PMID: 28082036

Authors:

Keung W, Boloor A, Brown J, Kiryanov A, Gangloff A, Lawson JD, Skene R, Hoffman I, Atienza J, Kahana J, De Jong R, Farrell P, Balakrishna D, Halkowycz P

Title:

Structure-based optimization of 1H-imidazole-2-carboxamides as Axl kinase inhibitors utilizing a Mer mutant surrogate.

Journal:

Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2016 Dec 20. pii: S0960-894X(16)31291-4. doi:, 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.12.024.

Abstract:

Axl has been a target of interest in the oncology field for several years based on its role in various oncogenic processes. To date, no wild-type Axl crystal structure has been reported. Herein, we describe the structure-based optimization of a novel chemotype of Axl inhibitors, 1H-imidazole-2-carboxamide, using a mutated kinase homolog, Mer(I650M), as a crystallographic surrogate. Iterative optimization of the initial lead compound (1) led to compound (21), a selective and potent inhibitor of wild-type Axl. Compound (21) will serve as a useful compound for further in vivo studies.