SUBSTITUTED HETEROCYCLES AS c-MYC TARGETING AGENTS

Abstract

Disclosed are substituted heterocycles compounds including substituted pyrazoles, substituted pyrimidines, and substitute triazoles. The substituted heterocycles disclosed herein are shown to be useful in inhibiting c-MYC and may be utilized as therapeutics for treating cancer and cell proliferative disorders.

Description

BACKGROUND

The field of the invention relates to substituted heterocycles as c-MYC targeting agents. In particular, the field of the invention relates to substituted pyrazoles, pyrimidines, or trizoles as c-MYC targeting agents for the treatment of cell proliferation diseases and disorders such as cancer.

The c-MYC oncogene is de-regulated and plays a causal role in a majority of human cancer and c-MYC inhibition profoundly affects tumor growth or survival in multiple models. MYC is the most common oncogene involved in human cancers and is overexpressed in up to half of all cancers. Therefore, developing c-MYC inhibitors is among the most attractive potential anti-cancer strategies. Unfortunately, due to the difficulty in targeting transcription factors with small molecules, c-MYC is currently regarded as “undruggable.” Here, we disclose a new approach to targeting c-MYC and have developed a series of new small molecule inhibitors. These compounds selectively target c-MYC-driven cell proliferation and interfere with binding of c-MYC to DNA.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are substituted heterocycles which may be utilizes as c-MYC targeting agents. The substituted heterocycles may include substituted pyrazoles, substituted pyrimidines, and substituted triazoles. The disclosed heterocycles may be used in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating cell proliferative disorders such as cancer.

The disclosed substituted heterocycles may include substituted pyrazoles having a formula I:

wherein

• R¹ is hydrogen, or R¹ is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• n is 0, 1, or 2;
• p is 0 or 1;
• X is O or NH, or R¹(CH₂)_n(X)_p— is N-piperazinyl optionally N-substituted with alkyl;
• m is 0 or 1;
• R² is hydrogen or halo, or R² is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• R³ is hydrogen, alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), benzyl, hydroxyl, halo, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, or alkoxycarbonyl;
• R⁴ is hydrogen, amino, alkyl, or R⁴ is aryl (e.g., phenyl), or benzyl optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy), and alkylaryloxy (e.g., benzyloxy);
• R⁵ is alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, or halo;
• R⁶ is hydrogen, amino, alkyl, or R⁶ is aryl (e.g., phenyl) or benzyl optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy), and alkylaryloxy (e.g., benzyloxy), or R⁶ and R⁵ together form a ring structure having a formula

• R⁷ is hydrogen or alkyl;
• with the proviso that at least one of R⁴ and R⁶ is hydrogen;
• with the proviso that if R⁵ is hydrogen, then p is 1 and m is 1; and
• with the proviso that if R¹(CH₂)_n(X)_p— is hydrogen, hydroxyl, or alkyl, and R⁵ is hydroxyl, then m is 1, or at least one of R² and R³ is not hydrogen.

In the disclosed formula I, Pyr is a pyrazole ring having two non-adjacent double bonds, for example, where the substituted pyrazoles have a formula I(i) or I(ii):

Specifically, the substituted pyrazoles may have a formula Ia(i), Ia(ii), Ib(i), Ib(ii), Ic(i), or Ic(ii):

The disclosed compounds may exhibit one or more biological activities. The disclosed compounds may inhibit binding of the Myc/Max complex to DNA (e.g., in a DNA gel shifting assay). The disclosed compounds may not produce significant DNA damage (e.g., in an rH2AX staining assay at a concentration greater than about 0.001 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM, 1.0 μM, 10 μM, 100 μM, or higher). The disclosed compounds may inhibit the growth of cells that express c-Myc (preferably by at a concentration of less than about 100 μM, 50 μM, 10 μM, 1 μM, 0.1 μM, 0.05 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.001 μM, or less). The disclosed compounds may not inhibit the growth of cells that do not express c-Myc (preferably at a concentration of greater than about 0.001 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.5 μM, 0.1 μM, 1.0 μM, 10 μM, and 100 μM or higher).

Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the disclosed compounds and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, excipient, or diluent. The disclosed pharmaceutical compositions may comprise an effective amount of the compound for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells when administered to a subject in need thereof.

Also disclosed are methods for treating cell proliferation diseases and disorders such as cancer. The methods may include administering the disclosed compounds or pharmaceutical compositions comprising the disclosed compounds to a subject in need thereof, for example, to a subject having cancer. Cell proliferative diseases and disorders treated by the disclosed methods may include, but are not limited to, cancers selected from the group consisting of multiple myeloma, leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, cancer of the central nervous system, melanoma, ovarian cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1. Scheme for in silico screen to identify c-Myc inhibitors.

FIG. 2. Relative Myc E-box luciferase inhibitory activity of 32 compounds.

FIG. 3. Growth inhibition by selected hit compound on Myc WT and KO fibroblasts.

FIG. 4. Cell viability after treatment with Min9 (NUCC-0176234).

FIG. 5. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) in the presence of 200 μM test compounds.

FIG. 6. (B) Relative values of DNA bound for test compounds at 200 μM.

FIG. 7. (C) Relative Myc/Max DNA binding versus concentration of compound.

FIG. 8. rH2AX assay for DNA damage.

FIG. 9. Scheme 1 for synthesis of new substituted pyrazole derivatives.

FIG. 10. Scheme 2 for synthesis of diverse analogs of Min9 (NUCC-0176234) such as Min9-S7 (NUCC-176248).

FIG. 11. Scheme 3 for synthesis of substituted chromenones.

FIG. 12. In vitro metabolism of NUCC-176242 versus NUCC-176248.

FIG. 13. Pharmacokinetic study of NUCC-176242 in mice after IV dosing at 5 mg/kg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described herein using several definitions, as set forth below and throughout the application.

Unless otherwise specified or indicated by context, the terms “a”, “an”, and “the” mean “one or more.” For example, “a compound” should be interpreted to mean “one or more compounds.”

As used herein, “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and “significantly” will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art and will vary to some extent on the context in which they are used. If there are uses of these terms which are not clear to persons of ordinary skill in the art given the context in which they are used, “about” and “approximately” will mean plus or minus <10% of the particular term and “substantially” and “significantly” will mean plus or minus >10% of the particular term.

