PI3Kα-selective Inhibitor Research Articles

Discovery of 1-(4-(5-(5-amino-6-(5-tert-butyl-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyrazin-2-yl)-1-ethyl-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)piperidin-1-yl)-3-hydroxypropan-1-one (AZD8835): A potent and selective inhibitor of PI3Kα and PI3Kδ for the treatment of cancers.

Starting from potent inhibitors of PI3Kα having poor general kinase selectivity (e.g., 1 and 2), optimisation of this series led to the identification of 25, a potent inhibitor of PI3Kα (wild type, E545K and H1047R mutations) and PI3Kδ, selective versus PI3Kβ and PI3Kγ, with excellent general kinase selectivity. Compound 25 displayed low metabolic turnover and suitable physical properties for oral administration. In vivo, compound 25 showed pharmacodynamic modulation of AKT phosphorylation and near complete inhibition of tumour growth (93% tumour growth inhibition) in a murine H1047R PI3Kα mutated SKOV-3 xenograft tumour model after chronic oral administration at 25mg/kg b.i.d. Compound 25, also known as AZD8835, is currently in phase I clinical trials.

The pan phosphoinositide 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor SAR245409 (voxtalisib/XL765) blocks survival, adhesion and proliferation of primary chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells.

The phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are critical components of the B-cell receptor (BCR) pathway and have an important role in the pathobiology of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Inhibitors of PI3Kδ block BCR-mediated cross-talk between CLL cells and the lymph node microenvironment and provide significant clinical benefit to CLL patients. However, the PI3Kδ inhibitors applied thus far have limited direct impact on leukemia cell survival and thus are unlikely to eradicate the disease. The use of inhibitors of multiple isoforms of PI3K might lead to deeper remissions. Here we demonstrate that the pan-PI3K/mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor SAR245409 (voxtalisib/XL765) was more pro-apoptotic to CLL cells--irrespective of their ATM/p53 status--than PI3Kα or PI3Kδ isoform selective inhibitors. Furthermore, SAR245409 blocked CLL survival, adhesion and proliferation. Moreover, SAR245409 was a more potent inhibitor of T-cell-mediated production of cytokines, which support CLL survival. Taken together, our in vitro data provide a rationale for the evaluation of a pan-PI3K inhibitor in CLL patients.

Abstract 2665: High dose intermittent scheduling of AZD8835, a novel potent and selective inhibitor of PI3Kα and PI3Kδ, identifies potential treatment strategies for PIK3CA-dependent cancers

Abstract The PIK3CA gene, encoding the p110 catalytic unit of PI3Kα, is one of the most frequently mutated oncogenes described in human cancer. Hence PI3Kα is a target subject to intensive efforts in identifying inhibitors and evaluating their therapeutic potential. To date most studies with PI3K inhibitors have used a continuous (daily) dosing schedule and although clinical responses have been reported the overall activity observed has been moderate. This may in part be due to suboptimal pathway inhibition which is capped by normal tissue toxicities such as rash, diarrhoea and hyperglycaemia. Furthermore, additional dose reduction may be required when such agents are used in combination with other therapies. Therefore in our efforts to optimise inhibition of PI3K pathway signalling, we have explored high dose intermittent scheduling as an alternative to continuous dosing. Here we describe pre-clinical studies that exemplify such concepts, centred around use of AZD8835, a PI3K inhibitor currently in Phase 1 clinical evaluation. AZD8835 is a novel and potent inhibitor of PI3Kα and PI3Kδ, with selectivity vs. PI3Kβ, PI3Kγ(IC50s of 6nM, 6nM, 431nM and 90nM respectively in enzyme assays) and other kinases. AZD8835 preferentially displays activity in tumour models with a mutant PIK3CA background, such as ER+ve breast cancer models. Such models were used in our investigations, in both cell culture and in mouse xenograft contexts. We demonstrate that a high dose intermittent schedule of single agent AZD8835 achieves greater pathway inhibition yielding significant anti-tumour responses. In the sensitive BT474 xenograft model, a dose of 100mg/kg AZD8835 BID on days 1 and 4 in a weekly schedule delivered -36% tumour regression, accompanied by a strongly elevated rapid onset apoptosis signal with 4-16% cells staining positively for cleaved-caspase3. We also evaluated AZD8835 in combination with other targeted therapeutic agents, in MCF7, BT474 and T47D breast models, observing increased sensitivity relative to single agent AZD8835; firstly with agents that target other nodes in the PI3K pathway; secondly with agents targeting parallel but interconnected driver pathways in breast disease (ER, CDK4/6). Overall the data indicate that high dose intermittent scheduling can deliver strong anti-tumour efficacy in a range of combination settings and provides a promising alternative to continuous dosing. Such schedules merit clinical evaluation. Citation Format: Kevin Hudson, Urs Hancox, Cath Trigwell, Phillippa Dudley, Lyndsey Hanson, Robert McEwen, Alys Jones, Marie Cumberbatch, Urszula Polanska, Rebecca Ellston, Oona Delpuech, Pablo Morentin Gutierrez, Lara Ward, Francisco Cruzalegui, Stephen Green. High dose intermittent scheduling of AZD8835, a novel potent and selective inhibitor of PI3Kα and PI3Kδ, identifies potential treatment strategies for PIK3CA-dependent cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2665. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2665

