Spiro-oxindole MDM2 Antagonists for Cancer Therapy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current anticancer therapies face challenges due to cancer cells' resistance to apoptosis, primarily attributed to defects in the apoptotic machinery, which is often associated with the p53-MDM2 interaction, where existing inhibitors, including peptide-based and small molecule compounds, suffer from poor cell permeability and limited bioavailability.

Innovation Solution

Development of spiro-oxindole-based compounds that inhibit the p53-MDM2 interaction, specifically designed to enhance cell permeability and bioavailability, thereby sensitizing cells to apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, and potentially used in combination with other anticancer agents to increase therapeutic efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If peptide-based inhibitors of MDM2 are used, then high-affinity inhibition of the p53-MDM2 interaction is achieved, but cell permeability and in vivo bioavailability are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinhibition affinityVSAvoidcell permeability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the peptide-based inhibitor into a small molecule compound by fundamentally changing the chemical parameters and structural characteristics. The spiro-oxindole core structure with specific substituents (R1-R6 groups) creates a drug-like molecule that maintains MDM2 binding affinity while achieving oral bioavailability and cell permeability, directly resolving the contradiction between high-affinity inhibition and cell permeability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a small molecule copy that mimics the binding interface and interaction mechanism of peptide-based inhibitors. By copying the essential pharmacophore features and optimizing the molecular structure, the invention achieves similar or superior inhibitory activity while overcoming the limitations of peptide-based approaches through the use of a non-peptide chemical scaffold

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If small molecule inhibitors of p53-MDM2 interaction are developed, then cell permeability is improved, but potency and selectivity are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell permeabilityVSAvoidinhibitor potency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by optimizing specific regions of the molecule (R1-R6 substituents) to enhance different properties: certain groups improve cell permeability while others maintain binding potency. The spiro-oxindole core provides the essential binding interaction, while peripheral substituents are tailored to optimize pharmacokinetic properties, achieving both cell permeability and potency simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If existing MDM2 inhibitors are used, then apoptosis resistance is addressed, but therapeutic window is limited due to toxicity to normal cells

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanticancer efficacyVSAvoidtoxicity to normal cells
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the spiro-oxindole compound as an intermediary that specifically disrupts the p53-MDM2 interaction in cancer cells, thereby sensitizing them to apoptosis-inducing therapies. The compound acts as a mediator that restores apoptotic sensitivity without directly killing normal cells, expanding the therapeutic window by selectively affecting cancer cell survival mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2707372B1Spiro-oxindole MDM2 antagonists
Publication Date: 2016.12.21 SANOFI SA(FR)
  • EP2707372B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2707372B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2707372B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided herein are compounds, compositions, and methods in the field of medicinal chemistry. The compounds and compositions provided herein relate to spiro oxindoles which function as antagonists of the interaction between p53 and MDM2, and their use as therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases.