Abstract 603: BB5523, a multiple kinase inhibitor with HPK1, VEGFR2 and TNIK inhibition, enhanced antitumor immunity in tumor models
Authors: Duan Gongping , Li Min , Zhang Puyong , Hua Wei , Hao Enlun , Wang Shipeng , Ma Xiaoyi , Wang Junheng , Wei Lijie , Zhang Xingmin 
Published: March 2024

Introduction: Immuno-suppressive micro-environment and abnormal signaling pathways are crucial for the proliferation of tumor cells. Hematopoietic progenitor kinase 1 (HPK1) inhibitor plays important roles in activation of exhausted T cells and enhancement of anti-tumor immune responses. VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway is the central therapeutic target in anti-angiogenic treatment in multiple cancers. Traf2- and Nck-interacting kinase (TNIK) is a member of the germinal center kinase family, and is reported to be essential for Wnt signaling and colorectal cancer (CRC) proliferation and progression. Blockade of critical kinases in multiple signaling pathways inhibits the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of cancer cells. Therefore, intergradation of these functions in a small molecule serves as the next generation of immune-oncology small molecules for cancer therapy. Methods: BB5523 was developed through structure-based drug design, and optimized by SAR analysis and medicinal chemistry iteration. Biochemical assays and cell-base functional assays were applied in compound evaluation. Pharmacokinetic (PK) and preliminary toxicity studies were performed with mice. CDX and syngeneic tumor models in mice were conducted to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of BB5523 as a single agent. Results: BB5523 shows high inhibition potency on HPK1 with good selectivity against other TCR signaling-related kinases, such as FYN and ZAP70. Inhibition of HPK1 kinase activity (IC50 = 3.3 nM) by BB5523 strongly suppresses the phosphorylation of the downstream biomarker protein SLP-76 (IC50 = 30 nM); and boosts the IL-2 secretion in purified human T cells and human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. BB5523 also shows good activities on VEGFR2 (IC50 = 1.6 nM) and TNIK (IC50 = 0.7 nM) which are crucial for the proliferation of cancer cells. In in vitro experiments, BB5523 significantly inhibits the proliferation of various tumor cell lines at sub-micromolar concentrations. PK profile of BB5523 shows good oral bioavailability (F &gt; 80%). In preliminary safety evaluation, no abnormal symptoms were observed in mice dosed up to 100 mpk for 14 days. BB5523 showed significant tumor-growth inhibition efficacy in TE-8, JIMT-1, B16-F10 and MC38 tumor models. Conclusion: As a potent and oral available small molecule kinase inhibitor, BB5523 boosts anti-tumor immunity through HPK1 inhibition, while also blocking crucial signaling pathways in tumor micro-environment. BB5523 shows promising in vitro and in vivo efficacy with a well-tolerated safety profile. The preclinical study of BB5523 is in progress.

Citation Format: Gongping Duan, Min Li, Puyong Zhang, Wei Hua, Enlun Hao, Shipeng Wang, Xiaoyi Ma, Junheng Wang, Lijie Wei, Xingmin Zhang. BB5523, a multiple kinase inhibitor with HPK1, VEGFR2 and TNIK inhibition, enhanced antitumor immunity in tumor models [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 603.