Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) has been verified as a therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In this study, we report a series of 2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl benzamide and phenyl urea derivatives as potent FLT3 inhibitors based on the structural optimisation of previous FLT3 inhibitors. Derivatives were synthesised as benzamide 8a-k, 8n-z, and phenyl urea 8l-m, with various substituents. The most potent inhibitor, 8r, demonstrated strong inhibitory activity against FLT3 and FLT3 mutants with a nanomolar IC50 and high selectivity profiles over 42 protein kinases. In addition, these type II FLT3 inhibitors were more potent against FLT3 mutants correlated with drug resistance. Overall, we provide a theoretical basis for the structural optimisation of novel benzimidazole analogues to develop strong inhibitors against FLT3 mutants for AML therapeutics.
Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) has been verified as a therapeutic target for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). In this study, we report a series of 2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl benzamide and phenyl urea derivatives as potent FLT3 inhibitors based on the structural optimisation of previous FLT3 inhibitors. Derivatives were synthesised as benzamide 8a-k, 8n-z, and phenyl urea 8l-m, with various substituents. The most potent inhibitor, 8r, demonstrated strong inhibitory activity against FLT3 and FLT3 mutants with a nanomolar IC50 and high selectivity profiles over 42 protein kinases. In addition, these type II FLT3 inhibitors were more potent against FLT3 mutants correlated with drug resistance. Overall, we provide a theoretical basis for the structural optimisation of novel benzimidazole analogues to develop strong inhibitors against FLT3 mutants for AML therapeutics.
Acute myeloid leukaemia, one of the most notorious types of leukaemia, is characterised by the abnormal proliferation and accumulation of immature cells in bone marrow and peripheral tissues. Consequently, it leads to lack of normal haematopoietic cells, leading to the characteristic symptoms of AML, such as fatigue, anaemia, dyspnoea, bleeding, and severe infections due to poorly differentiated progenitor cells. According to the American Cancer Society’s estimates for AML in 2020, newly diagnosed cases of AML and deaths from AML are as high as 19,940 and 11,180 in the United States, respectively. It is reported that AML incidence rates generally increase alongside age, and the five-year overall survival rate for patients with AML is less than 50%. Recent genomic sequencing analysis reported that mutations in FLT3 commonly discovered, and FLT3 has been considered a potential therapeutic target against AML.FLT3, classified as a type of trans-membrane receptor tyrosine kinase, is expressed on lympho-haematopoietic cells. When Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3 ligand) binds to receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK), FLT3 is activated by dimerisation and auto-phosphorylation of kinase domain, which activates its series of downstream signalling pathways, including Jasnus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT), Ras/mitogen activated protein kinase (RAS/MAPK), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/AKT/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) pathways mediating the proliferation, survival, and immune response of haematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells.But mutation in FLT3 can lead to its auto-phosphorylation and activation without FLT3 ligand binding. FLT3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) occurs in the juxtamembrane domain (JMD) as a form of sequence replication and was found in 20–30% of AML patients; it is primarily related to poor AML prognosis. The FLT3-ITD insertion mutation is frequently observed between Tyr591 and Val592 or Phe594 and Arg595. FLT3 point mutation in the tyrosine kinase domain (TKD) is present in 5% of AML patients, and mutations at Asp835 which most commonly occur are considered to be a part of the AML drug resistance mechanism (Figure 1).
Figure 1.
(Left) X-ray crystallography of FLT3 kinase (PDB:4RT7); (Right) The region and amino acid residues in which FLT3 mutations commonly occur; (Blue) Juxtamembrane; (Red) Activation loop of the kinase domain.
(Left) X-ray crystallography of FLT3 kinase (PDB:4RT7); (Right) The region and amino acid residues in which FLT3 mutations commonly occur; (Blue) Juxtamembrane; (Red) Activation loop of the kinase domain.On the basis of their binding mode, all known FLT3 inhibitors can be classified as type I or type II. Type I inhibitors are competitive inhibitors that can bind with the active conformation of FLT3 (DFG-in conformation). Sunitinib, midostaurin, lestaurtinib, crenolanib, and gilteritinib have been reported as type I FLT3 inhibitors that tightly bind with its active conformation. But type I inhibitors lack selectivity for FLT3 and also show strong affinity for other kinases due to high similarities in ATP binding sites. Type II inhibitors interact with the DFG-out conformation, the inactive conformation, and also bind with an additional hydrophobic site adjacent to the ATP-binding pocket. Type II inhibitors generally possess higher selectivity for target kinases because hydrophobic pockets are less conserved regions compared to ATP binding sites. Sorafenib and quizartinib have been reported as type II FLT3 inhibitors. Among the mentioned FLT3 inhibitors, only two molecules, including midostaurin (Rydapt®) and gilteritinib (Xospata®), have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of FLT3-mutated AML in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Quizartinib (VANFLYTA® in Japan) has received regulatory approval in Japan for use in FLT3-ITD-positive patients in 2019, (Figure 2).
