Next generation N-terminal domain androgen receptor inhibitors with improved potency and metabolic stability in castration-resistant prostate cancer models.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 220-220
Author(s):  
Ronan Le Moigne ◽  
Han-Jie Zhou ◽  
Nasrin R Mawji ◽  
C. Adriana Banuelos ◽  
Jun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Metabolic Stability ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Castration Resistant ◽  
Target Activity

220 Background: EPI-506, pro-drug of EPI-002, was a first-in-class oral small molecule from the Aniten family of compounds, which inhibit androgen receptor (AR) activity by binding to the N-terminal domain of the AR. EPI-506 was tested in a Phase 1 study in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) resistant to current therapies and demonstrated a favorable tolerability profile with signs of moderate efficacy. Metabolic vulnerabilities in the chemical scaffold of EPI-506 were identified and new Aniten molecules, EPI-7170 and EPI-7245 , with improved potency, metabolic stability and pharmaceutical properties have been generated. Methods: Chemical structure activity relationships were developed in order to increase molecule potency in cellular and in vivo assays, while metabolic stability improvements were assessed in in vitro ADME assays and in animal pharmacokinetic studies. In addition, the on-target activity and selectivity was also optimized using a variety of cellular experiments. Results: Next generation Anitens demonstrated a 10-20 fold improvement on AR-driven cellular potency, with IC50’s of 0.5-1 uM when compared to 10-12 uM for EPI-002. In vitro proliferation assays demonstrated on target activity, with an IC50 ~ 2 uM in LNCaP and > 10 uM in the AR-independent cell model PC-3. EPI-7170 was also active in AR-V7-driven LNCaP95 cells. The antiproliferative effect was in alignment with the inhibitory effect on a subset of AR driven genes. In vivo activity in castrated mice bearing LNCaP tumors showed tumor growth inhibition of approximately 70%. While EPI-7170 represents a major advance, subsequent chemistry efforts led to the generation of EPI-7245 and other next generation Anitens which exhibit IC50’s < 500 nM and favorable ADME and PK profiles. Conclusions: Promising next-generation Aniten compounds have been identified. Major chemistry efforts led to the identification of several Anitens with > 10-20 fold improvements in cellular potency compared to EPI-506 which are also metabolically stable. IND-selection preclinical studies are underway on the most promising Aniten’s with an IND submission planned shortly.

scholarly journals Huaier Extract Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth via Targeting AR/AR-V7 Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengfang Liu ◽  
Cheng Liu ◽  
Keqiang Yan ◽  
Jikai Liu ◽  
Zhiqing Fang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Castration Resistant ◽  
Specific Protease ◽  
Hormone Sensitive

The androgen receptor (AR) plays a pivotal role in prostatic carcinogenesis, and it also affects the transition from hormone sensitive prostate cancer (HSPC) to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Particularly, the persistent activation of the androgen receptor and the appearance of androgen receptor splicing variant 7 (AR-V7), could partly explain the failure of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). In the present study, we reported that huaier extract, derived from officinal fungi, has potent antiproliferative effects in both HSPC and CRPC cells. Mechanistically, huaier extract downregulated both full length AR (AR-FL) and AR-V7 mRNA levels via targeting the SET and MYND domain-containing protein 3 (SMYD3) signaling pathway. Huaier extract also enhanced proteasome-mediated protein degradation of AR-FL and AR-V7 by downregulating proteasome-associated deubiquitinase ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14). Furthermore, huaier extract inhibited AR-FL/AR-V7 transcriptional activity and their nuclear translocation. More importantly, our data demonstrated that huaier extract could re-sensitize enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer cells to enzalutamide treatment in vitro and in vivo models. Our work revealed that huaier extract could be effective for treatment of prostate cancer either as monotherapy or in combination with enzalutamide.

ODM-204: A novel dual inhibitor of CYP17A1 and androgen receptor for the treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer—Preclinical data.

