Small
molecule inhibitors that target the phosphatidylinositol
3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway have received significant interest
for the treatment of cancers. The class I isoform PI3Kα is most
commonly associated with solid tumors via gene amplification or activating
mutations. However, inhibitors demonstrating both PI3K isoform and
mutant specificity have remained elusive. Herein, we describe the
optimization and characterization of a series of benzoxazepin-oxazolidinone
ATP-competitive inhibitors of PI3Kα which also induce the selective
degradation of the mutant p110α protein, the catalytic subunit
of PI3Kα. Structure-based design informed isoform-specific interactions
within the binding site, leading to potent inhibitors with greater
than 300-fold selectivity over the other Class I PI3K isoforms. Further
optimization of pharmacokinetic properties led to excellent in vivo
exposure and efficacy and the identification of clinical candidate
GDC-0077 (inavolisib, 32), which is now under evaluation
in a Phase III clinical trial as a treatment for patients with PIK3CA-mutant breast cancer.
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