Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines Active in Vivo on the Bcr-Abl T315I Mutant

Starting from our in-house library of pyrazolo, [3,4-d]pyrimidines, a cross-docking simulation was conducted, on Bcr-Abl T315I mutant. Among the selected, compounds; (2a-e), the 4-bromo derivative 2b showed the best activity against the Bcr-Abl T315I mutant. Deeper computational studies highlighted the importance of the bromine atom in the para position of the NI side chain phenyl,ring for the interaction with the T315I mutant. A series of 4;bromo derivatives was thin synthesized and biologically evaluated.: Compound 2j showed a good balance of different ADME properties, high activity in cell-free assays, and a submicromolar potency against T315I Bcr-Abl expressing cells. In addition, it was converted into a water-soluble formulation by liposome encapsulation, preserving a good activity on leukemic T315I cells and avoiding the use of DMSO as solubilizing agent. In vivo studies on mice inoculated with 32D-T315I cells and treated with 2j showed a more than 50% reduction in tumor volumes.