Abstract 2830: Discovery of AZD8835, a potent and selective inhibitor of PI3Kα and PI3Kδ for the treatment of PIK3CA-dependent cancers

Abstract Amplification and mutations of the PIK3CA gene encoding the p110α catalytic unit of PI3Kα occur frequently in many human cancers including ca. 25% of breast cancers. The three most common mutations (E542K, E545K and H1047R) in the PIK3CA gene have been confirmed as activating mutations. The strong evidence pointing at the oncogenic nature of the PIK3CA gene mutations and their high frequency have fuelled a strong interest in developing selective inhibitors of PI3Kα. During the lead generation phase of this project, we identified a series of 2-amino pyridines / pyrazines as potent inhibitors of PI3Kα both at the enzymatic and the cellular level. However, these initial leads displayed poor general kinase selectivity. We report the optimisation of this series, with a special focus on optimisation of general kinase selectivity. This work led to the identification of AZD8835, a potent inhibitor of PI3Kα (wild type, E545K and H1047R mutations) and PI3Kδ with excellent selectivity vs. PI3Kβ, PI3Kγ and an excellent general kinase selectivity. AZD8835 is a potent inhibitor of p-Akt in cells sensitive to PI3Kα inhibition (IC50 0.057 μM in PIK3CA mutant human breast ductal carcinoma BT474 cell line) and in cells sensitive to PI3Kδ inhibition (IC50 0.049 μM in JeKo-1 B cell line), but not to cells sensitive to PI3Kβ inhibition (IC50 3.5 μM in PTEN null breast adenocarcinoma MDA-MB-468 cell line) or PI3Kγ inhibition (IC50 0.53 μM in monocytic RAW264 cell line). Furthermore, AZD8835 displayed high metabolic stability and suitable physical properties for oral administration. In vivo, inhibition of p-Akt was observed at 30 minutes and 8 hours in the PIK3CA H1047R mutant SKOV3 tumour model in mice after chronic oral administration of AZD8835 (25 mg/kg b.i.d.). AZD8835 showed excellent tumour growth inhibition in this same model after chronic oral administration (25 mg/kg b.i.d.). Based on these results, AZD8835 was selected as a clinical candidate for the treatment of PIK3CA-dependant cancers and has recently entered phase I clinical trials. Citation Format: Bernard Barlaam, Sabina Cosulich, Benedicte Delouvrie, Martina Fitzek, Herve Germain, Stephen Green, Craig S. Harris, Kevin Hudson, Christine Lambert-van der Brempt, Maryannick Lamorlette, Le Griffon Antoine, Remy Morgentin, Gilles Ouvry, Ken Page, Georges Pasquet, Linette Ruston, Twana Saleh, Michel Vautier, Lara Ward. Discovery of AZD8835, a potent and selective inhibitor of PI3Kα and PI3Kδ for the treatment of PIK3CA-dependent cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2830. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2830

Discovery of a novel tricyclic 4H-thiazolo[5',4':4,5]pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine-2-amino scaffold and its application in a PI3Kα inhibitor with high PI3K isoform selectivity and potent cellular activity.

