Sarah M. Bronner

KRAS G12C is one of the most prevalent oncogenic mutations in nonsmall cell lung cancer. Herein we describe the discovery and optimization of divarasib (GDC-6036), an orally available, highly potent, and selective covalent KRAS G12C inhibitor. We demonstrate a significant noncovalent binding component of divarasib that contributes to its potency and rapid kinetics. Divarasib has greater potency and kinetics of alkylation compared with other KRAS G12C inhibitors in vitro and shows robust tumor growth inhibition in multiple KRAS G12C-positive cell lines.

Introduction: The Hippo pathway represents a new and intriguing opportunity for the treatment of cancer. Activation or overexpression of YAP or TAZ has been shown to lead to cell transformation and tumor development. To date, no small molecule compounds targeting this pathway have progressed to the clinic, illustrating both its potential and its infancy. Areas covered: The present review seeks to summarize published patent applications from assignee companies that have disclosed direct small molecule inhibitors of the YAP/TAZ –TEAD interaction. Expert opinion: The Hippo pathway, and specifically the YAP/TAZ–TEAD transcriptional complex, has been shown to be a promising target for the treatment of cancer. However, reports in the area of small molecules targeting the YAP/TAZ–TEAD transcriptional activation complex are few and far between, with only two published patent applications that disclose compounds with moderate levels of pathway inhibition. Interestingly, the YAP/TAZ–TEAD complex can be disrupted through two very different mechanisms, one of which is direct inhibition at either the Ω-loop or the α-helix of the YAP–TEAD binding interface. Both YAP protein segments have been shown to be important to TEAD binding. Alternatively, it has been reported that allosteric inhibition might be accomplished by binding the TEAD palmitoylation pocket, thus disrupting YAP binding and also native protein stabilization. The advantages and liabilities of disrupting the YAP/TAZ–TEAD complex through these two distinct mechanisms have yet to be fully elucidated, and it remains unclear which approach, if any, will generate the first clinical stage inhibitor of the Hippo pathway.

The epigenetic regulator CBP/P300 presents a novel therapeutic target for oncology. Previously, we disclosed the development of potent and selective CBP bromodomain inhibitors by first identifying pharmacophores that bind the KAc region and then building into the LPF shelf. Herein, we report the “hybridization” of a variety of KAc-binding fragments with a tetrahydroquinoline scaffold that makes optimal interactions with the LPF shelf, imparting enhanced potency and selectivity to the hybridized ligand. To demonstrate the utility of our hybridization approach, two analogues containing unique Asn binders and the optimized tetrahydroquinoline moiety were rapidly optimized to yield single-digit nanomolar inhibitors of CBP with exquisite selectivity over BRD4(1) and the broader bromodomain family.

A cascade benzyne Fries rearrangement is reported that offers facile access to 2,3-disubstituted phenols, allowing for two points of diversity on the benzyne adduct. The methodology utilizes an o-(trimethylsilyl)triflate phenol as a common intermediate, from which substitution of the phenolic oxygen readily yields benzyne precursors that undergo the requisite rearrangement in the presence of an amine nucleophile, base, and a fluoride source.

Introduction: The transcription factor RORγ plays a critical role in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin IL-17 and is therefore an attractive target for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Interest in this molecular target has been heightened by the advancement of orally and topically administered RORγ modulators into clinical trials. Areas covered: The present review seeks to summarize published patent applications from assignee companies that have disclosed Investigational New Drug (IND) filings for small molecule RORγ/RORγt antagonists and inverse agonists. Expert opinion: The field of RORγ research is extremely competitive, with the majority of companies targeting psoriasis as the primary disease indication. Vitae Pharmaceuticals is currently the most advanced, with a potential first-in-class oral RORγ-modulator for the treatment of psoriasis. Future efforts will likely expand into potential applications of RORγ-modulators in the lesser explored immune-related areas of rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, lupus, and irritable bowel disorder, as well as cancer immunotherapy and castration-resistant prostate cancer.