Figure 2.
FLT3 inhibitors approved for AML treatment.
FLT3 inhibitors approved for AML treatment.In our previous study, benzimidazole and quinazoline derivatives were synthesised and optimised from FMS inhibitors as selective type II FLT3 inhibitors,. We found that core structures including benzimidazole and quinazoline play a key role in retaining their binding mode that interacts with the Phe691 residue in FLT3 kinase via π-π interaction by means of investigating molecular docking. On the process of structure optimisation to enhance activity, it was verified that indazole fragments could be employed as a hinge binder that binds with the ATP-binding pocket (Figure 3). Based on this observation, we replaced the isoxazole structure with various phenyl amide groups retaining its quinazoline core structure first and synthesised several derivatives, including 5-methylisoxazole-4-carboxamide and 3–(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-5-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide, which were considered as starting points to develop novel FLT3 inhibitors. We then decided to modify the quinazoline structure for further optimisation to improve its handling properties and the flexibility of its structure. As a result, we introduced a benzimidazole scaffold instead of quinazoline as a bioisostere with chemically and biologically similar properties to quinazoline at the binding site of the FLT3. Finally, we diversified its R group seeking a substituent to fit with the hydrophobic pocket adjacent to the FLT3 active site, resulting in the synthesis of novel benzimidazole derivatives containing an indazole fragment (8a–z) (Figure 3).
Figure 3.
Docking structures of a quinazoline derivative with an indazole fragment in FLT3 (PDB: 4RT7) and Design of a benzimidazole analog with an indazole moiety from studies on the binding mode of a previous FLT3 inhibitor.
Docking structures of a quinazoline derivative with an indazole fragment in FLT3 (PDB: 4RT7) and Design of a benzimidazole analog with an indazole moiety from studies on the binding mode of a previous FLT3 inhibitor.
Results and discussion
Chemistry
The general synthetic route for benzimidazole analogues is shown in Scheme 1. The synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives started from commercially available methyl 1H-indazole-6-carboxylate (1). Methyl 1H-indazole-6-carboxylate (1) was treated with 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (DHP) under mild acidic conditions and subjected to microwave irradiation at 50 °C to introduce a DHP group and yield a protected compound (2). Methyl 1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazole-6-carboxylate (2) was reduced to an alcohol (3) using LiAlH4 and oxidised to an aldehyde compound (4) with Dess-Martin Periodinane. Aldehyde (4) was treated with NH4Cl and 4-nitrobenzene-1, 2-diamine to obtain a benzimidazole compound (5) as a core intermediate. Subsequently, nitro group of benzimidazole (5) was reduced to amino group under H2. Aniline (6) was coupled with various benzoic acids, and then deprotection was performed under acidic conditions to produce the final benzimidazole derivatives (8a–z). Also, aniline (6) was coupled with an amine via urea coupling, and deprotection was performed to obtain the final benzimidazole derivatives (8l–m) (Scheme 2).
Scheme 1.
Synthesis of N-(2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)benzamide derivatives. (i) 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, Pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate, µW, 50 °C, 5 h; (ii) LiAlH4 in THF, THF, 0 °C; (iii) Dess-Martin periodinane, MC/THF = 1:1, rt; (iv) 4-Nitrobenzene-1,2-diamine, NH4Cl, EtOH, reflux; (v) H2, Pd/C, EtOH; (vi) Benzoic acid, EDC, HOBt, TEA, THF, rt; (vii) 20% TFA, CH2Cl2 or 5% HCl in EtOH.
Synthesis of N-(2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)benzamide derivatives. (i) 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran, Pyridinium p-toluenesulfonate, µW, 50 °C, 5 h; (ii) LiAlH4 in THF, THF, 0 °C; (iii) Dess-Martin periodinane, MC/THF = 1:1, rt; (iv) 4-Nitrobenzene-1,2-diamine, NH4Cl, EtOH, reflux; (v) H2, Pd/C, EtOH; (vi) Benzoic acid, EDC, HOBt, TEA, THF, rt; (vii) 20% TFA, CH2Cl2 or 5% HCl in EtOH.Synthesis of 1–(2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)-3-phenylurea derivatives. (i) (1) 4-Nitrophenyl chloroformate, DIPEA, THF, 0 °C; (2) RNH2, THF, 50 °C; (ii) 20% TFA, CH2Cl2.