A novel, previously undescribed 4H-thiazolo[5',4':4,5]pyrano[2,3-c]pyridine tricyclic scaffold has been discovered. The application of this novel chemotype leading to a potent and selective prototype PI3Kα inhibitor with favorable physicochemical and PK-properties is described.

Identification and optimisation of a 4',5-bisthiazole series of selective phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase alpha inhibitors.

Exploring the affinity-pocket binding moiety of a 2-aminothiazole (S)-proline-amide-urea series of selective PI3Kα inhibitors using a parallel-synthesis approach led to the identification of a novel 4',5-bisthiazole sub-series. The synthesis and optimisation of both the affinity pocket and (S)-proline amide moieties within this 4',5-bisthiazole sub-series are described. From this work a number of analogues, including 14 (A66) and 24, were identified as potent and selective PI3Kα inhibitor in vitro tool compounds.

Identification and optimisation of 4,5-dihydrobenzo[1,2-d:3,4-d]bisthiazole and 4,5-dihydrothiazolo[4,5-h]quinazoline series of selective phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase alpha inhibitors.

A cyclisation within a 4',5-bisthiazole (S)-proline-amide-urea series of selective PI3Kα inhibitors led to a novel 4,5-dihydrobenzo[1,2-d:3,4-d]bisthiazole tricyclic sub-series. The synthesis and optimisation of this 4,5-dihydrobenzo[1,2-d:3,4-d]bisthiazole sub-series and the expansion to a related tricyclic 4,5-dihydrothiazolo[4,5-h]quinazoline sub-series are described. From this work analogues including 11, 12, 19 and 23 were identified as potent and selective PI3Kα inhibitor in vivo tool compounds.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel condensed pyrrolo[1,2-c]pyrimidines featuring morpholine moiety as PI3Kα inhibitors

Four series of condensed pyrrolo[1,2-c]pyrimidines 6a–d, 8a–d, 10a,b and 12a–e designed as PI3Kα inhibitors were synthesized and evaluated for inhibitory activity and selectivity toward different PI3K isoforms. The tested compounds displayed PI3Kα kinase inhibitory activity at either low micromolar or nanomolar level. In particular, the morpholino-pyrimidopyrrolopyrimidinones 8a–d and morpholino-pyridopyrrolopyrimidine-2-carbonitriles 12a–e proved to be highly potent and selective PI3Kα inhibitors (IC50 = 0.1–7.7 nM). Moreover, the target compounds exhibited considerable cytotoxic activity against cervical cancer cell line HeLa that over-expresses p110α (0.21–1.99 μM). Molecular modeling simulation revealed that, the designed compounds docked well into p110α active site and their complexes are stabilized by a key H-bonding with the backbone amide of Val851 as well as other favorable hydrophobic and H-bond interactions with different amino acids within the enzyme active site.

Design of selective PI3Kα inhibitors starting from a promiscuous pan kinase scaffold.

Starting from compound 1, a potent PI3Kα inhibitor having poor general kinase selectivity, we used structural data and modelling to identify key exploitable differences between PI3Kα and the other kinases. This approach led us to design chemical modifications of the central pyrazole, which solved the poor kinase selectivity seen as a strong liability for the initial compound 1. Amongst the modifications explored, a 1,3,4-triazole ring (as in compound 4) as a replacement of the initial pyrazole provided good potency against PI3Kα, with excellent kinase selectivity.

Phosphoinositide 3-kinase β, phosphoinositide 3-kinase δ, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase γ mediate the anti-inflammatory effects of magnesium sulfate