As used herein, the terms “include” and “including” have the same meaning as the terms “comprise” and “comprising” in that these latter terms are “open” transitional terms that do not limit claims only to the recited elements succeeding these transitional terms. The term “consisting of,” while encompassed by the term “comprising,” should be interpreted as a “closed” transitional term that limits claims only to the recited elements succeeding this transitional term. The term “consisting essentially of,” while encompassed by the term “comprising,” should be interpreted as a “partially closed” transitional term which permits additional elements succeeding this transitional term, but only if those additional elements do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim.

As used herein, a “subject” may be interchangeable with “patient” or “individual” and means an animal, which may be a human or non-human animal, in need of treatment.

A “subject in need of treatment” may include a subject having a disease, disorder, or condition that is responsive to therapy with a substituted heterocycle such as the presently disclosed substituted pyrazoles, substituted pyrimidines, and substituted triazoles. For example, a “subject in need of treatment” may include a subject having a cell proliferative disease, disorder, or condition such as cancer (e.g., cancers such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, cancer of the central nervous system, melanoma, ovarian cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer).

As used herein, the phrase “effective amount” shall mean that drug dosage that provides the specific pharmacological response for which the drug is administered in a significant number of subject in need of such treatment. An effective amount of a drug that is administered to a particular subject in a particular instance will not always be effective in treating the conditions/diseases described herein, even though such dosage is deemed to be a therapeutically effective amount by those of skill in the art.

Disclosed herein are substituted heterocycles. The disclosed heterocycles have been shown to inhibit the biological activity of c-Myc. The disclosed substituted heterocycles may include substituted pyrazoles, substituted pyrimidines, and substituted triazoles.

In some embodiments, the disclosed substituted heterocycles may include substituted pyrazoles having a formula I:

wherein

• R¹ is hydrogen, or R¹ is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• n is 0, 1, or 2;
• p is 0 or 1;
• X is O or NH, or R¹(CH₂)_n(X)_p— is N-piperazinyl optionally N-substituted with alkyl;
• m is 0 or 1;
• R² is hydrogen or halo, or R² is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• R³ is hydrogen, alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), benzyl, hydroxyl, halo, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, or alkoxycarbonyl;
• R⁴ is hydrogen, amino, alkyl, or R⁴ is aryl (e.g., phenyl) or benzyl optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy), and alkylaryloxy (e.g., benzyloxy);
• R⁵ is alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, or halo;
• R⁶ is hydrogen, amino, alkyl, or R⁶ is aryl (e.g., phenyl), or benzyl optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy), and alkylaryloxy (e.g., benzyloxy), or R⁶ and R⁵ together form a ring structure having a formula

• R⁷ is hydrogen or alkyl;
• with the proviso that at least one of R⁴ and R⁶ is hydrogen;
• with the proviso that if R⁵ is hydrogen, then p is 1 and m is 1; and
• with the proviso that if R¹(CH₂)_n(X)_p— is hydrogen, hydroxyl, or alkyl, and R⁵ is hydroxyl, then m is 1, or at least one of R² and R³ is not hydrogen.

In the disclosed formula I, Pyr is a pyrazole ring having two non-adjacent double bonds, for example, where the substituted pyrazoles have a formula I(i) or I(ii):

Specifically, the substituted pyrazoles may have a formula Ia(i), Ia(ii), Ib(i), Ib(ii), Ic(i), or Ic(ii):

In some embodiments, the disclosed substituted heterocycles may include substituted pyrazoles having a formula II:

wherein

• Y is C or N;
• R¹ is hydrogen, or R¹ is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• n is 0, 1, or 2;
• p is 0 or 1;
• X is O or NH, or R¹(CH₂)_n(X)_p— is N-piperazinyl optionally N-substituted with alkyl;
• m is 0 or 1;
• R² is hydrogen or halo, or R² is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• R³ is hydrogen, alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), benzyl, hydroxyl, halo, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, or alkoxycarbonyl;
• R⁴ is hydrogen, amino, alkyl, or R⁴ is aryl (e.g., phenyl) or benzyl optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy), and alkylaryloxy (e.g., benzyloxy);
• R⁵ is alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, or halo;
• R⁶ is hydrogen, amino, alkyl, or R⁶ is aryl (e.g., phenyl), or benzyl optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy), and alkylaryloxy (e.g., benzyloxy).

Specifically, the substituted pyrazoles may have a formula IIa:

In some embodiments, the disclosed substituted heterocycles may include substituted pyrimidines having a formula III:

wherein:

• R¹ is hydrogen, or R¹ is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• n is 0, 1, or 2;
• p is 0 or 1;
• X is O, NH, or R¹(CH₂)_n(X)_p— is N-piperazinyl optionally N-substituted with alkyl;
• m is 0 or 1;
• R² is hydrogen or halo, or R² is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• R⁴ is hydrogen, amino, alkyl, or R⁴ is aryl (e.g., phenyl) or benzyl optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy), and alkylaryloxy (e.g., benzyloxy);
• R⁵ is alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, or halo.

Specifically, the substituted pyrimidines may have a formula IIIa:

In some embodiments, the disclosed substituted heterocycles may include substitute pyrazoles having a formula IV:

wherein:

• R¹ is hydrogen, or R¹ is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• n is 0, 1, or 2;
• p is 0 or 1;
• X is O, NH, or R¹(CH₂)_n(X)_p— is N-piperazinyl optionally N-substituted with alkyl;
• Y is N or C;
• Z is N or C;
• m is 0 or 1;
• R² is hydrogen or halo, or R² is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• R⁴ is hydrogen, amino, alkyl, or R⁴ is aryl (e.g., phenyl) or benzyl optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxy (e.g., phenoxy), and alkylaryloxy (e.g., benzyloxy);
• R⁵ is alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, or halo.

In some embodiments, the disclosed substituted heterocycles may include substitute triazoles having a formula V:

wherein:

• R¹ is hydrogen, or R¹ is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), aryl (e.g., phenyl), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl;
• n is 0, 1, or 2;
• p is 0 or 1;
• X is O or NH, or R¹(CH₂)_n(X)_p— is N-piperazinyl optionally N-substituted with alkyl;
• m is 0 or 1;
• R² is hydrogen or halo, or R² is an aryl group (e.g., phenyl), a benzyl group, a heteroaryl group (e.g., N-pyridinyl, pyridin-2-yl, pyridin-3-yl, pyridin-4-yl, pyrazol-1-yl, pyrazol-3-yl, pyrazol-4-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl, 1,3-benzodioxol-6-yl, furan-2-yl, furan-3-yl), cycloalkyl (e.g., cyclohexyl), or cycloheteroalkyl (e.g., piperidinyl, morpholinyl), optionally substituted at one or more ring positions with one or more of alkyl (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkyl), alkoxy (e.g., C₁-C₆ alkoxy), haloalkyl (e.g., trifluoromethyl), haloalkoxy (e.g., trifluoromethoxy), hydroxyl, halo, cyano, amido, hydrazonyl, carbonyl, carboxyl, and alkoxycarbonyl.