In vitro structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies and structural modification
All benzimidazole compounds, 8a–z, were evaluated for activity against FLT3 and FLT3-D835Y, and the results are shown in Table 1. While most compounds exhibited potent and selective activity with FLT3 kinase, they were especially more potent against FLT3-D835Y, which is mainly related to the mechanism of secondary resistance to FLT3 inhibitors. Compound 8r with an ethyl piperazine moiety showed the most potent activity with FLT3, with an IC50 value of 41.6 nM, and FLT3-D835Y, with an IC50 value of 5.64 nM. Structure-activity relationships (SARs) were inferred from activity data.
Table 1.
Enzymatic activities of N-(2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)benzamide and 1–(2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)-3-phenylurea derivatives
No.
R
FLT3
FLT3 (D835Y)
No.
R
FLT3
FLT3 (D835Y)
IC50 (µM)
IC50 (µM)
8a
0.181
0.021
8n
0.287
0.113
8b
0.639
0.110
8o
0.841
0.120
8c
0.470
0.108
8p
0.409
0.131
8d
1.03
0.151
8q
0.525
0.174
8e
0.154
0.044
8r
0.0416
0.006
8f
2.51
0.370
8s
0.158
0.025
8g
1.10
0.063
8t
0.285
0.087
8h
0.702
0.082
8u
0.289
0.055
8i
0.676
0.084
8v
0.107
0.009
8j
0.514
0.103
8w
0.29
0.013
8k
0.761
0.191
8x
0.743
0.145
8l
1.17
0.261
8y
0.145
0.042
8m
3.58
1.010
8z
0.066
0.046
Staurosporine
1.82 nM
0.073 nM
Enzymatic activities of N-(2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)benzamide and 1–(2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)-3-phenylurea derivativesIn previous work, we designed and synthesised quinazoline compounds incorporating indazole. Through investigations of molecular docking, we observed that the indazole structure plays a key role as a hinge binder in type II inhibitors to interact with the Cys694 residue in FLT3 (Figure 3). We introduced an indazole moiety as a hinge binder and replaced the quinazoline core structure with benzimidazole (Figure 3). Most benzimidazole derivatives retained their activity and showed enhanced potency against FLT3 (8a, 8b, 8d, 8f, 8g, 8h, 8i, 8k). Especially, compounds 8b and 8d were about 2- to 4-fold more potent (IC50 values of 0.639 µM and 1.03 µM, respectively) compared to the corresponding quinazoline series (IC50 values of 1.58 µM and 3.98 µM, respectively). Among those compounds, compounds 8a and 8e incorporating methyl piperazine were the most potent, exhibiting IC50 values of 0.181 and 0.154 µM, respectively, against FLT3. The newly synthesised FLT3 inhibitors nicely bound to the active site of FLT3 via hydrogen bonding and π-π interaction. The N-H of the indazole and N-H of the amide group substituted in the benzimidazole form hydrogen bonds with the amide backbones of Cys694 and Asp829 in FLT3. The fused ring system of benzimidazole interacts with the phenyl side chains of Phe691 and Phe830. These interactions of core structure could lead to the development of FLT3 inhibitors with retained activity and further improved potency (Figure 4).
Figure 4.
Docking structure of compound 8a at the active site of FLT3 (Left) and at the hydrophobic pocket adjacent to the ATP-binding site (Right).
Docking structure of compound 8a at the active site of FLT3 (Left) and at the hydrophobic pocket adjacent to the ATP-binding site (Right).Following the introduction of indazole and benzimidazole, we modified the inhibitor’s structures to optimise their activity by exploiting linkage connecting their fragments and the pocket adjacent to the ATP-binding site. This pocket then had more space which could be occupied by FLT3 inhibitors, and the terminal region of the pocket is surrounded by hydrophobic residues, such as Met664, Met665, Leu668, Ile674, Met799, Leu802, and Ile827 (Figure 4).Compounds 8l and 8m were synthesised to replace the amide to urea linkage between the benzimidazole core structure and the phenyl group. But its potency was about 2- to 7-fold less than that of 8h and 8j. Then we substituted methyl imidazole (8b, 8c) with N,N-dimethyl and diethyl pyrrolidine moieties, respectively, to elongate their terminal structure. Compound 8n displayed a 3-fold more potent activity than that of 8o. The N-methyl group might be the proper substituent size to occupy the hydrophobic pocket next to the ATP-binding site.For further structural optimisation, we modified the scaffold of compound 8a, which displayed the most potent activity towards FLT3 among 8a–o, and replaced its methyl substituent with a cyclopropyl group (8p). Although compound 8p retained potency against FLT3, improved activity was not achieved. Next, we added one atom, such as C, N, or O, between the phenyl group and basic amine substituent to elongate the scaffold length and give its basic amine substituent flexibility (8q–v). As a result, compounds 8r, 8s, and 8v demonstrated improved activity. Analogues 8r and 8v showed about 2- to 4-fold more potent activities against FLT3. Furthermore, these compounds have single-digit nanomolar FLT3-D835Y inhibitory activities.Benzimidazole derivatives with 1, 3, 4-substituted phenyl groups (8w, 8x) were about 3- to 7-fold less potent than those with 1, 3, 5-substituted phenyl groups (8r, 8u). Although 8a and 8e showed only similar activity according to the orientation of substitution, compounds 8w and 8x, despite their optimised structures, displayed quite decreased activity compared with compounds 8r and 8u. It is implied that a 1, 3, 5-substituted phenyl group occupies the hydrophobic pocket at the binding site of FLT3 kinase.In order to optimise its terminal, basic substituent, such as piperazine, a dimethyl group was incorporated (8y, 8z). Analogue 8y had less potent activity compared to 8r, but compound 8z had a 3-fold more potent activity towards FLT3 (IC50 value of 65.9 nM) than 8a.