BackgroundWe previously demonstrated that inhibiting phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) or activating L-type calcium channels blocked the anti-inflammatory effects of magnesium sulfate (MgSO4). However, the question as which class I PI3K isoform (PI3Kα, PI3Kβ, PI3Kδ, or PI3Kγ) is involved in this regard remains unstudied. The question as whether MgSO4 and L-type calcium channels interact to influence PI3K activation also remains unstudied. We therefore designed this study to test two hypotheses: (1) inhibiting PI3Kα, PI3Kβ, PI3Kδ, or PI3Kγ would block the anti-inflammatory effects of MgSO4 and (2) activating L-type calcium channels would block the effects of MgSO4 on activating PI3K. Materials and methodsPI3K isoform investigation: macrophages (RAW264.7 cells) were treated with endotoxin, endotoxin plus MgSO4, or endotoxin plus MgSO4 plus the selective inhibitor of PI3Kα (PIK-75), PI3Kβ (TGX-221), PI3Kδ (IC-87114), or PI3Kγ (AS-252424). Calcium channel investigation: macrophages were treated with endotoxin, endotoxin plus MgSO4, or endotoxin plus MgSO4 plus the L-type calcium channel activator BAY-K8644. ResultsThe endotoxin plus MgSO4 group presented lower concentrations of inflammatory mediators (macrophage inflammatory protein 2, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6, lower nuclear concentration of phosphorylated nuclear factor κB, lower cytosolic concentration of phosphorylated inhibitor κBα, and higher concentration of phosphorylated Akt (PI3K activation marker) than the endotoxin group (all P < 0.05). These effects of MgSO4 were significantly reduced by TGX-221, IC-87114, or AS-252424, but not PIK-75. Additionally, BAY-K8644 blocked the effect of MgSO4 on activating PI3K. ConclusionsMgSO4 exerts its anti-inflammatory effects through activating PI3Kβ, PI3Kδ, and PI3Kγ. The underlying mechanism appears to involve inhibition of L-type calcium channels.

6,7-Dihydrobenzo[f]benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-d][1,4]oxazepine derivatives as selective inhibitors of PI3Kα

Twenty eight 6,7-dihydrobenzo[f]benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-d][1,4]oxazepine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated their biological activities as PI3K inhibitors. Biological evaluation against four human tumor cell lines revealed that most target compounds showed impressively better antiproliferative activities than that of LY294002. Among these compounds, compound 25 exhibited the most potent and selective activity for PI3Kα, with the IC50 value of 0.016μM, an approximately 30-fold increase in comparison with LY294002, it also has an increased potency of approximately 11-fold for PI3Kβ. It indicated the potential of developing 6,7-dihydrobenzo[f]benzo[4,5]imidazo[1,2-d][1,4]oxazepine derivatives as the new PI3Kα selective inhibitors for tumor treatment.

Abstract LB-327: Loss of PTEN leads to clinical resistance to the PI3Kα inhibitor BYL719 and provides evidence of convergent evolution under selective therapeutic pressure

