WO2016187544A1

WO2016187544A1 - Compositions and methods for treating and preventing cancer

Info

Publication number: WO2016187544A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/033540
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nouri Neamati; Jia Zhou; Yuting KUANG; Na YE
Original assignee: The Regents Of The University Of Michigan; The Board Of Regents Of The University Of Texas System
Priority date: 2015-05-20
Filing date: 2016-05-20
Publication date: 2016-11-24
Also published as: US20180282296A1; US10457662B2

Abstract

This invention is in the field of medicinal chemistry. In particular, the invention relates to novel small molecule compounds having a quinolin-8-yl-nicotinamide structure which are useful in treating, ameliorating, or preventing various forms of cancer (e.g., pancreatic cancer).

Description

COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING AND PREVENTING CANCER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

62/164,286, filed May 20, 2015, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

INTRODUCTION

Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States, exceeded only by heart disease. In the United States, cancer accounts for 1 of every 4 deaths. The 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers patients diagnosed in 1996-2003 is 66%, up from 50% in 1975-1977 (see, e.g., Cancer Facts &Figures American Cancer Society: Atlanta, Ga. (2008)). This improvement in survival reflects progress in diagnosing at an earlier stage and improvements in treatment.

Discovering highly effective anticancer agents with low toxicity are needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Experiments conducted during the course of preparing embodiments for the present

invention identified

as a promising anticancer compound through a phenotypic screen of a library of 20,000 small-molecules representing five million compounds. QN519 represents a novel scaffold with drug-like properties and shows potent in vitro cytotoxicity in a panel of 12 cancer cell lines. Subsequent experiments involved performance of a lead optimization campaign to synthesize a series of novel analogs. Fifty novel analogs were tested in three pancreatic cancer cell lines using MTT assay. Sixteen compounds produced IC50 values < 1 μΜ in at least one cell line. One of the optimized compounds, QN523

showed significant in vivo efficacy in a pancreatic cancer xenograft model.

No symptoms of gross toxicity such as weakness, weight loss or lethargy were observed in the QN523 treatment group. H&E stained organ sections of liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen and pancreas did not reveal significant histopathological changes, further confirming the safety of the treatment. QN523 treatment was shown to significantly increase the expression of GDF15, ATF3, DDIT3 and HSPA5 genes, indicating activation of the stress response pathway. A significant decrease in the expression of WIPI1, GABARAPL1 and MAP1LC3B was also observed implicating autophagy as a major mechanism of action. Because of the lack of effective treatments for pancreatic cancer, discovery of novel agents such as the compounds disclosed herein with a unique mechanism of action, will fulfill this unmet medical need. As such, the invention relates to novel small molecule compounds having a quinolin-8-yl-nicotinamide structure which are useful in treating, ameliorating, or preventing various forms of cancer (e.g., pancreatic cancer).

Accordingly, the present invention contemplates that exposure of animals (e.g., humans) suffering from cancer (e.g., pancreatic cancer) (e.g., and/or cancer related disorders) to therapeutically effective amounts of drug(s) having a quinolin-8-yl-nicotinamide structure (e.g., small molecules having a quinolin-8-yl-nicotinamide structure as disclosed herein) will inhibit the growth of cancer cells or supporting cells outright and/or render such cells as a population more susceptible to the cell death-inducing activity of cancer therapeutic drugs or radiation therapies (e.g., through inhibition of gene expression associated with the stress response pathway) (e.g., through activation of gene expression associated with autophagy).

The present invention contemplates that the small molecule compounds as disclosed herein (e.g., having a quinolin-8-yl-nicotinamide structure) satisfy an unmet need for the treatment of multiple cancer types, either when administered as monotherapy to induce cell growth inhibition, apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest in cancer cells, or when administered in a temporal relationship with additional agent(s), such as other cell death-inducing or cell cycle disrupting cancer therapeutic drugs or radiation therapies (combination therapies), so as to render a greater proportion of the cancer cells or supportive cells susceptible to executing the apoptosis program compared to the corresponding proportion of cells in an animal treated only with the cancer therapeutic drug or radiation therapy alone. In certain embodiments of the invention, combination treatment of animals with a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the present invention and a course of an anticancer agent produces a greater tumor response and clinical benefit in such animals compared to those treated with the compound or anticancer drugs/radiation alone. Since the doses for all approved anticancer drugs and radiation treatments are known, the present invention contemplates the various combinations of them with the present compounds.

The Applicants have found that certain small molecule compounds having a quinolin-8- yl-nicotinamide structure serve as therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. Thus, the present invention relates to quinolin-8-yl-nicotinamide compounds useful for inhibiting cancer cell growth (e.g., pancreatic cancer cell growth) (e.g., through inhibition of gene expression associated with the stress response pathway) (e.g., through activation of gene expression associated with autophagy) (e.g., thereby facilitating cell apoptosis), and increasing the sensitivity of cells to inducers of apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest. Certain quinolin-8-yl- nicotinamide compounds of the present invention may exist as stereoisomers including optical isomers. The invention includes all stereoisomers, both as pure individual stereoisomer preparations and enriched preparations of each, and both the racemic mixtures of such stereoisomers as well as the individual diastereomers and enantiomers that may be separated according to methods that are well known to those of skill in the art.

In embodiment, compounds encompassed within Formula I are

provided:

, including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and/or prodrugs thereof. Formula I is not limited to a particular chemical moiety for Rl and R2.

In some embodiments, the particular chemical moiety for Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to inhibit cancer cell growth (e.g., pancreatic cell growth).

In some embodiments, the particular chemical moiety for Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to activate gene expression within the stress response pathway within cancer cells. For example, in some embodiments, the particular chemical moiety for Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to activate expression of one or more of the following genes within the stress response pathway within cancer cells: GDF15, ATF3, DDIT3 and HSPA5.

In some embodiments, the particular chemical moiety for Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to inhibit gene expression known to inhibit autophagy within cancer cells. For example, in some embodiments, the particular chemical moiety for Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to inhibit gene expression of one or more of the following genes known to inhibit autophagy within cancer cells: WIPI1 , GABARAPL1 , and MAP 1LC3B.

In some embodiments Rl is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,

In some embodiments, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen (e.g., Chlorine, Bromine, Fluorine, etc.), methoxy (e.g., -OCH3), alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, etc.), and hydroxy (e.g., OH).

In some embodiments R2 is selected from hydi

In some embodiments, R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from hydi

l

Table 1 (see, Examples) show IC5₀ values of compounds encompassed within Formula I in pancreatic cell lines.

In some embodiments, the following compounds are contemplated for Formula I:

10

pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof.

In some embodiments, the present invention provides the following compound:

, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof.

The invention further provides processes for preparing any of the compounds of the present invention through following at least a portion of the techniques recited the Examples.

The invention also provides the use of compounds to induce cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis in cancer cells (e.g., pancreatic cancer cells). The invention also relates to the use of compounds for sensitizing cells to additional agent(s), such as inducers of apoptosis and/or cell cycle arrest, and chemoprotection of normal cells through the induction of cell cycle arrest prior to treatment with chemotherapeutic agents.

The compounds of the invention are useful for the treatment, amelioration, or prevention of disorders, such as those responsive to induction of apoptotic cell death, e.g., disorders characterized by dysregulation of apoptosis, including hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer. In certain embodiments, the compounds can be used to treat, ameliorate, or prevent cancer that is characterized by resistance to cancer therapies (e.g., those cancer cells which are chemoresistant, radiation resistant, hormone resistant, and the like). In certain embodiments, the cancer is pancreatic cancer.

The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

The invention also provides kits comprising a compound of the invention and instructions for administering the compound to an animal. The kits may optionally contain other therapeutic agents, e.g., anticancer agents or apoptosis-modulating agents. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-B: QN523 is cytotoxic in pancreatic cancer cell lines. A) QN523 inhibits colony formation in PDAC cell lines. Cells were treated with QN523 for 24 h and left in culture in fresh media until colonies were observed in control wells. B) QN523 inhibits cell proliferation time dependently in MiaPaCa-2 cells. Cells were treated with QN523 for 1, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 h and left in culture in fresh media. MTT assay was performed 72 h after initiation of treatment. Data points represent Mean ± SD from three independent experiments.

FIG. 2A-E: QN523 inhibits tumor growth of MiaPaCa-2 xenograft without systemic cytotoxicity. A) Tumor volume of MiaPaCa-2 xenograft of vehicle or QN523 treated mice. MiaPaCa-2 xenograft was established in NOD/SCID mice. When tumor size reached 100 mm³, mice were randomized into vehicle control group (n=5) or treatment group (n=5). QN523 was given by i.p. injection five times a week at 10 mg/kg from day 1 to day 9, then at 20 mg/kg from day 10 to day 44. B) Body weight of vehicle of QN523 treated mice. Representative micrographs of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) -stained organ sections. Images were taken with Olympus 1X83 inverted microscope at 20X magnification. In histopathology study, no major microscopic changes were detected in major organs after QN523 treatment. C) H&E stained organ sections of liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen and pancreas did not reveal major histopathological changes, further confirming the safety of the treatment. D) Tumor volumes of study continued after data shown in panel A. QN523 was given at 20 mg/kg five times a week until day 44. Three mice from each group were euthanized for tissue analysis. Two mice remained in each group after day 44 and QN523 dose was increased to 30 mg/kg from day 45, then to 40 mg/kg from day 51 to day 60. E) Body weight of engrafted mice was not affected by QN523 treatment atlO - 40 mg/kg. Error bars indicate Mean ± SEM.

FIG. 3A-B: QN523 inhibits tumor cell proliferation in MiaPaCa-2 xenograft. A)

Representative immunohistochemistry images for Ki67 staining of MiaPaCa-2 xenograft sections. B) QN523 decreased Ki67 index (percentage of Ki67 positive cells in the field) of treated tumors. Quantification of Ki67 positive cells were performed with image J on three fields of each sample, three samples were tested for each treatment group. Data represents Mean ± SD. P values were calculated using student's t-test, **** indicates pO.0001.

FIG. 4: QN523 induces stress responses in MiaPaCa-2 cells as revealed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Top 20 canonical pathways regulated by QN523. Histogram represents percentage of genes regulated in the pathway; numbers on the histogram are total numbers of genes in the specific pathway. Red color stands for up-regulated genes, and green color stands for down-regulated genes. Orange line represents statistical significance in regulation of the indicated pathway.

FIG. 5A-B: QN523 induces apoptosis and stress responses in MiaPaCa-2 cells as revealed DAVID analysis. A) Top 5 biological themes in genes upregulated by QN523 treatment. B) Top 5 biological themes in genes downregulated by QN523 treatment. Histogram represents statistical significance in regulation of the indicated theme.

FIG. 6: QN523 induces transcription of stress responsive genes.

FIG. 7: QN523 induces transcription of autophagy related genes.

FIG. 8: Proposed model for mechanisms of action of QN523. Reagents in purple represent potential pharmacological or genetic tools that can be used for characterization of QN523 activity and validation of the model.

FIG. 9A-C: Venn diagrams for comparison of compounds regulating potential marker genes (compound correlation score >50). A) Comparison of GDF15, DDIT3 and WIPI1. B) Comparison of stress responsive genes HSPA5, DDIT3, ATF3 and GDF15. C) Comparison of autophagy related genes WIPI1, GABARAPL1 and MAP1LC3B.

FIG. lOA-C: Compounds exhibiting similar transcription signatures with QN523. A) Compounds identified by NextBio analysis. B) HSP90 inhibitors identified by connectivity map (CMAP) C) Alpha or dopamine receptor antagonists identified by CMAP.

FIG. 11 : QN523 induces protein expression of stress markers dose-dependently.

MiaPaCa-2 cells were treated by QN523, Sulindac, phenoxybenzamine, thioridazine or prochlorperazine for 72 h and subjected to western blotting analysis of stress responsive proteins GRP78, CHOP, ATF3, GDF15.

FIG. 12: QN523 induces protein expression of autophagy markers dose -dependently. MiaPaCa-2 cells were treated by QN523, Sulindac, phenoxybenzamine, thioridazine or prochlorperazine for 72 h and subjected to western blotting analysis of autophagy related proteins WIPI1, GABARAPL1 and LC3B.

DEFINITIONS

The term "anticancer agent" as used herein, refer to any therapeutic agents (e.g., chemotherapeutic compounds and/or molecular therapeutic compounds), antisense therapies, radiation therapies, or surgical interventions, used in the treatment of hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer (e.g., in mammals, e.g.., in humans). The term "prodrug" as used herein, refers to a pharmacologically inactive derivative of a parent "drug" molecule that requires biotransformation (e.g., either spontaneous or enzymatic) within the target physiological system to release, or to convert (e.g. , enzymatically,

physiologically, mechanically, electromagnetically) the prodrug into the active drug. Prodrugs are designed to overcome problems associated with stability, water solubility, toxicity, lack of specificity, or limited bioavailability. Exemplary prodrugs comprise an active drug molecule itself and a chemical masking group (e.g., a group that reversibly suppresses the activity of the drug). Some prodrugs are variations or derivatives of compounds that have groups cleavable under metabolic conditions. Prodrugs can be readily prepared from the parent compounds using methods known in the art, such as those described in A Textbook of Drug Design and

Development, Krogsgaard-Larsen and H. Bundgaard (eds.), Gordon & Breach, 1991, particularly Chapter 5: "Design and Applications of Prodrugs"; Design of Prodrugs, H. Bundgaard (ed.), Elsevier, 1985; Prodrugs: Topical and Ocular Drug Delivery, K. B. Sloan (ed.), Marcel Dekker, 1998; Methods in Enzymology, K. Widder et al. (eds.), Vol. 42, Academic Press, 1985, particularly pp. 309-396; Burger's Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery, 5th Ed., M. Wolff (ed.), John Wiley & Sons, 1995, particularly Vol. 1 and pp. 172-178 and pp. 949-982; Pro-Drugs as Novel Delivery Systems, T. Higuchi and V. Stella (eds.), Am. Chem. Soc, 1975; and Bioreversible Carriers in Drug Design, E. B. Roche (ed.), Elsevier, 1987.

Exemplary prodrugs become pharmaceutically active in vivo or in vitro when they undergo solvolysis under physiological conditions or undergo enzymatic degradation or other biochemical transformation (e.g. , phosphorylation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, glycosylation). Prodrugs often offer advantages of water solubility, tissue compatibility, or delayed release in the mammalian organism. (See e.g. , Bundgard, Design of Prodrugs, pp. 7-9, 21-24, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1985); and Silverman, The Organic Chemistry of Drug Design and Drug Action, pp. 352-401, Academic Press, San Diego, CA (1992)). Common prodrugs include acid derivatives such as esters prepared by reaction of parent acids with a suitable alcohol (e.g. , a lower alkanol) or esters prepared by reaction of parent alcohol with a suitable carboxylic acid, (e.g., an amino acid), amides prepared by reaction of the parent acid compound with an amine, basic groups reacted to form an acylated base derivative (e.g. , a lower alkylamide), or phosphorus -containing derivatives, e.g. , phosphate, phosphonate, and phosphoramidate esters, including cyclic phosphate, phosphonate, and phosphoramidate (see, e.g., US Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0249564 Al ; herein incorporated by reference in its entirety). The term "pharmaceutically acceptable salt" as used herein, refers to any salt (e.g. , obtained by reaction with an acid or a base) of a compound of the present invention that is physiologically tolerated in the target animal (e.g., a mammal). Salts of the compounds of the present invention may be derived from inorganic or organic acids and bases. Examples of acids include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, sulfuric, nitric, perchloric, fumaric, maleic, phosphoric, gly colic, lactic, salicylic, succinic, toluene-p-sulfonic, tartaric, acetic, citric, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, formic, benzoic, malonic, sulfonic, naphthalene-2-sulfonic, benzenesulfonic acid, and the like. Other acids, such as oxalic, while not in themselves pharmaceutically acceptable, may be employed in the preparation of salts useful as intermediates in obtaining the compounds of the invention and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.

Examples of bases include, but are not limited to, alkali metal (e.g., sodium) hydroxides, alkaline earth metal (e.g. , magnesium) hydroxides, ammonia, and compounds of formula NW , wherein W is CM alkyl, and the like.

Examples of salts include, but are not limited to: acetate, adipate, alginate, aspartate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, citrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, cyclopentanepropionate, digluconate, dodecylsulfate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, flucoheptanoate, glycerophosphate, hemisulfate, heptanoate, hexanoate, chloride, bromide, iodide,

2-hydroxyethanesulfonate, lactate, maleate, mesylate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nicotinate, oxalate, palmoate, pectinate, persulfate, phenylpropionate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, succinate, tartrate, thiocyanate, tosylate, undecanoate, and the like. Other examples of salts include anions of the compounds of the present invention compounded with a suitable cation such as Na⁺, NH₄ ⁺, and NW^~4⁺ (wherein W is a C alkyl group), and the like. For therapeutic use, salts of the compounds of the present invention are contemplated as being pharmaceutically acceptable. However, salts of acids and bases that are non-pharmaceutically acceptable may also find use, for example, in the preparation or purification of a

pharmaceutically acceptable compound.

The term "solvate" as used herein, refers to the physical association of a compound of the invention with one or more solvent molecules, whether organic or inorganic. This physical association often includes hydrogen bonding. In certain instances, the solvate is capable of isolation, for example, when one or more solvate molecules are incorporated in the crystal lattice of the crystalline solid. "Solvate" encompasses both solution-phase and isolable solvates.

Exemplary solvates include hydrates, ethanolates, and methanolates. The term "therapeutically effective amount," as used herein, refers to that amount of the therapeutic agent sufficient to result in amelioration of one or more symptoms of a disorder, or prevent advancement of a disorder, or cause regression of the disorder. For example, with respect to the treatment of cancer, in one embodiment, a therapeutically effective amount will refer to the amount of a therapeutic agent that decreases the rate of tumor growth, decreases tumor mass, decreases the number of metastases, increases time to tumor progression, or increases survival time by at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 100%.

The terms "sensitize" and "sensitizing," as used herein, refer to making, through the administration of a first agent (e.g. , a benzoic acid compound of the invention), an animal or a cell within an animal more susceptible, or more responsive, to the biological effects (e.g. , promotion or retardation of an aspect of cellular function including, but not limited to, cell division, cell growth, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, necrosis, or apoptosis) of a second agent. The sensitizing effect of a first agent on a target cell can be measured as the difference in the intended biological effect (e.g. , promotion or retardation of an aspect of cellular function including, but not limited to, cell growth, proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis, or apoptosis) observed upon the administration of a second agent with and without administration of the first agent. The response of the sensitized cell can be increased by at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 100%, at least about 150%, at least about 200%, at least about 250%, at least 300%, at least about 350%, at least about 400%, at least about 450%, or at least about 500% over the response in the absence of the first agent.

The term "dysregulation of apoptosis," as used herein, refers to any aberration in the ability of (e.g. , predisposition) a cell to undergo cell death via apoptosis. Dysregulation of apoptosis is associated with or induced by a variety of conditions, non-limiting examples of which include, autoimmune disorders (e.g. , systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, graft-versus-host disease, myasthenia gravis, or Sjogren's syndrome), chronic inflammatory conditions (e.g. , psoriasis, asthma or Crohn's disease), hyperproliferative disorders (e.g. , tumors, B cell lymphomas, or T cell lymphomas), viral infections (e.g. , herpes, papilloma, or HIV), and other conditions such as osteoarthritis and atherosclerosis. The term "hyperproliferative disease," as used herein, refers to any condition in which a localized population of proliferating cells in an animal is not governed by the usual limitations of normal growth. Examples of hyperproliferative disorders include tumors, neoplasms, lymphomas and the like. A neoplasm is said to be benign if it does not undergo invasion or metastasis and malignant if it does either of these. A "metastatic" cell means that the cell can invade and destroy neighboring body structures. Hyperplasia is a form of cell proliferation involving an increase in cell number in a tissue or organ without significant alteration in structure or function. Metaplasia is a form of controlled cell growth in which one type of fully differentiated cell substitutes for another type of differentiated cell.