Enzymatic inhibitory activities against wild-type FLT3 and activated FLT3 mutants
The most potent compound, 8r, was examined further for inhibitory activity against FLT3 mutants, and the results are shown in Table 2. 8r displayed a similar or higher level of potency towards FLT3-ITD-NPOS and W51 (IC50 = 41.5 nM, 22.8 nM, respectively) compared with that towards wild-type FLT3 (IC50 = 41.6 nM). FLT3-ITD mutations mainly occur in the juxtamembrane domain, which is away from the active site of FLT3, so FLT3 inhibitors generally exhibit similar potency against FLT3-ITD mutants. But FLT3-TKD mutants like D835Y occur in the active site of the kinase; Point mutation in this region could induce a constitutively active conformation of FLT3, and that’s why some type II kinase inhibitors which bind with the inactive form of kinase could generally not bind well enough to such FLT3 mutants. This is known as a mechanism of secondary resistance to type II FLT3 inhibitors. However, our benzimidazole derivatives designed as type II inhibitors had a tendency to show more potent activity against FLT3-TKD mutants like FLT3-D835Y. Especially, compounds 8r and 8v were about 7- to 12-fold more potent against FLT3-D835Y (IC50 = 5.64 nM, 8.86 nM, respectively) than against wild-type FLT3 (IC50 = 41.6 nM, 107 nM, respectively). It is impressive result to suggest a potential that might avoid secondary resistance mechanism,,,. Additionally, compound 8r also displayed similar or more potent activities against other FLT3-TKD mutants, such as FLT3 (F594_R595 ins R), FLT3 (F594_R595 ins REY), FLT3 (R595_E596 ins EY), and FLT3 (Y591_V592 ins VDFREYEYD) compared with wild-type FLT3 (Table 2).
Table 2.
Enzymatic inhibitory activities of compound 8r against FLT3 mutants.
Kinase
IC50
FLT3 wild type
41.6 nM
FLT3 (ITD)-NPOS
41.5 nM
FLT3 (ITD)-W51
22.8 nM
FLT3 (D835Y)
5.64 nM
FLT3 (F594_R595 ins R)
37.3 nM
FLT3 (F594_R595 ins REY)
41.6 nM
FLT3 (R595_E596 ins EY)
24.8 nM
FLT3 (Y591_V592 ins VDFREYEYD)
49.5 nM
Enzymatic inhibitory activities of compound 8r against FLT3 mutants.
Protein kinase profiling assay
As shown in Figure 5, the representative compound 8r was tested against 42 different kinases at a single dose concentration of 1 µM. It was revealed that compound 8r showed an excellent selectivity profile. 8r had strong inhibitory activity against the FLT3-ITD mutant significantly related to the therapeutic target of AML, having the activity level of inhibition below 20% on most of the other kinases. While this compound displayed strong inhibitory activities on other FLT3 mutants including FLT3 (F594_R595insR), FLT3 (F594_R595insREY), FLT3 (ITD)-NPOS, FLT3 (ITD)-W51, FLT3 (R595_E596insEY) and FLT3 (Y591_V592insVDFREYEYD), compound 8r effectively inhibited CAMKK1, and TRKC kinase activities with an activity level of inhibition over 20%. We also evaluated the enzymatic inhibition of compound 8r towards ABL1, c-Kit, CAMKK1, and TRKC (Table 3). Compound 8r demonstrated excellent activity against wild-type FLT3 and FLT3 mutants (a nanomolar level of IC50 shown in Table 2), but only good potency against CAMKK1 and TRKC (IC50 = 0.395 µM, and 1.52 µM, respectively).
Figure 5.
The profiles of the compound 8r (1 µM) are shown.
Table 3.
IC50 for the enzymatic inhibitory activity of compound 8r.