Abstract Activating mutations of PIK3CA, the gene encoding the p110α subunit of PI3K, are frequent in breast cancer and selective inhibitors of this enzyme have shown promising clinical activity in breast tumors harboring these mutations. We studied the case of a patient with metastatic breast cancer harboring a PIK3CA mutation that was treated in a clinical trial with BYL719, a highly selective PI3Kα inhibitor. The treatment resulted in a robust partial response that lasted 7 months followed by rapid progression and death. A rapid autopsy was performed with collection of tissue samples from 16 different metastatic sites. We compared by whole genome and exome sequencing the original primary tumor, a rapidly progressing lung metastasis and a periaortic lesion that was still responding to BYL719 at time of death. Besides several common alterations, PTEN loss and a missense mutation were detected only in the lung metastasis. Using targeted exome sequencing we analyzed all the other available samples. Strikingly, we observed a consistent loss in PTEN (via different mechanisms such as deletion, splice site mutation and frameshift mutations) in all the lesions refractory to BYL719 but not in the responding ones. In every case, the loss of PTEN was also documented by lack of protein expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Finally, we were able to build a dendrogram showing the phylogenetic evolution of the lesions and the evolutionary convergence of the PTEN alterations. To validate PTEN loss as a possible mechanism of acquired resistance to selective PI3Kα inhibition, we generated doxycycline-inducible PTEN shRNA stable clones starting from three different BYL719-sensitive cell lines. In all the studied models, induction of PTEN shRNA resulted in resistance to BYL719. Since PTEN deficient genetic models have been shown to rely on the β subunit of the PI3K holoenzyme, we tested whether the concomitant inhibition of both p110α and p110β was sufficient to revert the resistant phenotype. BKM120 (a pan-PI3K inhibitor) or the addition of AZD6482 (p110β inhibitor) to BYL719 re-sensitized the cells to BYL719. To expand our findings in vivo, we generated a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model from a PTEN-null non-responding lesion (lung). Consistently, this PDX model was refractory to the antitumor activity of BYL719 but conserved sensitivity to BKM120 or the combination of AZD6482 and BYL719. In both cases, IHC analysis revealed a decrease in PI3K/AKT downstream effectors pPRAS40 (246) and pS6 (240/4) staining with BKM120 or AZD6482+BYL719, but not with BYL719 alone. Preliminary analyses of other samples collected from patients treated with BYL719 suggest that PTEN loss is a relatively frequent event upon therapy progression. Taken together, the different mechanisms that inactivate PTEN in the tumor treated with BYL719 can be explained by convergent phenotypic evolution in a heterogeneous tumor and highlight the importance of PTEN and PI3Kβ in acquired resistance to PI3Kα inhibitors. Citation Format: Pau Castel, Dejan Juric, Helen Won, Benjamin Ainscough, Haley Ellis, Saya Ebbesen, Malachi Griffith, Obi Griffith, Iyer Gopakumar, Dennis Sgroi, Steven Isakoff, Elaine Mardis, David Solit, Scott Lowe, Cornelia Quadt, Malte Peters, Michael Berger, Maurizio Scaltriti, José Baselga. Loss of PTEN leads to clinical resistance to the PI3Kα inhibitor BYL719 and provides evidence of convergent evolution under selective therapeutic pressure. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-327. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-LB-327

Characterization of the Novel and Specific PI3Kα Inhibitor NVP-BYL719 and Development of the Patient Stratification Strategy for Clinical Trials

Somatic PIK3CA mutations are frequently found in solid tumors, raising the hypothesis that selective inhibition of PI3Kα may have robust efficacy in PIK3CA-mutant cancers while sparing patients the side-effects associated with broader inhibition of the class I phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) family. Here, we report the biologic properties of the 2-aminothiazole derivative NVP-BYL719, a selective inhibitor of PI3Kα and its most common oncogenic mutant forms. The compound selectivity combined with excellent drug-like properties translates to dose- and time-dependent inhibition of PI3Kα signaling in vivo, resulting in robust therapeutic efficacy and tolerability in PIK3CA-dependent tumors. Novel targeted therapeutics such as NVP-BYL719, designed to modulate aberrant functions elicited by cancer-specific genetic alterations upon which the disease depends, require well-defined patient stratification strategies in order to maximize their therapeutic impact and benefit for the patients. Here, we also describe the application of the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia as a preclinical platform to refine the patient stratification strategy for NVP-BYL719 and found that PIK3CA mutation was the foremost positive predictor of sensitivity while revealing additional positive and negative associations such as PIK3CA amplification and PTEN mutation, respectively. These patient selection determinants are being assayed in the ongoing NVP-BYL719 clinical trials.

The Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase α Selective Inhibitor BYL719 Enhances the Effect of the Protein Kinase C Inhibitor AEB071 in GNAQ/GNA11-Mutant Uveal Melanoma Cells

G-protein mutations are one of the most common mutations occurring in uveal melanoma activating the protein kinase C (PKC)/mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways. In this study, we described the effect of dual pathway inhibition in uveal melanoma harboring GNAQ and GNA11 mutations via PKC inhibition with AEB071 (sotrastaurin) and PI3K/AKT inhibition with BYL719, a selective PI3Kα inhibitor. Growth inhibition was observed in GNAQ/GNA11-mutant cells with AEB071 versus no activity in wild-type cells. In the GNAQ-mutant cells, AEB071 decreased phosphorylation of myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate, a substrate of PKC, along with ERK1/2 and ribosomal S6, but persistent AKT activation was present. BYL719 had minimal antiproliferative activity in all uveal melanoma cell lines, and inhibited phosphorylation of AKT in most cell lines. In the GNA11-mutant cell line, similar effects were observed with ERK1/2 inhibition, mostly inhibited by BYL719. With the combination treatment, both GNAQ- and GNA11-mutant cell lines showed synergistic inhibition of cell proliferation and apoptotic cell death. In vivo studies correlated with in vitro findings showing reduced xenograft tumor growth with the combination therapy in a GNAQ-mutant model. These findings suggest a new therapy treatment option for G-protein-mutant uveal melanoma with a focus on specific targeting of multiple downstream pathways as part of combination therapy.