The term "neoplastic disease," as used herein, refers to any abnormal growth of cells being either benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

The term "normal cell," as used herein, refers to a cell that is not undergoing abnormal growth or division. Normal cells are non-cancerous and are not part of any hyperproliferative disease or disorder.

The term "anti-neoplastic agent," as used herein, refers to any compound that retards the proliferation, growth, or spread of a targeted (e.g. , malignant) neoplasm.

The terms "prevent," "preventing," and "prevention," as used herein, refer to a decrease in the occurrence of pathological cells (e.g. , hyperproliferative or neoplastic cells) in an animal.

The prevention may be complete, e.g. , the total absence of pathological cells in a subject. The prevention may also be partial, such that the occurrence of pathological cells in a subject is less than that which would have occurred without the present invention.

The term "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" or "pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle" encompasses any of the standard pharmaceutical carriers, solvents, surfactants, or vehicles.

Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles include aqueous vehicles and nonaqueous vehicles. Standard pharmaceutical carriers and their formulations are described in Remington's

Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mack Publishing Co., Easton, PA, 19th ed. 1995.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Numerous high throughput-screening platforms are routinely being used in drug discovery programs to identify lead compounds (see, e.g., Sundberg SA (2000) Current opinion in biotechnology 11(1): 47-53; Mayr LM, Bojanic D (2009) Current opinion in pharmacology 9(5): 580-588). Expanding collections of synthetic small molecules prepared by new organic chemistry strategies (see, e.g., Nielsen TE, Schreiber SL (2008) Angewandte Chemie 47(1): 48- 56; CJ OC, et al, (2012) Chemical Society reviews 41 (12): 4444-4456) are fueling such screening systems. Advances in target-based screening approaches are especially prominent and has enabled rapid discovery of potent and selective molecules against single targets. Discovery of cancer drug candidates has largely adopted this approach and generated a variety of targeted therapeutics that entered clinical trials. However, only 5% of such investigational agents are marketed after demonstrating efficacy in phase III clinical trials (see, e.g., Hutchinson L, Kirk R (201 1) Nature reviews. Clinical oncology 8(4): 189-190). As a complex disease, cancer cells display low therapeutic susceptibility to targeted treatment by hijacking multiple signaling networks with functional redundancies to fulfill its deleterious features. The high cellular heterogeneity adds to the complexity of the disease, leading to high drug attrition rates in oncology. As a result, the therapeutic demand for cancer treatment is highly unmet, and calls for discovery of drugs with novel mechanisms. To address such challenges in cancer drug discovery, phenotypic screen with representative models resurging as a promising strategy (see, e.g., Moffat JG, Rudolph J, Bailey D (2014) Nature reviews. Drug discovery 13(8): 588-602). Without predetermined therapeutic assumptions on certain targets, this approach uses selected phenotype as experimental readout, giving rise to discovery of new drug candidates with novel targets and unique mechanisms of action in the disease-relevant context. In addition, when combined with pathway profiling or genomic analysis, phenotypic assays can guide rational drug combination, which represents the current standard of care for cancer (see, e.g., Al-Lazikani B, Banerji U, Workman P (2012) Nature biotechnology 30(7): 679-692; Yap TA, Omlin A, de Bono JS (2013) Journal of clinical oncology : official journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology 31 (12): 1592-1605; Dawson JC, Carragher NO (2014) Frontiers in pharmacology 5 : 1 18). Taken together, phenotypic screen demonstrates great potential as the starting point for cancer drug discovery.

invention identified

promising anticancer compound through a phenotypic screen of a library of 20,000 small-molecules representing five million compounds. QN519 represents a novel scaffold with drug-like properties and shows potent in vitro cytotoxicity in a panel of 12 cancer cell lines. Subsequent experiments involved

performance of a lead optimization campaign to synthesize a series of novel analogs. Fifty novel analogs were tested in three pancreatic cancer cell lines using MTT assay. Sixteen compounds roduced IC50 values < 1 μΜ in at least one cell line. One of the optimized compounds, QN523

showed significant in vivo efficacy in a pancreatic cancer xenog model. No symptoms of gross toxicity such as weakness, weight loss or lethargy were observed in the QN523 treatment group. H&E stained organ sections of liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen and pancreas did not reveal significant histopathological changes, further confirming the safety of the treatment. QN523 treatment was shown to significantly increase the expression of GDF 15, ATF3, DDIT3 and HSPA5 genes, indicating activation of the stress response pathway. A significant decrease in the expression of WIPI1, GABARAPL1 and MAP1LC3B was also observed implicating autophagy as a major mechanism of action. Because of the lack of effective treatments for pancreatic cancer, discovery of novel agents such as the compounds disclosed herein with a unique mechanism of action, will fulfill this unmet medical need. As such, the invention relates to novel small molecule compounds having a quinolin-8-yl-nicotinamide structure which are useful in treating, ameliorating, or preventing various forms of cancer (e.g., pancreatic cancer).

embodiment, compounds encompassed within Formula I are

In some embodiments Rl is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,

In some embodiments, R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from hydi halogen (e.g., Chlorine,

methoxy (e.g., -OCH3),







30

pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof.

In some embodiments the present invention provides the following compound:

, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof.

An important aspect of the present invention is that compounds of the invention induce cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis and also potentiate the induction of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis either alone or in response to additional apoptosis induction signals. Therefore, it is contemplated that these compounds sensitize cells to induction of cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis, including cells that are resistant to such inducing stimuli. The compounds of the present invention can be used to induce apoptosis in any disorder that can be treated, ameliorated, or prevented by the induction of apoptosis.

In some embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention are used to treat diseased cells, tissues, organs, or pathological conditions and/or disease states in an animal (e.g. , a mammalian patient including, but not limited to, humans and veterinary animals). In this regard, various diseases and pathologies are amenable to treatment or prophylaxis using the present methods and compositions. A non-limiting exemplary list of these diseases and conditions includes, but is not limited to, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma, skin cancer, colon cancer, melanoma, malignant melanoma, ovarian cancer, brain cancer, primary brain carcinoma, head-neck cancer, glioma, glioblastoma, liver cancer, bladder cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, head or neck carcinoma, breast carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, lung carcinoma, small-cell lung carcinoma, Wilms' tumor, cervical carcinoma, testicular carcinoma, bladder carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, stomach carcinoma, colon carcinoma, prostatic carcinoma, genitourinary carcinoma, thyroid carcinoma, esophageal carcinoma, myeloma, multiple myeloma, adrenal carcinoma, renal cell carcinoma, endometrial carcinoma, adrenal cortex carcinoma, malignant pancreatic insulinoma, malignant carcinoid carcinoma, choriocarcinoma, mycosis fungoides, malignant hypercalcemia, cervical hyperplasia, leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, chronic granulocytic leukemia, acute granulocytic leukemia, hairy cell leukemia, neuroblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, polycythemia vera, essential thrombocytosis, Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, soft- tissue sarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma, primary macroglobulinemia, and retinoblastoma, and the like, T and B cell mediated autoimmune diseases; inflammatory diseases; infections;

hyperproliferative diseases; AIDS; degenerative conditions, vascular diseases, and the like. In some embodiments, the cancer cells being treated are metastatic. In other embodiments, the cancer cells being treated are resistant to anticancer agents.

In other embodiments, the disorder is any disorder having cells characterized by reduced gene expression of one or more genes associated with the stress response pathway (e.g., GDF 15, ATF3, DDIT3, and HSPA5). In some embodiments, the compounds of the present invention are able to increase expression of one or more genes associated with the stress response pathway (e.g., GDF15, ATF3, DDIT3, and HSPA5).

In some embodiments, the disorder is any disorder having cells with a reduced ability to undergo autophagy. For example, in some embodiments, the disorder in any disorder having increased expression of genes associated with inhibited autophagy (e.g., WIPIl, GABARAPLl , and MAP1LC3B). In some embodiments, the compounds of the present invention are able to inhibit expression of genes associated with inhibited autophagy (e.g., WIPIl, GABARAPLl , and MAP1LC3B).

Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods for administering an effective amount of a compound of the invention and at least one additional therapeutic agent (including, but not limited to, chemotherapeutic antineoplastics, apoptosis-modulating agents, antimicrobials, antivirals, antifungals, and anti-inflammatory agents) and/or therapeutic technique (e.g. , surgical intervention, and/or radiotherapies). In a particular embodiment, the additional therapeutic agent(s) is an anticancer agent.

A number of suitable anticancer agents are contemplated for use in the methods of the present invention. Indeed, the present invention contemplates, but is not limited to,

administration of numerous anticancer agents such as: agents that induce apoptosis;

polynucleotides (e.g. , anti-sense, ribozymes, siRNA); polypeptides (e.g. , enzymes and antibodies); biological mimetics; alkaloids; alkylating agents; antitumor antibiotics;

antimetabolites; hormones; platinum compounds; monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies (e.g., antibodies conjugated with anticancer drugs, toxins, defensins), toxins; radionuclides; biological response modifiers (e.g. , interferons (e.g. , IFN-a) and interleukins (e.g. , IL-2)); adoptive immunotherapy agents; hematopoietic growth factors; agents that induce tumor cell

differentiation (e.g. , all-trans-retinoic acid); gene therapy reagents (e.g. , antisense therapy reagents and nucleotides); tumor vaccines; angiogenesis inhibitors; proteosome inhibitors: NF- KB modulators; anti-CDK compounds; HDAC inhibitors; and the like. Numerous other examples of chemotherapeutic compounds and anticancer therapies suitable for co- administration with the disclosed compounds are known to those skilled in the art.

In certain embodiments, anticancer agents comprise agents that induce or stimulate apoptosis. Agents that induce apoptosis include, but are not limited to, radiation (e.g. , X-rays, gamma rays, UV); tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related factors (e.g., TNF family receptor proteins, TNF family ligands, TRAIL, antibodies to TRAIL-Rl or TRAIL-R2); kinase inhibitors (e.g. , epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) kinase inhibitor, vascular growth factor receptor (VGFR) kinase inhibitor, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) kinase inhibitor, platelet- derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) kinase inhibitor, and Bcr-Abl kinase inhibitors (such as GLEEVEC)); antisense molecules; antibodies (e.g., HERCEPTIN, RITUXAN, ZEVALIN, and AVASTIN); anti-estrogens (e.g., raloxifene and tamoxifen); anti-androgens (e.g., flutamide, bicalutamide, finasteride, aminoglutethamide, ketoconazole, and corticosteroids);

cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) inhibitors (e.g. , celecoxib, meloxicam, NS-398, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)); anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., butazolidin, DECADRON, DELTASONE, dexamethasone, dexamethasone intensol, DEXONE, HEXADROL,

hydroxychloroquine, METICORTEN, ORADEXON, ORASONE, oxyphenbutazone,

PEDIAPRED, phenylbutazone, PLAQUENIL, prednisolone, prednisone, PRELONE, and

TANDEARIL); and cancer chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g., irinotecan (CAMPTOSAR), CPT-11, fludarabine (FLUDARA), dacarbazine (DTIC), dexamethasone, mitoxantrone, MYLOTARG, VP-16, cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, 5-FU, doxorubicin, gemcitabine, bortezomib, gefitinib, bevacizumab, TAXOTERE or TAXOL); cellular signaling molecules; ceramides and cytokines; staurosporine, and the like.

In still other embodiments, the compositions and methods of the present invention provide a compound of the invention and at least one anti-hyperproliferative or antineoplastic agent selected from alkylating agents, antimetabolites, and natural products (e.g., herbs and other plant and/or animal derived compounds).

Alkylating agents suitable for use in the present compositions and methods include, but are not limited to: 1) nitrogen mustards (e.g., mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, melphalan (L-sarcolysin); and chlorambucil); 2) ethylenimines and methylmelamines (e.g. , hexamethylmelamine and thiotepa); 3) alkyl sulfonates (e.g. , busulfan); 4) nitrosoureas (e.g., carmustine (BCNU); lomustine (CCNU); semustine (methyl-CCNU); and streptozocin

(streptozotocin)); and 5) triazenes (e.g. , dacarbazine (DTIC; dimethyltriazenoimid- azolecarboxamide).

In some embodiments, antimetabolites suitable for use in the present compositions and methods include, but are not limited to: 1) folic acid analogs (e.g. , methotrexate (amethopterin)); 2) pyrimidine analogs (e.g., fluorouracil (5-fluorouracil; 5-FU), floxuridine (fluorode-oxyuridine; FudR), and cytarabine (cytosine arabinoside)); and 3) purine analogs (e.g. , mercaptopurine (6- mercaptopurine; 6-MP), thioguanine (6-thioguanine; TG), and pentostatin (2'- deoxycoformycin)).

In still further embodiments, chemotherapeutic agents suitable for use in the

compositions and methods of the present invention include, but are not limited to: 1) vinca alkaloids (e.g., vinblastine (VLB), vincristine); 2) epipodophyllotoxins (e.g., etoposide and teniposide); 3) antibiotics (e.g., dactinomycin (actinomycin D), daunorubicin (daunomycin; rubidomycin), doxorubicin, bleomycin, plicamycin (mithramycin), and mitomycin (mitomycin C)); 4) enzymes (e.g. , L-asparaginase); 5) biological response modifiers (e.g. , interferon-alfa); 6) platinum coordinating complexes (e.g., cisplatin (cis-DDP) and carboplatin); 7) anthracenediones (e.g. , mitoxantrone); 8) substituted ureas (e.g. , hydroxyurea); 9) methylhydrazine derivatives (e.g. , procarbazine (N-methylhydrazine; MIH)); 10) adrenocortical suppressants (e.g. , mitotane (o,p'-DDD) and aminoglutethimide); 11) adrenocorticosteroids (e.g. , prednisone); 12) progestins (e.g. , hydroxy progesterone caproate, medroxyprogesterone acetate, and megestrol acetate); 13) estrogens (e.g., diethylstilbestrol and ethinyl estradiol); 14) antiestrogens (e.g., tamoxifen); 15) androgens (e.g. , testosterone propionate and fiuoxymesterone); 16) antiandrogens (e.g. , flutamide): and 17) gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (e.g. , leuprolide).

Any oncolytic agent that is routinely used in a cancer therapy context finds use in the compositions and methods of the present invention. For example, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration maintains a formulary of oncolytic agents approved for use in the United States. International counterpart agencies to the U.S.F.D.A. maintain similar formularies. Table 15 provides a list of exemplary antineoplastic agents approved for use in the U.S. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the "product labels" required on all U.S. approved chemotherapeutics describe approved indications, dosing information, toxicity data, and the like, for the exemplary agents. Table 15

Chlorambucil Leukeran GlaxoSmithKline (4-

[bis(2chlorethyl)amino]benzenebutanoi

c acid)

Cisplatin Platinol Bristol-Myers Squibb (PtCl₂H₆N₂)

Cladribine Leustatin, R.W. Johnson

(2-chloro-2'-deoxy-b-D-adenosine) 2-CdA Pharmaceutical

Research Institute, Raritan, NJ

Cyclophosphamide Cytoxan, Bristol-Myers Squibb (2-[bis(2-chloroethyl)amino] Neosar

tetrahy dro-2H- 13 ,2-oxazaphosphorine

2-oxide monohydrate)

Cytarabine Cytosar-U Pharmacia & Upjohn

(1-b-D-Arabinofuranosylcytosine, Company

C₉H₁₃N₃0₅)

cytarabine liposomal DepoCyt Skye Pharmaceuticals,

Inc., San Diego, CA

Dacarbazine DTIC- Bayer AG, Leverkusen,

(5-(3,3-dimethyl-l-triazeno)-imidazole- Dome Germany

4-carboxamide (DTIC))

Dactinomycin, actinomycin D Cosmege Merck

(actinomycin produced by n

Streptomyces parvullus, C₆2H₈₆N12O1₆)

Darbepoetin alfa Aranesp Amgen, Inc., Thousand (recombinant peptide) Oaks, CA

daunorubicin liposomal DanuoXo Nexstar

((8S-cis)-8-acetyl-10-[(3-amino-2,3,6- me Pharmaceuticals, Inc., trideoxy-a-L-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)oxy]- Boulder, CO

7,8,9, 10-tetrahy dro-6,8, 11 -trihy droxy- l-methoxy-5,12-naphthacenedione

dromostanolone propionate Dromosta Eli Lilly & Company, (17b-Hydroxy-2a-methyl-5a-androstan- nolone Indianapolis, IN 3 -one propionate)

dromostanolone propionate Masteron Syntex, Corp., Palo e injection Alto, CA

Elliott's B Solution Elliott's B Orphan Medical, Inc

Solution

Epirubicin Ellence Pharmacia & Upjohn

((8S-cis)-10-[(3-amino-2,3,6-trideoxy- Company a-L-arabino- hexopyranosyl)oxy]- 7,8,9, 10-tetrahy dro-6,8, 11 -trihy droxy- 8- (hydroxy acetyl)- 1 -methoxy-5, 12- naphthacenedione hydrochloride)

Epoetin alfa Epogen Amgen, Inc

(recombinant peptide)

Estramustine Emcyt Pharmacia & Upjohn

(estra-l,3,5(10)-triene-3,17- Company diol(17(beta))-, 3-[bis(2- chloroethyl)carbamate] 17-(dihy drogen

phosphate), disodium salt,

monohydrate, or estradiol 3-[bis(2- chloroethyl)carbamate] 17-(dihy drogen

phosphate), disodium salt,

monohydrate)

Etoposide phosphate Etopopho Bristol-Myers Squibb (4'-Demethylepipodophyllotoxin 9- s

[4,6-0-(R)-ethylidene-(beta)-D- glucopyranoside], 4'-(dihy drogen

phosphate))

etoposide, VP- 16 Vepesid Bristol-Myers Squibb

(4'-demethylepipodophyllotoxin 9-[4,6-

0-(R)-ethylidene-(beta)-D- glucopy ranoside] )

bis(carboxymethyl)amino]-3-(p-

Letrozole Femara Novartis (4,4'-(1Η-1,2,4 -Triazol-l-ylmethylene)

dibenzonitrile)

Leucovorin Wellcovo Immunex, Corp., Seattle,

(L-Glutamic acid, N[4[[(2amino-5- rin, WA

formyll,4,5,6,7,8 hexahydro4oxo6- Leucovori

pteridinyl)methyl]amino]benzoyl], n

calcium salt (1 : 1))

Levamisole HC1 Ergamisol Janssen Research ((-)-( S)-2,3,5, 6-tetrahydro-6- Foundation, Titusville, phenylimidazo [2,1-b] thiazole NJ

monohydrochloride CnHi₂N₂S HCl)

Lomustine CeeNU Bristol-Myers Squibb

(l-(2-chloro-ethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l- nitrosourea)

Meclorethamine, nitrogen mustard Mustarge Merck

(2-chloro-N-(2-chloroethyl)-N- n

methylethanamine hydrochloride)

Megestrol acetate Megace Bristol-Myers Squibb

17a( acetyloxy)- 6- methylpregna- 4,6- diene- 3,20- dione

Melphalan, L-PAM Alkeran GlaxoSmithKline (4-[bis(2-chloroethyl) amino] -L- phenylalanine)

Mercaptopurine, 6-MP Purinethol GlaxoSmithKline (l,7-dihydro-6 H -purine-6-thione

monohydrate)

Mesna Mesnex Asta Medica

(sodium 2-mercaptoethane sulfonate)

Methotrexate Methotrex Lederle Laboratories

(N-[4-[[(2,4-diamino-6- ate

pteridinyl)methyl]methylamino]benzoy

(phosphonic acid (3 -amino- 1- hydroxypropylidene) bis-, disodium

salt, pentahydrate, (APD))

