Discovery and Optimization of Quinolinone Derivatives as Potent, Selective and Orally Bioavailable mutant Isocitrate Dehydrogenase 1 (mIDH1) Inhibitors

Mutations at the arginine residue (R132) in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) are frequently identified in various human cancers. Inhibition of mutant IDH1 (mIDH1) with small molecules has been clinically validated as a promising therapeutic treatment for acute myeloid leukemia and multiple solid tumors. Herein we report the discovery and optimization of a series of quinolinones to provide potent and orally bioavailable mIDH1 inhibitors with selectivity over wild type IDH1. The X-ray structure of an early lead 24 in complex with mIDH1-R132H shows that the inhibitor unexpectedly binds to an allosteric site. Efforts to improve the in vitro and in vivo ADME properties of 24 yielded a preclinical candidate 63. The detailed preclinical ADME and pharmacology studies of 63 support further development of quinolinone-based mIDH1 inhibitors as therapeutic agents in human trials.