The formulae of the compounds disclosed herein should be interpreted as encompassing all possible stereoisomers, enantiomers, or epimers of the compounds unless the formulae indicates a specific stereoisomer, enantiomer, or epimer. The formulae of the compounds disclosed herein should be interpreted as encompassing salts, esters, amides, or solvates thereof of the compounds.

The disclosed compounds may exhibit one or more biological activities. The disclosed compounds may inhibit binding of the Myc/Max complex to DNA (e.g., in a DNA gel shifting assay). In some embodiments, the disclosed compounds inhibit binding of the Myc/Max complex to DNA by at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% at a concentration of less than about 100 μM, 50 μM, 10 μM, 1 μM, 0.1 μM, 0.05 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.001 μM, or less. The disclosed compounds may not produce significant DNA damage (e.g., in an rH2AX staining assay at a concentration greater than about 0.001 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.1 μM, 1.0 μM, 10 μM, 100 μM, or higher). The disclosed compounds may inhibit the growth of cells that express c-Myc (preferably by at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99% at a concentration of less than about 100 μM, 50 μM, 10 μM, 1 μM, 0.1 μM, 0.05 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.001 μM, or less). The disclosed compounds may not inhibit the growth of cells that do not express c-Myc (preferably by not more than 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% or less at a concentration of greater than about 0.001 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.5 μM, 0.1 μM, 1.0 μM, 10 μM, and 100 μM or higher). Concentration ranges also are contemplated herein, for example, a concentration range bounded by end-point concentrations selected from 0.001 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.5 μM, 0.1 μM, 1.0 μM, 10 μM, and 100 μM.

The disclosed compounds may be effective in inhibiting cell proliferation of cancer cells, including cancer cells that express c-MYC and whose proliferation is inhibiting by inhibiting the biological activity of c-MYC. The disclosed compounds may be effective in inhibiting cell proliferation of one or more types of cancer cells including: multiple myeloma cells, such as MM.1S cells; leukemia cells, such as CCRF-CEM, HL-60(TB), MOLT-4, RPMI-8226 and SR; non-small lung cancer cells, such as A549/ATCC, EKVX, HOP-62, HOP-92, NCI-H226, NCI-H23, NCI-H322M, NCI-H460 and NCI-H522; colon cancer cells, such as COLO 205, HCC-2998, HCT-116, HCT-15, HT29, KM12 and SW-620; CNS: SF-268, SF-295, SF-539, SNB-19, SNB-75 and U251; melanoma cancer cells, such as LOX IMVI, MALME-3M, M14, MDA-MB-435, SK-MEL-2, SK-MEL-28, SK-MEL-5, UACC-257 and UACC-62; ovarian cancer cells, such as IGR-OV1, OVCAR-3, OVCAR-4, OVCAR-5, OVCAR-8, NCI/ADR-RES and SK-OV-3; renal cancer cells, such as 786-0, A498, ACHN, CAKI-1, RXF 393, SN12C, TK-10 and UO-31; prostate cancer cells, such as DU-145 and PC-3; and breast cancer cells, such as MCF7, MDA-MB-231/ATCC, MDA-MB-468, HS 578T, BT-549 and T-47D.

Cell proliferation and inhibition thereof by the presently disclosed compounds may be assessed by cell viability methods disclosed in the art including colorimetric assays that utilize dyes such as MTT, XTT, and MTS to assess cell viability. Preferably, the disclosed compounds have an IC₅₀ of less than about 10 μM, 5 μM, 1 μM, 0.5 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.001 μM or lower in the selected assay.

The disclosed compounds may be formulated as anti-cancer therapeutics, including hematologic malignancies, breast, lung, pancreas and prostate malignancies. The disclosed compounds also may be formulated as anti-inflammation therapeutics.

The compounds utilized in the methods disclosed herein may be formulated as pharmaceutical compositions that include: (a) a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds as disclosed herein; and (b) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or diluents. The pharmaceutical composition may include the compound in a range of about 0.1 to 2000 mg (preferably about 0.5 to 500 mg, and more preferably about 1 to 100 mg). The pharmaceutical composition may be administered to provide the compound at a daily dose of about 0.1 to 100 mg/kg body weight (preferably about 0.5 to 20 mg/kg body weight, more preferably about 0.1 to 10 mg/kg body weight). In some embodiments, after the pharmaceutical composition is administered to a subject (e.g., after about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours post-administration), the concentration of the compound at the site of action may be within a concentration range bounded by end-points selected from 0.001 μM, 0.005 μM, 0.01 μM, 0.5 μM, 0.1 μM, 1.0 μM, 10 μM, and 100 μM (e.g., 0.1 μM-1.0 μM).

The disclosed compounds and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the disclosed compounds may be administered in methods of treating a subject in need thereof. For example, in the methods of treatment a subject in need thereof may include a subject having a cell proliferative disease, disorder, or condition such as cancer (e.g., cancers such as multiple myeloma, leukemia, non-small cell lung cancer, colon cancer, cancer of the central nervous system, melanoma, ovarian cancer, renal cancer, prostate cancer, and breast cancer).

In some embodiments of the disclosed treatment methods, the subject may be administered a dose of a compound as low as 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 17.5 mg, 20 mg, 22.5 mg, 25 mg, 27.5 mg, 30 mg, 32.5 mg, 35 mg, 37.5 mg, 40 mg, 42.5 mg, 45 mg, 47.5 mg, 50 mg, 52.5 mg, 55 mg, 57.5 mg, 60 mg, 62.5 mg, 65 mg, 67.5 mg, 70 mg, 72.5 mg, 75 mg, 77.5 mg, 80 mg, 82.5 mg, 85 mg, 87.5 mg, 90 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg, or 2000 mg once daily, twice daily, three times daily, four times daily, once weekly, twice weekly, or three times per week in order to treat the disease or disorder in the subject. In some embodiments, the subject may be administered a dose of a compound as high as 1.25 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, 15 mg, 17.5 mg, 20 mg, 22.5 mg, 25 mg, 27.5 mg, 30 mg, 32.5 mg, 35 mg, 37.5 mg, 40 mg, 42.5 mg, 45 mg, 47.5 mg, 50 mg, 52.5 mg, 55 mg, 57.5 mg, 60 mg, 62.5 mg, 65 mg, 67.5 mg, 70 mg, 72.5 mg, 75 mg, 77.5 mg, 80 mg, 82.5 mg, 85 mg, 87.5 mg, 90 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 500 mg, 1000 mg, or 2000 mg, once daily, twice daily, three times daily, four times daily, once weekly, twice weekly, or three times per week in order to treat the disease or disorder in the subject. Minimal and/or maximal doses of the compounds may include doses falling within dose ranges having as end-points any of these disclosed doses (e.g., 2.5 mg-200 mg).

