BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to novel compounds which exhibit Rearranged during Transfection (RET) kinase inhibition, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds, processes for making the compounds, and the use of the compounds in therapy. More particularly, it relates to substituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine compounds useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases which can be treated with a RET kinase inhibitor, including RET-associated diseases and disorders.

RET is a single-pass transmembrane receptor belonging to the tyrosine kinase superfamily that is required for normal development, maturation and maintenance of several tissues and cell types (Mulligan, L. M.,Nature Reviews Cancer,2014, 14, 173-186). The extracellular portion of the RET kinase contains four calcium-dependent cadherin-like repeats involved in ligand binding and a juxtamembrane cysteine-rich region necessary for the correct folding of the RET extracellular domain, while the cytoplasmic portion of the receptor includes two tyrosine kinase subdomains.

RET signaling is mediated by the binding of a group of soluble proteins of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands (GFLs), which also includes neurturin (NTRN), artemin (ARTN) and persephin (PSPN) (Arighi et al.,Cytokine Growth Factor Rev.,2005, 16, 441-67). Unlike other receptor tyrosine kinases, RET does not directly bind to GFLs and requires an additional co-receptor: that is, one of four GDNF family receptor-α (GFRα) family members, which are tethered to the cell surface by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol linkage. GFLs and GFRα family members form binary complexes that in turn bind to RET and recruit it into cholesterol-rich membrane subdomains, which are known as lipid rafts, where RET signaling occurs.

Upon binding of the ligand-co-receptor complex, RET dimerization and autophosphorylation on intracellular tyrosine residues recruits adaptor and signaling proteins to stimulate multiple downstream pathways. Adaptor protein binding to these docking sites leads to activation of Ras-MAPK and PI3K-Akt/mTOR signaling pathways or to recruitment of the CBL family of ubiquitin ligases that functions in RET downregulation of the RET-mediated functions.

Aberrant RET expression and/or activity have been demonstrated in different cancers and in gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now been found that substituted pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine compounds are inhibitors of RET kinase, and are useful for treating diseases such as proliferative diseases such as cancers.

Accordingly, provided herein is a compound of the Formula I



and tautomers, stereoisomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof, wherein R1and R2are as defined herein.

Also provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, in admixture with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier.

Also provided herein is a method of inhibiting cell proliferation, in vitro or in vivo, the method comprising contacting a cell with an effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein.

Also provided herein is a method of treating a RET-associated disease or disorder in a patient in need of such treatment, the method comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein.

Also provided herein is a method of treating cancer and/or inhibiting metastasis associated with a particular cancer in a patient in need of such treatment, the method comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein.

Also provided herein is a method of treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and/or pain associated with IBS in a patient in need of such treatment, the method comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein.

Also provided is a method of providing supportive care to a cancer patient, including preventing or minimizing gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea, associated with treatment, including chemotherapeutic treatment, the method comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein.

Also provided herein is a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein for use in therapy.

Also provided herein is a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein for use in the treatment of cancer and/or inhibiting metastasis associated with a particular cancer.

Also provided herein is a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein for use in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pain associated with IBS.

Also provided is a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein for use providing supportive care to a cancer patient, including preventing or minimizing gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea, associated with treatment, including chemotherapeutic treatment.

Also provided herein is a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof for use in the inhibition of RET kinase activity.

Also provided herein is a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof or a pharmaceutical composition thereof as defined herein, for use in the treatment of a RET-associated disease or disorder.

Also provided herein is the use of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as defined herein in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of cancer and/or inhibiting metastasis associated with a particular cancer.

Also provided herein is the use of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as defined herein in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pain associated with IBS.

Also provided herein is the use of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as defined herein in the manufacture of a medicament for providing supportive care to a cancer patient, including preventing or minimizing gastrointestinal disorders, such as diarrhea, associated with treatment, including chemotherapeutic treatment.

Also provided herein is a use of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as defined herein in the manufacture of a medicament for the inhibition of RET kinase activity.

Also provided herein is the use of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, as defined herein, in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of a RET-associated disease or disorder.

Also provided herein is a method for treating cancer in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising (a) determining if the cancer is associated with a dysregulation of a RET gene, a RET kinase, or expression or activity or level of any of the same (e.g., a RET-associated cancer); and (b) if the cancer is determined to be associated with a dysregulation of a RET gene, a RET kinase, or expression or activity or level of any of the same (e.g., a RET-associated cancer), administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof.