Pegademase Adagen Enzon Pharmaceuticals,

((monomethoxypoly ethylene glycol (Pegadem Inc., Bridgewater, NJ succinimidyl) 11 - 17 -adenosine ase

deaminase) Bovine)

Pegaspargase Oncaspar Enzon

(monomethoxypoly ethylene glycol

succinimidyl L-asparaginase)

Pegfilgrastim Neulasta Amgen, Inc

(covalent conjugate of recombinant

methionyl human G-CSF (Filgrastim)

and monomethoxypoly ethylene glycol)

Pentostatin Nipent Parke-Davis

Pharmaceutical Co., Rockville, MD

Pipobroman Vercyte Abbott Laboratories,

Abbott Park, IL

Plicamycin, Mithramycin Mithracin Pfizer, Inc., NY, NY (antibiotic produced by Streptomyces

plicatus)

Porfimer sodium Photofrin QLT Phototherapeutics,

Inc., Vancouver, Canada

Procarbazine Matulane Sigma Tau

(N-isopropyl^-(2-methylhydrazino)-p- Pharmaceuticals, Inc., toluamide monohydrochloride) Gaithersburg, MD

Quinacrine Atabrine Abbott Labs

(6-chloro-9-( 1 -methyl-4-diethyl- amine) butylamino-2-methoxyacridine)

Rasburicase Elitek Sanofi-Synthelabo, Inc., (recombinant peptide)

Thiotepa Thioplex Immunex Corporation (Aziridine, 1,1',Γ- phosphinothioylidynetris-, or Tris (1- aziridinyl) phosphine sulfide)

Topotecan HC1 Hycamtin GlaxoSmithKline

((S)- 10- [(dimethylamino) methyl] -4- ethyl-4,9-dihydroxy-lH-pyrano[3', 4':

6,7] indolizino [1,2-b] quinoline-3,14- (4H, 12H)-dione monohy drochloride)

Toremifene Fareston Roberts Pharmaceutical

(2-(p- [(Z)-4-chloro- 1 ,2-dipheny 1- 1 - Corp., Eatontown, NJ buteny 1] -phenoxy )-N,N- dimethylethylamine citrate (1 : 1))

Tositumomab, 1 131 Tositumomab Bexxar Corixa Corp., Seattle, (recombinant murine WA

immunotherapeutic monoclonal IgG2_a

lambda anti-CD20 antibody (I 131 is a

radioimmunotherapeutic antibody))

Trastuzumab Herceptin Genentech, Inc

(recombinant monoclonal IgGi kappa

anti-HER2 antibody)

Tretinoin, ATRA Vesanoid Roche

(all-trans retinoic acid)

Uracil Mustard Uracil Roberts Labs

Mustard

Capsules

Valrubicin, N- Valstar Anthra --> Medeva trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate

((2S-cis)-2- [1,2,3,4,6,11-hexahydro- 2,5,12-trihydroxy-7 methoxy-6,11- dioxo-[[4 2,3,6-trideoxy-3- [(trifluoroacetyl)-amino-a-L-/yxo- hexopy ranosy 1] oxy 1] -2-naphthaceny 1] - 2-oxoethyl pentanoate)

Vinblastine, Leurocristine Velban Eli Lilly

Vincristine Oncovin Eli Lilly

Vinorelbine Navelbine GlaxoSmithKline

(3' ,4'-didehydro-4'-deoxy-C- norvincaleukoblastine [R-(R*,R*)-2,3- dihydroxybutanedioate (1 :2)(salt)])

Zoledronate, Zoledronic acid Zometa Novartis

((1 -Hydroxy -2-imidazol-l-yl- phosphonoethyl) phosphonic acid

monohydrate)

Anticancer agents further include compounds which have been identified to have anticancer activity. Examples include, but are not limited to, 3-AP, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol- 13-acetate, 17AAG, 852A, ABI-007, ABR-217620, ABT-751, ADI-PEG 20, AE-941, AG- 013736, AGRO100, alanosine, AMG 706, antibody G250, antineoplastons, AP23573, apaziquone, APC8015, atiprimod, ATN-161, atrasenten, azacitidine, BB-10901, BCX-1777, bevacizumab, BG00001, bicalutamide, BMS 247550, bortezomib, bryostatin-1, buserelin, calcitriol, CCI-779, CDB-2914, cefixime, cetuximab, CG0070, cilengitide, clofarabine, combretastatin A4 phosphate, CP-675,206, CP-724,714, CpG 7909, curcumin, decitabine, DENSPM, doxercalciferol, E7070, E7389, ecteinascidin 743, efaproxiral, eflomithine, EKB-569, enzastaurin, erlotinib, exisulind, fenretinide, flavopiridol, fludarabine, flutamide, fotemustine, FR901228, G17DT, galiximab, gefitinib, genistein, glufosfamide, GTI-2040, histrelin, HKI-272, homoharringtonine, HSPPC-96, hul4.18-interleukin-2 fusion protein, HuMax-CD4, iloprost, imiquimod, infliximab, interleukin-12, IPI-504, irofulven, ixabepilone, lapatinib, lenalidomide, lestaurtinib, leuprolide, LMB-9 immunotoxin, lonafamib, luniliximab, mafosfamide, MB07133, MDX-010, MLN2704, monoclonal antibody 3F8, monoclonal antibody J591, motexafin, MS- 275, MVA-MUC1-IL2, nilutamide, nitrocamptothecin, nolatrexed dihydrochloride, nolvadex, NS-9, 06-benzylguanine, oblimersen sodium, ONYX-015, oregovomab, OSI-774, panitumumab, paraplatin, PD-0325901, pemetrexed, PHY906, pioglitazone, pirfenidone, pixantrone, PS-341, PSC 833, PXD101, pyrazoloacridine, Rl 15777, RAD001, ranpirnase, rebeccamycin analogue, rhuAngiostatin protein, rhuMab 2C4, rosiglitazone, rubitecan, S-l, S- 8184, satraplatin, SB-, 15992, SGN-0010, SGN-40, sorafenib, SR31747A, ST1571, SU011248, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, suramin, talabostat, talampanel, tariquidar, temsirolimus, TGFa-PE38 immunotoxin, thalidomide, thymalfasin, tipifarnib, tirapazamine, TLK286, trabectedin, trimetrexate glucuronate, TroVax, UCN-1, valproic acid, vinflunine, VNP40101M, volociximab, vorinostat, VX-680, ZD1839, ZD6474, zileuton, and zosuquidar trihydrochloride.

For a more detailed description of anticancer agents and other therapeutic agents, those skilled in the art are referred to any number of instructive manuals including, but not limited to, the Physician's Desk Reference and to Goodman and Gilman's "Pharmaceutical Basis of Therapeutics" tenth edition, Eds. Hardman et al , 2002.

The present invention provides methods for administering a compound of the invention with radiation therapy. The invention is not limited by the types, amounts, or delivery and administration systems used to deliver the therapeutic dose of radiation to an animal. For example, the animal may receive photon radiotherapy, particle beam radiation therapy, other types of radiotherapies, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the radiation is delivered to the animal using a linear accelerator. In still other embodiments, the radiation is delivered using a gamma knife.

The source of radiation can be external or internal to the animal. External radiation therapy is most common and involves directing a beam of high-energy radiation to a tumor site through the skin using, for instance, a linear accelerator. While the beam of radiation is localized to the tumor site, it is nearly impossible to avoid exposure of normal, healthy tissue. However, external radiation is usually well tolerated by animals. Internal radiation therapy involves implanting a radiation-emitting source, such as beads, wires, pellets, capsules, particles, and the like, inside the body at or near the tumor site including the use of delivery systems that specifically target cancer cells (e.g. , using particles attached to cancer cell binding ligands). Such implants can be removed following treatment, or left in the body inactive. Types of internal radiation therapy include, but are not limited to, brachy therapy, interstitial irradiation, intracavity irradiation, radioimmunotherapy, and the like.

The animal may optionally receive radiosensitizers (e.g. , metronidazole, misonidazole, intra-arterial Budr, intravenous iododeoxy uridine (IudR), nitroimidazole, 5-substituted-4- nitroimidazoles, 2H-isoindolediones, [[(2-bromoethyl)-andno]methyl]-nitro-lH-imidazole-l- ethanol, nitroaniline derivatives, DNA-affinic hypoxia selective cytotoxins, halogenated DNA ligand, 1,2,4 benzotriazine oxides, 2-nitroimidazole derivatives, fluorine-containing nitroazole derivatives, benzamide, nicotinamide, acridine-intercalator, 5-thiotretrazole derivative, 3-nitro- 1,2,4-triazole, 4,5-dinitroimidazole derivative, hydroxylated texaphrins, cisplatin, mitomycin, tiripazamine, nitrosourea, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, fluorouracil, bleomycin, vincristine, carboplatin, epirubicin, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vindesine, etoposide, paclitaxel, heat (hyperthermia), and the like), radioprotectors (e.g. , cysteamine, aminoalkyl dihydrogen phosphorothioates, amifostine (WR 2721), IL-1, IL-6, and the like). Radiosensitizers enhance the killing of tumor cells. Radioprotectors protect healthy tissue from the harmful effects of radiation.

Any type of radiation can be administered to an animal, so long as the dose of radiation is tolerated by the animal without unacceptable negative side-effects. Suitable types of radiotherapy include, for example, ionizing (electromagnetic) radiotherapy (e.g. , X-rays or gamma rays) or particle beam radiation therapy (e.g. , high linear energy radiation). Ionizing radiation is defined as radiation comprising particles or photons that have sufficient energy to produce ionization, i.e. , gain or loss of electrons (as described in, for example, U.S. 5,770,581 incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The effects of radiation can be at least partially controlled by the clinician. In one embodiment, the dose of radiation is fractionated for maximal target cell exposure and reduced toxicity.

In one embodiment, the total dose of radiation administered to an animal is about .01

Gray (Gy) to about 100 Gy. In another embodiment, about 10 Gy to about 65 Gy (e.g., about 15 Gy, 20 Gy, 25 Gy, 30 Gy, 35 Gy, 40 Gy, 45 Gy, 50 Gy, 55 Gy, or 60 Gy) are administered over the course of treatment. While in some embodiments a complete dose of radiation can be administered over the course of one day, the total dose is ideally fractionated and administered over several days. Desirably, radiotherapy is administered over the course of at least about 3 days, e.g., at least 5, 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 25, 28, 32, 35, 38, 42, 46, 52, or 56 days (about 1-8 weeks). Accordingly, a daily dose of radiation will comprise approximately 1-5 Gy (e.g. , about 1 Gy, 1.5 Gy, 1.8 Gy, 2 Gy, 2.5 Gy, 2.8 Gy, 3 Gy, 3.2 Gy, 3.5 Gy, 3.8 Gy, 4 Gy, 4.2 Gy, or 4.5 Gy), or 1-2 Gy (e.g., 1.5-2 Gy). The daily dose of radiation should be sufficient to induce destruction of the targeted cells. If stretched over a period, in one embodiment, radiation is not administered every day, thereby allowing the animal to rest and the effects of the therapy to be realized. For example, radiation desirably is administered on 5 consecutive days, and not administered on 2 days, for each week of treatment, thereby allowing 2 days of rest per week. However, radiation can be administered 1 day/week, 2 days/week, 3 days/week, 4 days/week, 5 days/week, 6 days/week, or all 7 days/week, depending on the animal's responsiveness and any potential side effects. Radiation therapy can be initiated at any time in the therapeutic period. In one embodiment, radiation is initiated in week 1 or week 2, and is administered for the remaining duration of the therapeutic period. For example, radiation is administered in weeks 1-6 or in weeks 2-6 of a therapeutic period comprising 6 weeks for treating, for instance, a solid tumor. Alternatively, radiation is administered in weeks 1-5 or weeks 2-5 of a therapeutic period comprising 5 weeks. These exemplary radiotherapy administration schedules are not intended, however, to limit the present invention.

Antimicrobial therapeutic agents may also be used as therapeutic agents in the present invention. Any agent that can kill, inhibit, or otherwise attenuate the function of microbial organisms may be used, as well as any agent contemplated to have such activities. Antimicrobial agents include, but are not limited to, natural and synthetic antibiotics, antibodies, inhibitory proteins (e.g. , defensins), antisense nucleic acids, membrane disruptive agents and the like, used alone or in combination. Indeed, any type of antibiotic may be used including, but not limited to, antibacterial agents, antiviral agents, antifungal agents, and the like.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a compound of the invention and one or more therapeutic agents or anticancer agents are administered to an animal under one or more of the following conditions: at different periodicities, at different durations, at different

concentrations, by different administration routes, etc. In some embodiments, the compound is administered prior to the therapeutic or anticancer agent, e.g. , 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, or 18 hours, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 days, or 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks prior to the administration of the therapeutic or anticancer agent. In some embodiments, the compound is administered after the therapeutic or anticancer agent, e.g., 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 12, or 18 hours, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 days, or 1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks after the administration of the anticancer agent. In some embodiments, the compound and the therapeutic or anticancer agent are administered concurrently but on different schedules, e.g., the compound is administered daily while the therapeutic or anticancer agent is

administered once a week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, or once every four weeks. In other embodiments, the compound is administered once a week while the therapeutic or anticancer agent is administered daily, once a week, once every two weeks, once every three weeks, or once every four weeks.

Compositions within the scope of this invention include all compositions wherein the compounds of the present invention are contained in an amount which is effective to achieve its intended purpose. While individual needs vary, determination of optimal ranges of effective amounts of each component is within the skill of the art. Typically, the compounds may be administered to mammals, e.g. humans, orally at a dose of 0.0025 to 50 mg/kg, or an equivalent amount of the pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, per day of the body weight of the mammal being treated for disorders responsive to induction of apoptosis. In one embodiment, about 0.01 to about 25 mg/kg is orally administered to treat, ameliorate, or prevent such disorders. For intramuscular injection, the dose is generally about one-half of the oral dose. For example, a suitable intramuscular dose would be about 0.0025 to about 25 mg/kg, or from about 0.01 to about 5 mg/kg.

The unit oral dose may comprise from about 0.01 to about 1000 mg, for example, about

0.1 to about 100 mg of the compound. The unit dose may be administered one or more times daily as one or more tablets or capsules each containing from about 0.1 to about 10 mg, conveniently about 0.25 to 50 mg of the compound or its solvates.

In a topical formulation, the compound may be present at a concentration of about 0.01 to 100 mg per gram of carrier. In a one embodiment, the compound is present at a concentration of about 0.07-1.0 mg/ml, for example, about 0.1-0.5 mg/ml, and in one embodiment, about 0.4 mg/ml.

In addition to administering the compound as a raw chemical, the compounds of the invention may be administered as part of a pharmaceutical preparation containing suitable pharmaceutically acceptable carriers comprising excipients and auxiliaries which facilitate processing of the compounds into preparations which can be used pharmaceutically. The preparations, particularly those preparations which can be administered orally or topically and which can be used for one type of administration, such as tablets, dragees, slow release lozenges and capsules, mouth rinses and mouth washes, gels, liquid suspensions, hair rinses, hair gels, shampoos and also preparations which can be administered rectally, such as suppositories, as well as suitable solutions for administration by intravenous infusion, injection, topically or orally, contain from about 0.01 to 99 percent, in one embodiment from about 0.25 to 75 percent of active compound(s), together with the excipient.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention may be administered to any patient which may experience the beneficial effects of the compounds of the invention. Foremost among such patients are mammals, e.g. , humans, although the invention is not intended to be so limited. Other patients include veterinary animals (cows, sheep, pigs, horses, dogs, cats and the like). The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions thereof may be administered by any means that achieve their intended purpose. For example, administration may be by parenteral, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, transdermal, buccal, intrathecal, intracranial, intranasal or topical routes. Alternatively, or concurrently, administration may be by the oral route. The dosage administered will be dependent upon the age, health, and weight of the recipient, kind of concurrent treatment, if any, frequency of treatment, and the nature of the effect desired.

The pharmaceutical preparations of the present invention are manufactured in a manner which is itself known, for example, by means of conventional mixing, granulating, dragee- making, dissolving, or lyophilizing processes. Thus, pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by combining the active compounds with solid excipients, optionally grinding the resulting mixture and processing the mixture of granules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired or necessary, to obtain tablets or dragee cores.

Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillers such as saccharides, for example lactose or sucrose, mannitol or sorbitol, cellulose preparations and/or calcium phosphates, for example tricalcium phosphate or calcium hydrogen phosphate, as well as binders such as starch paste, using, for example, maize starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/or polyvinyl pyrrolidone. If desired, disintegrating agents may be added such as the above- mentioned starches and also carboxymethyl-starch, cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginic acid or a salt thereof, such as sodium alginate. Auxiliaries are, above all, flow-regulating agents and lubricants, for example, silica, talc, stearic acid or salts thereof, such as magnesium stearate or calcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycol. Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings which, if desired, are resistant to gastric juices. For this purpose, concentrated saccharide solutions may be used, which may optionally contain gum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions and suitable organic solvents or solvent mixtures. In order to produce coatings resistant to gastric juices, solutions of suitable cellulose preparations such as acetylcellulose phthalate or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate, are used. Dye stuffs or pigments may be added to the tablets or dragee coatings, for example, for identification or in order to characterize combinations of active compound doses.

Other pharmaceutical preparations which can be used orally include push-fit capsules made of gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and a plasticizer such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules can contain the active compounds in the form of granules which may be mixed with fillers such as lactose, binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesium stearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the active compounds are in one embodiment dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such as fatty oils, or liquid paraffin. In addition, stabilizers may be added.

Possible pharmaceutical preparations which can be used rectally include, for example, suppositories, which consist of a combination of one or more of the active compounds with a suppository base. Suitable suppository bases are, for example, natural or synthetic triglycerides, or paraffin hydrocarbons. In addition, it is also possible to use gelatin rectal capsules which consist of a combination of the active compounds with a base. Possible base materials include, for example, liquid triglycerides, polyethylene glycols, or paraffin hydrocarbons.

Suitable formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous solutions of the active compounds in water-soluble form, for example, water-soluble salts and alkaline solutions. In addition, suspensions of the active compounds as appropriate oily injection suspensions may be administered. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles include fatty oils, for example, sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, for example, ethyl oleate or triglycerides or polyethylene glycol-400. Aqueous injection suspensions may contain substances which increase the viscosity of the suspension include, for example, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, and/or dextran. Optionally, the suspension may also contain stabilizers.

The topical compositions of this invention are formulated in one embodiment as oils, creams, lotions, ointments and the like by choice of appropriate carriers. Suitable carriers include vegetable or mineral oils, white petrolatum (white soft paraffin), branched chain fats or oils, animal fats and high molecular weight alcohol (greater than C₁₂). The carriers may be those in which the active ingredient is soluble. Emulsifiers, stabilizers, humectants and antioxidants may also be included as well as agents imparting color or fragrance, if desired. Additionally, transdermal penetration enhancers can be employed in these topical formulations. Examples of such enhancers can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,989,816 and 4,444,762; each herein

incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Ointments may be formulated by mixing a solution of the active ingredient in a vegetable oil such as almond oil with warm soft paraffin and allowing the mixture to cool. A typical example of such an ointment is one which includes about 30% almond oil and about 70% white soft paraffin by weight. Lotions may be conveniently prepared by dissolving the active ingredient, in a suitable high molecular weight alcohol such as propylene glycol or polyethylene glycol.

One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the foregoing represents merely a detailed description of certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications and alterations of the compositions and methods described above can readily be achieved using expertise available in the art and are within the scope of the invention.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are illustrative, but not limiting, of the compounds,

compositions, and methods of the present invention. Other suitable modifications and adaptations of the variety of conditions and parameters normally encountered in clinical therapy and which are obvious to those skilled in the art are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Example I.