In some embodiments, a minimal dose level of a compound for achieving therapy in the disclosed methods of treatment may be at least about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 1900, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 15000, or 20000 ng/kg body weight of the subject. In some embodiments, a maximal dose level of a compound for achieving therapy in the disclosed methods of treatment may not exceed about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950, 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, 1800, 1900, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000, 8000, 9000, 10000, 15000, or 20000 ng/kg body weight of the subject. Minimal and/or maximal dose levels of the compounds for achieving therapy in the disclosed methods of treatment may include dose levels falling within ranges having as end-points any of these disclosed dose levels (e.g., 500-2000 ng/kg body weight of the subject).

The compounds utilized in the methods disclosed herein may be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition in solid dosage form, although any pharmaceutically acceptable dosage form can be utilized. Exemplary solid dosage forms include, but are not limited to, tablets, capsules, sachets, lozenges, powders, pills, or granules, and the solid dosage form can be, for example, a fast melt dosage form, controlled release dosage form, lyophilized dosage form, delayed release dosage form, extended release dosage form, pulsatile release dosage form, mixed immediate release and controlled release dosage form, or a combination thereof.

The compounds utilized in the methods disclosed herein may be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition that includes a carrier. For example, the carrier may be selected from the group consisting of proteins, carbohydrates, sugar, talc, magnesium stearate, cellulose, calcium carbonate, and starch-gelatin paste.

The compounds utilized in the methods disclosed herein may be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition that includes one or more binding agents, filling agents, lubricating agents, suspending agents, sweeteners, flavoring agents, preservatives, buffers, wetting agents, disintegrants, and effervescent agents. Filling agents may include lactose monohydrate, lactose anhydrous, and various starches; examples of binding agents are various celluloses and cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, microcrystalline cellulose, such as Avicel® PH101 and Avicel® PH102, microcrystalline cellulose, and silicified microcrystalline cellulose (ProSolv SMCC™). Suitable lubricants, including agents that act on the flowability of the powder to be compressed, may include colloidal silicon dioxide, such as Aerosil®200, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, and silica gel. Examples of sweeteners may include any natural or artificial sweetener, such as sucrose, xylitol, sodium saccharin, cyclamate, aspartame, and acsulfame. Examples of flavoring agents are Magnasweet® (trademark of MAFCO), bubble gum flavor, and fruit flavors, and the like. Examples of preservatives may include potassium sorbate, methylparaben, propylparaben, benzoic acid and its salts, other esters of parahydroxybenzoic acid such as butylparaben, alcohols such as ethyl or benzyl alcohol, phenolic compounds such as phenol, or quaternary compounds such as benzalkonium chloride.

Suitable diluents may include pharmaceutically acceptable inert fillers, such as microcrystalline cellulose, lactose, dibasic calcium phosphate, saccharides, and mixtures of any of the foregoing. Examples of diluents include microcrystalline cellulose, such as Avicel® PH101 and Avicel® PH102; lactose such as lactose monohydrate, lactose anhydrous, and Pharmatose® DCL21; dibasic calcium phosphate such as Emcompress®; mannitol; starch; sorbitol; sucrose; and glucose.

Suitable disintegrants include lightly crosslinked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, corn starch, potato starch, maize starch, and modified starches, croscarmellose sodium, cross-povidone, sodium starch glycolate, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of effervescent agents are effervescent couples such as an organic acid and a carbonate or bicarbonate. Suitable organic acids include, for example, citric, tartaric, malic, fumaric, adipic, succinic, and alginic acids and anhydrides and acid salts. Suitable carbonates and bicarbonates include, for example, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium glycine carbonate, L-lysine carbonate, and arginine carbonate. Alternatively, only the sodium bicarbonate component of the effervescent couple may be present.

The compounds utilized in the methods disclosed herein may be formulated as a pharmaceutical composition for delivery via any suitable route. For example, the pharmaceutical composition may be administered via oral, intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, topical, and pulmonary route. Examples of pharmaceutical compositions for oral administration include capsules, syrups, concentrates, powders and granules.

The compounds utilized in the methods disclosed herein may be administered in conventional dosage forms prepared by combining the active ingredient with standard pharmaceutical carriers or diluents according to conventional procedures well known in the art. These procedures may involve mixing, granulating and compressing or dissolving the ingredients as appropriate to the desired preparation.

Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds may be adapted for administration by any appropriate route, for example by the oral (including buccal or sublingual), rectal, nasal, topical (including buccal, sublingual or transdermal), vaginal or parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous or intradermal) route. Such formulations may be prepared by any method known in the art of pharmacy, for example by bringing into association the active ingredient with the carrier(s) or excipient(s).

Pharmaceutical compositions adapted for oral administration may be presented as discrete units such as capsules or tablets; powders or granules; solutions or suspensions in aqueous or non-aqueous liquids; edible foams or whips; or oil-in-water liquid emulsions or water-in-oil liquid emulsions.

Pharmaceutical compositions adapted for transdermal administration may be presented as discrete patches intended to remain in intimate contact with the epidermis of the recipient for a prolonged period of time. For example, the active ingredient may be delivered from the patch by iontophoresis.

Pharmaceutical compositions adapted for topical administration may be formulated as ointments, creams, suspensions, lotions, powders, solutions, pastes, gels, impregnated dressings, sprays, aerosols or oils and may contain appropriate conventional additives such as preservatives, solvents to assist drug penetration and emollients in ointments and creams.

For applications to the eye or other external tissues, for example the mouth and skin, the pharmaceutical compositions are preferably applied as a topical ointment or cream. When formulated in an ointment, the compound may be employed with either a paraffinic or a water-miscible ointment base. Alternatively, the compound may be formulated in a cream with an oil-in-water cream base or a water-in-oil base. Pharmaceutical compositions adapted for topical administration to the eye include eye drops where the active ingredient is dissolved or suspended in a suitable carrier, especially an aqueous solvent.