Definition of the binding mode of phosphoinositide 3-kinase α-selective inhibitor A-66S through molecular dynamics simulation

Activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase α (PI3Kα) is commonly observed in human cancer and is critical for tumor progression, which has made PI3Kα an attractive target for anticancer drug discovery. To systematically investigate the binding mode of A-66S, a new selective PI3Kα inhibitor for PI3Kα, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation and ensuing energetic analysis were performed. The binding free energy between PI3Kα and A-66S is -11.27 kcal•mol⁻¹ using MMPBSA method, while -14.67 kcal•mol⁻¹ using MMGBSA method, which is beneficial for the binding, and the van der Waals/hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions are critical for the binding. The conserved hydrophobic adenine region of PI3Kα made up of Met772, Pro778, Ile800, Tyr836, Ile848, Val850, Val851, Met922, Phe930 and Ile932 accommodates the flat 2-tert-butyl-4'-methyl-4,5'-bithiazol moiety of A-66S, and the NH of Val851 forms a hydrogen with the nitrogen atom embedded in the aminothiazole ring of A-66S. The (S)-pyrrolidine carboxamide urea moiety especially extends toward the region of the binding site wall (Ser854-Gln859) defined by the C-terminal lobe, and has three hydrogen-bond arms with the backbone of Ser854 and the side chain of Gln859. Notably the interaction between the non-conserved residue Gln859 and A-66S is responsible for the selectivity profile of A-66S. The binding mode of A-66S for PI3Kα presented in this study should aid in the design of a new highly selective PI3Kα inhibitor.

DW09849, a Selective Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase (PI3K) Inhibitor, Prevents PI3K Signaling and Preferentially Inhibits Proliferation of Cells Containing the Oncogenic Mutation p110α (H1047R)

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, α isoform (PI3Kα) plays essential roles in cell metabolism, growth, and proliferation and has been validated as a promising anticancer target. In an effort to search for new PI3Kα-selective inhibitors, DW series compounds were designed and synthesized aiming to reduce the off-target effects of their parent compound PIK-75 [2-methyl-5-nitro-1-benzenesulfonic acid 2-[(6-bromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)methylene]-1-methylhydrazide], which was reported to selectively target PI3Kα. A series of compounds named DW series potently inhibited the kinase activity of PI3Kα with little activity against PI3K-related protein kinases and a panel of 15 tyrosine kinases. Similar to PIK-75, DW series compounds were more potent to inhibit PI3Kα among four class I PI3K isoforms, whereas a representative compound DW09849 [(E)-N'-((6-bromoimidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)methylene)-N-ethyl-2-methyl-5-nitrobenzohydrazide] displayed distinct binding mode compared with PIK-75. Although DW series compounds inhibited proliferation of rhabdomyosarcoma RH30 cells at elevated 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) in comparison with PIK-75, they were more selective than PIK-75 to inhibit PI3K signaling in the cellular context. In particular, DW09849 significantly and persistently blocked PI3K/protein kinase B signaling in RH30 cells, which consequently arrested RH30 cells in the G1 phase. Moreover, DW09849 selectively suppressed the proliferation and clonogenesis of transformed RK3E/HR cells harboring oncogenic mutation of p110α H1047R, as well as a panel of human breast cancer cells containing mutated PI3Kα, which is consistent with the finding that DW09849 demonstrated preference against H1047R mutated PI3Kα in molecular docking stimulation. These results suggest that DW series compounds, especially DW09849, selectively targeting PI3Kα with less off-target effects than PIK-75, provide new clues for the design and discovery of new specific PI3Kα inhibitors for cancer therapy.

Abstract A169: Assessment of genotype-correlated sensitivity to the investigational PI3Kα selective inhibitor MLN1117 in preclinical models.