Experiments conducted during the course of developing embodiments for the present invention involved performance of a phenotypic screen of a library of 20,000 small-molecules representing five million compounds. QN519 was identified as a promising hit compound for further analysis based on its novelty, drug-like properties, and in vitro activity profile in a panel of 10 cancer cell lines. Subsequently, a lead optimization campaign was performed to synthesize a series of close analogs. Initially, the 50 analogs were tested in three pancreatic cancer cell lines using MTT assay (Table 1). Sixteen compounds produced IC5₀ values < 1 μΜ in at least one cell line.

Table 1. IC5₀ values of QN compounds in pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Values are represented as Mean ± SD from three independent MTT assay experiments.

Marks for compounds with IC₅₀ lower than 1 μΜ in at least one cell line. The 6-substituted 3-methyl-pyrazine was found to be important for cytotoxicity of

QN519. Changing the 3-methyl-pyrazine group to substituted pyridine (QN522, 524, 532) substantially decreased its cytotoxicity. Removing the methyl group at 3 position of pyrazine resulted in a potent compound QN523, implicating that the additional methyl group is not necessary for compound-target interaction. Changing the heterocyclic group to pyridazine (QN566) largely decreased the activity, while changing to pyrimidine (QN567) only slightly affected the cytotoxicity when the substitution remains on the 6 position of the ring.

The 8-subsituted quinoline was also necessary for the activity of QN519. Substitutions on the 5 or 6 position (QN520, 521) of the quinoline decreased activity of the lead compound. Additional side chain on the 2 position of the quinoline also led to loss of activity (QN632, 634, 659, 660). Fluorine (QN651, 652 and 658) or methoxy (QN663, QN107, QN113) substitution on the 6 position improved the activity modestly, suggesting this position as sight for potential modification.

In an effort to investigate this potential modification site, a series of compounds with longer side chains were designed to 1) improve solubility and 2) increase specificity through additional binding sites. Select compound from this round of optimization was intended for linkage with fluorescent or biotin probe for target identification in vitro using biochemistry methods. However, the 18 compounds with different linker side chains do not retain similar cytotoxicity. No further chemical modification was attempted in this series. Example II.

This example demonstrates that QN523 shows significant cytotoxicity in pancreatic cancer cell lines. In the lead optimization campaign, QN523 was identified as the most potent compound in the series with IC5₀ value of 0.11 μΜ in MiaPaCa-2 cells, which is comparable to gemcitabine, the current standard of care therapy for pancreatic cancer. In order to understand its potential selectivity for different types of cancer and choose the best model for further characterization, QN523 was tested in a panel of 12 cancer cell lines with various genetic and pathological backgrounds (Table 2). QN523 showed significant cytotoxicity with IC5₀ values ranging from 0.1 to 5.7 μΜ across all 12 cell lines. QN523 was potent in the pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2, leukemia cell line Jurkat and colorectal cancer cell line HCT116, with IC5₀ value around 0.1 μΜ. Because of remarkable potency of QN-523 in pancreatic cancer in-depth preclinical studies in this disease model were performed.

Table 2. IC5₀ values of QN523 in a panel of cancer cell lines.

Example III.

This example demonstrates that QN523 is cytotoxic in pancreatic cancer cell lines. The cytotoxicity of QN523 was further evaluated in three pancreatic cancer cell lines using colony formation assay. Using numbers and sizes of colonies as the experimental readout, this long-term assay estimates both anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effect. QN523 showed more potent activity in colony formation assay than in MTT assay (Fig. 1A). Complete inhibition of colony formation was observed in all three cell lines at 1 μΜ. At 0.1 μΜ QN523 treatment, a complete suppression of MiaPaCa-2 colonies was observed, suggesting further evaluation is warranted.

To test the durability of treatment, MiaPaCa-2 cells were treated with QN523 for 1, 4, 8, 24, 48, 72 h, washed with PBS, and assayed 72hrs later. A time dependent cytotoxicity effect was observed for QN523 treatment (Fig. 1A) suggesting a delayed onset for activity.

Example IV.

This example demonstrates that QN523 exhibits anti-cancer activity in in vivo pancreatic cancer xenograft model. To further evaluate the therapeutic potentials of QN523 in pancreatic cancer, MiaPaCa-2 xenograft were implanted in NOD/SCID mice. When tumor size reached 100 mm³, mice were randomized to either vehicle control (n=5) or QN523 treatment (n=5) group. QN523 was initially given at 10 mg/kg with intraperitoneal administration. Since no significant delay in tumor growth was observed in the QN523 treatment group from day 1 to day 9, dose of QN523 was increased to 20 mg/kg from day 10 and continued until day 44.

QN523 treatment delayed growth of the MiaPaCa-2 xenograft starting from day 17 (p <

0.01). On day 44, when mean tumor volume of the vehicle control group reached 1291 ± 72 mm³, mean tumor volume of the QN523 treatment group was only 259 ± 38 mm³ (p < 0.0001) indicating 80% inhibition of tumor growth (Fig. 2A). No symptoms of gross toxicity such as weakness, weight loss or lethargy were observed in the QN523 treatment group (Fig. 2B). H&E stained organ sections of liver, kidney, heart, lung, spleen and pancreas did not reveal major histopathological changes, further confirming the safety of the treatment (Fig. 2C). Following the 44-day treatment, two mice were kept on each group to evaluate efficacy and safety of QN523 at higher doses. While tumors in the control group exhibited rapid growth, QN523 treatment was able to delay growth of the tumors, and no systemic toxicity was observed at doses as high as 40 mg/kg (Fig. 2D&E). In line with the tumor growth inhibition, QN523 treatment decreased Ki67 levels in tumor tissues, suggesting inhibition of cell proliferation (Fig. 3). Taken together, in vivo studies in MiaPaCa-2 xenograft model suggests promising anticancer activity and safety profile of QN523, supporting further characterization of the compound as drug candidate for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Example V.

This example demonstrates that Bru-seq analysis identified stress signaling and autophagy as major cellular responses to treatment with QN523. In order to understand the mechanism of action for QN523 in pancreatic cancer, Bru-seq was performed to evaluate global changes in gene synthesis after QN523 treatment. Preliminary observations suggest that QN series of compounds require a minimum of 24 hours to exert significant pharmacological effects. During this time, the cells begin initiating cascade of pharmacological events unique to these compounds. However, cell death pathways will be initiated at later time points well beyond 24 hrs. Therefore, the Bru-seq experiments were performed after 24 hrs drug (1 μΜ) exposure. Using RPKM > 0.5, gene size > 300 bp as the cut off values to eliminate background noises, there were totally 8521 expressed genes in the QN523 and DMSO control samples out of around 22,000 genes in the reference genome. 275 genes were significantly upregulated more than two fold with QN523, and 123 genes were downregulated by the treatment. Example VI.

The example demonstrates that IPA and DAVID analysis revealed QN523-induced stress responses in MiaPaCa-2. For general understanding of cellular functions and pathways regulated by QN523 treatment, the up and downregulated gene lists were analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA). Induction of unfolded protein response, ER stress pathway and circadian rhythm signaling were most significant with QN523 treatment, where about 25% of genes in these pathways were up-regulated, suggesting activation of stress signaling in MiaPaCa-2 cells (Fig. 4).

The lists were also analyzed by Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated

Discovery (DAVID), which identify enriched biological themes with particular focus on gene ontology terms, as well as functional-related gene groups (see, e.g., Huang da W, Sherman BT, Lempicki RA (2009) Nature protocols 4(1): 44-57; Huang da W, Sherman BT, Lempicki RA (2009) Nucleic acids research 37(1): 1-13). Apoptosis, (bZIP) transcription factors, ER related genes and stress responses were upregulated by QN523, while chromosomal proteins and cell cycle genes were downregulated by the treatment (Fig. 5). These results again suggest activation of stress responses by QN523 as shown with IPA analysis. In addition, induction of apoptosis and disruption of cell cycle might be important cellular events contributing to cytotoxicity of QN523.

Example VII.

This example demonstrates that GSEA suggested inverse correlation with estradiol- regulated transcription. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was also applied to the pre- ranked list of all expressed genes to discover gene sets potentially affected by QN523 treatment, and identified a list of gene sets enriched in the top or bottom of the pre-ranked list, suggesting correlation of these functional groups of genes with QN523 treatment. The top 20 up or downregulated gene sets are listed in Tables 3 and 4. Table 3. Top 20 gene sets upregulated with QN523 treatment

NAME SIZE NES FDR q-val

1 PODAR_RESPONSE_TO_ADAPHOSTIN_UP 104 3.0437453 <10E-6

2 TIEN_INTESTINE_PROBIOTICS_24HR_DN 183 2.8273673 <10E-6

3 BLUM_RESPONSE_TO_SALIRASIB_UP 204 2.774138 <10E-6

4 HELLER_SILENCED_BY_METHYLATION_DN 58 2.770397 <10E-6

5 ZHANG_RESPONSE_TO_IKK_INHIBITOR_AND_TNF_UP 112 2.7220533 <10E-6

6 NAGASHIMA_NRG1_SIGNALING_UP 116 2.7184274 <10E-6

7 BOQUEST_STEM_CELL_CULTURED_VS_FRESH_UP 159 2.6981082 <10E-6

8 DUTERTRE_ESTRADIOL_RESPONSE_24HR_DN 244 2.6971843 <10E-6

9 BILD_HRAS_ONCOGENIC_SIGNATURE 142 2.6907232 <10E-6

10 KRIGE_RESPONSE_TO_TOSEDOSTAT_24HR_UP 472 2.6795332 <10E-6

11 GROSS_HYPOXIA_VIA_ELK3_DN 102 2.6527967 <10E-6

12 ONDER_CDH1_TARGETS_1_UP 66 2.6429064 <10E-6

13 GARGALOVIC_RESPONSE_TO_OXIDIZED_PHOSPHOLIPIDS_ .BLUE_UP 107 2.640958 <10E-6

14 PICCALUGA_ANGIOIMMUNOBLASTIC_LYMPHOMA_DN 102 2.6376972 <10E-6

15 KAN_RESPONSE_TO_ARSENIC_TRIOXIDE 66 2.624026 <10E-6

16 ADDYA_ERYTHROID_DIFFERENTIATION_BY_HEMIN 45 2.602759 <10E-6

17 CONCANNON_APOPTOSIS_BY_EPOXOMICIN_UP 149 2.5632482 <10E-6

18 ELVIDGE_HYPOXIA_BY_DMOG_UP 67 2.5623298 <10E-6

19 ELVIDGE_HYPOXIA_UP 88 2.5620668 <10E-6

20 GARGALOVIC_RESPONSE_TO_OXIDIZED_PHOSPHOLIPIDS_ TURQUOISEJJP 65 2.5583937 <10E-6

Table 4. Top 20 gene sets downregulated with QN523 treatment

NAME SIZE NES FDR q-val

1 ROSTY_CERVICAL_CANCER_PROLIFERATION_CLUSTER 128 -2.8185263 <10E-6

2 GARGALOVIC_RESPONSE_TO_OXIDIZED_PHOSPHOLIPIDS_TURQUOISE_DN 44 -2.6491916 <10E-6

3 ZHAN_MULTIPLE_MYELOMA_PR_UP 42 -2.5831153 <10E-6

4 AMUNDSON_GAMMA_RADIATION_RESPONSE 37 -2.5632613 <10E-6

5 BURTON_ADIPOGENESIS_PEAK_AT_24HR 35 -2.5429745 <10E-6

6 LEE_EARLY_T_LYMPHOCYTE_UP 78 -2.5337672 <10E-6

7 CROONQUIST_IL6_DEPRIVATION_DN 86 -2.531633 <10E-6

8 DUTERTRE_ESTRADIOL_RESPONSE_24HR_UP 257 -2.5003061 <10E-6

9 CROONQUIST_NRAS_SIGNALING_DN 65 -2.4969666 <10E-6

10 WHITEFORD_PEDIATRIC_CANCER_MARKERS 101 -2.4715047 <10E-6

11 ISHIDA_E2F_TARGETS 50 -2.4621954 <10E-6

12 MORI_LARGE_PRE_BII_LYMPHOCYTE_UP 78 -2.457367 <10E-6

13 GRAHAM_CML_DIVIDING_VS_NORMAL_QUIESCENT_UP 140 -2.4507458 <10E-6

14 KANG_DOXORUBICIN_RESISTANCE_UP 51 -2.4243076 <10E-6

15 SOTIRIOU_BREAST_CANCER_GRADE_1_VS_3_UP 148 -2.4237332 <10E-6

16 ZHOU_CELL_CYCLE_GENES_IN_IR_RESPONSE_6HR 80 -2.3799622 <10E-6

17 BLUM_RESPONSE_TO_SALIRASIB_DN 276 -2.3799057 <10E-6

18 ZHOU_CELL_CYCLE_GENES_IN_IR_RESPONSE_24HR 113 -2.3664784 <10E-6

19 PID_PLK1_PATHWAY 43 -2.3617427 <10E-6

20 GOBERT_OLIGODENDROCYTE_DIFFERENTIATION_UP 463 -2.3504372 <10E-6

Except for the frequently enriched large gene sets associated with adaphostin, salirasib, tosedostat and oxidized phospholipids treatments, which show low specificity and were often found in the analysis with other compounds, there are several highly enriched gene sets that are of particular interests. Induction of apoptosis and inhibition on cell cycle were observed among the enriched gene sets, which are in agreement with the discovery with DAVID analysis. Similar transcription profiles with IKK inhibitor plus TNF treatment, neuregulin (NRG) treatment and hypoxia were observed, suggesting potential involvement or similarity with these treatment- related signaling profiles.

Interestingly, the transcription profile of QN523 in MiaPaCa-2 showed inverse correlation with that of estradiol treatment in MCF7. While the role of estrogen and its receptor is not well characterized in pancreatic cancer, it is a major promoting factor that induces cell proliferation in breast cancer cases. Estrogen-regulated genes identified in breast cancer models contribute to cell motility and cell cycle regulations (see, e.g., Dutertre M, et al, (2010) Cancer research 70(9): 3760-3770). Although the cellular context might be different in breast cancer and pancreatic cancer cells, potential phenotypic simulation of estrogen inhibition by QN523 in pancreatic cancer implies that the anti-proliferative activity of QN523 might involve estrogen- regulated genes. This result also supports evaluation of QN523 in estrogen dependent breast cancer models for validation and further characterization of the compound and putative therapeutic effects.

Example VIII.

The example pertains to the top genes regulated by QN523 treatment. While

bioinformatics studies of the differentially expressed gene lists provide information on functional regulation of the QN523 treatment, it is also important to identify cellular responders that correlate with QN523 activity and might contribute to its cytotoxicity. Such selected genes could serve as markers for mechanistic studies in vitro, and as pharmacodynamics markers for future in vivo applications. Robust and significant regulation by the treatment is required for potential biomarkers, so we chose the top genes regulated by QN523 as candidates. The top 20 genes up or downregulated by QN523 are reported here and further studied for their cellular function (Tables 5 and 6). Table 5. Top 20 genes upregulated by QN523 treatment

Table 6. Top 20 genes upregulated by QN523 treatment

Example IX.

This example demonstrates that QN523 induces transcription of stress responsive genes. The unfold protein response genes DDIT3 and HSPA5 are among the top 20 upregulated genes, where DDIT3 synthesis was increased by 10.7 fold and HSPA5 by 7.9 fold (Fig. 6). Induction of these two genes accounts for ER stress and activation of unfolded protein responses as revealed by IPA and DAVID analysis, and thus would serve as robust marker for stress signaling. GDF15 and ATF3 RNA synthesis was highly upregulated by QN523, with > 20 fold increase (Fig. 6). Interestingly, these two genes are also found to be stress-related (see, e.g., Hai T, Hartman MG (2001) Gene 273(1): 1-11 ; Vanhara P, Hampl A, Kozubik A, Soucek K (2012) Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases 15(4): 320-328), which correlates with the results from bioinformatics analysis.

GDF15/NAG-1 is a TGF-beta family member that can be induced by non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as sulindac sulfide. It is proposed to inhibit inflammatory cytokine production. Transgenic mice expressing human NAG-1/GDF15 (N4G-l^{T Lox}) are leaner with lower body weight and are resistant to chemically or genetically induced intestinal tumors (see, e.g., Kim JM, et al, (2013) Mediators of inflammation 2013: 641851). GDF15 is also identified as a p53 target gene and inhibits prostate carcinoma cell growth through TGF-beta signaling pathway (see, e.g., Tan M, Wang Y, Guan K, Sun Y (2000) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 97(1): 109-114). Induction of DNA damage and p53 overexpression triggers growth arrest and apoptosis in breast cancer cells through GDF15 expression (see, e.g., Li PX, Wong J, Ayed A, Ngo D, Brade AM, Arrowsmith C, et al. (2000) The Journal of biological chemistry 275(26): 20127-20135).

Importance of GDF15 for inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis has been well explored in the context of prostate cancer; however, its cellular receptor is still unknown (see, e.g., Vanhara P, Hampl A, Kozubik A, Soucek K (2012) Prostate cancer and prostatic diseases 15(4): 320-328). GDF15 expression is increased by TP A (10 ng/mL for 1.5-24h) in prostate cancer cell line LNCaP, and its induced expression could be abolished by pretreatment with PKC inhibitor (GF109230x) but not other kinase inhibitors. Forced expression of constitutively active PKC-alpha or PKC-theta could upregulate basal expression of GDF15 as well, suggesting PKC as a direct regulator of GDF15 expression in LNCaP. Inhibition of GDF15 expression by siRNA partially blocks the TP A induced apoptosis in LNCaP cells, further confirming GDF15 as an inducer of growth arrest/apoptosis (see, e.g., Shim M, Eling TE (2005) The Journal of biological chemistry 280(19): 18636-18642). In DU-145 cells, treatment with GDF15 also shows anti- tumor effect by inhibiting cell migration and inducing apoptosis (see, e.g., Liu T, et al, (2003) Cancer research 63(16): 5034-5040).

ATF3 is a member of the bZIP family transcription factor and recognized as a tumor suppressor (see, e.g., Hai T, Hartman MG (2001) Gene 273(1): 1-11). For anti-cancer effect of the folate antimetabolite pemetrexed in NSCLC, induction of ATF3 is necessary for NOXA- mediated apoptosis (see, e.g., Yan J, Zhong N, Liu G, Chen K, Liu X, Su L, et al. (2014) Cell death & disease 5: el316). GDF15 and ATF3 are co-induced by several compounds, including indole-3-carbinol, 5F-203 and sulindac (see, e.g., Bottone FG, Jr., Martinez JM, Collins JB, Afshari CA, Eling TE (2003) The Journal of biological chemistry 278(28): 25790-25801; Baek SJ, et al, (2004) Carcinogenesis 25(12): 2425-2432; Lee SH, et al, (2005) Biochemical and biophysical research communications 328(1): 63-69; Monks A, et al., (2003) Molecular pharmacology 63(3): 766-772). Possessing the C/EBP binding site at its promoter region, GDF15 transcription is activated upon association with C/ΕΒΡβ and ATF3 in HCT-116 model (see, e.g., Lee SH, Krisanapun C, Baek SJ (2010) Carcinogenesis 31(4): 719-728). The study on conjugated linoleic acid (CLA, 50 μΜ, 24 h) further revealed AKT/GSK3b/ATF3 dependent expression of GDF15 in colon cancer cells (HCT-116 and HT-29) in p53-independent manner as compared with all the above agents. Constitutively active β-catenin construct increased cyclin Dl promoter activity, but not GDF15 transcription. In this study, ATF3 expression precedes GDF15 expression as early as 3 hrs after treatment, and is responsible for GDF15 promoter activity (luciferase reporter construct) as confirmed by drug induced ATF3 and plasmid mediated overexpression of ATF3. siRNA of GDF15 can partially block CLA induced apoptosis (see, e.g., Lee SH, et al, (2006) Carcinogenesis 27(5): 972-981). Example X.

This example demonstrates that QN523 induces transcription of autophagy related genes. Interestingly, characterization of the up-regulated gene list revealed three autophagy related genes among the top 20 (Fig. 7). WIPI1, GABARAPL1 and MAP1LC3B are all reported as autophagy component proteins (see, e.g., Deretic V, Saitoh T, Akira S (2013) Nature reviews. Immunology 13(10): 722-737; Yang J, Carra S, Zhu WG, Kampinga HH (2013) International journal of biological sciences 9(10): 1121-1133). However, this functional group of genes was not identified by bioinformatics analysis, suggesting lack of autophagy characterization in the current bioinformatics databases. The concurrent induction of autophagic markers strongly suggests involvement of autophagy in QN523 cellular activity, and warrants further studies using these markers.

Autophagy is a cellular process for repositioning and recycling building blocks, representing a central component of the integrated stress response (see, e.g., Kroemer G, Marino G, Levine B (2010) Molecular cell 40(2): 280-293). It starts by forming double-layer-membrane vesicles from intracellular organelles like ER. Autophagy proteins accumulate on the vesicles and the vesicles (which can be detected by puncta formation by GFP-LC3B) are then fuse with lysosome to form autolysosome and trigger degradation and reuse of the vesicle contents. Protein levels of LC3B, the MAP1LC3B gene product, are often taken as a marker for autophagy activation. QN523 induced upregulation of MAP1LC3B, GABARAPL1 and WIPIl. In gene ontology, these genes fall into two major functional groups that are crucial for autophagy.

MAP1LC3A, MAP1LC3B, MAP1LC3C, GABARAP, GABARAPL1, and GABARAPL2 are yeast ATG8 orthologs, and WIPI (WD repeat protein interacting with phosphoinositides) family members including WIPI 1 , WIPI2, WDR45B and WDR45 are yeast ATG18 orthologs.

WIPIl was identified as a marker of autophagosome formation across a wide range of cell lines following thapsigargin and C2-ceramide treatment (see, e.g., Tsuyuki S, et al, (2014) Autophagy 10(3): 497-513). Thapsigargin and tunicamycin are ER stress inducers with similar temporal changes in expression profile of genes with unfolded protein response element (UPRE) and ER stress element (ERSE) (see, e.g., Dombroski BA, et al, (2010) American journal of human genetics 86(5): 719-729). In HeLa cells, 0.5 μΜ thapsigargin or 2 μg/mL tunicamycin treatment for 8h induced cellular stress including autophagy and ER stress by increasing cellular calcium ion concentration; and induced WIPIl mRNA transcription was associated with ER- stress related autophagy (see, e.g., Ogata M, et al, (2006) Molecular and cellular biology 26(24): 9220-9231; Sakaki K, Wu J, Kaufman RJ (2008) The Journal of biological chemistry 283(22): 15370-15380). As a sensitive marker for formation of autophagosome, WIPIl serves as the back up preparation for protein synthesis after autophagy, and is eventually degraded in the autolysosome (see, e.g., Tsuyuki S, et al, (2014) Autophagy 10(3): 497-513).

Interestingly, NSAIDs are also associated with activation of autophagy. Aspirin inhibits mTOR signaling in colorectal cancer cells by inhibiting S6Kl(p-Thr389), S6 (p-Ser235) and 4EBPl(p-Ser65) at 5 mM 8-16 h treatment, activated AMPK, and induces autophagy as shown with LC3B accumulation (see, e.g., Din FV, et al, (2012) Gastroenterology 142(7): 1504-1515 el 503). Sulindac sulfide induces autophagic death in gastric epithelial cells, where pretreatment with autophagy inhibitors 3-methyladenine and chloroquine inhibits autophagy as well as cell death associated with Sulindac treatment. Celecoxib (80-120 μΜ, 48 h) also induces both apoptosis and autophagy in HT-29 and HCT-116. However, inhibition of autophagy increases the celecoxib-induced apoptosis in this model (see, e.g., Huang S, Sinicrope FA (2010)

Autophagy 6(2): 256-269). These previous studies show that cellular stress induced by NSAIDs could trigger activation of the autophagy program, however, cell fate determination might be context or condition-dependent.

Example XI. This example describes proposed markers for cytotoxicity of QN523. Considering the similarity in stressed-associated transcription profiles of QN523 and NSAIDs, it was proposed that activation of stress signaling program and autophagy might be the major mechanisms for QN523 cytotoxicity. The four highly upregulated stress responsive genes HSPA5, DDIT3, ATF3 and GDF15, and the three autophagic markers WIPI1, GABARAPL1 and MAP1LC3B could serve as markers as well as potential drivers for QN523 anti-cancer activity. Their roles in cytotoxicity of QN523 warrant further investigation.

On the basis of cellular regulatory networks characterized with our preliminary data and studies mentioned above, a stress associated mechanistic model of QN523 (Fig. 8) was proposed, where QN523 triggers specific stress signaling pathways to activate autophagy, growth arrest and apoptosis. The application of signaling inhibitors and genetic modulators in validation process was investigated so as to understand the role of each cellular responder or pathway in the context of QN523 anti-cancer activity. Example XII.

This example describes the discovery of compounds showing similar activity with QN523. The similar transcriptional regulation on stress responsive genes and autophagy-related genes of QN523 and NSAIDs prompted investigation of whether there are other compounds that triggers similar transcriptional profiles as QN523. Identification of such compounds will not only help to understand QN523's mechanisms of action, but might also inspire positioning of this compound as chemical tool or treatment for diseases besides cancer.

Example XIII.

This example describes the use of NextBio analysis. Application of the NextBio database allows for discovery of compounds regulating the gene of interest. Here the top 20 compounds regulating expression of our seven marker genes HSPA5, DDIT3, ATF3, GDF15, WIPI1, GABARAPLl and MAP1LC3B (Tables 7 to 13) are reported. Distinct lists were obtained for each marker. A correlation score of 50 was used as selection criteria and compared the lists for different markers. While no compound up-regulated all markers at the same time, the liver X receptor non-steroidal agonist GW 3965 could concurrently upregulate HSPA5, DDIT3, ATF3, GDF15, WIPI1 and MAP1LC3B. The compound was reported to inhibit development of atherosclerosis in mice (see, e.g., Joseph SB, et al, (2002) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 99(11): 7604-7609) and reduce angiotentsin II- mediated vasopressor responses in rats (see, e.g., Leik CE. et al., (2007) British journal of pharmacology 151(4): 450-456). On the other hand, the natural steroid lactone withaferin A upregulates the six markers except HSPA5. Withaferin A displays anti -inflammatory and antitumor activity by inhibiting ΙΚΚβ and NF-κΒ activation (see, e.g., Kaileh M, et al, (2007) The Journal of biological chemistry 282(7): 4253-4264). It is also a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis (see. e.g.. Mohan R, et al., (2004) Angiogenesis 7(2): 1 15-122).

Table 7. Top 20 compounds affecting HSPA5 expression in NextBio

Table 8. Top 20 compounds affecting DDIT3 expression in NextBio

Table 9. Top 20 compounds affecting ATF3 expression in NextBio

Table 10. Top 20 compounds affecting GDF15 expression in NextBio

Table 11. Top 20 compounds affecting WIPI 1 expression in NextBio

Table 12. Top 20 compounds affecting GABARAPL1 expression in NextBio

Table 13. Top 20 compounds affecting MAP1LC3B expression in NextBio

Using GDF15 as a marker for stress target genes, DDIT3 for unfolded protein response, and WIPI1 for autophagy related signaling, there are 10 compounds concurrently activating these three pathways, but clear correlation in cellular functions of these compounds were not observed (Fig. 9A). For the lists of the four stress related genes, there are 6 compounds in common, namely niclosamide, loperamide, GW 3965, lasalocid, doxycycline and

homochlorocyclizine (Fig. 9B). For the three autophagy-related genes, withaferin A is the only compound that shows concurrent up-regulation.

Example XIV.

This examples describes the use of MAP analysis. Besides using the most highly regulated genes as key transcription signatures as described with NextBio analysis discussed above, comparison of the overall transcription profile serve as another approach to identify compounds with similar cellular activity. The up and downregulated gene lists were used to query the CMAP database for overall transcription profiles of in-house perturbagens. The top 20 perturbagens (compounds) correlating with QN523 transcription profile is reported here (Table 14). Five adrenergic or dopamine receptor antagonists were identified in the list. Although these compounds require systemic administration for their therapeutic benefits, similarity of transcription profiles with these compounds suggests potential correlation in mechanisms of action. Also two Hsp90 inhibitors geldanamycin and 17-AAG are identified as showing similar transcription profiles with QN523, suggesting the involvement of stress responses. Table 14. Top 20 compounds correlating with QN523 transcription profile in connectivity map

percent

rank cmap name mean n enrichment specificity note

non-null

1 pherioxybenzamitie 0.795 4 0.972 0 0.0891 100 A non-selective, irreversible alpha antagonist

2 puromycin 0.754 4 0.966 0 0.0393 100 An antibiotic that inhibits translation

3 GW-8510 -0.599 4 -0.946 0 0.0687 100 An inhibitor of cyclin kinase 2 (CDK2)

4 geldanamycin! C 619 15 0 83 A benzoquinone ansamyciii antibiotic that inhibits Hsp90!

5 thioridazine «¾:83: 0 0091 An antipsychotic binding D2. M1. alphal and 5-HT

6 15-delta prostaglandin J2 0.632 0.7 Selective PPARy agonist

trifluoperazine 059.4! 16 0.698 0 0048! 93! An antipsychotic binding D1. D2 and adrenergic receptors!

8 prochlorperazine 0i56!l! 16 0.619 0 0437! 87 A dopamine (D2) receptor antagonist

Si!itanesgimyein; C.484 0; β:βΖ5Βίίίί iSSSSSS

10 trichostatin A 0.464 182 0.518 0 0.2654 82 Selective inhibitor for class I and II HDAC

11 anisomycin 0.683 4 0.938 0.00002 0.0412 100 Inhibits peptidyl transferase or the 80S ribosome system

12 astemizole 0.798 5 0.923 0.00002 0.019 100 A histamine H1-receptor antagonist

13 gossypol 0.639 6 0.839 0.00002 0 100 Inhibitor for several dehydrogenase enzymes

14 thapsigargin 0.8 3 0.981 0.00004 0.0573 100 A non-competitive inhibitor of the sarco/ER Ca²* ATPase

15 valinomycin 0.661 4 0.925 0.00004 0.0174 100 A dodecadepsipeptide antibiotic

16 LY-294002 0.278 61 0.283 0.00004 0.3893 63 Inhibitor for PI3KS

!!l!7 ! !!fWphenazine 0.434 18 0.515 0.00006 0.0622 77

18 terfenadine 0.762 3 0.963 0.00008 0.0197 100 An antihistamine

19 pyrvinium 0.721 6 0.815 0.00008 0.0279 100 An anthelmintic effective for pinworms

20 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime -0.506 7 -0.763 0.00008 0.0047 85 BIO, a potent inibitor of GSK3a/3

Compounds identified by NextBio or CMAP do not show significant structural similarity with QN523 (Fig. 10). However, correlation of these compounds hints on potential mechanisms QN523 activity, and application of these compounds as tools for comparison might be a plausible approach to further characterize QN523 in different biological systems.

Example XV.

This example describes the validation of biomarkers GDF15, ATF3, DDIT3, HSPA5, WIPI1, GABARAPL1 and MAP1LC3B in pancreatic cancer cell lines. To validate the findings from bioinformatics analysis basing on Bru-seq experiments, the proposed biomarkers were further tested in pancreatic cancer cell lines. In MiaPaCa-2, dose dependent upregulation was observed in protein levels of the stress responsive genes HSPA5, DDIT3, ATF3 and GDF15 (Fig. 11), suggesting that the regulation in RNA synthesis was further translated into changes in protein levels, which are essential for actual functional regulations in the cancer cells. The stress responsive markers were also induced by Sulindac treatment, in agreement with literature in other cancer models mentioned above. However, the potency of Sulindac is much lower than that of QN523, with IC₅₀ of 300 μΜ in MiaPaCa-2.

Three select compounds from CMAP analysis were also tested. The adrenergic antagonist pheoxybenzamine was not cytotoxic in MiaPaCa-2 (IC5₀ > 30 μΜ), while the phenothiazine dopamine receptor antagonists thioridazine (IC5o = 12 μΜ) and prochlorperazine (IC5₀ = 17 uM) induced inhibition of cell proliferation. When tested at their IC5₀ values (except for non-cytotoxic phenoxybenzamine), the three compounds exhibits induction of the stress responsive markers. Among them, prochlorperazine showed most robust induction of GRP78 and CHOP.

Accumulation of autophagy -related markers WIPI1, GABARAPL1 and LC3B was also observed with QN523 and Sulindac in MiaPaCa-2 upon 72 h treatment (Fig. 12). Accumulation of these proteins indicated activation of autophagy in the protein level, hence validating the discovery by analysis of nascent RNA transcriptome. Among the three markers, WIPI1 showed the most significant dose-dependent induction by QN523 treatment. Significant induction of the protein was detected at concentrations as low as 0.25 μΜ.

Interestingly, the phenothiazine antipsychotic compounds thioridazine and

prochlorperazine displayed robust activation of autophagy at their IC5₀ values. Autophagy activation by the phenothiazine trifluoroperazine was identified in human glioblastoma cell line H4 through an image-based screening by detecting LC3-GFP accumulation on autophagosomal membrane (see, e.g., Zhang L, et al, (2007) Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 104(48): 19023-19028). These findings suggest a potential shared mechanism of autophagy induction by phenothiazines.

The induction of stress responses and autophagy at the protein level was successfully validated. Using Sulindac as a positive control for the proposed markers, the highly potent cellular activity of QN523 in MiaPaCa-2 was demonstrated. In addition, it was shown that the FDA-approved compounds identified by CMAP exhibited similar activation of cellular events with QN325. Collectively, such bioinformatics findings have so far demonstrated robust translation in the pancreatic cancer cell line MiaPaCa-2, supporting further evaluation of the hypothesis generated from the Bru-seq analysis.

Example XVI.

This example describes the materials and methods utilized in Examples I-XV. Compounds. For in vitro studies, compounds were dissolved in DMSO at 10 mM as stock solutions and stored at -20°C. For in vivo studies, QN523 was dissolved in a vehicle containing 5% DMSO, 35% propylene glycol and 60% saline, and administered at 100 uL through intraperitoneal injections.

Western blotting. In addition, primary antibodies for LC3B, survivin, cyclin Dl, Stat3 and phosphorylated Stat3 (Y705) are from Cell Signaling Technology.

Bioinformatics analysis. Bru-seq data from QN523 treatment (1 uM, 24 h) and vehicle controls in MiaPaCa-2 was processed by filtering for genes with RPKM > 0.5, gene size > 300bp. Expressed genes were then preranked according to fold change comparing to control and subjected to analysis.

For DAVID analysis, lists of genes upregulated or downregulated by at least 2 fold with QN523 were generated, and subjected to identification of common biological themes in each list. Top functional terms identified by DAVID are reported.

For NextBio analysis, the seven marker genes were searched independently for pharmaco atlas. The top 20 correlated compounds are reported. Compounds with correlation score higher than 50 in each list were subjected to comparison among lists of the seven markers.

For connectivity map analysis, same lists for DAVID analysis were used as a pair of description for QN523 treatment and queried the CMAP database. Top 20 enriched compounds are reported.

Example XVII.

This example describes synthesis techniques for generating compounds as disclosed herein.

Synthesis of Key Intermediates

-Nitro-quinolin-6-ol (NY- 1-31)

NY-1-31

6-Methoxy-8-nitro-quinoline (2.0 g) was dissolved in a mixed solution of 48% aq. HBr in HO Ac (v/v 3:2) and then the reaction was refluxed at 130 °C for 2 days. The mixture was cooled to rt and filtered to provide a yellow solid, which was then dispensed in sat. NaHC0₃ solution (aq.) for 1 h, filtered again and dried over Na₂S0₄ to afford the desired compound NY- 1-31 (1.38 g, 74 %) as a light yellow solid. ^ NMR ^OO MHz, DMSO-c¾) δ 10.80 (s, 1H), 8.78 (dd, J = 4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.35 (dd, J= 8.5, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.80 (d, J = 2.6 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (dd, J = 8.4, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (d, J = 2.6 Hz, 1H).

6-Methoxy-quinolin-8-ylamine ( Y- 1-33)

To a solution of 6-Methoxy-8-nitro-quinoline NY-1-31(204 mg) in ethyl acetate (EA) was added 10% Pd/C (40 mg). The mixture was hydrogenated with H₂ under a pressure of 1.5 psi for 2 h. The mixture was filtered through a plug of celite, and the filtrate was concentrated to give the crude amine NY- 1-33 (168 mg, 96%), which was directly used for the next step without further purification. ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.62 (dd, J= 4.2, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (dd, J= 8.3, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (dd, J= 8.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 6.60 (d, J = 2.6 Hz, 1H), 6.50 (d, J= 2.6 Hz, 1H), 5.01 (s, 2H), 3.90 (d, J= 0.6 Hz, 3H).

General Mitsunobu reaction procedure

To a solution of 8-nitro-quinolin-6-ol NY-1-31 (1.0 eq) and PPli₃ (1.8 eq) in THF (10 mL) was added the corresponding ethanol (1.8 eq) and DIAD (1.8 eq). The mixture was stirred at r.t. overnight. The mixture was partitioned between EtOAc (50 mL) and H₂0 (20 mL). The organic layer was washed with brine (10 mL) and dried over Na2SC>4, and concentrated to give the crude product. This residue was purified with silica gel column (Hexane/EtOAc) to obtain the corresponding alkylated product.

General hydrogenation procedure

To the solution of the corresponding alkylated product in MeOH was added 10% Pd/C. The mixture was hydrogenated with hydrogen under a pressure of 1.5 psi for 2 h. The mixture was filtered through a plug of celite, and the filtrate was concentrated to give the crude amine which was directly used for the next step without further purification.

6-(2-Morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy)-8-nitro-quinoline (NY-1-30)

The title compound was prepared by reaction of 8-nitro-quinolin-6-ol NY-1-31 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) and 2-morpholin-4-yl-ethanol (62 mg, 0.47 mmol) according to the described general Mitsunobu reaction procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 4: 1) afforded the desired compound NY-1-30 (64 mg, yield 81%) as a colorless oil. ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.92 (dd, J= 4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.13 (dd, J= 8.4, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.75 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (dd, J= 8.4, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 4.28 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 3.79 - 3.73 (m, 4H), 2.90 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.67 - 2.59 (m, 4H).

6-(2-Morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy)-quinolin-8-ylamine (NY- 1-36)

The title compound was prepared by reduction of NY-1-30 (64 mg, 0.21 mmol) according to the described general hydrogenation procedure to afford the crude amine (60 mg, approximately quantitative yield) as a red oil.

Fluoro-ethoxy)-8-nitro-quinoline (NY- 1-39)

The title compound was prepared by reaction of 8-nitro-quinolin-6-ol NY-1-31 (50 mg, 0.26 mmol) and 2-fluoro-ethanol (31 mg, 0.47 mmol) according to the general Mitsunobu reaction procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :3) afforded the desired compound NY-1-39 (47 mg, 76 %) as a pale yellow solid. ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.80 (dd, J= 4.3, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 8.09 (dd, J= 8.5, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.68 (d, J= 2.8 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J = 8.4, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.28 (d, J = 2.9 Hz, 1H), 4.91 - 4.82 (m, 1H), 4.75 - 4.67 (m, 1H), 4.44 - 4.34 (m, 1H), 4.33 - 4.26 (m, 1H).