Pharmaceutical compositions adapted for nasal administration where the carrier is a solid include a coarse powder having a particle size (e.g., in the range 20 to 500 microns) which is administered in the manner in which snuff is taken (i.e., by rapid inhalation through the nasal passage from a container of the powder held close up to the nose). Suitable formulations where the carrier is a liquid, for administration as a nasal spray or as nasal drops, include aqueous or oil solutions of the active ingredient.

Pharmaceutical compositions adapted for parenteral administration include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants, buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient; and aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions which may include suspending agents and thickening agents. The formulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, for example sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried (lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of the sterile liquid carrier, for example water for injections, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions and suspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tablets.

Tablets and capsules for oral administration may be in unit dose presentation form, and may contain conventional excipients such as binding agents, for example syrup, acacia, gelatin, sorbitol, tragacanth, or polyvinylpyrrolidone; fillers, for example lactose, sugar, maize-starch, calcium phosphate, sorbitol or glycine; tabletting lubricants, for example magnesium stearate, talc, polyethylene glycol or silica; disintegrants, for example potato starch; or acceptable wetting agents such as sodium lauryl sulphate. The tablets may be coated according to methods well known in normal pharmaceutical practice. Oral liquid preparations may be in the form of, for example, aqueous or oily suspensions, solutions, emulsions, syrups or elixirs, or may be presented as a dry product for reconstitution with water or other suitable vehicle before use. Such liquid preparations may contain conventional additives, such as suspending agents, for example sorbitol, methyl cellulose, glucose syrup, gelatin, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, aluminium stearate gel or hydrogenated edible fats, emulsifying agents, for example lecithin, sorbitan monooleate, or acacia; non-aqueous vehicles (which may include edible oils), for example almond oil, oily esters such as glycerine, propylene glycol, or ethyl alcohol; preservatives, for example methyl or propyl p-hydroxybenzoate or sorbic acid, and, if desired, conventional flavoring or coloring agents.

EXAMPLES

The following Examples are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Example 1—Identification of Small Molecule Inhibitors of C-Myc DNA Binding Activity

Introduction

MYC is the most frequently amplified oncogene in human cancers. It has been extensively validated as essential for tumor initiation and maintenance in numerous tumor histologies. Numerous studies have provided solid evidence that pharmacologic targeting of Myc would directly affect tumor progression. One example is Omomyc, a dominant-negative peptide of Myc that competitively binds Myc in a manner that prevents Myc-Max heterodimerization. Omomyc expression prompts rapid growth arrest and down-regulation of Myc target genes in cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. Small molecule inhibitors of Myc will be the optimal form for drug development. However, disruption of Myc-Max interactions through small molecules has been difficult because there are no obvious binding regions in the interface. Thus far, over 30 small molecules have been documented with Myc inhibition activity in vitro, but the evidence for their in vivo activities is lacking, likely due to their poor drug-like properties. Among these compounds, 10058-f4 and 10075-G5 are well-known for their specificities and relatively clear mechanisms in interrupting Myc-Max binding. However, the in vivo studies were quite disappointing because of their rapid metabolism. Thus, developing new Myc inhibitors with high potency and specificity as well as favorable drug-like properties will be critical to effectively target Myc.

To this end, we carried out an in silico screen to identify compounds that might inhibit the binding of c-MYC to DNA. These compounds were tested in several cell-based assays to identify the most active hits. The best hit, Min-9 (NUCC-176234) and its related analogs were shown to prevent c-MYC/DNA binding. We then synthesized a series of novel structural analogs and these were tested in the same c-MYC-relevant assays. (See Table 1). Our new compounds display excellent potency at inhibiting c-MYC/DNA binding. The compounds we have developed using a novel approach possess greatly improved drug-like properties over existing small molecules such as 10058-f4 and therefore represent excellent starting points for developing Myc-targeting therapeutics.

Results

In the absence of a regular small-molecule ligand-binding pocket in the c-Myc/Max/DNA ternary complex, we applied multiple independent in silico approaches to increase our likelihood of successfully identifying new small molecule inhibitors. (See FIG. 1). We carried out in-silico screening of a 10 million compound drug-like library. We applied two different approaches to screen the ZINC compound database after removing promiscuous and non drug-like compounds using PAINS filters. The first approach is based on a 3-tier docking protocol using a published crystal structure of Myc/Max bound to DNA. After defining a putative ligand-binding site as reported in the literature, the compound library was screened using the docking tool. The second approach was based on building a pharmacophore model considering of 32 compounds reported to inhibit Myc and screening the Zinc database against this pharmacophore. We obtained 69 hits from the structure-based screen and 60 hits from the ligand-based pharmacophore screen, with 32 compounds in common between the two approaches.

To test the compounds, we evaluated the in silico hits in a Myc E-Box luciferase reporter assay to measure the effects of these compounds (referred to as Min-1 to Min-32) on Myc transcriptional activity. As shown in FIG. 2, about 10 compounds have similar or better activity compared to positive control 10058-F4 at 25 μM. (See FIG. 2).

We next examined the ability of the compounds to selectively inhibit the proliferation of wild type cells expressing Myc relative to cells with Myc knockout. We tested the top 13 active compounds in the first screen assay. FIG. 3 shows a graph of growth inhibition by each compound on the wild type and Myc knockout rat fibroblasts at the dose with the greatest selectivity. More than half of the tested compounds show better growth inhibitory effect on Myc WT compared to Myc KO cells. Min9-S7 (NUCC-0176248) is very promising because of its low effective concentration (6 μM) and high specificity. Min9-S9 (NUCC-0176250) also shows a great selectivity at an acceptable dosage (50 μM)

Min9 (NUCC-0176234) was also tested in a cell viability assay against a cMyc wild-type (WT) and a cMyc KO line. As shown in FIG. 4, this compound reduces cell viability much more in the WT line than the KO cells, indicating a mechanism directly related to cMyc.

We also tested our best hit compound Min9 (NUCC-0176234) and newly synthesized analogs for effects of these compounds on Myc/Max binding to DNA in electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs). (See FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b). We expected the active compounds to impair Myc/Max binding to DNA. Several strucutural analogs of Min9 were tested over multiple doses for inhibiting Myc-DNA binding and we observed a dose-dependent inhibition. (See FIG. 5c).

