Abstract

Previously, we reported a first-in-class von Hippel-Lindau (VHL)-recruiting mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases 1 and 2 (MEK1/2) degrader, MS432. To date, only two MEK1/2 degrader papers have been published and very limited structure-activity relationships (SAR) have been reported. Here, we describe our extensive SAR studies exploring both von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) and cereblon (CRBN) E3 ligase ligands and a variety of linkers, which resulted in two novel, improved VHL-recruiting MEK1/2 degraders, 24 (MS928) and 27 (MS934), and the first CRBN-recruiting MEK1/2 degrader 50 (MS910). These compounds potently and selectively degraded MEK1/2 by hijacking the ubiquitin-proteasome system, inhibited downstream signaling, and suppressed cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, concurrent inhibition of BRAF or PI3K significantly potentiated the antitumor activity of degrader 27, suggesting that the combination of MEK1/2 degradation with BRAF or PI3K inhibition may provide potential therapeutic benefits. Finally, besides being more potent, degrader 27 displayed improved plasma exposure levels in mice, representing the best MEK1/2 degrader to date for in vivo studies.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.