Demonstration of Smartphones as Viable Tools for Adolescent Substance Use Surveillance.

Background: Electronic platform surveys are ideal for self-administration in adolescent populations, as nearly all adolescents in the US report using or having access to smartphones. This technology-savvy population seems prepared to graduate away from paper surveys. Despite predicted advantages of using smartphones for data collection, there is a surprising lack of data regarding the use of this mode for surveillance of substance use trends among adolescent populations. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate completion rates, times, and responses of high school students taking the Secondary Student Life Survey: Nevada (SSLS:NV) on their own personal smartphones compared to provided computers or tablets. Methods: The SSLS:NV is a web-based survey designed to assess adolescent beliefs, attitudes, and use-trends surrounding substance use. The SSLS:NV was self-administered via self-selected device (personal vs. provided) within one class period to approximately one thousand 9th-12th grade students in December 2016. Data was collected and analyzed to compare outcomes by computer, tablet, or smartphone. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 23.0 using χ2 or Fisher's exact test for categorical data and one-way ANOVA for continuous data. Results: SSLS:NV completion times averaged 21 min overall (p = .193). Differences were seen with completion rates of 86% smartphone 94% tablet, and 95% computer (p < .001), while responses to lifetime substance use were similar across all groups. Conclusions/Importance: The current study provides proof of concept that personal smartphones are effective in achieving more comprehensive adolescent substance use surveillance within a relatively short amount of time, while retaining robust response rates.

Biopharmaceutical Characterization and Oral Efficacy of a New Rapid Acting Antidepressant Ro 25-6981.

Ro 25-6981 is a highly potent and selective blocker of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors that has been shown to possess both rapid and sustained antidepressant activity. In the present study, we report the biopharmaceutical characterization of Ro 25-6981 by evaluating gastrointestinal stability, transepithelial permeability, stability in human liver microsomes, and in silico metabolic prediction. Moreover, in vivo efficacy of Ro 25-6981 after oral administration was evaluated in animal models of depression. When mixed with 5 different simulated gastrointestinal fluids, no loss of parent compound was observed after 6 h, indicating compound stability in the gastrointestinal environment. At the tested concentrations, Ro 25-6981 was shown to have transepithelial permeability with apparent permeability (Papp) values comparable to highly permeable drugs. Ro 25-6981 was metabolized within 30 min in human liver microsomes, and the metabolic prediction data showed glucuronidation and sulfation as potential metabolic pathways. The in vivo efficacy data suggested that Ro 25-6981, when administered orally at 30 mg/kg, exhibits antidepressant-like activity following oral administration with efficacy comparable to traditional antidepressants that is both dose- and time-dependent. Overall, due to optimal gastrointestinal stability, oral permeability, and oral efficacy, Ro 25-6981 can be a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of depression.

LX2761, a Sodium/Glucose Cotransporter 1 Inhibitor Restricted to the Intestine, Improves Glycemic Control in Mice.

LX2761 is a potent sodium/glucose cotransporter 1 inhibitor restricted to the intestinal lumen after oral administration. Studies presented here evaluated the effect of orally administered LX2761 on glycemic control in preclinical models. In healthy mice and rats treated with LX2761, blood glucose excursions were lower and plasma total glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels higher after an oral glucose challenge; these decreased glucose excursions persisted even when the glucose challenge occurred 15 hours after LX2761 dosing in ad lib-fed mice. Further, treating mice with LX2761 and the dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitor sitagliptin synergistically increased active GLP-1 levels, suggesting increased LX2761-mediated release of GLP-1 into the portal circulation. LX2761 also lowered postprandial glucose, fasting glucose, and hemoglobin A1C, and increased plasma total GLP-1, during long-term treatment of mice with either early- or late-onset streptozotocin-diabetes; in the late-onset cohort, LX2761 treatment improved survival. Mice and rats treated with LX2761 occasionally had diarrhea; this dose-dependent side effect decreased in severity and frequency over time, and LX2761 doses were identified that decreased postprandial glucose excursions without causing diarrhea. Further, the frequency of LX2761-associated diarrhea was greatly decreased in mice either by gradual dose escalation or by pretreatment with resistant starch 4, which is slowly digested to glucose in the colon, a process that primes the colon for glucose metabolism by selecting for glucose-fermenting bacterial species. These data suggest that clinical trials are warranted to determine if LX2761 doses and dosing strategies exist that provide improved glycemic control combined with adequate gastrointestinal tolerability in people living with diabetes.

Discovery of LX2761, a Sodium-Dependent Glucose Cotransporter 1 (SGLT1) Inhibitor Restricted to the Intestinal Lumen, for the Treatment of Diabetes.

The increasing number of people afflicted with diabetes throughout the world is a major health issue. Inhibitors of the sodium-dependent glucose cotransporters (SGLT) have appeared as viable therapeutics to control blood glucose levels in diabetic patents. Herein we report the discovery of LX2761, a locally acting SGLT1 inhibitor that is highly potent in vitro and delays intestinal glucose absorption in vivo to improve glycemic control.