Min9 (NUCC-0176234) was also tested for its ability to cause DNA damage in an rH2AX staining assay. We would not expect cMyc-targeting agents to produce significant DNA damage. Compounds that act directly against DNA such as doxorubicin do however. We observed essentially no DNA damage caused by Min9 (NUCC-0176234). (See FIG. 6).

Compounds were prepared according to Scheme 1. (See FIG. 9).

Commercially available chromenones were alkylated with the desired bromide substrates using K₂CO₃ in DMF. These were then treated with hydrazine in refluxing ethanol to afford the final pyrazole derivatives. Compounds also may be prepared according to Scheme 2. (See FIG. 10). Chromenones for Scheme 1 and Scheme 2 can be according to Scheme 3. (See FIG. 11).

TABLE 1
			% Fraction
Structure	NUCC ID	Alternate ID	Bound
	NUCC-0176262	Min9-S21	2.5
	NUCC-0176261	Min9-S20	2.1
	NUCC-0176260	Min9-S19	9.8
	NUCC-0176259	Min9-S18	1.1
	NUCC-0176258	Min9-S17	0.9
	NUCC-0176257	Min9-S16	0.0
	NUCC-0176256	Min9-S15	9.1
	NUCC-0176255	Min9-S14	0.5
	NUCC-0176254	Min9-S13	65.4
	NUCC-0176253	Min9-S12	5.9
	NUCC-0176252	Min9-S11	52.3
	NUCC-0176251	Min9-S10	47.0
	NUCC-0176250	Min9-S9	31.6
	NUCC-0176249	Min9-S8	31.3
	NUCC-0176248	Min9-S7	3.1
	NUCC-0176247	Min9-S6	0.3
	NUCC-0176246	Min9-S5	52.7
	NUCC-0176245	Min9-S4	0.1
	NUCC-0176244	Min9-S3	10.1
	NUCC-0176243	Min9-S2	5.6
	NUCC-0176242	Min9-S1	0.2
	NUCC-0176241	Min9-5
	NUCC-0176240	Min9-3
	NUCC-0176239	Min9-7
	NUCC-0176238	Min9-8
	NUCC-0176237	Min9-2
	NUCC-0176236	Min9-6
	NUCC-0176235	Min9-1
	NUCC-0176234	Min9-0	1.0
	NUCC-0020105	Min9-4

In vitro metabolism of NUCC-176242 and NUCC-176248 were tested using mouse liver microsomes and a mouse S9 fraction. NUCC-176242 was significantly metabolism by the mouse S9 fraction versus NUCC-176248 likely due to S9 conjugation at the N-1 nitrogen atom of the pyrazole ring.

The pharmacokinetics of NUCC-176242 and NUCC-176248 were studied in mice by administering a dose of 5 mg/kg intravenously and measuring the plasma concentration versus time. The observed in vivo metabolism of NUCC-176242 and NUCC-176248 correlated well with the observed in vitro metabolism tested above for of NUCC-176242 and NUCC-176248.

REFERENCES

• [1] Huang M, Weiss W A. 2013. Neuroblastoma and MYNC. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 3: a014415.
• [2] Roussel M F, Robinson G W. 2013. Role of MYC in medulloblastoma. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 3: a014308.
• [3] Gabay M, Li Y, Felsher D W. 2014. MYC activation is a hall mark of cancer initiation and maintenance. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med doi: 10.1101/cshperspect.a014241.
• [4] Schmitz R, Ceribelli M, et. al. 2014. Oncogenic mechanisms in Burkitt lymphoma. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 4: a014282.
• [5] Michael R. McKeown and James E. Bradner, Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2014; 4:a014266
• [6] Soucek L, Whitfield J R, et. al. 2013. Inhibition of Myc family proteins eradicates KRas-driven lung cancer in mice. Genes Dev 27: 504-513.
• [7] S. Fletcher, E. V. Prochownik, Small-molecule inhibitors of the Myc oncoprotein, Biochim. Biophys. Acta (2014).

Example 2—Representative Synthesis of Substituted Heterocycles

Synthesis of 7-hydroxy-3-iodo-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (2)

In a 250 mL-RBF1 7-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (1.15 g, 5.00 mmol), pyridine (0.707 ml, 8.74 mmol), iodine (2.219 g, 8.74 mmol) and pyridine (0.707 ml, 8.74 mmol) were added. The reaction stirred overnight (15 h). Reaction was quenched by addition of Na₂S₂O₃ sol, stirred for 1 h. Then, it was extracted with DCM ×3, dried over Na2SO4, filtrated and concentrated. It was titrated with Et2O to afford the title compound (3.44 g, 69%). MS: 357.10 (ESI+). 1H-NMR (500 MHZ, CDCl₃) δ 8.10-8.15 (d, J=8.55 Hz, 1H), 7.16 (d, J=8.54 Hz, 1H), 6.75 (s, 1H), 6.34 (br. s., 1H).

Synthesis of 7-((4-chlorobenzyl)oxy)-3-iodo-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (3)

In a 40 ml-vial with 7-hydroxy-3-iodo-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (595 mg, 1.671 mmol), 1-(bromomethyl)-4-chlorobenzene (412 mg, 2.005 mmol), and K2CO3 (693 mg, 5.01 mmol) were added. Then acetone (20 ml) was added. The reaction was heated at 60° C. overnight. The LCMS as well as HNMR confirmed pure product. The reaction was quenched by adding 10 mL of 10 mL 1M HCl and extracted 3×20 ml of EtOAc, dried over Na2SO4, filtrated and concentrated. The crude was purified by Biotage SiO2 chromatography using 0-20% MeOH in DCM, affording the title compound (0.75 g, 93%). MS (ESI+) 480.99. 1H-NMR (500 MHZ, CDCl₃) δ 8.16 (d, J=8.85 Hz), 7.45 (d, J=8.25 Hz, 2 Hz), 7.40 (d, J=8.25 Hz, 2H), 7.01 (d, J=9.16 Hz, 1H), 6.71 (s, 1H), 5.29 (s, 2H).

