Abstract:
The unexpected expression of tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (TDO2) in cancer cells and tumors has been established. Methods for diagnosing cancer based on the expression of TDO2 are provided, as are methods for treating cancer and inhibiting the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting TDO2, as well as pharmaceutical compositions.
Abstract:
Compounds of formula (I), and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, in which each compound is adapted to occupy the binding site of human IDO, which comprises a large hydrophobic pocket A and a second, proximal hydrophobic pocket B, the compound comprising at least one of the following elements: (i) a large hydrophobic fragment to substantially fill pocket A in the binding site of human IDO; (ii) an atom that can coordinate to the heme iron of human IDO, (iii) a positively charged group that can form a salt-bridge with the heme 7-propionate of the human IDO; (iv) a negatively charged group that can form a salt-bridge with Arg231 of the human IDO; (v) a hydrophobic group that can form van der Waals interactions with pocket B; and (vi) one or more substituents that can hydrogen bond to Ser167 and to Gly262, and as IDO inhibitors and their therapeutic use, eg in the treatment of cancer.