clinical kinase inhibitors

Interleukin-2-inducible T cell kinase (ITK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase expressed in T cells, NKT cells and mast cells which plays a crucial role in regulating the T cell receptor (TCR), CD28, CD2, chemokine receptor CXCR4, and FcepsilonR-mediated signaling pathways. ITK inhibitors can be used for the treatment of inflammation and immune-mediated disorders. ITK inhibitor (N-[5-[[3-[(4-Acetylpiperazin-1-yl)carbonyl]-4-methyl-6-methoxy-phenyl]thio]thiazol-2-yl]-4-(N-1,2-dimethylpropylaminomethyl)benzamide) is the analogue of BMS-509744, which can potently and selectively inhibit Itk kinase activity. In vitro: BMS-509744 could reduce TCR-induced functions including PLCγ1 tyrosine phosphorylation, calcium mobilization, IL-2 secretion, and T-cell proliferation in vitro in both human and mouse cells [1]. In vivo: BMS-509744 suppressed the production of IL-2 induced by anti-TCR antibody administered to mice. BMS-509744 also significantly diminishes lung inflammation in a mouse model of ovalbumin-induced allergy/asthma [1]. Clinical trial: Up to now, both BMS-509744 and ITK inhibitor is still in the preclinical development stage.

BPR1J-340 is a potent and selective FLT3 inhibitor with potential anticancer activity. BPR1J-340 was identified as a novel potent FLT3 inhibitor by biochemical kinase activity (IC50 approximately 25 nM) and cellular proliferation (GC50 approximately 5 nM) assays. BPR1J-340 inhibited the phosphorylation of FLT3 and STAT5 and triggered apoptosis in FLT3-ITD(+) AML cells. The pharmacokinetic parameters of BPR1J-340 in rats were determined. BPR1J-340 also demonstrated pronounced tumor growth inhibition and regression in FLT3-ITD(+) AML murine xenograft models. The combination treatment of the HDAC inhibitor vorinostat (SAHA) with BPR1J-340 synergistically induced apoptosis via Mcl-1 down-regulation in MOLM-13 AML cells, indicating that the combination of selective FLT3 kinase inhibitors and HDAC inhibitors could exhibit clinical benefit in AML therapy.

Doramapimod HCl is the salt form of Doramapimod, a member of the N-pyrazole-N'-naphthly urea class of p38MAPK inhibitors, which binds to the kinase with both slow association and dissociation rates. BIRB -796 has entered clinical trials for the treatment of autoimmune diseases.