Abstract The PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway is the most dysregulated pathway in cancer. Specifically, helical and kinase domain mutations in the p110α subunit (E542K, E545K, H1047R) account for greater than 15% mutations in many cancers. In addition, copy number gain of the PIK3CA locus (&amp;gt;2.5 copies) also occur at a high frequency suggesting that these events are also associated with the oncogenic process. MLN1117 is an investigational PI3Kα selective inhibitor that is currently in Phase I dose escalation in subjects with advanced cancer (NCT01449370). It is widely hypothesized that PI3Kα isoform selective inhibitors will demonstrate considerable therapeutic benefit in PI3K “addicted” tumors; the work presented here is focused on identifying the association of genetic alterations with sensitivity to MLN1117. We have assessed the sensitivity profile both in vitro (n=47) and in vivo (n=29) using human tumor cell lines and primary human tumor xenografts, representing 9 different tumor types. PIK3CA gene point mutations are associated with sensitivity to MLN1117, in both in vitro and in vivo settings. 14 of 17 (82%) PIK3CA mutant cell lines demonstrate an in vitro IC50 of ≤ 5.0 μM and all non mutant models demonstrate an IC50 of &amp;gt; 5.0 μM. In vivo 12 of 15 PIK3CA mutant models including two non-hotspot alterations (R88Q and G106_R108del) demonstrate a TGI value of &amp;gt; 50%. Although copy number gain of PIK3CA is a frequent genetic event and could also be considered as a potential marker of sensitivity to PI3Kα inhibitors, in our assessment this was not apparent. We assessed 25 in vitro models and 16 in vivo models with a gain in the PIK3CA copy number greater than 2.5. Using a cut-off of IC50 of &amp;lt;5μM and a TGI value of &amp;gt;50% in both settings we did not identify a significant association between PIK3CA amplification and MLN1117 sensitivity. Thus, PIK3CA mutation status is a significant predictor in classifying sensitive vs. non-sensitive models to MLN1117 whereas PIK3CA copy number status is not (compare p=0.00002 vs p = 0.7668). Our assessment of models with PTEN alterations found all models to be insensitive to MLN1117 using our established in vitro criteria whereas several of these models were found to have borderline sensitivity (range 41-50% TGI) in vivo. These results suggest the need for additional exploration of the PTEN role and MLN1117 sensitivity. Additional trends observed in this data set are 1) PIK3CA co-mutated with KRAS is insensitive to MLN1117 in both in vitro and in vivo systems; and 2) complex mutations involving PIK3CA and ARID1A or EIF4B demonstrate a distribution of sensitivities. We present data that support the use of PIK3CA mutation as a patient selection strategy for clinical studies of MLN1117 while the utility of identifying patients with increases in PIK3CA copy number for clinical studies of MLN1117 may be limited. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):A169. Citation Format: Natasha Iartchouk, Erik Koenig, Pooja Shah, Jeff Szwaya, Michael Fitzgerald, Dong Mei Zhang, Yueying Cao, Keli Song, Rachael Brake. Assessment of genotype-correlated sensitivity to the investigational PI3Kα selective inhibitor MLN1117 in preclinical models. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A169.

Discovery of a Potent and Isoform-Selective Targeted Covalent Inhibitor of the Lipid Kinase PI3Kα

PI3Kα has been identified as an oncogene in human tumors. By use of rational drug design, a targeted covalent inhibitor 3 (CNX-1351) was created that potently and specifically inhibits PI3Kα. We demonstrate, using mass spectrometry and X-ray crystallography, that the selective inhibitor covalently modifies PI3Kα on cysteine 862 (C862), an amino acid unique to the α isoform, and that PI3Kβ, -γ, and -δ are not covalently modified. 3 is able to potently (EC(50) < 100 nM) and specifically inhibit signaling in PI3Kα-dependent cancer cell lines, and this leads to a potent antiproliferative effect (GI(50) < 100 nM). A covalent probe, 8 (CNX-1220), which selectively bonds to PI3Kα, was used to investigate the duration of occupancy of 3 with PI3Kα in vivo. This is the first report of a PI3Kα-selective inhibitor, and these data demonstrate the biological impact of selectively targeting PI3Kα.

