ICI 211965 (ZM-211965)

Criteria for the identification of non-redox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase

Methoxyalkyl thiazoles have been identified as a novel series of selective 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors with anti-inflammatory properties (Bird et al., J Med Chem 34: 2176-2186, 1991). Based on their structure, it was proposed that the potency of these compounds is not due to redox or iron-chelating properties. In the studies reported here, it was found that the model compounds 1-[3-(naphth-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propy l methyl ether (ICI 211965) and 3-[1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-4-methyl-6-(5- phenylpyridin-2-ylmethoxy)-4,5-dihydro-1H-thiopyrano[2 ,3,4-c,d]indol-2- yl]-2,2-dimethylpropanoic acid (L-689,065) (1) are inactive as reducing substrates in the 5-lipoxygenase-catalyzed decomposition of lipid hydroperoxides, (2) inhibit the 5-lipoxygenase-catalyzed reaction of reducing agents with lipid hydroperoxides, and (3) strongly inhibit the turnover-dependent inactivation of 5-lipoxygenase. These three observations with ICI 211965 and L-689,065 are in contrast to the behavior of other potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors from other structural classes, such as L-670,630, BW A4C, and zileuton, which all function as reducing substrates for 5-lipoxygenase. The data indicate that methoxyalkyl thiazoles and thiopyranoindoles are reversible dead-end inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase and that the effects of inhibitors on the pseudoperoxidase activity and rate of enzyme inactivation provide simple tests to distinguish between redox and non-redox inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase.

Methoxytetrahydropyrans. A new series of selective and orally potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors

Investigation of the SAR of the lead (methoxyalkyl)thiazole 1-[3-(naphth-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-1-thiazol-2-ylprop yl methyl ether (1, ICI 211965) led to the methoxytetrahydropyrans, a new series of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LPO) inhibitors exemplified by the parent compound 4-[3-(naphth-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-4- methoxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-pyran (4f). In vitro 4f inhibited leukotriene C4 (LTC4) synthesis in zymosan-stimulated plasma-free mouse macrophages and LTB4 synthesis in A-23187-stimulated human whole blood (IC50s 0.5 nM and 0.07 microM, respectively). In the rat 4f inhibited LTB4 synthesis in blood ex vivo and in zymosan-inflamed air pouch exudate with an ED50 3 h after oral dosing of 10 mg/kg in each system. In seeking more potent orally active compounds, strategies were explored in congeners of 4f for reducing lipophilicity without sacrificing potency. For example, replacement of 2-naphthyl of 4f by various aza- and oxoheterocycles afforded compounds in which log P is reduced by 1.7-2.3 units while potency in human whole blood in vitro was maintained or enhanced relative to 4f. In addition, the oxoheterocyclic replacements provided compounds with improved oral potency and the preferred compound from this group is 6-[[3-fluoro-5-(4-methoxy-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4- yl)phenoxy]methyl]-1-methylquinol-2-one (4y). In the in vitro systems, 4y inhibited LT formation with IC50s in mouse macrophages and human whole blood of 3 nM and 0.02 microM, respectively. 4y did not inhibit the synthesis of cyclooxygenase (CO) products at concentrations up to 500 microM in human blood, a selectivity for 5-LPO over CO of greater than 20,000-fold. In the rat 4y inhibited the formation of LTB4 in blood ex vivo and in inflammatory exudate with ED50s 3 h after oral dosing of 0.9 and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively. 4y was more potent in vitro in human whole blood and in rat blood ex vivo at 3 h than either the 5-LPO inhibitor A-64077 or the FLAP antagonist MK-886. Based on these data 4y (ICI D2138) has been entered into development as an orally active, selective 5-LPO inhibitor for clinical evaluation in inflammatory conditions in which LTs are believed to play a role.

Conformational analysis of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors: role of the substituents in chiral recognition and on the active conformations of the (methoxyalkyl)thiazole and methoxytetrahydropyran series