6-(2-Fluoro-ethoxy)-quinolin-8-yl amine (NY- 1-41)

The title compound was prepared by reduction of NY-1-39 (47 mg, 0.20 mmol) according to the general hydrogenation procedure to afford the crude amine NY- 1-41 (38 mg, 93%) as a pale yellow solid. ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.63 (dd,J=4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.95 (dd,J= 8.3, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (dd, J= 8.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 6.64 (d, J= 2.5 Hz, 1H), 6.48 (d, J= 2.6 Hz, 1H), 5.04 (s, 2H), 4.92 - 4.85 (m, 1H), 4.77 - 4.69 (m, 1H), 4.40 - 4.31 (m, 1H), 4.30 - 4.22 (m, 1H). -Amino-quinolin-6-ol (NY- 1-40)

NY-1-29 NY-1-40

The title compound was prepared by the reduction of NY-1-29 (64 mg, 0.20 mmol) according to the general hydrogenated procedure to afford the crude amine NY-1-40 (56 mg, 85%) as a red oil. ^NMR^OO MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.60 (dd,J=4.2, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.91 (dd,J=8.4, 1.6Hz, 1H), 7.32 (dd,J=8.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (d, J= 2.5 Hz, 1H), 6.49 (d,J=2.6Hz, 1H), 5.12 (s, 1H), 1.69 (s, 1H).

NY-1-31 NY-1-45 NY-1-46 _Dj_methy,_

[2-(8-nitro-quinolin-6-yloxy)-ethyl] -amine (NY-1-45)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 8-nitro-quinolin-6-ol NY-1-31 (80 mg, 0.42 mmol) and 2-dimethylamino-ethanol (86 mg, 0.76 mmol) according to the general Mitsunobu reaction procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 4:1) afforded the desired compound NY-1-45 (88 mg, yield 81%) as a yellow oil. ^l NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.87 (dd,J=4.2, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (dd,J=8.4, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.73 (d,J=2.7Hz, 1H), 7.46 (dd, J = 8.4, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.29 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1H), 4.22 (t, J= 5.5 Hz, 2H), 2.81 (t, J= 5.5 Hz, 2H), 2.36 (s, 6H).

6-(2-Dimethylamino-ethoxy)-quinolin-8-ylamine (NY-1-46)

The title compound was prepared by the reduction of NY-1-45 (88 mg, 0.33 mmol) according to general hydrogenation procedure to afford the crude amine (69 mg, yield 88%) as a brown oil.

NY-1-31 NY-1-49 NY-1-50 [2-(8-

Nitro-quinolin-6-yloxy)-ethyl]carbamic acid tert-butyi ester (NY-1-49)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 8-nitro-quinolin-6-ol NY-1-31 (150 mg, 0.79 mmol) and (2-hydroxy-ethyl)carbamic acid fert-butyl ester (258 mg, 1.59 mmol) according to the general Mitsunobu reaction procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :2) afforded the desired compound NY-1-49 (255 mg, yield 97 %) as a light yellow oil. ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.91 (s, 1H), 8.13 (d, J= 8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (s, 1H), 7.50 (s, 1H), 7.29 (d, J = 4.1 Hz, 1H), 5.05 (s, 3H), 4.20 (t, J = 4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.62 (d, J= 5.0 Hz, 2H), 1.45 (s, 9H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 166.60, 155.10, 150.17, 134.94, 129.98, 123.06, 116.76, 110.20, 79.63, 43.18, 39.85, 28.36.

[2-(8-Aminoquinolin-6-yloxy)ethyl]carbamic acid feri-butyl ester (NY-1-50) The title compound was prepared by the reduction of NY-1-49 (210 mg, 0.63 mmol) according to the general hydrogenation procedure to afford the crude amine (225 mg, yield 96 %) as a yellow oil. ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.61 (s, 1H), 7.95 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (s, 1H), 6.59 (s, 1H), 6.47 (s, 1H), 5.01 (s, 3H), 4.12 (s, 2H), 3.58 (s, 2H).

4-[2-(8-Nitro-quinolin-6-yloxy)ethyl]piperidine-l-carboxylic acid feri-butyl ester (NY- 1-57)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 8-nitro-quinolin-6-ol NY-1-31 (150 mg, 0.79 mmol) and 4-(2 -hydroxyethyl)piperi dine- 1-carboxy lie acid fert-butyl ester (325 mg, 1.42 mmol) according to the general Mitsunobu reaction procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :2) afforded the desired compound NY-1-57 (300 mg, yield 95 %) as a yellow oil. ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.91 (dd, J = 3.8, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 8.13 (dd, J = 8.8, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.71 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 7.53 - 7.46 (m, 1H), 7.28 (q, J= 1.6 Hz, 1H), 4.23 - 4.07 (m, 4H), 2.74 (t, J= 13.0 Hz, 2H), 1.85 - 1.71 (m, 4H), 1.47 (s, 9H), 1.25 (m, 3H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz,

CDC1₃) 5 167.73, 155.48, 154.81, 149.99, 135.43, 134.78, 130.03, 122.98, 116.79, 110.05, 79.36, 66.56, 35.47, 32.95, 32.04, 28.46, 21.94.

4-[2-(8-Aminoquinolin-6-yloxy)ethyl]piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert-buty\ ester (NY- 1-58) The title compound was prepared by the reduction of NY- 1-57 (300 mg, 0.75 mmol) according to general hydrogenation procedure to afford the crude amine (350 mg, approximately quantitative yield) as a brown oil. ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 8.60 (t, J = 3.0 Hz, 1H), 7.97 - 7.90 (m, 1H), 7.36 - 7.30 (m, 1H), 6.58 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 1H), 6.47 (d, J = 2.6 Hz, 1H), 5.09 - 4.91 (m, 2H), 4.11 (m, 4H), 2.71 (m, 2H), 1.80 - 1.72 (m, 4H), 1.48 (s, 9H), 1.30 - 1.26 (m, 3H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 166.60, 158.13, 154.86, 145.08, 144.98, 135.37, 134.66, 129.86, 121.78, 101.83, 95.28, 79.26, 65.33, 35.73, 33.07, 32.10, 28.47, 21.94.

General Procedure for Amidation

To a solution of the corresponding acid (1.0 to 2.0 equiv) and amine (1.0 equiv) in CH2CI2 was added DIPEA (3.0 equiv). HBTU (2.0 equiv) was added at 0 °C. The resulting mixture was stirred at r.t. for 24 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with CH2CI2 and washed with water. The organic layer was separated and dried over anhydrous Na2SC>4. The solution was concentrated to give a crude product, which was purified with a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane) to obtain the desired product. -5-20)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 5-methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (69 mg, 0.5 mmol) and quinolin-6-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to general procedure.

Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 2: 1) afforded the desired compound (90 mg, yield 68%) as a pale brown solid (mp 206-207 °C). HPLC purity 99.8% (t_R = 16.97 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, OMSO-d₆) δ 10.99 (s, 1H), 9.21 (s, 1H), 8.82 (dd, 1H, J= 4.2 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.73 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H, J= 1.8 Hz), 8.32 (d, lH, J= 7.8 Hz), 8.19 (dd, 1H, J= 9.0 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.01 (d, lH, J = 9.0 Hz), 7.51 (dd, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz, J= 4.2 Hz), 2.65 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, DMSO-c¾) δ 162.3, 157.4, 149.5, 145.1, 143.1, 142.8, 142.2, 136.2, 135.7, 129.3, 128.1, 124.4, 121.8, 116.7, 21.5. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C15H1₃N4O 265.1084 (M + H)⁺, found

265.1047. 5-Methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid quinolin-5-ylamide (HJC-5-21)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 5-methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (69 mg, 0.5 mmol) and quinolin-5-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to the general procedure.

Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (95 mg, yield 72%) as a pale gray solid (mp 190-191 °C). HPLC purity 99.9% (t_R = 15.83 rnin). ^l NMR (600 MHz, OMSO-d₆) δ 10.99 (s, 1H), 9.18 (d, 1H, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.94 (dd, 1H, J= 4.2 Hz, J= 1.8 Hz), 8.76 (d, 1H, J= 0.6 Hz), 8.64 (d, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz), 7.97 (dd, 1H, J= 7.2 Hz, J = 1.8 Hz), 7.19-7.83 (m, 2H), 7.56 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 4.2 Hz), 2.67 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, DMSO-i¾) δ 162.8, 157.4, 150.6, 148.1, 143.0, 142.9, 142.1, 133.4, 131.8, 129.0, 127.2, 123.9, 123.2, 121.2, 21.5. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₅Hi₃N₄0 265.1084 (M + H)⁺, found 265.1083.

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 6-methylnicotinic acid (69 mg, 0.5 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (90 mg, yield 68%) as a pale gray solid (mp 128-129 °C). HPLC purity 99.9% (t_R = 19.88 rnin). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) 5 10.75 (s, 1H), 9.22 (d, lH, J= 2.4 Hz), 8.90 (dd, 1H, J = 7.2 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.84 (dd, lH, J= 7.2 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.26 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.20 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J = 1.8 Hz), 7.56-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.49 (dd, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz, J= 4.8 Hz), 7.33 (d, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz), 2.67 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 163.9, 162.3, 148.5, 148.2, 138.8, 136.6, 135.6, 134.4, 128.2, 128.1, 127.6, 123.4, 122.1, 122.0, 116.8, 24.8. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₆Hi₄N₃0

264.1131 (M + H)⁺, found 264.1181. C-5-23)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (62 mg, 0.5 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to general procedure. Purification by silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (88 mg, yield 70%) as a pale yellow solid (mp 189-190 °C). HPLC purity 99.4% (t_R = 19.83 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.06 (s, 1H), 9.57 (d, 1H, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.99 (dd, 1H, J= 6.6 Hz, J= 1.8 Hz), 8.95 (dd, lH, J= 4.2 Hz, J= 1.8 Hz), 8.82 (d, lH, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.75 (dd, 1H, J = 2.4 Hz, J = 1.8 Hz), 8.20 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J= 1.8 Hz), 7.59-7.64 (m, 2H), 7.50 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J= 4.2 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.4, 149.0, 147.5, 145.4, 144.8, 143.0, 139.4, 136.5, 134.1, 128.3, 127.5, 122.7, 121.9, 117.2. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C₁₄HnN₄0 251.0927 (M + H)⁺, found 251.0935.

The title compound was prepared by reaction of 6-bromonicotinic acid (101 mg, 0.5 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane/CH₂Cl₂ = 1 :3: 1) afforded the desired compound (50 mg, yield 31%) as a pale gray solid (mp 168-169 °C). HPLC purity 98.9% (t_R = 21.22 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 10.76 (s, 1H), 9.07 (d, 1H, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.85-8.88 (m, 2H), 8.21-8.23 (m, 2H), 7.68 (d, 1H, J = 3.6 Hz), 7.59- 7.63 (m, 2H), 7.51 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J= 4.2 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 162.7, 149.1, 148.7, 145.7, 138.8, 137.6, 136.7, 134.0, 130.3, 128.5, 128.1, 127.6, 122.6, 122.1, 117.0. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₅HiiBrN₃0 328.0080 (M + H)⁺, found 328.0091. -Bromopyridine-2-carboxylic acid quinolin-8-ylamide (HJC-5-29)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 5-bromopyridine-2-carboxylic acid (152 0.75 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane/CH₂Cl₂ = 1 :3: 1) afforded the desired compound (120 mg, yield 73%) as a pale yellow solid (mp 170-171 °C). HPLC purity 98.9% (t_R = 23.43 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 12.14 (s, 1H), 8.95-8.98 (m, 2H), 8.84 (d, 1H, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.24 (d, lH, J = 8.4 Hz), 8.19 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 1.8 Hz), 8.06 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J= 2.4 Hz), 7.57-7.62 (m, 2H), 7.49 (dd, 1H, J = 7.8 Hz, J= 3.6 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 162.1, 149.9, 149.2, 148.9, 140.3, 139.4, 136.4, 134.4, 128.3, 127.4, 124.3, 124.0, 122.4, 121.9, 117.0. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₅HnBrN₃0 328.0080 (M + H)⁺, found 328.0079. -Bromopyridine-2-carboxylic acid quinolin-8-ylamide (HJC-5-30)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 6-bromopyridine-2-carboxylic acid (152 mg, 0.75 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (125 mg, yield 76%) as a pale yellow solid (mp 135-136 °C). HPLC purity 99.1% (t_R = 22.96 min). ^l NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.05 (s, 1H), 8.94-8.98 (m, 2H), 8.30 (d, lH, J = 7.2 Hz), 8.18 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 7.78 (t, 1H, J= 7.8 Hz), 7.69 (d, 1H, J= 7.8 Hz), 7.56-7.61 (m, 2H), 7.49 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J= 4.2 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.3, 151.8, 149.0, 141.0, 139.9, 139.5, 136.3, 134.3, 131.1, 128.2, 127.3, 122.5, 121.9, 121.6, 117.1. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₅HnBrN₃0 328.0080 (M + H)⁺, found 328.0093.

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 6-fluoronicotinic acid (106 mg, 0.75 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :3) afforded the desired compound (70 mg, yield 52%) as a pale gray solid (mp 133-134 °C). HPLC purity 95.3% (t_R = 19.99 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 10.69 (s, 1H), 8.93 (d, 1H, J= 2.4 Hz), 8.81-8.85 (m, 2H), 8.44-8.47 (m, 1H), 8.17 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 1.8 Hz), 7.54-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.47 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 4.2 Hz), 7.08 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 165.3 (d, J = 242.6 Hz), 162.4, 148.6, 147.5 (d, J = 15.9 Hz), 140.9 (d, J = 8.9 Hz), 138.7, 136.6, 134.0, 129.2 (d, J = 4.5 Hz), 128.0, 127.4, 122.4, 122.0, 116.8, 110.0 (d, J = 37.4 Hz). HRMS (ESI) calcd for C15H11FN₃O 268.0881 (M + H)⁺, found 268.0882.

Pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid quinolin-8-ylamide (HJC-5-66).

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyridazine-3-carboxylic acid (62 mg, 0.5 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to the general procedure.

Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (100 mg, yield 80%) as a white solid (mp 181-182 °C). HPLC purity 98.8% (t_R = 19.24 rnin). ^XH

NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.47 (s, 1H), 9.38 (d, 1H, J = 4.2 Hz), 8.96-8.98 (m, 2H), 8.48 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.20 (d, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz), 7.75 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J = 4.8 Hz), 7.61- 7.62 (m, 2H), 7.50 (dd, 1H, J= 7.8 Hz, J = 4.8 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 160.8, 153.4, 152.9, 148.9, 139.3, 136.1, 134.1, 128.1, 127.7, 127.2, 125.8, 122.7, 121.9, 117.1. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C₁₄HnN₄0 251.0927 (M + H)⁺, found 251.0936. -5-67)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrimidine-2-carboxylic acid (62 mg, 0.5 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (72 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to the general procedure.

Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (90 mg, yield 72%) as a pale yellow solid (mp 213-214 °C). HPLC purity 98.8% (t_R = 18.17 min). ^l NMR (600 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 12.25 (s, 1H), 9.08 (dd, 1H, J= 4.8 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 9.03 (t, 1H, J = 4.8 Hz), 8.94 (dd, 1H, J= 4.2 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.20 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 7.58-7.64 (m, 2H), 7.48-7.52 (m, 2H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 160.3, 158.4, 157.9, 148.9, 139.3, 136.5, 134.3, 128.2, 127.6, 122.7, 122.6, 121.8, 117.5. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C₁₄HnN₄0

251.0927 (M + H)⁺, found 251.0927. lin-8-yl)amide (HJC-5-71)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 5-methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (25 mg, 0.18 mmol) and 5-bromoquinolin-8-ylamine (40 mg, 0.18 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :3) afforded the desired compound (40 mg, yield 65%) as a pale gray solid (mp 218-219 °C). HPLC purity 99.4% (fc = 23.74 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 11.98 (s, 1H), 9.41 (d, 1H, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.96 (dd, 1H, J= 3.6 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.87 (d, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz), 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.56 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J= 1.2 Hz), 7.87 (d, lH, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.60 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 4.8 Hz), 2.71 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 161.9, 157.5, 149.3, 143.8, 142.8, 142.4, 140.0, 136.1, 134.2, 131.0, 127.5, 122.9, 117.5, 115.3, 22.1. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₅Hi₂BrN₄0 343.0189 (M + H)⁺, found 343.0137. (HJC-5-72)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of quinoxaline-2-carboxylic acid (44 mg, 0.25 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (36 mg, 0.25 mmol) according to the general procedure.

Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :7) afforded the desired compound (45 mg, yield 60%) as a yellow solid (mp 190-191 °C). HPLC purity 97.8% (t_R = 23.18 min). ^l NMR (600 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 12.24 (s, 1H), 9.83 (s, 1H), 9.03 (dd, 1H, J= 7.8 Hz, J= 1.2 Hz), 9.00 (dd, 1H, J= 4.2 Hz, J= 1.2 Hz), 8.38-8.40 (m, 1H), 8.21-8.24 (m, 1H), 7.90-7.93 (m, 2H), 7.60-7.66 (m, 2H), 7.52 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J = 4.2 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.8, 149.0, 144.3, 144.1, 140.6, 139.5, 136.5, 134.3, 131.9, 131.0, 130.4, 129.6, 128.3, 127.5, 122.7, 121.9, 117.3. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C₁₈H₁₃N₄O 301.1084 (M + H)⁺, found 301.1069. e (HJC-5-73)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 5-chloropyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (40 m 0.25 mmol) and quinolin-8-ylamine (36 mg, 0.25 mmol) according to the general procedure.

Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :7) afforded the desired compound (50 mg, yield 70%) as a white solid (mp 186-187 °C). HPLC purity 99.8% (t_R = 22.03 min). ^l NMR (600 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 11.94 (s, 1H), 9.32 (d, 1H, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.96 (dd, 1H, J = 6.0 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.94 (dd, 1H, J= 4.2 Hz, J = 1.8 Hz), 8.73 (d, 1H, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.21 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J= 1.8 Hz), 7.60-7.63 (m, 2H), 7.51 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J= 4.2 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 160.5, 152.3, 149.0, 144.4, 143.6, 143.0, 139.3, 136.5, 133.9, 128.3, 127.4, 122.9, 122.0, 117.3. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₄Hi₀ClN₄O 285.0538 (M + H)⁺, found 285.0537. (HJC-6-18)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (37 mg, 0.3 mmol) and 5-bromoquinolin-8-ylaminene (56 mg, 0.25 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (50 mg, yield 61%) as a yellow solid (mp 215-216 °C). HPLC purity 96.7% (r_R = 22.86 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.04 (s, 1H), 9.56 (d, 1H, J= 0.6 Hz), 8.97 (dd, 1H, J= 4.2 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.88 (d, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz), 8.83 (d, lH, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.74 (dd, 1H, J = 2.4 Hz, J= 1.2 Hz), 8.56 (dd, 1H, J= 2.4 Hz, J= 1.2 Hz), 7.88 (d, lH, J = 9.0 Hz), 7.61 (dd, 1H, J = 9.0 Hz, J = 4.2 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.5, 149.4, 147.6, 145.1, 144.9, 143.1, 140.0, 136.1, 134.1, 131.0, 127.6, 123.0, 117.6, 115.5. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₄Hi₀BrN₄O 329.0032 (M + H)⁺, found 329.0051. -8-yl)amide (HJC-6-32)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 5-methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (38 mg, 0.28 mmol) and 2-methylquinolin-8-ylamine (36 mg, 0.25 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :3) afforded the desired compound (60 mg, yield 86%) as a pale yellow solid (mp 168-169 °C). HPLC purity 99.2% (t_R = 21.90 min). ^lH NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.04 (s, 1H), 9.42 (s, 1H), 8.94 (dd, 1H, J= 5.4 Hz, J= 3.6 Hz), 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.06 (d, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz), 7.53 (d, lH, J = 3.6 Hz), 7.35 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz), 2.82 (s, 3H), 2.70 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 161.8, 157.8, 157.2, 143.8, 142.9, 142.8, 138.7, 136.5, 133.7, 126.4, 126.3, 122.7, 122.2, 117.1, 25.6, 22.0. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₆Hi₅N₄0 279.1240 (M + H)⁺, found 279.1267.

Pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (2-methylquinolin-8-yl)amide (HJC-6-34)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (74 mg, 0.6 mmol) and 2-methylquinolin-8-ylamine (80 mg, 0.5 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (128 mg, yield 97%) as a pale yellow solid (mp 140-141 °C). HPLC purity 98.6% (t_R = 21.10 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.08 (s, 1H), 9.55 (s, 1H), 8.93-8.94 (m, 1H), 8.80 (d, 1H, J= 0.6 Hz), 8.71-8.72 (m, 1H), 8.05 (d, 1H, J= 3.6 Hz), 7.52 (d, 2H, J= 4.2 Hz), 7.34 (d, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz), 2.82 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.4, 157.8, 147.3, 145.5, 144.8, 143.0, 138.7, 136.5, 133.5, 126.3, 122.7, 122.4, 117.2, 25.6. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C15H1₃N4O

265.1084 (M + H)⁺, found 265.1083.

Pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (6-fluoro-quinolin-8-yl)amide (HJC-6-51)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (23 mg, 0.19 mmol) and 6-fluoroquinolin-8-ylamine (see, e.g., Gershon, H.; et al, Monatshefte fuer Chemie 2002, 133, 1437-1442) (20 mg, 0.12 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :3) afforded the desired compound (22 mg, yield 66%) as a white solid (mp 184-185 °C). HPLC purity 99.9% (t_R = 21.00 min). ^lH NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.07 (s, 1H), 9.56 (d, 1H, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.89 (dd, 1H, J = 4.2 Hz, J= 1.2 Hz), 8.83 (d, 1H, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.81 (dd, 1H, J= 10.8 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.75 (dd, 1H, J= 2.4 Hz, J= 1.8 Hz), 8.13 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 7.51 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 4.2 Hz), 7.20 (dd, 1H, J = 9.0 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 161.7, 161.6, 160.1, 148.0, 147.7, 144.9, 143.1, 136.6, 136.0, 128.8, 128.7, 122.8, 108.1 107.9, 105.5, 105.3. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₄Hi₀FN₄O 269.0833 (M + H)⁺, found 269.0842. 8-yl)amide (HJC-6-52)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 5-methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (26 mg, 0.19 mmol) and 6-fluoroquinolin-8-ylamine (20 mg, 0.12 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :3) afforded the desired compound (25 mg, yield 74%) as a yellow solid (mp 183-184 °C). HPLC purity 98.1% (t_R = 21.76 rnin). Ti NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.00 (s, 1H), 9.40 (d, 1H, J= 1.2 Hz), 8.87 (dd, 1H, J= 4.2 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.80 (dd, 1H, J = 5.4 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.58 (dd, 1H, J= 1.8 Hz, J= 0.6 Hz), 8.11 (dd, lH, J = 8.4 Hz, J= 1.8 Hz), 7.49 (dd, 1H, J= 7.8 Hz, J= 4.2 Hz), 7.17 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 2.4 Hz), 2.70 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 162.0, 161.8, 160.1, 157.7, 147.9, 143.8, 142.8, 142.2, 136.6, 136.0, 135.9, 135.8, 135.8, 128.7, 128.6, 122.8, 107.9, 107.7, 105.2, 105.1, 22.1. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₅Hi₂FN₄0 283.0990 (M + H)⁺, found 283.1000. de (HJC-6-55)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (74 mg, 0.6 mmol) and [l,7]naphthyridin-8-ylamine (44 mg, 0.3 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (60 mg, yield 80%) as a gray solid (mp 241-242 °C). HPLC purity 99.4% (t_R = 15.51 rnin). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 12.33 (s, 1H), 9.64 (s, 1H), 9.03 (dd, 1H, J= 4.2 Hz, J= 1.2 Hz), 8.87 (d, lH, J= 2.4 Hz), 8.77 (dd, 1H, J = 3.6 Hz, J = 1.2 Hz), 8.55 (d, lH, J= 5.4 Hz), 8.20 (d, 2H, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.70 (dd, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz, J = 4.2 Hz), 7.44 (d, 1H, J = 6.0 Hz), 2.67 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 160.3, 150.3, 149.9, 147.8, 145.4, 145.0, 142.9, 142.7, 135.3, 134.7, 131.8, 126.0, 115.9. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C1₃H1₀N5O 252.0880 (M + H)⁺, found 252.0889. )amide (HJC-6-58)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrimidine-2-carboxylic acid (62 mg, 0.5 mmol) and 6-fluoroquinolin-8-ylamine (40 mg, 0.25 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :3) afforded the desired compound (65 mg, yield 97%) as a white solid (mp 210-211 °C). HPLC purity 99.5% (t_R = 19.08 rnin). ^l NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.23 (s, 1H), 9.01-9.03 (m, 2H), 8.87 (d, 1H, J = 3.0 Hz), 8.85-8.86 (m, 1H), 8.09 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz, J = 1.8 Hz), 7.52 (t, lH, J = 4.8 Hz), 7.47 (dd, lH, J= 7.8 Hz, J= 4.2 Hz), 7.16 (dd, 1H, J = 9.0 Hz, J= 3.0 Hz). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.8, 160.4, 160.1, 157.9, 147.9, 136.4, 136.0, 135.9, 135.8, 135.8, 128.7, 128.6, 122.9, 122.7, 108.2, 107.9, 105.4, 105.3. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₄Hi₀FN₄O 269.0833 (M + H)⁺, found 269.0843. -quinolin-8-yl)amide (HJC-6-59)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (15 mg, 0.12 mmol) and 2-dimethylaminomethyl-quinolin-8-ylamine (see, e.g., Kim,Y. H.; et al, Bull. Korean Chem. Soc. 2005, 26, 47-50; Xue, G; et al, Tetrahedron 2001, 57, 7623-7628) (20 mg, 0.1 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 2: 1) afforded the desired compound (25 mg, yield 82%) as a white solid (mp 249-250 °C). HPLC purity 98.9% (t_R = 15.11 min). ^lH NMR (600 MHz, acetone-c¾) δ 11.89 (s, 1H), 9.44 (s, 1H), 9.00 (d, lH, J = 7.8 Hz), 8.97 (d, 1H, J= 1.8 Hz), 8.93 (d, 1H, J= 1.2 Hz), 8.58 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.75-7.84 (m, 3H), 5.15 (s, 2H), 3.58 (s, 6H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, acetone-c¾) δ 161.9, 151.2, 149.1, 145.5, 145.0, 144.3, 139.5, 138.6, 134.7, 128.9, 128.7, 123.6, 122.4, 118.4, 62.0, 45.5. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₇Hi₈N₅0 308.1506 (M + H)⁺, found 308.1549. Pyrimidine-2-carboxylic acid (2-methylquinolin-8-yl)amide (HJC-6-60)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrimidine-2-carboxylic acid (30 mg, 0.24 mmol) and 2-methylquinolin-8-ylamine (32 mg, 0.2 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 :3) afforded the desired compound (40 mg, yield 76%) as a pale yellow solid (mp 172-173 °C). HPLC purity 99.9% (t_R = 19.30 min). ^l NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.26 (s, 1H), 9.01-9.03 (m, 3H), 8.05 (d, 1H, J = 8.4 Hz), 7.51-7.55 (m, 2H), 7.49 (t, 1H, J = 5.4 Hz), 7.34 (d, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz), 2.82 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 160.3, 158.5, 157.8, 157.7, 138.6, 136.5, 133.7, 126.5, 126.3, 122.6, 122.5, 122.3, 117.4, 25.6. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C15H1₃N4O 265.1084 (M + H) , found 265.1093.

5-Meth lpyrazine-2-carbo olin-8-yl)amide (HJC-6-63)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 5-methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (82 mg, 0.6 mmol) and 6-methoxyquinolin-8-ylamine (35 mg, 0.2 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (50 mg, yield 85%) as a white solid (mp 213-214 °C). HPLC purity 99.8% (t_R = 21.25 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 11.94 (s, 1H), 8.76 (d, lH, J = 4.2 Hz), 8.70 (d, 1H, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.56 (s, 1H), 8.04 (d, 1H, J= 8.4 Hz), 7.41-7.43 (m, 1H), 6.85 (d, 1H, J= 2.4 Hz), 3.96 (s, 3H), 2.69 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.8, 158.5, 157.4, 146.3, 143.8, 142.8, 142.6, 135.9, 135.1, 135.0, 129.2, 122.3, 109.5, 100.7, 55.8, 22.1. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C1₆H15N4O 295.1190 (M + H)⁺, found 295.1199. (HJC-7-92)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (19 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 6-chloroquinolin-8-ylamine (18 mg, 0.10 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (25 mg, yield 89%) as a white solid. HPLC purity 99.2% (t_R = 21.82 min). ^XH NMR (600 MHz,

CDCI₃) δ 12.02 (s, 1H), 9.56 (d, J= 1.4 Hz, 1H), 9.01 (d, J= 2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.92 (dd, J= 4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.75 (dd, J= 2.4, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (dd, J= 8.3, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.58 (d, J= 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (dd, J= 8.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.4, 148.8, 147.6, 144.8, 144.8, 142.9, 137.7, 135.5, 135.0, 133.3, 128.5, 122.7, 121.0, 118.0. HRMS (ESI) calcd for

C14H1₀N4OCI 285.0543 (M + H)⁺, found 285.0534. iV-(6-Chloroquinolin-8-yl)-5-methylpyrazine-2-carboxamide (HJC-7-93)

The title compound was prepared by reaction of 5-methyl pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (21 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 6-chloroquinolin-8-ylamine (18 mg, 0.10 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (24 mg, yield 80%) as a white solid. HPLC purity 96.7% (r_R = 22.61 min). ^l NMR (600 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 11.95 (s, 1H), 9.41 (s, 1H), 9.00 (d, J= 2.1 Hz, 1H), 8.91 (dd, J = 4.2, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.09 (dd, J = 8.2, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.50 (dd, J = 8.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H). ¹ C NMR (150 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.82, 157.52, 148.75, 143.75, 142.72, 142.22, 137.74, 135.44, 135.22, 133.38, 128.56, 122.68, 120.81, 117.90, 21.97. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C15H12N4OCI 299.0700 (M + H)⁺, found 299.0692. ide (HJC-7-94)

The title compound was prepared by reaction of pyrimidine-2-carboxylic acid (20 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 6-chloroquinolin-8-ylamine (18 mg, 0.10 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (25 mg, yield 81%) as a white solid. HPLC purity 99.5% (t_R = 19.87 min). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) 5 12.26 (s, 1H), 9.09 (dd, J = 7.9, 3.5 Hz, 3H), 8.96 (d, J= 3.9 Hz, 1H), 8.14 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.61 (d, J = 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (dd, J= 10.0, 5.0 Hz, 2H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 158.12, 157.92, 157.23, 148.81, 135.61, 135.35, 132.65, 129.94, 123.66, 122.35, 114.90, 108.83. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₄Hi₀N₄OCl 285.0534 (M + H)⁺, found 285.0536. -(3-Methoxynaphthalen-l-yl)pyrazine-2-carboxamide (CTW-107)

CTW-107

DIPEA (129 mg, 1.0 mmol) was added dropwise with stirring to a solution of 3- methoxynaphthalen-1 -amine (25 mg, 0.14 mmol) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (74 mg, 0.6 mmol) at rt in CH2CI2 (3 mL). HBTU (227 mg, 0.6 mmol) was then added as a solid to the reaction mixture under an atmosphere of nitrogen at 0^°C and the reaction mixture was stirred at rt overnight. The crude reaction mixture was washed with water (10 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 χ 25 mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na2SC>4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. A silica gel column (hexane/ethyl acetate = 3 : 1, v/v) afforded CTW-107 (32.9 mg, yield 84%) as a white wax-like solid. HPLC purity 96.5% (t_R = 20.16 rnin). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.01 (s, 1H), 9.56 (d, 1H, J = 1.5 Hz), 8.82 (d, 1H, J = 2.4 Hz), 8.77 (dd, 1H, J = 4.5, 1.8 Hz), 8.74 (dd, 1H, J = 2.4, 1.5 Hz), 8.72 (d, 1H, J = 2.7 Hz), 8.07 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4, 1.5 Hz), 7.44 (dd, 1H, J = 8.1, 4.2 Hz), 6.88 (d, 1H, 3.0 Hz), 3.97 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.3, 158.3, 147.4, 146.2, 145.1, 144.7, 142.9, 135.7, 135.0,

134.8, 129.1, 122.2, 109.6, 100.8, 55.7. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C1₆H1₃N₃O2 (M + H)⁺ 281.1033; found 281.1036. iV-(3-Methoxynaphthalen- l-yl)pyrimidine-2-carboxamide (CTW- 113)

CTW-113

DIPEA (135 mg, 1.1 mmol) was added dropwise with stirring to a solution of 3- methoxynaphthalen-1 -amine (36 mg, 0.21 mmol) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (78 mg, 0.63 mmol) at rt in CH2CI2 (3 mL). HBTU (239 mg, 0.63 mmol) was then added as a solid to the reaction mixture under an atmosphere of nitrogen at 0^°C and the reaction mixture was stirred at rt overnight. The crude reaction mixture was washed with water (10 mL) and extracted with ethyl acetate (2 χ 25 mL). The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na2SC>4, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. A silica gel column (hexane/ethyl acetate = 3 : 1, v/v) afforded CTW-113 (32.9 mg, yield 84%) as a white wax-like solid. HPLC purity 99.5% (t_R =

18.55 rnin). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 12.01 (s, 1H), 9.14 (d, 2H, J = 5.1 Hz), 8.84 (dd, 1H, J = 4.2, 1.8 Hz), 8.57 (d, 1H, J = 2.7 Hz), 8.35 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4, 1.8 Hz), 7.82 (t, 1H, J = 5.1), 7.64 (dd, 1H, J = 8.4, 4.2 Hz), 7.19 (d, 1H, J = 2.7 Hz), 3.94 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 160.3, 158.7, 158.0, 157.4, 147.1, 136.0, 135.1, 135.0, 133.9, 129.5, 124.1, 123.3, 109.1, 101.1, 56.1. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C1₆H1₃N₃O2 (M + H)⁺ 281.1033; found 281.1035. de (NY0134)

The title compound was prepared by reaction of 6-methoxy-quinolin-8-ylamine (82 mg, 0.47 mmol) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (175 mg, 1.41 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/hexane = 2: 1) afforded the desired compound (87 mg, yield 67%) as a white solid. HPLC purity 96.0% (t_R = 19.96 min). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) 5 11.97 (s, 1H), 9.54 (d, J= 1.5 Hz, 1H), 8.81 (d, J= 2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.77 - 8.71 (m, 2H), 8.69 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (dd, J= 8.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (dd, J = 8.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 6.85 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 3.96 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.24, 158.29, 147.30, 146.13, 145.06, 144.62, 142.84, 135.66, 134.91, 134.80, 129.03, 122.15, 109.50, 100.71, 55.61. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C15H1₃N4O2 281.1033 (M + H)⁺, found 281.1027. l]-amide (NY0137)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 6-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy)-quinolin-8- ylamine NY-1-36 (45 mg, 0.16 mmol) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (25 mg, 0.20 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/MeOH/Et₃N = 50: 1:0.5) afforded the desired compound (40 mg, yield 65%) as a yellow solid. HPLC purity 96.4% (t_R = 21.33 min). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.00 (s, 1H), 9.55 (d, J= 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.86 - 8.71 (m, 4H), 8.05 (dd, J = 8.3, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J = 8.3, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 4.28 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 3.80 - 3.74 (m, 2H), 2.90 (t, J= 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.70 - 2.60 (m, 4H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 161.31, 157.38, 147.36, 146.27, 145.04, 144.64, 142.87, 135.71, 134.96, 134.85, 129.03, 122.21, 109.80, 101.56, 66.96, 66.43, 57.57, 54.18. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C2₀H22N5O₃ 380.1717 (M + H)⁺, found 380.1712.

5-Methyl-pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid [6-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy)-quinolin- 8-yl] -amide (NY0138)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 6-(2-morpholin-4-yl-ethoxy)-quinolin-8- ylamine NY-1-36 (40 mg, 0.16 mmol) and 5-methyl-pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (27 mg, 0.20 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column

(EtOAc/MeOH/Et₃N = 50: 1 :0.5) afforded the desired compound (35 mg, yield 62%) as a white solid. HPLC purity 97.1% (t_R = 22.23 min). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 11.95 (s, 1H), 9.42 (d, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.78 (dd, J = 4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.73 (d, J= 2.6 Hz, 1H), 8.59 (dd, J = 1.4, 0.6 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (dd, J= 8.3, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J= 8.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 6.88 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1H), 4.29 (t, J= 5.6 Hz, 2H), 3.82 - 3.74 (m, 4H), 2.91 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.71 (s, 3H), 2.69 - 2.61 (m, 4H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.70, 157.41, 157.24, 146.23, 143.61, 142.64, 142.38, 135.73, 135.03, 134.94, 129.03, 122.16, 109.65, 101.46, 66.96, 66.44, 57.58, 54.19, 21.92. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C21H24N5O₃ 394.1874 (M + H)⁺, found 394.1868.

NY-1-40 NY0142

Coupling of NY-1-40 (28 mg) with pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid in the presence of HBTU and DIPEA in DCM at rt produced NY0142 (20 mg, yield 45%) as a white solid. HPLC purity 96.8 % (t_R = 15.63 min). ^lH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 9.51 (d, J = 1.4 Hz, 1H), 8.90 - 8.84 (m, 2H), 8.78 (dd, J= 4.2, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 8.08 (dd, J = 8.4, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J = 8.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 7.08 (d, J = 2.4 Hz, 1H), 6.84 (d, J= 2.4 Hz, 1H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 148.10, 147.36, 146.78, 145.69, 144.64, 143.09, 135.93, 129.02, 122.17, 106.36, 103.96. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C14H11N4O2 267.0877 (M + H)⁺, found 267.0872.

Pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid [6-(2-fluoro-ethoxy)-quinolin-8-yl]-amide (NY0144)

The title compound was prepared by reaction of 6-(2-fluoro-ethoxy)-quinolin-8-yl amine NY-1- 41 (36 mg, 0.17 mmol) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (24 mg, 0.19 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/Hexane = 1:2) afforded the desired compound (52 mg, yield 96%) as ayellow solid. HPLC purity 96.5% (¾ = 19.78 min). 'H NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 11.99 (s, 1H), 9.55 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 1H), 8.82 (d, J= 2.5 Hz, 1H), 8.78 (dd, J= 4.2, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 8.77 - 8.72 (m, 2H), 8.05 (dd, J= 8.3, 1.6 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J = 8.3, 4.2 Hz, 1H), 6.89 (d, J = 2.7 Hz, 1H), 4.96 - 4.90 (m, 1H), 4.80 - 4.74 (m, 1H), 4.47 - 4.41 (m, 1H), 4.37 - 4.32 (m, 1H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.29, 157.04, 147.36, 146.47, 145.01, 144.65, 142.85, 135.77, 135.02, 128.92, 122.27, 109.40, 101.98, 82.91, 80.64, 67.60, 67.32. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C1₆H14FN4O2 313.1095 (M + H)⁺, found 313.1090. -yl]-amide (NY0147)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 6-(2-dimethylamino-ethoxy)-quinolin-8- ylamine NY-1-46 (33 mg, 0.14 mmol) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (21 mg, 0.17 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/MeOH/Et₃N = 100: 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (35 mg, yield 73%) as a yellow oil. HPLC purity 99.0 % (t_R = 15.60 min). ¾ NMR (300 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 11.98 (s, 1H), 9.54 (s, 1H), 8.81 (s, 1H), 8.75 (d, J= 9.2 Hz, 3H), 8.04 (d, J= 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.46 - 7.39 (m, 1H), 6.88 (s, 1H), 4.24 (t, J= 5.3 Hz, 2H), 2.84 (t, J= 5.3 Hz, 2H), 2.40 (s, 6H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 161.23, 157.47, 147.31, 146.20, 145.07, 144.63, 142.85, 134.96, 134.79, 129.02, 122.16, 109.82, 101.58, 66.59, 58.15, 45.97.HRMS (ESI) calcd for C1₈H2₀N5O2 338.1612 (M + H)⁺, found 338.1611. 5-Methyl-pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid [6-(2-dimethylamino-ethoxy)-quinolin- 8-yl] -amide (NY0148)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 6-(2-dimethylamino-ethoxy)-quinolin-8- ylamine NY-1-46 (33 mg, 0.14 mmol) and 5-methyl-pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (24 mg, 0.17 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column

(EtOAc/MeOH/Et₃N = 100: 1 : 1) afforded the desired compound (28 mg, yield 56%) as a white solid. HPLC purity 97.6 % (t_R = 16.28 min). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 11.94 (s, 1H), 9.42 (d, J= 2.1 Hz, 1H), 8.85 - 8.69 (m, 2H), 8.59 (s, 1H), 8.05 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.43 (dd, J = 8.2, 4.1 Hz, 1H), 6.89 (d, J= 2.7 Hz, 1H), 4.25 (td, J = 5.8, 1.9 Hz, 2H), 2.84 (td, J = 5.6, 1.8 Hz, 2H), 2.71 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 3H), 2.48 - 2.33 (m, 6H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.64, 157.53, 157.18, 146.16, 143.61, 142.62, 142.42, 135.71, 134.96, 129.03, 122.11, 109.68, 101.50, 66.65, 58.18, 46.00, 21.91. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C1₉H22N5O2 352.1768 (M + H)⁺, found 352.1765.