PI3K pathway (PI3Kp) dysregulation and response to pan-PI3K/AKT/mTOR/dual PI3K-mTOR inhibitors (PI3Kpi) in metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients (pts).

509 Background: The role of PI3Kp dysregulation as a predictor of sensitivity to PI3Kpi is unclear. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of PI3Kpi in two cohorts of MBC pts with assessable PI3Kp status. Methods: MBC pts treated in ≥3rd line with PI3Kpi were reviewed. PI3Kp status: (a) No dysregulation: PIK3CA wt and PTEN normal; (b) PI3Kp dysregulation: PIK3CA mutation (PIK3CAmut) or PTEN low (HScore≤50). Cohort A: pts treated with single agent PI3Kpi. Cohort B: pts treated with PI3Kpi in combination with hormonal therapy (HT), chemotherapy (CT) and/or trastuzumab (T). Results: Out of 232 MBC pts screened for PI3Kp alterations from Sep09 to Sep11, 32 were treated with PI3Kpi. Cohort A (n=17): HR+/HER2- 88%, HER2+ 6%, triple negative 6%; median age 43, median MBC lines 4 (2-9); PIK3CAmut in 10/17 (58.8%; 6 exon9, 4 exon20), PTEN low 3/17 (17.6%), 1 pt both; PI3Kp dysregulation 12/17 pts. Cohort B (n=15): HR+/HER2- 40%, HER2+ 60%; median age 49, median MBC lines 4 (2-13); PIK3CAmut 3/13 assessable (23.1%; all exon20), PTEN low 6/15 (40%), 1 pt both; PI3Kp dysregulation 8/15 pts. Time to progression to PI3Kpi (TTP), overall survival from MBC diagnosis (OSMBC) and OS from PI3Kpi beginning (OSPI3Kpi), according to PIK3CA status and PI3Kp dysregulation, are shown. No differences were found according to PTEN status. Conclusions: These results suggest that the best outcomes with PI3Kpi in PIK3CAmut MBC pts occur when they are used in combination with HT/CT/T. Activity of non selective PI3Kpi used as single agents seems to be limited, making results from prospective trials with selective PI3Kα inhibitors and PI3Kpi in combinations eagerly awaited. [Table: see text]

Abstract 3744: Antitumor activity of CUDC-907, a dual PI3K and HDAC inhibitor, in hematological cancer models

Abstract Recent evidence indicates that both PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway and HDAC are validated targets in hematological cancers. In order to overcome primary resistance and prevent secondary resistance resulting from compensatory/feedback mechanisms in cancer cells, CUDC-907 was designed to inhibit all isoforms of Class I PI3K and Class I and II HDAC, based on previous observations that synergistic effects can be achieved by inhibition of both HDAC and PI3K in cancer cells. In cell proliferation assays, this compound displays potent anti-proliferation activity in hematological cancer cell lines including non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), and multiple myeloma (MM). Mechanistically, CUDC-907 is able to simultaneously suppress PI3K-Akt-mTOR as well as other essential signaling pathways due to epigenetic modifications via HDAC inhibition. CUDC-907 is orally bio-available in dogs, has a long half-life in murine tumors, induces apoptosis and inhibits cancer cell proliferation in xenograft tumors. In efficacy studies in NHL and MM models, CUDC-907 is more efficacious than either a single-agent PI3K or HDAC inhibitor reference compound or a combination of the two agents given at maximally tolerated doses (MTD). Furthermore, CUDC-907 is more efficacious than the PI3Kα-selective inhibitor CAL-101 when dosed at MTD doses. These observations are related to our findings that, all isoforms of PI3K are expressed in most hematological cancer models. Therefore, the efficacy of isoform selective PI3K inhibitors may be limited only to those cancers driven by a specific PI3K subtype. In addition, a synergistic antitumor effect can be achieved in efficacy studies when CUDC-907 is combined with standard of care agents in both NHL and MM models. In conclusion, through broad network disruption, CUDC-907 may offer a greater therapeutic benefit than isoform-specific PI3K inhibitors as a novel anti-cancer treatment of hematological malignancies. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3744. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-3744