Synthesis of 3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-7-((4-chlorobenzyl)oxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (5)

In a 8-mL vial, 7-((4-chlorobenzyl)oxy)-3-iodo-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (68 mg, 0.141 mmol), (3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)boronic acid (36.5 mg, 0.141 mmol), Pd(Ph3P)4 (12.26 mg, 10.61 μmol) and sodium carbonate (30.0 mg, 0.283 mmol) were added. Then, toluene (0.500 ml), ethanol (0.1 ml) and water (0.200 ml) were added. The reaction stirred at 80° C. overnight. LCMS showed the product. Crude was passed directly through a pad of SiO2 using Hex:EtOAc 1:1. TLC showed a spot with high Rf (0.9 in Hex:EtOAc (1:1). Purified by Biotage SiO₂ chromatography, using EtOAc/Hexanes to afford the title compound (69 mg, 86%). MS (ESI+) 567.08.

Synthesis of 2-(4-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-1-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-yl)-5-((4-chlorobenzyl)oxy)phenol (6)

Into a 20 ml-vial with 3-(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-7-((4-chlorobenzyl)oxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (460 mg, 0.812 mmol), Ethanol (Volume: 8 ml) and methylhydrazine (0.130 ml, 2.435 mmol) were added. Reaction was stirred for 1 h at 80° C. LCMS showed 2 isomers. The crude was concentrated in the rotovap. The crude was purified by Biotage SiO₂ chromatography using 0-10% MeOH/DCM to afford a mixture of the isomers 6 and 7. Isomers were separated using reverse phase preparative HPLC to afford compound 6 (20%) and 7 (40%). Compound 6. MS (ESI+) 595.13. 1H NMR (500 MHZ, CDCl₃) δ: 7.94 (s, 2H), 7.90 (s, 1H), 7.31 (d, J=8.55 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (d, J=8.55 Hz, 1H), 7.15-7.18 (m, 2H), 6.79 (d, J=8.85 Hz, 1H), 6.62 (s, 1H), 5.08 (s, 2H), 3.87 (s, 3H). Compound 7. MS (ESI+) 595.13. 1H NMR (500 MHZ, CDCl₃) δ: 10.70-10.71 (s, 1H), 7.99 (s, 2H), 7.84 (s, 1H), 7.55 (d, J=8.85 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J=8.55 Hz, 2H), 7.17 (d, J=8.55 Hz, 2H), 6.95 (s, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=8.55 Hz, 1H), 5.05 (s, 2H), 4.03 (s, 3H).

Synthesis of 2-(2-chlorophenoxy)acetonitrile (10)

Into a 40 mL-vial were added 2-chlorophenol (1.54 g, 11.98 mmol), acetone (24 ml), potassium carbonate (2.483 g, 17.97 mmol) and 2-bromoacetonitrile (0.918 ml, 13.18 mmol). Then the solution was stirred at 60° C. for 4 and RT for 18 hrs. Then, it was quenched by adding 25 mL of NaHCO3 aq. sat. sol. and 25 of water. The suspension was extracted with 3×40 mL of EtOAc. Combined organic layers were washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtrated and concentrated. The product was purified via Biotage SiO₂ chromatography with EtOAc/Hexanes to afford the title compound (3.93 g. 98%). 1H-NMR (500 MHZ, CDCl₃) δ 7.44 (dd, J=1.53, 7.93 Hz, 1H), 7.28-7.33 (m, 1H), 7.06-7.12 (m, 2H), 4.85 (s, 2H).

Synthesis of 2-(2-chlorophenoxy)-1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanone (12)

Into a 20-ml vial were added 2-(2-chlorophenoxy)acetonitrile (1089 mg, 6.5 mmol) solution in benzene (6.5 ml) and the solution was covered with N2 and 4.0 M HCl solution in dioxane (16.25 ml, 65.0 mmol) was added. Then it was stirred 1 h in the ice-bath. Then, a solution of resorcinol (716 mg, 6.50 mmol) and zinc(II) chloride (886 mg, 6.50 mmol) in diethyl ether (9.75 ml) (sonicated to dissolve) was added slowly followed by 4M HCl in dioxane (16.25 ml, 65.0 mmol) solution. Then, the reaction stirred overnight. The crude was centrifuged and the supernatant was removed. Then, the white solid was washed with water 2× and the waters separated (by centrifugation). The remaining white solid was crystallized with iPrOH to afford the title compound (0.75 g, 41%). MS (ESI+) 279.28.

Synthesis of 3-(2-chlorophenoxy)-7-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (13)

Into a 8 ml vial, 2-(2-chlorophenoxy)-1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)ethanone (72 mg, 0.258 mmol), 2,2,2-trifluoroacetic anhydride (180 μl, 1.292 mmol) and Et3N (184 μl, 1.318 mmol) were added. Then the solution was stirred at 125-130° C. for 4 h. Then it was cooled down to r.t. It was extracted with 3×EtOAc. Combined organic layers were washed with NH4Cl aq. sat. sol. and then brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtrated and concentrated. The crude was purified by SiO2 chromatography eluting with EtOAc/Hexanes to afford the title compound. ¹H NMR (500 MHZ, CDCl₃) d: 8.08 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (dd, J=7.9, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.11-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.04 (td, J=7.8, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 6.94-6.99 (m, 2H), 6.76 (dd, J=8.1, 1.4 Hz, 1H).

Synthesis of 7-((4-chlorobenzvl)oxy)-3-(2-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (14)

Into a 8 ml-vial with 3-(2-chlorophenoxy)-7-hydroxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (62 g, 174 mmol), 1-(bromomethyl)-4-chlorobenzene (39.3 g, 191 mmol) and K2CO3 (72.1 g, 521 mmol) were added. Then Acetone (2 ml) was added. The reaction was heated at 60° C. overnight. The crude was diluted with 2 mL of H2O and 2 mL of HCl 1M, extracted with EtOAc, washed with brine, dried over Na2SO4, filtrated and concentrated. The crude was purified by SiO2 chromatography eluting with EtOAc/Hexanes to afford the title compound.

Synthesis of 5-((4-chlorobenzvl)oxy)-2-(4-(2-chlorophenoxy)-5-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-pyrazol-3-yl)phenol (15)

In a 4 ml vial were added 7-((4-chlorobenzyl)oxy)-3-(2-chlorophenoxy)-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one (0.024 g, 0.05 mmol), Ethanol (1 ml) and hydrazine (0.014 ml, 0.300 mmol). It was stirred for 1 h at 85° C. The crude was purified through with SiO2 chromatography using MeOH/DCM to afford the title compound (24 mg, 96%). MS (ESI+) 495.10. 1H NMR (500 MHZ, CDCl₃) d: 7.68-7.75 (m, 1H), 7.46 (dd, J=7.9, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.30-7.37 (m, 4H), 7.06-7.11 (m, 1H), 7.00 (dd, J=7.8, 1.1 Hz, 1H), 6.68 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.51 (br. s., 2H), 5.00 (s, 2H).

