506PTPX-0046 is a novel and potent RET/SRC inhibitor for RET-driven cancers

Abstract Background Oncogenic activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) RET via point mutation or genomic rearrangement has been identified in multiple cancers, including medullary and papillary thyroid cancers, and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Two multi-kinase RET inhibitors vandetanib and cabozantinib have been approved for thyroid cancer. Current investigational RET inhibitors BLU-667 and LOXO-292 have demonstrated efficacy in RET aberrant NSCLC and thyroid cancers. Multiple resistance mutations have been reported from preclinical studies, including the gatekeeper mutation V804L to cabozantinib and solvent front mutations (SFMs) G810A/S to vandetanib. Given that current TKIs often lead to resistance, TPX-0046, a next generation RET inhibitor that is structurally differentiated and potent against various mutations, especially SFMs, was designed. Methods A series of macrocyclic RET inhibitors were rationally designed and characterized in RET-related biological assays. TPX-0046 was further evaluated in RET-driven tumor models in vivo. Results TPX-0046 is a potent and selective next-generation RET/SRC inhibitor with a small and rigid macrocyclic structure that is structurally differentiated from current RET inhibitors. In enzymatic assays, TPX-0046 demonstrated low nanomolar potency against WT and many mutated RETs, as well as SRC, and is VEGFR2-sparing. TPX-0046 potently inhibited RET phosphorylation and cell proliferation in in-house engineered Ba/F3 KIF5B-RET, TT, and LC2/ad cells with IC50s of approximately 1 nM. TPX-0046 is potent against the SFM G810R in Ba/F3 cell proliferation assay with a mean IC50 of 17 nM, whereas comparable proxy molecules for BLU-667 and LOXO-292 have IC50s >500 nM. TPX-0046 demonstrated marked anti-tumor efficacy in vivo in multiple RET-driven cancer cell-derived and patient-derived xenograft tumor models. Conclusions TPX-0046 is a novel next generation RET/SRC inhibitor with favorable pharmaceutical properties and possesses potent in vitro and in vivo activity against diverse RET alterations, including the SFM G810R. The novel macrocyclic structure may provide opportunities to overcome treatment resistance from current RET inhibitors. TPX-0046 is currently in IND-enabling studies. Legal entity responsible for the study Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. Funding Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. Disclosure E. Rogers: Shareholder / Stockholder / Stock options, Full / Part-time employment: Turning Point Therapeutics,