Structural insights into how irreversible inhibitors can overcome drug resistance in EGFR

Bioorg Med Chem. 2008 Apr 1;16(7):3482-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.02.053. Epub 2008 Feb 20.

Abstract

Resistance to kinase-targeted cancer drugs has recently been linked to a single point mutation in the ATP binding site of the kinase. In EGFR, the crucial Thr790 gatekeeper residue is mutated to a Met and prevents reversible ATP competitive inhibitors from binding. Irreversible 4-(phenylamino)quinazolines have been shown to overcome this drug resistance and are currently in clinical trials. In order to obtain a detailed structural understanding of how irreversible inhibitors overcome drug resistance, we used Src kinase as a model system for drug resistant EGFR-T790M. We report the first crystal structure of a drug resistant kinase in complex with an irreversible inhibitor. This 4-(phenylamino)quinazoline inhibits wild type and drug resistant EGFR in vitro at low nM concentrations. The co-crystal structure of drug resistant cSrc-T338M kinase domain provides the structural basis of this activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Resistance / drug effects*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ErbB Receptors / chemistry
  • ErbB Receptors / genetics
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism*
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Quinazolines / chemistry
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Erlotinib Hydrochloride
  • ErbB Receptors