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 221-221
Author(s):  
Riikka Oksala ◽  
Anu Moilanen ◽  
Reetta Riikonen ◽  
Petteri Rummakko ◽  
Riikka Huhtaniemi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Nuclear Translocation ◽  
Leuprolide Acetate ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Dual Inhibitor ◽  
Castration Resistant

221 Background: Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) is characterized by high androgen receptor (AR) expression and persistent activation of AR signaling axis by residual tissue/tumor androgens. Targeting AR and androgen biosynthesis together may be more effective than either alone. ODM-204 is a novel, non-steroidal dual inhibitor of CYP17A1 and AR, which has shown promising results in preclinical studies. Methods: The binding affinity of ODM-204 to wild type AR was determined in rat prostate cytosolic lysates. The potency and functional activity of ODM-204 to human AR were demonstrated in cells stably transfected with the full-length AR and androgen-responsive reporter gene constructs. In addition, assays for AR nuclear translocation and the transactivation of human AR mutants T877A, W741L, and F876L were conducted. The effects of ODM-204 on the growth of androgen-dependent VCaP and LNCaP cells in vitro and subcutaneously grafted VCaP cells in vivo with the oral dose of 50 mg/kg/day were studied. The inhibition of CYP17A1 by ODM-204 was studied in vitro by using human and rat testicular microsomes and a human adrenal cortex cell line, and in vivo in male rats coadministered with luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonist leuprolide acetate to mimic clinical situation. Results: ODM-204 is a potent inhibitor of both AR and CYP17A1. It binds to AR with a high affinity (Ki=47 nM) and selectivity and has a high potency towards CYP17A1 (IC50=22 nM). In addition, ODM-204 inhibited testosterone-mediated nuclear translocation of AR and the mutant ARs (IC50 values for AR(T877A), AR(W741L), and AR(F876L) were 95, 277, and 6 nM, respectively), and suppressed androgen-induced cell proliferation of LNCaP (IC50=170 nM) and VCaP (IC50=280 nM) cells. In a VCaP xenograft model, ODM-204 showed significant antitumor activity (tumor growth inhibition=66%). In rats, inhibitory effects of leuprolide acetate on testosterone production and androgen-sensitive organ weights were potentiated by ODM-204. Conclusions: ODM-204 is a promising new dual CYP17A1 and AR inhibitor for the treatment of CRPC. Clinical trials in patients with mCRPC will be started in early 2015.

Preclinical and clinical pharmacology of EPI-7386, an androgen receptor N-terminal domain inhibitor for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (6_suppl) ◽  
pp. 119-119
Author(s):  
Ronan Le Moigne ◽  
Paul Pearson ◽  
Veronique Lauriault ◽  
Nan Hyung Hong ◽  
Peter Virsik ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Castration Resistant ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Properties ◽  
Initial Cohort

119 Background: EPI-7386 is the newest of the “anitens”, a new class of compounds designed to inhibit androgen receptor activity by binding to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the AR. Through this novel method of AR inhibition, anitens can block AR transcription even in the presence of AR ligand-binding domain (LBD) resistance mechanisms including point mutations and splice variants. Compared to the first generation aniten, EPI-506, which showed poor pharmacokinetic properties in patients, EPI-7386 is metabolically stable in vitro and in vivo. A Phase 1 clinical trial of EPI-7386 in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer patients failing standard of care therapies is ongoing and the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug in preclinical models as well as in the initial cohort of patients are presented. Methods: The metabolic stability of EPI-7386 was evaluated in vitro in mouse, rat, dog, monkey, and human hepatocytes. Projected PK parameters in humans were estimated from in vitro and in vivo clearance correlation (IVIVC). Induction of CYP isoforms was evaluated in human hepatocyte cultures. In patients, plasma concentrations of EPI-7386 were determined by LC-MS-MS, and 4-beta-hydroxycholesterol levels in plasma were followed over time as an indirect indicator of CYP3A induction. Results: In vitro hepatocyte studies demonstrated good metabolic stability for EPI-7386 with an in vitro half-life > 360 min. In animal PK studies, the terminal half-life of EPI-7386 was approximately 5.8 hours in mouse, 4.9 hours in rat, 13.4 hours in dog and the plasma clearance was low across species. The oral bioavailability of EPI-7386 ranged from 33–112% in mouse to > 100% in rat and dog. Using IVIVC, a predicted human clearance of 0.16–0.39 mL/min/kg was calculated for EPI-7386, which was in line with allometric scaling from animal PK parameters. Human PK profiles of different doses of EPI-7386 were simulated using predicted oral bioavailability, clearance, and volume of distribution. Cmax and AUC0–24h for the Phase 1 first-in-human study (NCT04421222) starting dose of 200 mg dose were predicted to be 6,915 ng/mL and 137,278 ng•h/mL respectively. A comparison between estimated PK parameters and actual values observed in the first patient cohort will be presented. Human hepatocyte CYP induction studies showed that EPI-7386 is not an inducer of CYP1A2 but may have the potential to induce CYP2B6 and CYP3A4. A comparison of 4-beta-hydroxy cholesterol levels measured during the phase 1 will be presented along with a comparison drawn from in vitro models. Conclusions: Pre-clinical characterization predicts that EPI-7386 has the appropriate PK and metabolic properties to afford exposure in patients at potentially efficacious levels following once-daily oral administration. PK measurements in the initial cohort of patients treated in the Phase 1 study will be presented. Clinical trial information: NCT04421222.