IC50
ABL1
c-Kit
CAMKK1
TRKC
8r
3.09 µM
4.57 µM
0.395 µM
1.52 µM
The profiles of the compound 8r (1 µM) are shown.IC50 for the enzymatic inhibitory activity of compound 8r.
Molecular docking studies
Molecular docking of compound 8r into the ATP binding site of FLT3 (PDB:4RT7) was analysed utilising Maestro v12.7 (Scrhödinger Release 2021–1) to better understand the interactions between benzimidazole derivatives and FLT3 kinase. The docking result is described in Figure 6. The amino hydrogen atom of the 8r indazole forms a hydrogen bond (N-H/O: 1.95 Å) with the amide oxygen atom of Cys694 and another hydrogen bond (1.90 Å) between the N-H of the 8r amide bond and the oxygen atom of Asp829, which suggests that the indazole group plays an important role in the receptor-ligand complex. The benzimidazole fused ring of 8r forms a π-π interaction with the phenyl groups of Phe691 and Phe830. These interactions also perform a significant role in FLT3 kinase inhibition due to its conserved residue Phe691. On the other hand, FMS kinase has a Thr663 residue in the same sequence at the active site. Therefore, compound 8r could not form a π-π interaction with Thr663, which explains its selective inhibition between FLT3 and FMS kinase. The positively charged nitrogen of the ethyl piperazine ring forms a π-cation interaction with His809. Furthermore, ethyl moiety substituted in the piperazine occupies the terminal hydrophobic pocket of the FLT3 active site surrounded by hydrophobic amino acid residues. It might enhance the binding affinity, possibly resulting in increased inhibition of kinase activity. The light blue colour region in Figure 6 shows the hydrophobic regions around the ethyl substituent.
Figure 6.
Docking structure of 8r in FLT3 (PDB: 4RT7).
Docking structure of 8r in FLT3 (PDB: 4RT7).
Conclusions
A series of N-(2-(1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)benzamide derivatives incorporating various aromatic substituents were synthesised by modifying quinazoline derivatives reported as novel FLT3 inhibitors that exhibited activities against FLT3, FLT3-ITD mutants, and FLT3-TKD mutants. Compound 8r displayed the most potent inhibitory activity against FLT3 with an IC50 of 41.6 nM and was also active against FLT3-ITD (W51) and FLT3-TKD (D835Y) with IC50 values of 22.8 nM and 5.64 nM, respectively. Sorafenib (IC50 > 2000 nM), tandutinib (IC50 > 10000 nM) and quizartinib (IC50 > 100 nM) (VANFLYTA® in Japan) which have been reported as type II FLT3 inhibitors do not show potent inhibitory activity against FLT3-D835Y mutant, while quizartinib retains its activity with only reduced IC50 value against FLT3-D835Y compared with that against wild-type FLT3,. But most of our compounds were more potent against FLT3-TKD mutants than against wild-type FLT3, which was valuable to type II FLT3 kinase inhibitor development for AML therapeutics. Molecular docking analysis of 8r into the active site of FLT3 kinase was performed, and the result revealed that compound 8r tightly bound with the FLT3 active site. Based on docking study, newly introduced indazole and benzimidazole structures could properly interact with key amino acid residues as intended. Our research provided a theoretical rationale for the structural optimisation of benzimidazole derivatives as potent FLT3 inhibitors and demonstrated that compound 8r could be a valuable scaffold for AML therapeutics due to its strong inhibitory activity against FLT3 and FLT3 mutants correlated with the secondary resistance mechanism of AML.
Materials and methods
General chemical methods
All chemicals were of reagent grade and were purchased from Aldrich (USA), Alfa aesar (USA), and TCI (JAPAN). Separation of the compounds by column chromatography was carried out with silica gel 60 (200–300 mesh ASTM, E. Merck, Germany). The quantity of silica gel used was 50–200 times the weight charged on the column. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was run on the silica gel-coated aluminium sheets (silica gel 60 GF254, E. Merck, Germany) and visualised under ultraviolet (UV) light (254 nm). 1H NMR and 13 C NMR spectra were recorded on a Brucker model digital AVANCE III 400 MHz spectrometer at 25 °C using tetramethylsilane (TMS) as an internal standard. High-resolution MS (HR/MS) experiments were conducted with a Finnigan LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc, MA, USA) operated in positive-ion electrospray mode.
