Abstract C145: ANS014004, a novel small-molecule type II c-Met inhibitor effectively overcomes clinical-resistance MET mutations and exhibits antitumor activity in preclinical models of MET-amplified non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and gastric cancer
Authors: Li Gong , Shi Hepeng , Zhang Peilong , Li Xiangqiu , Lan Wenli , Li Linna , Chung David , Schaab Kevin 
Published: December 2023

Mesenchymal epithelial transition (MET) proto-oncogene receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) is a cell surface receptor selective for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and is involved in embryogenesis regulation, wound healing, organ regeneration, angiogenesis, and immunomodulation. Aberrant MET oncogenic alterations include: MET exon 14 skipping (MET∆ex14) mutations; activating mutations in the kinase domain; MET gene amplification; MET fusions; and MET protein overexpression. These oncogenic alterations occur in a wide range of human solid cancers. Small-molecule type I c-Met inhibitors bind to the active (Asp-Phe-Gly “DFG-in” state) of c-Met within the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding pocket via the Y1230 residue, resulting in down-regulation of multiple pro-oncogenic downstream factors. Presently, type I c-Met inhibitors such as Capmatinib are used as monotherapies in patients with locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC with MET∆ex14 mutations. However, development of post-treatment resistance to type I c-Met inhibitors occurs clinically, including through acquired mutations in codons D1228 and Y1230. No drugs have been approved globally for MET alteration indications other than MET∆ex14 mutations. Next generation MET inhibitors are thus needed to treat patients harboring various MET oncogenic alterations beyond MET∆ex14, including post-treatment acquired mutations. ANS014004 is a newly developed small-molecule type II inhibitor of c-Met, binding to the inactive state of c-Met (“DFG-out”) in the ATP pocket. ANS014004 showed greater kinase inhibition activity against c-Met mutant kinases Y1230H and D1228A in vitro (IC50’s = 2.596 and 2.971 nM, respectively), when compared with Capmatinib, Cabozantinib, and Merestinib (IC50 values = &gt;5000, ~10, and ~5 nM respectively). Further, ANS014004 showed a stronger anti-proliferative effect in MET mutant Ba/F3 cells TPR-Met D1228A and TPR-Met-Y1230H in vitro (IC50’s = 49.34 nM and 30.32 nM, respectively), when compared with Capmatinib (IC50 values&gt;10000nM) and Merestinib (IC50 values: 37~100 nM). ANS014004 also showed potent antitumor effects in vitro in the human cancer tumor cell lines harboring various pathogenetic MET alterations: Hs-746T (gastric); MKN-45 (gastric); EBC-1 (NSCLC); NCI-H1993 (NSCLC); with IC50 ranging from 6.38~62.32 nM. In several subcutaneous xenograft tumor model studies using these same cell lines implanted in BALB/c nude mice, orally administered ANS014004 produced significant dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition, and the corresponding exposures of ANS014004 in plasma, tumor and brain samples increased with increasing dose. ANS0104001 was also observed to induce tumor regression in a MET-amplified intracranial xenograft model. Overall, the non-clinical studies of ANS014004 demonstrated it is a potent, orally-bioavailable type II c-Met inhibitor with activity against various pathogenetic MET alterations and with favorable absorption, distribution, pharmacokinetic, efficacy, and tolerability profiles in vivo. The molecule will enter a Phase 1 clinical study in the US soon.

Citation Format: Gong Li, Hepeng Shi, Peilong Zhang, Xiangqiu Li, Wenli Lan, Linna Li, David Chung, Kevin Schaab. ANS014004, a novel small-molecule type II c-Met inhibitor effectively overcomes clinical-resistance MET mutations and exhibits antitumor activity in preclinical models of MET-amplified non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and gastric cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2023 Oct 11-15; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2023;22(12 Suppl):Abstract nr C145.