Lessons learned from the metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer phase I trial of EPI-506, a first-generation androgen receptor N-terminal domain inhibitor.

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 257-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronan Le Moigne ◽  
Han-Jie Zhou ◽  
Jon K. Obst ◽  
C. Adriana Banuelos ◽  
Kunzhong Jian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Phase 1 ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Plasma Samples ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Castration Resistant

257 Background: Aniten compounds bind to the N-terminal domain (NTD) of the androgen receptor (AR) and inhibit AR dependent transcription. EPI-506, the pro-drug of EPI-002, was the first AR NTD inhibitor tested in a Phase 1 study in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). The drug was well-tolerated but required high doses. At doses >1280 mg, EPI-506 treatment resulted in PSA declines; however, these were minor and of short duration, reflecting EPI-506’s low potency and short half-life. To understand EPI-506’s metabolic vulnerabilities, patient plasma samples were analyzed to identify metabolites. Methods: PSA serum levels were assessed after a month of dosing. Patient plasma samples were analyzed and pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters calculated. Three plasma samples from patients (one 80 and two 3,600 mg doses), were pooled across timepoints and metabolites were analyzed. EPI-506 metabolism was assessed in in vitro ADME assays and metabolite activity was measured. Results: EPI-002 patient plasma profiles exhibited dose-proportional Cmax and AUC following once or twice-daily EPI-506 administration. PSA declines (range of 8-29%) were observed, especially at higher doses (≥ 1,280 mg). A total of 19 metabolites were identified. Metabolite M19, a glycerol-moiety oxidant, was the major drug-related component. Other metabolic pathways included O-glucuronidation, sulfation, carboxylic acid formation, and oxidative chlorine loss. The major metabolites were tested in an AR driven reporter assay and were shown to be inactive. Interestingly, in vitro ADME assays predicted glucuronidation and sulfation but not cytochrome dependent metabolism. Conclusions: EPI-506 was tested in a phase 1 trial and showed minor PSA declines. The drug was well-tolerated but was highly metabolized. Patient plasma samples identified 19 metabolites. Newer molecules have been synthesized to address EPI-002’s metabolic liabilities and demonstrate > 20-fold improved potency and higher stability. These next generation Anitens are currently being characterized for IND filing. Clinical trial information: NCT02606123.

scholarly journals Zeb1 and SK3 Channel Are Up-Regulated in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer and Promote Neuroendocrine Differentiation

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2947
Author(s):  
Fanny Bery ◽  
Mathilde Cancel ◽  
Maxime Guéguinou ◽  
Marie Potier-Cartereau ◽  
Christophe Vandier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Neuroendocrine Differentiation ◽  
Calcium Signal ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Castration Resistant

Therapeutic strategies for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer aim to target androgen receptor signaling. Despite initial survival benefits, treatment resistance invariably occurs, leading to lethal disease. Therapies targeting the androgen receptor can induce the emergence of a neuroendocrine phenotype and reactivate embryonic programs associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition. We recently reported that dysregulation of the calcium signal can induce the transcription factor Zeb1, a key determinant of cell plasticity during tumor progression. The aim of this study was to determine whether the androgen receptor-targeted treatment Enzalutamide could induce dysregulation of the calcium signal involved in the progression toward epithelial to mesenchymal transition and neuroendocrine differentiation, contributing to therapeutic escape. Our results show that Zeb1 and the SK3 potassium channel are overexpressed in vivo in neuroendocrine castration-resistant prostate cancer and in vitro in LNCaP cells neurodifferentiated after Enzalutamide treatment. Moreover, the neuroendocrine phenotype is associated with a deregulation of the expression of Orai calcium channels. We showed that Zeb1 and SK3 are critical drivers of neuroendocrine differentiation. Interestingly, Ohmline, an SK3 inhibitor, can prevent the expression of Zeb1 and neuroendocrine markers induced by Enzalutamide. This study offers new perspectives to increase hormone therapy efficacy and improve clinical outcomes.