LP-925219 maximizes urinary glucose excretion in mice by inhibiting both renal SGLT1 and SGLT2.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors are a new class of oral anti-diabetic agents that improve glycemic control by inhibiting SGLT2-mediated renal glucose reabsorption. Currently available agents increase urinary glucose excretion (UGE) to <50% of maximal values because they do not inhibit SGLT1, which reabsorbs >50% of filtered glucose when SGLT2 is completely inhibited. This led us to test whether LP-925219, a small molecule dual SGLT1/SGLT2 inhibitor, increases UGE to maximal values in wild-type (WT) mice. We first tested LP-925219 inhibition of glucose transport by HEK293 cells expressing SGLT1 or SGLT2, and then characterized LP-925219 pharmacokinetics. We found that LP-925219 was a potent inhibitor of mouse SGLT1 (IC50 = 22.6 nmol/L) and SGLT2 (IC50 = 0.5 nmol/L), and that a 10 mg/kg oral dose was bioavailable (87%) with a long half-life (7 h). We next delivered LP-925219 by oral gavage to WT, SGLT1 knockout (KO), SGLT2 KO, and SGLT1/SGLT2 double KO (DKO) mice and measured their 24-h UGE. We found that, in vehicle-treated mice, DKO UGE was maximal and SGLT2 KO, SGLT1 KO, and WT UGEs were 30%, 2%, and 0.2% of maximal, respectively; we also found that LP-925219 dosed at 60 mg/kg twice daily increased UGE of SGLT1 KO, SGLT2 KO, and WT mice to DKO UGE levels. These findings show that orally available dual SGLT1/SGLT2 inhibitors can maximize 24-h UGE in mammals, and suggest that such agents merit further evaluation for their potential, in diabetic patients, to achieve better glycemic control than is achieved using selective SGLT2 inhibitors.

Discovery of a Type III Inhibitor of LIM Kinase 2 That Binds in a DFG-Out Conformation.

The first allosteric, type III inhibitor of LIM-kinase 2 (LIMK2) is reported. A series of molecules that feature both an N-phenylsulfonamide and tertiary amide were not only very potent at LIMK2 but also were extremely selective against a panel of other kinases. Enzymatic kinetic studies showed these molecules to be noncompetitive with ATP, suggesting allosteric inhibition. X-ray crystallography confirmed that these sulfonamides are a rare example of a type III kinase inhibitor that binds away from the highly conserved hinge region and instead resides in the hydrophobic pocket formed in the DFG-out conformation of the kinase, thus accounting for the high level of selectivity observed.

Discovery and Development of LX7101, a Dual LIM-Kinase and ROCK Inhibitor for the Treatment of Glaucoma.

The structure of LX7101, a dual LIM-kinase and ROCK inhibitor for the treatment of ocular hypertension and associated glaucoma, is disclosed. Previously reported LIM kinase inhibitors suffered from poor aqueous stability due to solvolysis of the central urea. Replacement of the urea with a hindered amide resulted in aqueous stable compounds, and addition of solubilizing groups resulted in a set of compounds with good properties for topical dosing in the eye and good efficacy in a mouse model of ocular hypertension. LX7101 was selected as a clinical candidate from this group based on superior efficacy in lowering intraocular pressure and a good safety profile. LX7101 completed IND enabling studies and was tested in a Phase 1 clinical trial in glaucoma patients, where it showed efficacy in lowering intraocular pressure.

Reaction profiling by ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry in support of the synthesis of DNA-encoded libraries.

An ultra high-pressure liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS) separation and analysis method has been devised for open access analysis of synthetic reactions used in the production of DNA-encoded chemical libraries. The aqueous mobile phase is 100mM hexafluoroisopropanol and 8.6mM triethylamine; the organic mobile phase is methanol. The UHPLC separation uses a C18 OST column (50mm×2.1mm×1.7µm) at 60°C, with a flow rate of 0.6mL/min. Gradient concentration is from 10 to 40% B in 1.0min, increasing to 95% B at 1.2min. Cycle time was about 5min. This method provides a detection limit of a 20-mer oligonucleotide by mass spectrometry of better than 1pmol on-column. Linear UV response for 20-mer extends from 2 to 200pmol/µL in concentration, same-day relative average deviations are less than 5% and bias (observed minus expected) is less than 10%. Deconvoluted mass spectra are generated for components in the predicted mass range using a maximum entropy algorithm. Mass accuracy of deconvoluted spectra is typically 20ppm or better for isotopomers of oligonucleotides up to 7000Da.

Novel class of LIM-kinase 2 inhibitors for the treatment of ocular hypertension and associated glaucoma.

