Xanthine Derivatives for Selective BRD4 BD1 Inhibition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pan-BET inhibitors face challenges with broad impact on transcriptional pathways and potential 'off-target' effects, and the development of selective inhibitors that target individual bromodomains, particularly BD1 of BRD3 and BRD4, is hindered by resistance issues and non-specific inhibition of the BD2 domain.

Innovation Solution

Development of xanthine derivative compounds that selectively inhibit the BD1 domain of BRD3 and BRD4 with nanomolar range activity, while minimizing inhibition of the BD2 domain, using specific chemical structures that bind with measurable affinity to the target bromodomains.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pan-BET inhibitors are used to inhibit bromodomains, then broad transcriptional pathway inhibition is achieved, but off-target effects and resistance risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinhibition effectivenessVSAvoidoff-target effects
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the BET protein family into individual targets (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4) and further segments each into separate bromodomains (BD1, BD2). The xanthine derivatives are designed to selectively inhibit specific bromodomains rather than all BET proteins, achieving targeted inhibition that reduces off-target effects while maintaining therapeutic effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If selective inhibitors targeting individual bromodomains are developed, then off-target effects are reduced, but development is hindered by resistance issues and non-specific inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoff-target effectsVSAvoidinhibition consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The xanthine derivatives exhibit local quality by displaying different inhibition potencies against different bromodomains. The compounds show nanomolar range selectivity for BD1 of BRD3 and BRD4, while exhibiting micromolar range activity against BD2, creating a gradient of inhibition that maintains reliability while achieving selectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If compounds with high binding affinity to bromodomains are designed, then inhibition potency increases, but selectivity between BD1 and BD2 domains becomes difficult to achieve

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinhibition potencyVSAvoiddomain selectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The xanthine derivatives utilize asymmetric structural features including specific substituent patterns on the xanthine core, chiral centers, and non-symmetric aromatic groups. This asymmetry allows the molecules to differentiate between the structurally similar BD1 and BD2 domains, achieving nanomolar selectivity for BD1 while maintaining high binding affinity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 compounds achieve selective and potent inhibition of BRD4(BD1) and BRD3(BD1) with high specificity, demonstrated by IC50 values in nanomolar ranges, reducing the risk of 'off-target' effects and resistance, as shown by HTRF and ITC assays.

Implementation Method 1

specific chemical structures that bind with measurable affinity to the target bromodomains

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMolecular binding:

Data Source

PatentEP3707139B1Xanthine derivatives and uses thereof as inhibitors of bromodomains of bet proteins
Publication Date: 2022.02.16 CENT NAT DE LA RECH SCI (C N R S)
  • EP3707139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3707139B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3707139B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a compound having the following formula (I): (I) wherein: - R is a (C1-C6)alkyl group;- R'' is preferably H;- Ar is a (C5-C12)arylene radical;- X1 is -C(=O)- or -SO2-; and- R' is chosen from the group consisting of possibly substituted (C1-C6)alkyl, heteroaryl, (C5-C12)aryl, and (hetero)cycloalkyl groups, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or tautomeric form thereof, or its racemates, diastereomers or enantiomers.