The investigation of the SAR of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) inhibition of a series of racemic (methoxyalkyl)thiazoles, exemplified by compound 7 (ZM-211965), has led to other active, racemic derivatives in which the thiazole moiety has been replaced by an ester or an ether. Furthermore, the cyclization of the ethers has given a highly potent, but achiral series, the methoxytetrahydropyrans (methoxyTHP), exemplified by 41 (ZD-2138) presently under clinical evaluation. More recent structural investigations have led to chiral members of this series bearing a 2-methyl substituent in the tetrahydropyran ring. The potential for enantioselectivity in each of the three noncyclic, racemic series led us to synthesize the pure enantiomers ((R)-13c, (S)-13c, (R)-13d, (S)-13d, (R)-15c, (S)-15c, (R)-16b, (S)-16b, and (R)-16c, (S)-16c) and to determine their absolute configuration. The biological activity of each enantiomer was evaluated in intact mouse macrophages and in human whole blood and showed that, of these three series, only the thiazole is enantioselective and that the active configuration is (S) (being between 2 and 3 orders of magnitude more potent than the (R) isomer in mouse macrophages). Conformational analysis using systematic conformational searching, molecular mechanics, and semiempirical methods has been performed on the chiral compounds, and the results have helped to explain the enantioselectivity in the thiazole series and to define the role of the substituents around the quaternary carbon. Simultaneously in the achiral tetrahydropyran (THP) series, the critical role of the methoxy substituent has been examined through the synthesis of the ethyl (24b), ester (22b), methoxymethyl ether (26), hydroxymethyl (25b), aldehyde (27b), ketone (29b), hydroxy (31b), and methyl (23b) analogues and by analysis of their biological and conformational properties. This approach, complemented by the results of a similar study carried out on the Z and E isomers of the chiral ethyl-2-methylTHP derivative (39b and 40b), has also led to the characterization of the active conformation in this series. The whole study has identified new elements to clarify the 3D structural requirements of the 5-LO active site.

Effects of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors on interleukin production by human synovial tissues in organ culture: comparison with interleukin-1-synthesis inhibitors

Prostaglandins and leukotrienes differentially regulate the production of interleukin-1 (IL-1) in monocytes. It was, therefore, decided to investigate the effects of some 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors compared with standard IL-1 synthesis inhibitors on the production of IL-1 by human synovial tissue explants in organ culture. Human synovial (from hip/knee arthroplasty) or porcine tibio-tarsal joint synovial explants were incubated in organ culture in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium + 5% foetal calf serum in the presence of the test compounds or solvents (controls), or media alone for 1-5 days. Total bioactive IL-1 was assayed in the medium (following serial dilution or with polyethylene glycol 8000 added in some assays to remove inhibitors) using the D-10 T-cell bioassay. Some assays of interleukins 1 alpha, 1 beta, 6 or 8 were performed by ELISA. Of the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors investigated, MK-886(3-(1-(4-chlorobenzyl)-3-tert-butyl-thio-5-isopropylindol-2- yl)-2,2 -dimethyl propanoic acid), L-656,224 ((7-chloro-2-[4-methoxypenyl]methyl)-3 -methyl-5-propyl-4-benzofuranol), PF-5901 and tepoxalin were the most potent inhibitors of IL-1 production. While the PF-5901 was effective at 5-30 microM and tepoxalin was effective at 1-10 microM, the others were the most potent having minimal inhibitory activity in the range of 0.01-0.1 microM. The presumed IL-1-synthesis inhibitors, tenidap and IX-207,887, were inactive at concentrations of 30-50 microM. Leukotriene B4 (1-100 ng/mL-1) added to MK-886 (5 microM)-treated cultures reversed the inhibitory effects of the latter on IL-1, confirming the role of 5-lipoxygenase products in the regulation of IL-1 production. Addition of polyethylene glycol 8000 to MI-886-treated cultures eliminated the inhibitory effects of this drug, suggesting that this drug exerts its effects by promoting production of IL-1 inhibitors. MK-886 also inhibited synovial production of two other pleiotrophic cytokines which it regulates, IL-6 and IL-8. The results suggest that some 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors may be usefully employed in regulating production of those interleukins involved in joint cartilage destruction.

(Methoxyalkyl)thiazoles: a new series of potent, selective, and orally active 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors displaying high enantioselectivity

(Methoxyalkyl)thiazoles are novel 5-lipoxygenase (5-LPO) inhibitors that are neither redox agents nor iron chelators. Consideration of a hypothetical model of the enzyme active site led to this series which is exemplified by 1-[3-(naphth-2-ylmethoxy)phenyl]-1-(thiazol-2-yl)propy l methyl ether (2d, ICI211965). 2d inhibits cell-free guinea pig 5-LPO activity, LTC4 synthesis in plasma free mouse macrophages, and LTB4 synthesis in rat and human blood (IC50s 0.1 microM, 8 nM, 0.5 microM, and 0.4 microM, respectively) but does not inhibit the synthesis of cyclooxygenase products at concentrations up to 50 microM in macrophages and 100 microM in blood. 2d is orally active in rat (ex vivo ED50 10 mg/kg in blood taken in 1 h after dosing). SAR studies show that high in vitro potency requires methoxy, thiazolyl, and naphthyl groups and depends critically on the substitution pattern. (Methoxyalkyl)thiazoles are chiral. Resolution of 1-methoxy-6-(naphth-2-ylmethoxy)-1-(thiazol-2-yl)indan (2j, ICI216800) shows that (+)-2j is 50-150-fold more potent than (-)-2j in in vitro assays. Thus, (methoxyalkyl)thiazoles are a new series of orally active, selective 5-LPO inhibitors and represent the first class of inhibitors in which inhibition is mediated by specific, enantioselective interactions with the enzyme.