The discovery of a pyrrolopyrimidine class of LIM-kinase 2 (LIMK2) inhibitors is reported. These LIMK2 inhibitors show good potency in enzymatic and cellular assays and good selectivity against ROCK. After topical dosing to the eye in a steroid induced mouse model of ocular hypertension, the compounds reduce intraocular pressure to baseline levels. The compounds also increase outflow facility in a pig eye perfusion assay. These results suggest LIMK2 may be an effective target for treating ocular hypertension and associated glaucoma.

Novel L-xylose derivatives as selective sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

The prevalence of diabetes throughout the world continues to increase and has become a major health issue. Recently there have been several reports of inhibitors directed toward the sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) as a method of maintaining glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients. Herein we report the discovery of the novel O-xyloside 7c that inhibits SGLT2 in vitro and urinary glucose reabsorption in vivo.

N-(cycloalkylamino)acyl-2-aminothiazole inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 2. N-[5-[[[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-oxazolyl]methyl]thio]-2-thiazolyl]-4- piperidinecarboxamide (BMS-387032), a highly efficacious and selective antitumor agent.

N-Acyl-2-aminothiazoles with nonaromatic acyl side chains containing a basic amine were found to be potent, selective inhibitors of CDK2/cycE which exhibit antitumor activity in mice. In particular, compound 21 [N-[5-[[[5-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-2-oxazolyl]methyl]thio]-2-thiazolyl]-4-piperidinecarboxamide, BMS-387032], has been identified as an ATP-competitive and CDK2-selective inhibitor which has been selected to enter Phase 1 human clinical trials as an antitumor agent. In a cell-free enzyme assay, 21 showed a CDK2/cycE IC(50) = 48 nM and was 10- and 20-fold selective over CDK1/cycB and CDK4/cycD, respectively. It was also highly selective over a panel of 12 unrelated kinases. Antiproliferative activity was established in an A2780 cellular cytotoxicity assay in which 21 showed an IC(50) = 95 nM. Metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies showed that 21 exhibited a plasma half-life of 5-7 h in three species and moderately low protein binding in both mouse (69%) and human (63%) serum. Dosed orally to mouse, rat, and dog, 21 showed 100%, 31%, and 28% bioavailability, respectively. As an antitumor agent in mice, 21 administered at its maximum-tolerated dose exhibited a clearly superior efficacy profile when compared to flavopiridol in both an ip/ip P388 murine tumor model and in a s.c./i.p. A2780 human ovarian carcinoma xenograft model.

1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases: highly potent 2,6-Difluorophenacyl analogues.

Structure-activity studies of 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine 1 have resulted in the discovery of potent CDK1/CDK2 selective inhibitor 21h, BMS-265246 (CDK1/cycB IC(50)=6 nM, CDK2/cycE IC(50)=9 nM). The 2,6-difluorophenyl substitution was critical for potent inhibitory activity. A solid state structure of 21j, a close di-fluoro analogue, bound to CDK2 shows the inhibitor resides coincident with the ATP purine binding site and forms important H-bonds with Leu83 on the protein backbone.

1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases.

1H-Pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine 3 (SQ-67563) has been shown to be a potent, selective inhibitor of CDK1/CDK2 in vitro. In cells 3 acts as a cytotoxic agent with the ability to block cell cycle progression and/or induce apoptosis. The solid state structure of 3 bound to CDK2 shows 3 resides coincident with the ATP purine binding site and forms important H-bonding interactions with Leu83 on the protein backbone.

Discovery of aminothiazole inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 2: synthesis, X-ray crystallographic analysis, and biological activities.

High throughput screening identified 2-acetamido-thiazolylthio acetic ester 1 as an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2). Because this compound is inactive in cells and unstable in plasma, we have stabilized it to metabolic hydrolysis by replacing the ester moiety with a 5-ethyl-substituted oxazole as in compound 14. Combinatorial and parallel synthesis provided a rapid analysis of the structure-activity relationship (SAR) for these inhibitors of CDK2, and over 100 analogues with IC(50) values in the 1-10 nM range were rapidly prepared. The X-ray crystallographic data of the inhibitors bound to the active site of CDK2 protein provided insight into the binding modes of these inhibitors, and the SAR of this series of analogues was rationalized. Many of these analogues displayed potent and broad spectrum antiproliferative activity across a panel of tumor cell lines in vitro. In addition, A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells undergo rapid apoptosis following exposure to CDK2 inhibitors of this class. Mechanism of action studies have confirmed that the phosphorylation of CDK2 substrates such as RB, histone H1, and DNA polymerase alpha (p70 subunit) is reduced in the presence of compound 14. Further optimization led to compounds such as water soluble 45, which possesses a favorable pharmacokinetic profile in mice and demonstrates significant antitumor activity in vivo in several murine and human models, including an engineered murine mammary tumor that overexpresses cyclin E, the coactivator of CDK2.