scholarly journals Development of an Androgen Receptor Inhibitor Targeting the N-Terminal Domain of Androgen Receptor for Treatment of Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 3488
Author(s):  
Fuqiang Ban ◽  
Eric Leblanc ◽  
Ayse Derya Cavga ◽  
Chia-Chi Flora Huang ◽  
Mark R. Flory ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Splice Variants ◽  
Full Length ◽  
Cancer Resistance ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Terminal Domain ◽  
Castration Resistant ◽  
Coregulatory Proteins ◽  
Androgen Binding

Prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen deprivation therapy almost invariably develop castration-resistant prostate cancer. Resistance can occur when mutations in the androgen receptor (AR) render anti-androgen drugs ineffective or through the expression of constitutively active splice variants lacking the androgen binding domain entirely (e.g., ARV7). In this study, we are reporting the discovery of a novel AR-NTD covalent inhibitor 1-chloro-3-[(5-([(2S)-3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl]amino)naphthalen-1-yl)amino]propan-2-ol (VPC-220010) targeting the AR-N-terminal Domain (AR-NTD). VPC-220010 inhibits AR-mediated transcription of full length and truncated variant ARV7, downregulates AR response genes, and selectively reduces the growth of both full-length AR- and truncated AR-dependent prostate cancer cell lines. We show that VPC-220010 disrupts interactions between AR and known coactivators and coregulatory proteins, such as CHD4, FOXA1, ZMIZ1, and several SWI/SNF complex proteins. Taken together, our data suggest that VPC-220010 is a promising small molecule that can be further optimized into effective AR-NTD inhibitor for the treatment of CRPC.

scholarly journals Next-generation androgen receptor inhibitors in non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175883592097813
Author(s):  
Pernelle Lavaud ◽  
Clément Dumont ◽  
Constance Thibault ◽  
Laurence Albiges ◽  
Giulia Baciarello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Androgen Receptor ◽  
Androgen Deprivation Therapy ◽  
Androgen Deprivation ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Free Survival ◽  
Castration Resistant ◽  
Recent Advances

Until recently, continuing androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and closely monitoring patients until evolution towards metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) were recommended in men with non-metastatic CRPC (nmCRPC). Because delaying the development of metastases and symptoms in these patients is a major issue, several trials have investigated next-generation androgen receptor (AR) axis inhibitors such as apalutamide, darolutamide, and enzalutamide in this setting. This review summarizes the recent advances in the management of nmCRPC, highlighting the favourable impact of next-generation AR inhibitors on metastases-free survival, overall survival and other clinically meaningful endpoints.

scholarly journals MicroRNA-1205 Regulation of FRYL in Prostate Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Naidoo ◽  
Fayola Levine ◽  
Tamara Gillot ◽  
Akintunde T. Orunmuyi ◽  
E. Oluwabunmi Olapade-Olaopa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Neuroendocrine Differentiation ◽  
Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer ◽  
Chromosomal Locus ◽  
Protein Coding ◽  
Castration Resistant ◽  
Dendritic Branching ◽  
Very High

High mortality rates of prostate cancer (PCa) are associated with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) due to the maintenance of androgen receptor (AR) signaling despite androgen deprivation therapies (ADTs). The 8q24 chromosomal locus is a region of very high PCa susceptibility that carries genetic variants associated with high risk of PCa incidence. This region also carries frequent amplifications of the PVT1 gene, a non-protein coding gene that encodes a cluster of microRNAs including, microRNA-1205 (miR-1205), which are largely understudied. Herein, we demonstrate that miR-1205 is underexpressed in PCa cells and tissues and suppresses CRPC tumors in vivo. To characterize the molecular pathway, we identified and validated fry-like (FRYL) as a direct molecular target of miR-1205 and observed its overexpression in PCa cells and tissues. FRYL is predicted to regulate dendritic branching, which led to the investigation of FRYL in neuroendocrine PCa (NEPC). Resistance toward ADT leads to the progression of treatment related NEPC often characterized by PCa neuroendocrine differentiation (NED), however, this mechanism is poorly understood. Underexpression of miR-1205 is observed when NED is induced in vitro and inhibition of miR-1205 leads to increased expression of NED markers. However, while FRYL is overexpressed during NED, FRYL knockdown did not reduce NED, therefore revealing that miR-1205 induces NED independently of FRYL.

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