(2-{8-[(Pyrazine-2-carbonyl)amino]quinolin-6-yloxy}ethyl)carbamic acid feri-butyl ester

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of [2-(8-aminoquinolin-6-yloxy)ethyl]carbarnic acid fert-butyl ester NY-1-50 (75 mg, 0.25 mmol) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (77 mg, 0.62 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/Hexane = 1:2) afforded the desired compound (81 mg, yield 80%) as a yellow oil. HPLC purity 97.4 % (t_R = 16.28 min). ¾ NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 11.96 (s, 1H), 9.54 (s, 1H), 8.75 (m, 4H), 8.03 (d, J = 8.1 Hz, 1H), 7.48 - 7.36 (m, 1H), 6.83 (s, 1H), 5.21 (s, 1H), 4.17 (t, J= 5.3 Hz, 2H), 3.63 (t, J = 5.4 Hz, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.30, 157.17, 155.95, 147.36, 146.33, 145.00, 144.64, 142.86, 135.75, 134.99, 134.86, 128.97, 122.24, 109.77, 101.15, 79.56, 67.48, 40.04, 28.40. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C21H24N5O4 410.1823 (M + H)⁺, found 410.1822.

(2-{8-[(5-Methylpyrazine-2-carbonyl)amino]quinolin-6-yloxy}ethyl)carbamic acid tert-

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of [2-(8-amino-quinolin-6- yloxy)ethyl]carbamic acid tert-butyi ester NY-1-50 (75 mg, 0.25 mmol) and 5-methyl-pyrazine- 2-carboxylic acid (86 mg, 0.62 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/Hexane = 1 :2) afforded the desired compound (58 mg, yield 56 %) as a colorless oil. HPLC purity 95.1 % (t_R = 21.40 min). *H NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 11.91 (s, 1H), 9.39 (s, 1H), 8.76 (s, 1H), 8.67 (s, 1H), 8.57 (s, 1H), 8.03 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 5.19 (s, 1H), 4.24 - 4.09 (m, 2H), 3.69 - 3.56 (m, 2H), 2.70 (s, 3H), 1.47 (s, 9H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.69, 157.24, 157.19, 155.94, 146.28, 143.59, 142.63, 142.33, 135.77, 135.03,

134.97, 128.97, 122.19, 109.63, 101.03, 79.55, 67.47, 40.05, 28.39, 21.91. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C22H26N5O4 424.1979 (M + H)⁺, found 424.1978.

(2-{8-[(Pyrimidine-2-carbonyl)amino]quinolin-6-yloxy}ethyl)carbamic acid tert-butyi ester

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of [2-(8-aminoquinolin-6-yloxy)ethyl]carbarnic acid tert-butyi ester NY-1-50 (75 mg, 0.25 mmol) and pyrimidine-2-carboxylic acid (77 mg, 0.62 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/Hexane = 2: 1) afforded the desired compound (53 mg, yield 52 %) as a colorless oil. HPLC purity 95.4 % (¾_. = 19.63 min). ^lH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 12.17 (s, 1H), 9.04 (d, J = 2.5 Hz, 2H), 8.70 (d, J= 19.3 Hz, 2H), 7.99 (d, J= 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.53 (td, J= 4.6, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.45 - 7.36 (m, 1H), 6.79 (s, 1H), 5.29 (s, 1H), 4.23 - 4.10 (m, 2H), 3.70 - 3.53 (m, 2H), 1.46 (s, 9H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 160.36, 157.82, 157.16, 156.01, 146.27, 135.63, 134.97, 134.82, 128.90, 122.74, 122.17, 110.00, 101.14, 79.57, 67.49, 40.01, 28.40. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C21H24N5O4 410.1823 (M + H)⁺, found 410.1827. 4-(2- {8- [(Pyrazine-2-carbonyl)amino] quinolin-6-yloxy }ethyl)piperidine- 1-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester (NY0159)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 4-[2-(8-aminoquinolin-6- yloxy)ethyl]piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester NY-1-58 (100 mg, 0.33 mmol) and pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (81mg, 0.66 mmol) according to the general procedure. Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/Hexane = 2: 1) afforded the desired compound (110 mg, yield 78 %) as a light yellow oil. HPLC purity 97.3 % (t_R = 24.88 min). ^lH NMR (300 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 11.99 (s, 1H), 9.58 - 9.52 (m, 1H), 8.81 (s, 1H), 8.73 (t, J= 9.4 Hz, 3H), 8.03 (d, J = 7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.48 - 7.37 (m, 1H), 6.85 (s, 1H), 4.25 - 4.01 (m, 4H), 2.74 (t, J= 13.0 Hz, 2H), 1.74 (m, 5H), 1.46 (s, 9H), 1.31 - 1.15 (m, 2H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.30, 157.61, 154.84, 147.35, 146.14, 145.04, 144.61, 142.87, 135.62, 134.89, 134.79, 129.08, 122.18, 109.79, 101.31, 79.24, 65.65, 35.71, 32.92, 32.09, 28.47, 21.93. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C2₆H₃2N5O4 478.2449 (M + H)⁺, found 478.2447.

(2-{8-[(5-Methylpyrazine-2-carbonyl)amino]quinolin-6-yloxy}ethyl)carbamic acid tert- butyl ester (NY0160)

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 4-[2-(8-aminoquinolin-6- yloxy)ethyl]piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester NY-1-58 (100 mg, 0.33 mmol) and 5- methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid (91 mg, 0.66 mmol) according to the general procedure.

Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/Hexane = 1 :2) afforded the desired compound (101 mg, yield 77 %) as a light yellow oil. HPLC purity 96.4 % (t_R = 25.43 min). ^lH NMR (300 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 11.91 (s, 1H), 9.37 (s, 1H), 8.71 (d, J = 15.9 Hz, 2H), 8.55 (s, 1H), 8.01 (d, J= 8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.46 - 7.35 (m, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 4.11 (m, 4H), 2.80 - 2.76 (m, 2H), 2.67 (s, 3H), 1.75 (m, 5H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.30 - 1.19 (m, 2H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 161.66, 157.60, 157.20, 154.82, 146.07, 143.53, 142.61, 142.33, 135.60, 134.93, 134.84, 129.05, 122.11, 109.60, 101.17, 79.20, 65.63, 38.56, 35.70, 32.93, 32.08, 28.45, 21.88. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C27H34N5O4 492.2605 (M + H)⁺, found 492.2610.

4-(2-{8-[(Pyrimidine-2-carbonyl)amino]quinolin-6-yloxy}ethyl)piperidine-l-carboxylic acid

The title compound was prepared by the reaction of 4-[2-(8-aminoquinolin-6- yloxy)ethyl]piperidine-l-carboxylic acid tert-butyl ester NY-1-58 (100 mg, 0.33 mmol) and pyrimidine-2-carboxylic acid (81 mg, 0.66 mmol) according to the general procedure.

Purification by a silica gel column (EtOAc/Hexane = 2: 1) afforded the desired compound (98 mg, yield 76 %) as a light yellow oil. HPLC purity 97.0 % (t_R = 23.30 min). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CDCI₃) δ 12.17 (s, 1H), 9.04 - 8.92 (m, 2H), 8.72 (s, 2H), 8.00 (d, J= 8.2 Hz, 1H), 7.49 (t, J = 4.6 Hz, 1H), 6.82 (s, 1H), 4.20 - 3.98 (m, 4H), 2.69 (d, J= 12.7 Hz, 2H), 1.77 (m, 5H), 1.44 (s, 9H), 1.24 - 1.12 (m, 2H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CDC1₃) δ 160.21, 157.94, 157.83, 157.72, 157.62, 154.81, 146.09, 135.53, 134.91, 134.87, 129.02, 122.62, 122.12, 109.94, 101.35, 79.18, 65.69, 38.55, 35.64, 32.86, 32.05, 28.45. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C26H32N5O4 478.2454 (M + H)⁺, found 478.2456.

General Procedure for the Boc-deprotection;

To a solution of the responding Boc-protected compound in DCM (4 mL) was added TFA (1 mL) at 0 °C. The mixture was stirred at 0 °C for 2 hr. Part of the solvent was removed, and then the residue was adjusted to pH7~8 with sat. NaHCCb solution (aq.). The solid was filter and dried over anhydrous Na₂SC>4 to give the desired product without further purification.

Pyrazine-2-carboxylic acid [6-(2-aminoethoxy)quinolin-8-yl]amide (NY0154)

NY0151 NY0154

The title compound was prepared from NYO 151 (60 mg, 0.15 mmol) according to the general Boc-deprotection procedure and the desired compound (43 mg, yield 95 %) was obtained as a white solid. HPLC purity 97.4 % (t_R = 14.59 min). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD/D₂0) δ 9.27 (s, 1H), 8.85 (s, 1H), 8.74 (m, 2H), 8.45 (s, 1H), 8.28 - 8.16 (m, 1H), 7.54 (dd, J = 8.6, 4.3 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (s, 1H), 4.45 (d, J = 5.3 Hz, 2H), 3.54 (t, J = 5.2 Hz, 2H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz,

CD₃OD/D₂O) δ 166.60, 161.50, 156.05, 147.53, 146.97, 144.47, 143.81, 143.11, 135.51, 133.97, 129.05, 122.70, 109.28, 102.00, 64.30, 38.98. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₆Hi₆N₅0₂ 310.1299 (M + H)⁺, found 310.1300. -Methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid [6-(2-aminoethoxy)quinolin-8-yl] amide (NYO 156)

NY0152 NY0156

The title compound was prepared from NYO 152 (40 mg, 0.10 mmol) according to the general Boc-deprotection procedure and the desired compound (25 mg, yield 84 %) was obtained as a light pink solid. HPLC purity 96.0 % (t_R = 15.14 min). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD/D₂0) δ 9.07 (s, 1H), 8.73 (d, J = 3.5 Hz, 1H), 8.55 (s, 1H), 8.47 (s, 1H), 8.20 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.56 (d, J = 5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.09 (s, 1H), 4.42 (t, J = 4.6 Hz, 2H), 3.52 (d, J= 5.1 Hz, 2H), 2.63 (s, 3H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD/D₂O) δ 161.79, 157.84, 156.10, 146.92, 143.53, 141.96, 141.77, 135.38, 135.33, 134.16, 129.00, 122.64, 109.09, 101.71, 64.24, 38.88, 20.42. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci7Hi₈N₅0₂ 310.1299 (M + H)⁺, found 324.1457.

Pyrimidine-2-carboxylic acid [6-(2-aminoethoxy)quinolin-8-yl] amide (NY0162)

NY0153 NY0162

The title compound was prepared from Y0153 (21 mg, 0.05 mmol) according to the general Boc-deprotection procedure and the desired compound (13 mg, yield 83 %) was obtained as a yellow solid. HPLC purity 96.7 % (t_R = 13.93 min). ^lH NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD/D₂0) δ 9.03 (dt, J = 3.5, 1.8 Hz, 2H), 8.71 - 8.60 (m, 1H), 8.46 (t, J = 2.1 Hz, 1H), 8.12 (d, J= 8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.78 - 7.69 (m, 1H), 7.53 - 7.41 (m, 1H), 6.99 (s, 1H), 4.26 (t, J= 5.4 Hz, 2H), 3.30 (d, J = 5.4 Hz, 2H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD/D₂0) δ 160.56, 157.92, 157.05, 156.79, 146.56, 135.27, 135.12, 134.06, 129.22, 123.53, 122.47, 109.59, 101.72, 69.69, 40.30. HRMS (ESI) calcd for Ci₆Hi₆N₅0₂ 310.1299 (M + H)⁺, found 310.1305. xy)quinolin-8-yl] amide (NY0163)

NY0159 NY0163

The title compound was prepared from Y0159 (30 mg, 0.05 mmol) according to the general Boc-deprotection procedure and the desired compound (19 mg, yield 83 %) was obtained as a yellow solid. HPLC purity 97.3 % (t_R = 16.74 min). ^lH NMR (300 MHz, CD₃0D/CDC1₃) δ 9.37 (s, 1H), 8.82 (s, 1H), 8.76 (s, 1H), 8.68 (t, J= 3.3 Hz, 1H), 8.49 (s, 1H), 8.10 (d, J= 8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (dt, J = 8.1, 3.3 Hz, 1H), 6.93 (s, 1H), 4.14 (t, J= 4.2 Hz, 2H), 3.05 (d, J = 12.3 Hz, 2H), 2.61 (dd, J= 13.6, 10.9 Hz, 2H), 1.81 (d, J= 12.6 Hz, 5H), 1.29 (d, J = 13.8 Hz, 2H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD/CDCI₃) δ 161.25, 157.36, 147.35, 146.03, 144.85, 143.59, 143.33, 135.32, 134.88, 134.25, 129.20, 122.13, 109.57, 101.12, 78.20, 77.76, 77.33, 65.60, 45.76, 36.02, 33.02, 32.63. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C21H24N5O2 378.1925 (M + H)⁺, found 378.1922.

5-Methylpyrazine-2-carboxylic acid [6-(2-piperidin-4-yl-ethoxy)quinolin- 8-yl] amide

(NY0164)

NY0160 NY0164

The title compound was prepared from Y0160 (43 mg, 0.09 mmol) according to the general Boc-deprotection procedure and the desired compound (30 mg, yield 88 %) was obtained as a yellow solid. HPLC purity 97.1 % (t_R = 17.33 rnin). ^XH NMR (300 MHz, CD₃0D/CDC1₃) δ 9.13 (s, 1H), 8.65 (d, J= 3.6 Hz, 1H), 8.58 (s, 1H), 8.41 (d, J= 1.9 Hz, 1H), 8.08 (d, J = 8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.49 _ 7.40 (m, 1H), 6.89 (s, 1H), 4.12 (t, J = 5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.06 (d, J= 12.5 Hz, 2H), 2.72 - 2.55 (m, 5H), 1.80 (d, J= 13.6 Hz, 5H), 1.36 - 1.14 (m, 2H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD/CDCI₃) δ 161.56, 157.54, 157.25, 146.14, 143.32, 142.26, 142.09, 135.19, 134.98, 134.15, 129.15, 122.23, 109.48, 101.21, 78.18, 77.75, 77.31, 65.68, 45.59, 35.91, 32.87, 32.41, 20.58. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C22H2₆N5O2 392.2081 (M + H)⁺, found 392.2086. ethoxy)quinolin-8-yl] amide (NY0165)

NY0160 NY0165

The title compound was prepared from Y0161 (40 mg, 0.08 mmol) according to the general Boc-deprotection procedure and the desired compound (25 mg, yield 81 %) was obtained as a yellow solid. HPLC purity 97.0 % (t_R = 23.30 rnin). ^lH NMR (300 MHz, CD₃OD/CDCI₃/D₂O) δ 9.05 (d, J = 5.5 Hz, 2H), 8.70 (d, J= 3.8 Hz, 1H), 8.51 (d, J= 3.1 Hz, 1H), 8.11 (d, J= 8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.72 (t, J= 5.3 Hz, 1H), 7.47 (s, 1H), 6.93 (d, J = 3.1 Hz, 1H), 4.17 (d, J= 7.1 Hz, 2H), 3.23 (d, J = 12.4 Hz, 2H), 2.79 (t, J = 12.5 Hz, 2H), 1.98 - 1.77 (m, 5H), 1.40 (m, 2H). ¹ C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD/CDCI₃/D₂O) δ 160.47, 157.90, 157.15, 156.97, 146.37, 135.19, 135.12,

134.21, 129.20, 123.44, 122.35, 109.70, 101.56, 78.16, 77.73, 77.30, 65.64, 44.85, 35.39, 32.04, 30.74. HRMS (ESI) calcd for C21H24N5O2 378.1925 (M + H)⁺, found 378.1925.

Having now fully described the invention, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that the same can be performed within a wide and equivalent range of conditions, formulations, and other parameters without affecting the scope of the invention or any embodiment thereof. All patents, patent applications and publications cited herein are fully incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The entire disclosure of each of the patent documents and scientific articles referred to herein is incorporated by reference for all purposes.

EQUIVALENTS

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A compound having Formula I: ^R2 _ ^{N H} RI , including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, and/or prodrugs thereof; wherein Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to inhibit cancer cell growth.

2. The compound of Claim 1 , wherein Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to activate gene expression within the stress response pathway within cancer cells.

3. The compound of Claim 1 , wherein Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to activate gene expression within one or more of the following genes associated with the stress response pathway: GDF15, ATF3, DDIT3 and HSPA5.

4. The compound of Claim 1 , wherein Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to inhibit gene expression of genes known to inhibit autophagy within cancer cells.

5. The compound of Claim 1 , wherein Rl and R2 independently include any chemical moiety that permits the resulting compound to inhibit gene expression of one or more of the following genes known to inhibit autophagy within cancer cells: WIPI1, GABARAPLl , and MAP1LC3B.

6. The compound of Claim 1 , wherein the cancer cells are pancreatic cancer cells.

7. The com ound of Claim 1 , wherein Rl is selected from the group consisting of

8. The compound of Claim 7, wherein R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen (e.g., Chlorine, Bromine, Fluorine, etc.), methoxy (e.g., - OCH3), alkyl (e.g., methyl, ethyl, etc.), and hydroxy (e.g., OH).

9. The com ound of Claim 1 , wherein R2 is selected from the group consisting of

10. The compound of Claim 9, wherein R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen (e.g., Chlorine, Bromine, Fluorine, etc.), alkyl (e.g.,

108

111

112

113

114

115 pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, or prodrug thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Claim 1.

13. A method of treating, ameliorating, or preventing a hyperproliferative disease in a patient comprising administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of the pharmaceutical composition of Claim 12.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said hyperproliferative disease is cancer.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said cancer is pancreatic cancer.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein said patient is a human patient.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising administering to said patient one or more anticancer agents.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said anticancer agent is a chemotherapeutic agent.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said anticancer agent is radiation therapy.

20. A kit comprising a compound of Claim 1 and instructions for administering said compound to a patient having a hyperproliferative disease.

21. The kit of claim 20, wherein said hyperproliferative disease is cancer.

22. The kit of Claim 21 , wherein said cancer is pancreatic cancer.

23. The kit of claim 21, further comprising one or more anticancer agents.

24. The kit of claim 23, wherein said compound is to be administered together with one or more anticancer agents.