Discovery and Optimization of Novel h DHODH Inhibitors for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.
Zhou, X., Gou, K., Xu, J., Jian, L., Luo, Y., Li, C., Guan, X., Qiu, J., Zou, J., Zhang, Y., Zhong, X., Zeng, T., Zhou, Y., Xiao, Y., Yang, X., Chen, W., Gao, P., Liu, C., Zhou, Y., Tao, L., Liu, X., Cen, X., Chen, Q., Sun, Q., Luo, Y., Zhao, Y.(2023) J Med Chem 66: 14755-14786
- PubMed: 37870434 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c01365
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
8K4F - PubMed Abstract: 
As a key rate-limiting enzyme in the de novo synthesis of pyrimidine nucleotides, human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase ( h DHODH) is considered a known target for the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Herein, BAY 41-2272 with a 1 H -pyrazolo[3,4- b ]pyridine scaffold was identified as an h DHODH inhibitor by screening an active compound library containing 5091 molecules. Further optimization led to 2-(1-(2-chloro-6-fluorobenzyl)-1 H -pyrrolo[2,3- b ]pyridin-3-yl)-5-cyclopropylpyrimidin-4-amine ( w2) , which was found to be the most promising and drug-like compound with potent inhibitory activity against h DHODH (IC 50 = 173.4 nM). Compound w2 demonstrated acceptable pharmacokinetic characteristics and alleviated the severity of acute ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium in a dose-dependent manner. Notably, w2 exerted better therapeutic effects on ulcerative colitis than h DHODH inhibitor vidofludimus and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor tofacitinib. Taken together, w2 is a promising h DHODH inhibitor for the treatment of IBD and deserves to be developed as a preclinical candidate.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Biotherapy, Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.