General procedure for the synthesis of methyl 1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazole-6-carboxylate (2)
A mixture of methyl 1H-indazole-6-carboxylate 1 (1216 mg, 6.90 mmol), DHP (8.28 mmol) and PPTS (0.07 mmol) was reacted under microwave irradiation at 50 °C for 5 h to give methyl 1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazole-6-carboxylate (2). After completion of reaction, the reaction mixture diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer dried over Na2SO4. The concentrated crude product was purified by flash column chromatography to afford Desired product as a yellow oil (1592.8 mg. 88.7%). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 8.63 (d, J = 0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.32 (dd, J = 2.3, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (dd, J = 8.8, 0.9 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (dd, J = 8.8, 1.4 Hz, 1H), 5.81 (dd, J = 9.5, 2.8 Hz, 1H), 4.00 (dtd, J = 8.8, 3.7, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.74 (ddd, J = 11.5, 8.2, 6.2 Hz, 1H), 2.24–2.14 (m, 1H), 2.09 (dt, J = 9.0, 3.4 Hz, 1H), 2.00–1.93 (m, 1H), 1.80–1.70 (m, 1H), 1.65–1.57 (m, 2H). LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C13H16N2O3Na [M + Na]+: 283.1053, found 283.3543.
General procedure for the synthesis of (1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazol-6-yl)methanol (3)
To a solution of methyl 1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazole-6-carboxylate (1592.8 mg, 6.12 mmol) in anhydrous THF (30.6 mL) was added 2.0 M LAH in THF (3.4 mL) dropwise. After completion of reaction, a solution of 1 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to the residue and was extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with saturated saline solution, and dried over anhydrous sodium sodium sulphate. The solvent was distilled off under reduced pressure. The title crude compound (1335.1 mg, 93.9%) was obtained as a solid. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 8.05 (d, J = 0.5 Hz, 1H), 7.72–7.67 (m, 1H), 7.65 (d, J = 0.8 Hz, 1H), 7.16–7.10 (m, 1H), 5.82 (dd, J = 9.7, 2.5 Hz, 1H), 5.34 (t, J = 5.7 Hz, 1H), 4.65 (d, J J = 5.5 Hz, 2H), 3.91–3.85 (m, 1H), 3.73 (ddd, J = 11.4, 8.0, 5.9 Hz, 1H), 2.47–2.38 (m, 1H), 2.03 (ddt, J = 10.1, 7.9, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 1.99–1.93 (m, 1H), 1.81–1.70 (m, 1H), 1.62–1.54 (m, 2H). LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C13H16N2O2Na [M + Na]+: 255.1104, found 255.0434.
General procedure for the synthesis of 1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazole-6-carbaldehyde (4)
To the stirred solution of (1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazol-6-yl)methanol (1335.1 mg, 5.75 mmol) in DCM (8.3 mL) and THF (8.3 mL) was added Dess Martin Periodinane (1.437.9 mg, 5.75 mmol) and stirred at room temperature for 16 h. DCM was added and filtered through celite. Filtrate was evaporated under vacuum to afford the title compound (1.4 g). 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 10.18–10.15 (m, 1H), 8.41 (d, J = 1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.29 (d, J = 0.6 Hz, 1H), 7.98 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.70 (dd, J = 8.3, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 6.03 (dd, J = 9.6, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 3.93 (ddd, J = 7.5, 3.5, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (ddd, J = 11.5, 7.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 2.48 − 2.40 (m, 1H), 2.10–2.01 (m, 2H), 1.84–1.74 (m, 1H), 1.63 (tt, J = 8.3, 3.9 Hz, 2H). LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C13H14N2O2Na [M + Na]+: 253.0947, found 253.1530.
General procedure for the synthesis of 6–(5-nitro-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)-1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazole (5)
A mixture of 4-nitrobenzene-1,2-diamine (948.6 mg, 6.19 mmol), 1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazole-6-carbaldehyde 4 (1426.3 mg, 6.19 mmol), NH4Cl (331.4 mg, 6.19 mmol) and EtOH (61.9 mg) was reacted at 80 °C for 2 h. After starting material disappear, the reaction mixture diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer dried over Na2SO4. The concentrated crude product was purified by flash column chromatography to afford desired product as a yellow solid (548.0 mg. 24.4%). m.p. 142–144 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 13.74 (s, 1H), 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.52 (s, 1H), 8.24 (d, J = 0.6 Hz, 1H), 8.17 (dd, J = 8.9, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (dd, J = 8.4, 1.3 Hz, 1H), 8.00 (dd, J = 8.5, 0.7 Hz, 1H), 7.82 (d, J = 8.7 Hz, 1H), 5.99 (dd, J = 9.5, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 3.95 (d, J = 12.1 Hz, 1H), 3.17 (d, J = 5.3 Hz, 2H), 2.14–2.01 (m, 2H), 1.87–1.75 (m, 1H), 1.65 (d, J = 3.4 Hz, 2H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 154.6, 147.4, 143.3, 139.8, 137.5, 135.7, 134.3, 129.5, 127.5, 125.9, 122.3, 120.5, 114.9, 109.8, 84.8, 67.2, 29.4, 25.3, 22.7. LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C19H17N5O3 [M + H]+: 364.1410, found 364.2837.
