Discovery of AZD6642, an Inhibitor of 5-Lipoxygenase Activating Protein (FLAP) for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
Authors: Lemurell, Malin; Ulander, Johan; Winiwarter, Susanne; Dahlen, Anders; Davidsson, Oejvind; Emtenaes, Hans; Broddefalk, Johan; Swanson, Marianne; Hovdal, Daniel; Plowright, Alleyn T.; Pettersen, Anna; Ryden-Landergren, Marie; Barlind, Jonas; Llinas, Antonio; Hersloef, Margareta; Drmota, Tomas; Sigfridsson, Kalle; Moses, Sara; Whatling, Carl
Abstract
A drug discovery program in search of novel 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (FLAP) inhibitors focused on driving a reduction in lipophilicity with maintained or increased ligand lipophilic efficiency (LLE) compared to previously reported compounds led to the discovery of AZD6642 (15b). Introduction of a hydrophilic tetrahydrofuran (THF) ring at the stereogenic central carbon atom led to a significant shift in physicochemical property space. The structureactivity relationship exploration and optimization of DMPK properties leading to this compound are described in addition to pharmacokinetic analysis and an investigation of the pharmacokinetic (PK)pharmacodynamic (PD) relationship based on ex vivo leukotriene B-4 (LTB4) levels in dog. AZD6642 shows high specific potency and low lipophilicity, resulting in a selective and metabolically stable profile. On the basis of initial PK/PD relation measured, a low dose to human was predicted.
IN VIVO ASSESSMENT OF MUSCLE MEMBRANE PROPERTIES IN MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY
MUSCLE & NERVE
Authors: Tan, S. Veronica; Z'Graggen, Werner J.; Boerio, Delphine; Turner, Christopher; Hanna, Michael G.; Bostock, Hugh
Abstract
Introduction: Myotonia in myotonic dystrophy types 1 (DM1) and 2 (DM2) is generally attributed to reduced chloride-channel conductance. We used muscle velocity recovery cycles (MVRCs) to investigate muscle membrane properties in DM1 and DM2, using comparisons with myotonia congenita (MC). Methods: MVRCs and responses to repetitive stimulation were compared between patients with DM1 (n = 18), DM2 (n = 5), MC (n = 18), and normal controls (n = 20). Results: Both DM1 and DM2 showed enhanced late supernormality after multiple conditioning stimuli, indicating delayed repolarization as in MC. Contrary to MC, however, DM1 showed reduced early supernormality after multiple conditioning stimuli, and weak DM1 patients also showed abnormally slow latency recovery after repetitive stimulation. Conclusions: These findings support the presence of impaired chloride conductance in both DM1 and DM2. The early supernormality changes indicate that sodium currents were reduced in DM1, whereas the weakness-associated slow recovery after repetitive stimulation may provide an indication of reduced Na+/K+-ATPase activation.