Highly Potent and Selective Inhibitors of CK1 Kinases for the Treatment of Leukemias, Lymphomas and Solid Tumors

Technology description


The name of the technology: Highly Potent and Selective Inhibitors of CK1 Kinases for the Treatment of Leukemias, Lymphomas and Solid Tumors
Challenge: CLL is a lymphoproliferative malignancy with highly heterogeneous disease course and unclear pathogenesis, it is the most common adult leukaemia in western countries, however it is still considered as incurable, despite extensive effort invested in development of novel therapeutic strategies, albeit the new treatment options have significantly enhanced patients’ response to therapy.

Current therapy is directed at chemo-immunotherapy, with tyrosine kinase inhibitors targeting B cell receptor (BCR) signalling, although with a high percentage of failed/ relapsed cases, high toxicity and low percentage of complete remission. There is therefore a need for a complete cure – whether it is through novel targets and/or combination therapy.
Description: The primary goal of the Masaryk University research group is to develop highly potent and selective inhibitors of casein kinase 1 (CK1), using the structure and binding mode of the known inhibitor PF-670462, with a main focus on CLL and lymphomas. The role of CK1 kinase in CLL pathogenesis has been demonstrated previously by this same research group. Other CK1-driven malignancies include solid tumors e.g. breast cancer, melanoma, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma.

The researchers have shown that the pharmacological inhibition of CK1interferes with development of B-cell leukemia in Eμ-TCL1 mice, and in the CLL in vivo proof of concept animal study, the CK1 inhibitor PF-670462 confirmed that combined treatment is superior to single-agent treatment by ibrutinib (the current state of the art CLL therapy).

Selective inhibitors targeting CK1 kinases are currently NOT available for clinical use. Inhibition of
CK1-driven signaling is a novel approach of leukemia and lymphoma treatment.

Researchers at Masaryk University have synthesized >120 compounds and tested them for activity
in vitro and in cells, with 25 compounds tested for activity in vivo in mice. Three compounds have
progressed to pharmacokinetic profiling. In vitro, results have indicated activity of compounds against
primary targets, with sub-nM and single-digit nM IC50s, exceptional selectivity profiles and crystal
structure in CK1 confirmed.

In cells, efficacy has been demonstrated in stable cell lines and primary cells, and has been shown to
have selective toxicity towards tumour cells. In vivo, compounds are orally bioavailable and welltolerated at therapeutic doses.
Commercial opportunity: Since the selective inhibitors targeting CK1 kinases are currently NOT available for clinical use our invention has a very attractive potential in treatment of numerous CK1- driven malignancies, ranging from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases or bipolar and sleeping disorders.

The novel inhibitors of CK1 kinases have high activity against primary targets and an exceptional selectivity profile in vitro. They are orally bioavailable and well-tolerated at therapeutic doses in mouse model in vivo.

Our technology is available for collaboration and/or licensing.
IP protection status: Methodology patent PCT/CZ2013/000090 filled 5.8.2013, granted: CA, EP (CH, DE, FR, GB)
Compounds patent EP18164938.5 application filed 29. 3. 2018
Development status:

Preclinical trials

Partnering strategy: Co-development Collaboration investment licensing spin-off
More information: The planar cell polarity pathway drives pathogenesis of chronic lymphocytic leukemia by the regulation of B-lymphocyte migration, Cancer Research, 73(5), pp. 1491–1501. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-12-1752
Casein Kinase 1 is a Therapeutic Target in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Blood. 2018 Mar 15;131(11):1206-1218. doi: 10.1182/blood-2017-05-786947
Images:
Categories: Pharma
Owner of a technology: Masaryk University
Back to list

Institution

Are you interested about this technology?

For more information about the project, please fill in this online form. The owner of the project will receive your enquiry.

(eg: info@domena.cz)