General procedure for the synthesis of 2–(1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-amine (6)
A suspension of compound 5 (200 mg, 0.551 mmol) and 20 mg of Pd/C (10%) in 5.51 mL of EtOH was stirred for 16 h under H2. After filtering through celite, the solution was concentrated under reduced pressure to give compound 6 (121.2 mg, 66%). The title crude compound was used as a starting material for next step without further purification. m.p. 142–143 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.47 (s, 1H), 8.40 (s, 1H), 8.16 (s, 1H), 7.95 (dd, J = 8.5, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (d, J = 6.8 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (s, 1H), 6.57 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, 1H), 5.93 (dd, J = 9.6, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 5.02 (s, 2H), 3.97 (d, J = 11.5 Hz, 1H), 3.88–3.78 (m, 1H), 2.05 (ddd, J = 12.5, 9.2, 6.0 Hz, 2H), 1.88–1.74 (m, 1H), 1.65 (dd, J = 8.0, 4.2 Hz, 2H), 1.27 (q, J = 7.1 Hz, 1H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO) δ 153.2, 144.7, 141.8, 140.1, 134.1, 133.5, 131.2, 130.0, 129.4, 124.6, 121.7, 120.0, 112.7, 112.2, 84.7, 67.2, 29.4, 25.3, 22.8. LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C19H19N5O [M + H]+: 334.1668, found 334.3547.
General procedure for the synthesis of intermediates (7a-7z)
To a solution of compound 6 (6.80 mg, 0.0204 mmol) in THF (0.204 mL) were added EDC (5.87 mg, 0.0306 mmol), HOBt (3.75 mg, 0.0245 mmol), DIPEA (0.0055 mL) and benzoic acid (7.05 mg, 0.0244 mmol). The reaction was stirred at rt for overnight. After completion of the reaction, the mixture was cooled to ambient temperature and solvent was removed in vacuo. The reaction mixture diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic layer dried over Na2SO4. The concentrated crude product was purified by flash column chromatography to afford desired product as a pure solid (4.6 mg). The title compound mixture was isolated as pure solid in 37.4% yield. LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C32H32F3N7O5 [M + H]+: 604.2648, found 604.5891.
The title compound mixture was isolated as pure solid in 8.6% yield by procedures similar to those described in 7a. LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C32H26F3N7O2 [M + H]+: 586.2178, found 586.4406.
The title compound mixture was isolated as pure solid in 43.0% yield by procedures similar to those described in 7a. LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C31H26F3N7O2 [M + H]+: 586.2178, found 586.5126.
The title compound mixture was isolated as pure solid in 30.0% yield by procedures similar to those described in 7a. LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C26H21Cl2N5O2 [M + H]+: 506.1151, found 506.4985.
The title compound mixture was isolated as pure solid in 78.8% yield by procedures similar to those described in 7a. (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.97 (s, 1H), 10.24–10.14 (s, 1H), 8.49 (s, 1H), 8.35–8.19 (s, 1H), 8.19 (s, 1H), 8.00 (d, J = 7.4 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.64–7.30 (m, 5H), 7.02 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 6.75 (d, J = 15.7 Hz, 2H), 5.98–5.91 (m, 1H), 3.96 (d, J = 11.2 Hz, 1H), 3.84 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 2.13–1.87 (m, 3H), 1.79 (m, 1H), 1.64 (s, 2H). LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C29H27N5O3 [M + H]+: 494.2192, found 494.2188.
General procedure for the synthesis of 1–(5-(tert-butyl)isoxazol-3-yl)-3–(2-(1-(tetrahydro-2H-pyran-2-yl)-1H-indazol-6-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-5-yl)urea (7l–m)
5-(tert-butyl)isoxazol-3-amine (10.1 mg, 0.072 mmol) was desolved in THF (0.36 mL), and DIPEA (15.3 µl, 0.072 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was cooled to 0 °C, and 4-nitrophenyl carbonochloridate (8.71 mg, 0.0432 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 30 min, then compound 5 (12 mg, 0.036 mmol) and DIPEA (15.3 µl, 0.072 mmol) were added. The reaction mixture was stirred at 50 °C for 16 h. After termination, the reaction mixture was cooled to ambient temperature, quenched with MeOH and concentrated. The concentrated crude product was purified by flash column chromatography to afford desired product as a pure solid (4.5 mg). The title compound mixture was isolated as pure solid in 25.0% yield. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 12.82 (s, 1H), 9.46 (s, 1H), 8.92–8.79 (s, 1H), 8.57–8.09 (s, 2H), 7.96–7.82 (m, 3H), 7.58–7.45 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.23–7.04 (dd, J = 8.6, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 6.53 (s, 1H), 5.79 (m, 1H), 4.56 (t, J = 5.5 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (t, J = 5.5 Hz, 1H), 4.02 (d, J = 11.2 Hz, 1H), 3.79–3.72 (m, 1H), 2.26–2.15 (m, 1H), 2.13–2.06 (m, 1H), 1.97 (m, 2H), 1.31 (s, 9H). LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C27H29N7O3 [M + H]+: 500.2410, found 500.4486.
