Discovery of oxa-sultams as RORc inverse agonists showing reduced lipophilicity, improved selectivity and favorable ADME properties

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2016 Sep 15;26(18):4455-4461. doi: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.07.081. Epub 2016 Aug 3.

Abstract

Modification of the δ-sultam ring of RORc inverse agonist 2 led to the discovery of more polar oxa-sultam 65. The less lipophilic inverse agonist (65) displayed high potency in a biochemical assay, which translated into inhibition of IL-17 production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The successful reduction of lipophilicity of this new analog gave rise to additional improvements in ROR selectivity and aqueous kinetic solubility, as well as reduction in plasma protein binding, while maintaining high cellular permeability.

Keywords: IL-17; Inverse agonist; Oxa-sultam; PBMCs; RORc; RORγ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Drug Discovery
  • Drug Inverse Agonism
  • Lipids / chemistry*
  • Naphthalenesulfonates / chemistry
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1 / agonists*

Substances

  • Lipids
  • Naphthalenesulfonates
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 1
  • naphthosultone