1-Phenyl-2-Phenylethane Derivative for Selective ERβ Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current compounds lack selectivity for estrogen receptor β (ERβ), which is crucial for safely exerting estrogen effects such as preventing skin aging, menopause disorders, and prostatic hyperplasia without the risks associated with ERα activation, like breast cancer promotion.

Innovation Solution

A novel 1-phenyl-2-phenylethane derivative with specific substituents is developed, exhibiting high selectivity for ERβ activation, thereby providing a safer pharmacological agent for treating skin aging, menopause symptoms, and prostatic hyperplasia without the risks of breast cancer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If estrogen is applied to prevent skin aging and menopause disorders, then skin fitness and elasticity are improved, but breast cancer risk increases due to ERα activation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveskin fitnessVSAvoidbreast cancer risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a compound that selectively activates ERβ in specific tissues (skin, bone, uterus) while avoiding ERα activation in breast tissue. The molecular structure is designed with specific substituents (R1-R6 groups) that confer selective binding affinity to ERβ, enabling localized therapeutic effect without systemic breast cancer risk.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of estrogenic compounds to change their receptor binding parameters. The compound of formula (1) with specific substituent patterns alters the binding affinity parameters to favor ERβ over ERα, transforming the pharmacological profile to achieve selective estrogenic activity without breast cancer promotion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If ERβ-selective activation is achieved, then skin aging prevention is improved, but compound complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveERβ selectivityVSAvoidcompound structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the molecular structure into distinct functional segments: a core 1-phenyl-2-phenylethane scaffold and variable substituent groups (R1-R6) at specific positions. This modular design allows systematic variation of substituents to optimize ERβ selectivity while maintaining a manageable structural framework for synthesis and characterization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The compound selectively activates ERβ, effectively preventing or ameliorating skin aging, menopause disorders, and prostatic hyperplasia while minimizing the risk of breast cancer, offering a safer therapeutic option.

Implementation Method 1

Estrogen first binds to a ligand binding domain (LBD) of ERα or ERβ for conformational change

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLigand binding:

Implementation Method 2

followed by the formation of dimers (three types of combinations, ERα/α, ERβ/β, and ERα/β)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDimer formation:

Implementation Method 3

The formed ER dimers are translocated into the nucleus where the dimers bind to estrogen response elements present on the genome, recruit various coupling factors there, and then control the transcriptional activity of a target gene

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTranscriptional activation:

Data Source

PatentEP3872061B11-phenyl-2-phenylethane derivative
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 KAO CORP
  • EP3872061B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872061B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3872061B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a novel compound having a selective activating effect on ERβ. The present invention provides a compound represented by the following formula (1) wherein R1 represents a cycloalkyl group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with a halogen atom, a 5-membered nitrogen-containing heteroaryl group, a 4- to 6-membered cyclic amino group, an alkanoylamino group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and optionally substituted with a halogen atom, a 1-trifluoromethyl-1-hydroxymethyl group, or a 1-methylpropyl group; R2 to R5 are the same or different and each represent a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom; and R6 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkanoyl group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, or a salt thereof.