The present disclosure features chemical entities (e.g., compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof) that degrade and / or otherwise modulate (e.g., inhibit) NIMA-related
kinase 7 (NEK7). The chemical entities are useful, for example, in treating subjects having one or more conditions or diseases associated with NLRP3
inflammasome activation (e.g., human subjects). The conditions or diseases include, but are not limited to, autoinflammatory and autoimmune conditions (e.g.,
gout,
inflammatory bowel disease,
rheumatoid arthritis,
multiple sclerosis), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's
disease, Parkinson's
disease), cardiovascular and metabolic conditions (e.g., pericarditis, atherosclerosis, type 2
diabetes mellitus,
diabetes mellitus,
diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, diabetes mellitus, and the like). ), fibrotic disorders (e.g.,
interstitial lung disease, chronic
kidney disease),
hematological disorders (e.g., inflammatory
anemia), and ocular disorders (e.g.,
macular degeneration). In embodiments, although not desired to be constrained theoretically, the chemical entities described herein are believed to directly target (e.g., bind directly) NEK7, thereby altering (e.g., attenuating) the
inflammatory response modulated by the NLRP3
inflammasome. The disclosure also features compositions containing the entities as well as methods of using and making the entities.