The title compound mixture was isolated as pure solid in 20.7% yield by procedures similar to those described in 7a. LC/MS (ESI+, m/z) calcd for C33H33F3N6O3 [M + H]+: 619.2644, found 619.4607.
To a solution of compound 7a (4.6 mg 0.00762 mmol) was added 5% HCl in EtOH (0.0762 mL ∼ 0.174 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature until Compound 7a disappeared in TLC. After completion of the reaction, solvent was removed in vacuo. The reaction mixture diluted with ethyl acetate and washed with 1 M NaOH aqueous solution. The organic layer dried over Na2SO4. The concentrated crude product was purified by flash column chromatography to afford desired product as a pure solid (2.6 mg). The title compound mixture was isolated as pure solid in 50.0% yield. m.p. 228–230 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 13.42 (s, 1H), 13.05 (s, 1H), 10.42 (s, 1H), 8.36 (s, 1H), 8.26–8.13 (m, 2H), 7.98 (s, 1H), 7.93 (s, 1H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.65–7.47 (m, 2H), 7.40 (s, 1H), 3.36 (m, 4H), 2.54 (m, 4H), 2.27 (s, 3H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 164.9, 152.3, 151.8, 144.3, 141.2, 141.2, 140.5, 137.5, 135.5, 134.7, 134.7, 134.2, 132.6, 126.0, 121.6, 121.6, 119.6, 119.0, 119.0, 117.8, 114.0, 108.3, 54.9, 47.9, 46.2. HRMS (ESI+) calcd for C27H24F3N7O [M + H]+: 520.2073, found 520.1105.
The title compound mixture was isolated as pure solid in 100% yield by procedures similar to those described in 8c. m.p. 153–154 °C. 1H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 13.41 (s, 1H), 13.03 (s, 1H), 10.43 (s, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H), 8.27–8.12 (m, 2H), 7.98 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J = 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (s, 1H), 7.66 (s, 1H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.40 (s, 1H), 3.35–3.23 (m, 2H), 3.16 (m, 2H), 2.76 (m, 2H), 1.24–1.02 (m, 11H). 13 C NMR (101 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ 164.9, 151.6, 141.2, 139.1, 138.1, 137.6, 135.6, 134.6, 134.2, 130.8, 130.5, 128.4, 126.0, 124.0, 123.3, 121.5, 120.6, 119.5, 119.0, 117.9, 114.0, 111.3, 45.6, 34.7, 31.4, 29.0, 25.3, 22.5, 14.4. HRMS (ESI+) calcd for C30H30F3N7O [M + H]+: 562.6212, found 562.6833.
Evaluation of IC50 and selected kinase profiling
We used Reaction Biology Corp. Kinase HotSpot service (www.reactionbiology.com) for IC50 determination of all compounds and kinase profile. Assay protocol: In a final reaction volume of 25 μL, Peptide substrate, [EAIYAAPFAKKK], 5 µM, ATP 10 µM, FLT3(h) (5–10 mU) is incubated with 25 mM Tris pH 7.5, 0.02 mM EGTA, 0.66 mg/mL myelin basic protein, 10 mM Mg Acetate and [γ-33P-ATP] (specific activity approx. 500 cpm/pmol, concentration as required). The reaction is initiated by the addition of the Mg-ATP mix. After incubation for 40 min at room temperature, the reaction is stopped by the addition of 5 μL of a 3% phosphoric acid solution. 10 μL of the reaction is then spotted onto a P30 filtermat and washed three times for 5 min in 75 mM phosphoric acid and once in methanol prior to drying and scintillation counting.
Molecular Modelling
Compounds were docked into the FLT3 structure (PDB: 4RT7). Protein and ligand preparations were performed with Schrödinger’s tools with standard settings and Glide was used for docking and scoring. The 3 D X-ray protein structures of FLT3 wild-type as a complex with a ligand were obtained from the PDB (code: 4RT7) and prepared using the Protein Preparation Wizard of the Schrödinger Maestro program. All water molecules were removed from the structure and it was selected as a template. The structures of inhibitors were drawn using Chemdraw, and their 3 D conformation was generated using the Schrödinger LigPrep program with the OPLS 4 force field. Molecular docking of compound into the structure of FLT-3 wild-type (PDB code: 4RT7) were carried out using Schrodinger Glide (Version 12.7).Click here for additional data file.
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