Also provided herein is a pharmaceutical combination for treating cancer (e.g., a RET-associated cancer, such as a RET-associated cancer having one or more RET inhibitor resistance mutations) in a patient in need thereof, which comprises (a) a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, (b) an additional therapeutic agent, and (c) optionally at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the compound of Formula I or the pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof and the additional therapeutic are formulated as separate compositions or dosages for simultaneous, separate or sequential use for the treatment of cancer, wherein the amounts of the compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof and of the additional therapeutic agent are together effective in treating the cancer. Also provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a combination. Also provided herein is the use of such a combination for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of cancer. Also provided herein is a commercial package or product comprising such a combination as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use; and to a method of treatment of cancer a patient in need thereof.

Also provided herein is a method for reversing or preventing acquired resistance to an anticancer drug, comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, to a patient at risk for developing or having acquired resistance to an anticancer drug. In some embodiments, the patient is administered a dose of the anticancer drug (e.g., at substantially the same time as a dose of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof is administered to the patient).

Also provided herein is a method of delaying and/or preventing development of cancer resistant to an anticancer drug in an individual, comprising administering to the individual an effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, before, during, or after administration of an effective amount of the anticancer drug.

Also provided herein is a method of treating an individual with cancer who has an increased likelihood of developing resistance to an anticancer drug, comprising administering to the individual (a) an effective amount of a compound of Formula I before, during, or after administration of (b) an effective amount of the anticancer drug.

Also provided are methods of treating an individual with a RET-associated cancer that has one or more RET inhibitor resistance mutations that increase resistance of the cancer to a first RET inhibitor (e.g., one or more amino acid substitutions in the kinase domain (e.g., amino acid positions 700 to 1012 in a wildtype RET protein), a gatekeeper amino acid (e.g., amino acid position 804 in a wildtype RET protein), the P-loop (e.g., amino acid positions 730-737 in a wildtype RET protein), the X-DFG residue (e.g., amino acid position 891 in a wildtype RET protein), ATP cleft solvent front amino acids (e.g., amino acid positions 806-811 in a wildtype RET protein), the activation loop (e.g., amino acid positions 891-916 in a wildtype RET protein), the C-helix and loop preceeding the C-helix (e.g., amino acid positions 768-788 in a wildtype RET protein), and/or the ATP binding site (e.g., amino acid positions 730-733, 738, 756, 758, 804, 805, 807, 811, 881, and 892 in a wildtype RET protein) (e.g., a substitution at amino acid position 804, e.g., V804M, V804L, or V804E, or a substitution at amino acid position 810, e.g., G810S, G810R, G810C, G810A, G810V, and G810D, and/or one or more RET inhibitor resistance mutations listed in Tables 3 and 4), that include administering a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, before, during, or after administration of another anticancer drug (e.g., a second RET kinase inhibitor). See also J. Kooistra, G. K. Kanev, O. P. J. Van Linden, R. Leurs, I. J. P. De Esch, and C. De Graaf, “KLIFS: A structural kinase-ligand interaction database,”Nucleic Acids Res., vol.44, no. D1, pp. D365-D371, 2016; and O. P. J. Van Linden, A. J. Kooistra, R. Leurs, I. J. P. De Esch, and C. De Graaf, “KLIFS: A knowledge-based structural database to navigate kinase-ligand interaction space,”J. Med. Chem., vol. 57, no. 2, pp. 249-277, 2014, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. In some embodiments, a wildtype RET protein is the exemplary wildtype RET protein described herein.

Also provided are methods of treating an individual with a RET-associated cancer that include administering a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, before, during, or after administration of another anticancer drug (e.g., a first RET kinase inhibitor or another kinase inhibitor).

Also provided herein is a method for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a patient in need thereof, the method comprising (a) determining if the IBS is associated with a dysregulation of a RET gene, a RET kinase, or expression or activity or level of any of the same; and (b) if the IBS is determined to be associated with a dysregulation of a RET gene, a RET kinase, or expression or activity or level of any of the same, administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition thereof.

Also provided herein is a pharmaceutical combination for treating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in a patient in need thereof, which comprises administering (a) a compound of General Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, (b) an additional therapeutic agent, and (c) optionally at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, for simultaneous, separate or sequential use for the treatment of IBS, wherein the amounts of the compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof and of the additional therapeutic agent are together effective in treating the IBS. Also provided herein is a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a combination. Also provided herein is the use of such a combination for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment of the IBS. Also provided herein is a commercial package or product comprising such a combination as a combined preparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use; and to a method of treatment of the IBS a patient in need thereof.

Also provided herein is a process for preparing a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof.

Also provided herein is a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof obtained by a process of preparing the compound as defined herein.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Methods and materials are described herein for use in the present invention; other, suitable methods and materials known in the art can also be used. The materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. All publications, patent applications, patents, sequences, database entries, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and FIGURES, and from the claims.

