176956-02-8

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Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a pleiotropic signaling molecule that acts as a ligand for five G-protein coupled receptors (S1P1-5) whose downstream effects are implicated in a variety of important pathologies including sickle cell disease, cancer, inflammation, and fibrosis. The synthesis of S1P is catalyzed by sphingosine kinase (SphK) isoforms 1 and 2, and hence, inhibitors of this phosphorylation step are pivotal in understanding the physiological functions of SphKs. To date, SphK1 and 2 inhibitors with the potency, selectivity, and in vivo stability necessary to determine the potential of these kinases as therapeutic targets are lacking. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, and structure-activity relationship studies of guanidine-based SphK inhibitors bearing an oxadiazole ring in the scaffold. Our studies demonstrate that SLP120701, a SphK2-selective inhibitor (Ki = 1 μM), decreases S1P levels in histiocytic lymphoma (U937) cells. Surprisingly, homologation with a single methylene unit between the oxadiazole and heterocyclic ring afforded a SphK1-selective inhibitor in SLP7111228 (Ki = 48 nM), which also decreased S1P levels in cultured U937 cells. In vivo application of both compounds, however, resulted in contrasting effect in circulating levels of S1P. Administration of SLP7111228 depressed blood S1P levels while SLP120701 increased levels of S1P. Taken together, these compounds provide an in vivo chemical toolkit to interrogate the effect of increasing or decreasing S1P levels and whether such a maneuver can have implications in disease states.

The invention relates to inhibitors of sphingosine kinase enzymatic activity, compounds and pharmaceutical compositions that inhibit sphingosine kinase 1 and sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK1 and SphK2) enzymes and further relates to methods of treating diseases and disorders mediated by sphingosine 1 phosphate activity, comprising administering an effective amount of sphingosine kinase inhibitors.

The invention relates to novel compounds that have S1P receptor modulating activity and, preferably, apoptotic activity and/or anti proliferative activity against cancer cells and other cell types. Further, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical comprising at least one compound of the invention for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions caused by or associated with inappropriate S1P receptor modulating activity or expression, for example, cancer. A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a pharmaceutical comprising at least one compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions caused by or associated with inappropriate S1P receptor modulating activity or expression such as cancer.

The invention relates to novel compounds that have S1P receptor modulating activity. Further, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical comprising at least one compound of the invention for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions caused by or associated with inappropriate S1P receptor modulating activity or expression, for example, autoimmune response. A further aspect of the invention relates to the use of a pharmaceutical comprising at least one compound of the invention for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of diseases and/or conditions caused by or associated with inappropriate S1P receptor modulating activity or expression such as autoimmune response.

The invention relates to compounds of Formula (I). Compounds of the present invention are inliibitors of sphingosine kinase 3, and are useful in the treatment of various disorders and conditions, such as inflammatory disorders

Disclosed are (1) a method for preparing an aromatic secondary amino compound which comprises reacting an N-cyclohexylideneamino compound in the presence of a hydrogen moving catalyst and a hydrogen acceptor by the use of a sulfur-free polar solvent and/or a cocatalyst, and (2) a method for preparing an aromatic secondary amino compound which comprises reacting cyclohexanone or a nucleus-substituted cyclohexanone, an amine and a nitro compound corresponding to the amine in a sulfur-free polar solvent in the presence of a hydrogen moving catalyst, a cocatalyst being added or not added. In a further aspect, a method is provided for the preparation of aminodiphenylamine by reacting phenylenediamine and cyclohexanone in the presence of a hydrogen transfer catalyst in a sulfur-free polar solvent while using nitroaniline as a hydrogen acceptor.

Disclosed are (1) a method for preparing an aromatic secondary amino compound which comprises reacting an N-cyclohexylideneamino compound in the presence of a hydrogen moving catalyst and a hydrogen acceptor by the use of a sulfur-free polar solvent and/or a cocatalyst, and (2) a method for preparing an aromatic secondary amino compound which comprises reacting cyclohexanone or a nucleus-substituted cyclohexanone, an amine and a nitro compound corresponding to the amine in a sulfur-free polar solvent in the presence of a hydrogen moving catalyst, a cocatalyst being added or not added.