Example 3—Additional Substituted Heterocycles

Additional compounds were synthesized and tested in the EMSA assay at concentrations of 200 μM, 100 μM, and 50 μM. Percentage of DNA bound at the respective concentration of test compound is indicated in Table 2.

TABLE 2
		Bound	Bound	Bound
		DNA	DNA	DNA	EMSA
	Compound ID	(%)	(%)	(%)	IC50
Structure	NUCC No.	(200uM)	(100uM)	(50uM)	(uM)
	0176234	10	79		123.1
	0176242	2	36		89
	0176243	19
	0176244	20
	0176245	0	36		95
	0176246	87
	0176247	18
	0176248	6	49		96
	0176249	85
	0176250	57
	0176251	62
	0176252	87
	0176253	39
	0176254	101
	0176255	11
	0176256	100
	0176257	7
	0176258	17
	0176259	26
	0176260	113
	0176261	25
	0176262	54
	0196282		87
	0196283		4		49
	0196284		59
	0196285		118
	0196286		65
	0196287		115
	0196288		81
	0196289		136
	0196290		92
	0196291		110
	0196294		106
	0196295		12		66
	0196296		73
	0196297		45
	0196298		98
	0196299		138
	0196301		43
	0196302		65
	0196303		72
	0196304		13
	0196305		3		39
	0196306		71
	0196311		94
	0196312		51
	0196313		1
	0196314		76
	0196340		35
	0196341		154
	0196342		1
	0196343		48
	0196344		16
	0196345		102
	0196346		114
	0196347		47
	0196348		9
	0196349		135
	0196350		18
	0196351		130
	0196352		65
	0196353		122
	0196354		82
	0196355		25
	0196356		68
	0196357		28
	0196358		98
	0196359		57
	0196360		100
	0196361		0
	0196362		33
	0196363		5
	0196364		132
	0196365		98
	0196366		79
	0198293		70
	0198294		97
	0198295		0
	0198296		74
	0198297		89
	0198298		88
	0198299		90
	0198300		94
	0198301		105
	0198302		100
	0198303		105
	0198304		98
	0198305		106
	0198306		105
	0198307		111
	0198308		92
	0198309		2
	0198310		86
	0198311		105
	0198312		104
	0198313		105
	0198314		104
	0198315		105
	0198316		101
	0198317		126
	0198318		32
	0198319		96
	0198320		52
	0198321		96
	0198322		28
	0198323		70
	0198324		80
	0198325		60
	0198326		106
	0198352		56
	0198353		104
	0198354		85
	0198355		75
	0198356		118
	0198357		62
	0198358		93
	0198359		35
	0198360		101
	0198361		87
	0198362		109
	0198391		4
	0198392		54
	0198393		71
	0198394		30
	0198395		109
	0198396		56
	0198397		82
	0198398		3
	0198399		2
	0198400		48
	0198401		77
	0198402		57
	0198403		44
	0198404		67
	0198405		89
	0198406		0
	0198407		13
	0198408		136
	0198409		69
	0198410		44
	0198411		30
	0198412		91
	0200489		100	99
	0200490		99	97
	0200491		0	73
	0200492		24	92
	0200493		42	92
	0200494		89	99
	0200495		8	86
	0200496		81	98
	0200497		109	107
	0200498		101	100
	0200499		100	109
	0200500		109	100
	0200501		79	91
	0200502		94	64
	0200503		91	89
	0200557		53	46
	0200558		9	20
	0200559		39	76
	0200560		56	91
	0200561		59	91
	0200562		77	101
	0200563		92	101
	0200564		93	103
	0200565		112	112
	0200566		118	109
	0200567		115	117
	0200568		93	109
	0200569		91	89
	0200570		83	85
	0200571		72	87
	0200572		78	85
	0200573		102
	0200574		107
	0200575		13
	0200576		3
	0200577		100
	0200677		102
	0200678		104
	0200679		38	79
	0200680		40	96
	0200681		8	90
	0200682		95	101
	0200683		20	87
	0200684		101	102
	0200685		103	102
	0200686		87	98
	0200687		101	100
	0200688		103	102
	0200689		98	98
	0200690		95	98
	0200691		97	94
	0200692		89	97
	0200721		4	87
	0200722		104
	0200723		36	88
	0200724		105
	0200725		98
	0200726		92
	0200727		99
	0200728		89
	0200729		43	82
	0200730		77	93
	0200731		62	77
	0200732		46	89
	0200733		97
	0200734		91
	0200735		60	84
	0200736		86
	0200737		76
	0200738		18	91
	0200739		78
	0200740		75	93
	0200741		103
	0200742		99
	0200743		101
	0200744		62
	0200745		105
	0200746		101
	0200747		105

In the foregoing description, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that varying substitutions and modifications may be made to the invention disclosed herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The invention illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is not specifically disclosed herein. The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention that in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been illustrated by specific embodiments and optional features, modification and/or variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention.

Citations to a number of patent and non-patent references may be made herein. The cited references are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. In the event that there is an inconsistency between a definition of a term in the specification as compared to a definition of the term in a cited reference, the term should be interpreted based on the definition in the specification.

Claims

1. A compound having a formula I:

2. The compound of claim 1 having a formula I(i) or I(ii):

3. The compound of claim 1 having a formula selected from Ia(i), Ia(ii), Ib(i, Ib( ), Ic(i), and Ic(ii)

4. A compound having a formula II:

5. The compound of claim 4 having a formula IIa:

6. A compound having a formula III:

7. The compounds of claim 6 having a formula IIIa:

8. A compound having a formula IV:

9. A compound having a formula V:

10. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 1 and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, excipient, or diluent.

11. A method of treating cancer comprising administering the composition of claim 10 to a patient having cancer.

12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 4 and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, excipient, or diluent.

13. A method of treating cancer comprising administering the composition of claim 12 to a patient having cancer.

14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 6 and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, excipient, or diluent.

15. A method of treating cancer comprising administering the composition of claim 14 to a patient having cancer.

16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 8 and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, excipient, or diluent.

17. A method of treating cancer comprising administering the composition of claim 16 to a patient having cancer.

18. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of claim 9 and a suitable pharmaceutical carrier, excipient, or diluent.

19. A method of treating cancer comprising administering the composition of claim 18 to a patient having cancer.