrroloquinolone scaffold prompted us to explore the SAR of its acyl derivatives. During the course of these studies, three structural series were found with K(i) values for PDE-5 in the subnanomolar range. Systematic modification of one of these leads produced a compound with excellent selectivity for PDE-5 over other phosphodiesterases and oral bioavailability of 15% in male rats. This compound also displayed in vivo efficacy in an anesthetized canine model of erection when dosed intravenously.

Furoyl and benzofuroyl pyrroloquinolones as potent and selective PDE5 inhibitors for treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Synthesis of furoyl and benzofuroyl pyrroloquinolones as potent and selective PDE5 inhibitors was reported. Their in vitro potencies in inhibiting PDE5 and selectivity in inhibiting other PDE isozymes (PDE1-4 and PDE6) were evaluated. Some of these compounds are more potent than sildenafil with better selectivity toward PDE1 and PDE6. Incorporation of solublizing groups resulted in bioavailable analogues. Selected compounds showed in vivo efficacy in anesthetized dog model for penile erection.