Abstract A171: A potent and selective PI3K inhibitor, INK1117, targets human cancers harboring oncogenic PIK3CA mutations.
Authors: Jessen Katti , Kessler Linda , Kucharski Jeff , Guo Xin , Staunton Jocelyn , Janes Matthew , Elia Marikka , Banerjee Urmi , Lan Lucy , Wang Shunyou , Stewart Josh , Luzader Angelina , Darjania Levan , Li Liansheng , Chan Katrina , Martin Mike , Ren Pingda , Rommel Christian , Liu Yi 
Published: June 2012

Background: The PI3K pathway is one of the most frequently dysregulated pathways in human cancer. Activating mutations in the PIK3CA gene, encoding the p110 catalytic subunit of PI3K, have been identified as a major mechanism of inducing oncogenic PI3K signaling. The high frequency of PIK3CA mutations suggests that PI3K inhibitors may have therapeutic utility in genetically defined tumor populations. The discovery of isoform-selective PI3K inhibitors has proven to be difficult due to the highly homologous nature of all PI3K isoforms and structurally related kinases. PI3Kα-selective inhibitors may permit more potent inhibition of PI3Kα while minimizing side effects and permitting more alternatives for combination therapy relative to non-selective class I PI3K (pan-PI3K) pathway inhibitors, many of which have entered clinical development.

Results: Through structure-guided drug design we have discovered INK1117, a novel, potent and selective PI3K inhibitor with good oral bioavailability. INK1117 potently inhibits PI3K and demonstrates a greater than 100-fold selectivity relative to other class I PI3K family members and mTOR as well as a high degree of selectivity against a large panel of protein kinases. INK1117 blocks proliferation of tumor cell lines bearing PIK3CA mutations, and inhibits cellular phosphorylation and activity of AKT. However, INK1117 shows much less activity in PTEN-deficient tumor cells, which typically display constitutive PI3K pathway activation independent of PI3Kα. Daily, oral administration of INK1117 potently inhibits tumor growth in xenograft models bearing PIK3CA oncogenic mutations and, comparable to in vitro studies, INK1117 was not efficacious in tumor models with PTEN and/or KRAS mutations. In contrast to pan-PI3K inhibitors, INK1117 does not induce significant glucose elevation in glucose unchallenged or challenged rodents while levels of circulating Insulin is mildly elevated. The absence of hyperglycemia but presence of moderate hyperinsulinemia in mice treated with INK1117 is in line with results obtained using genetically engineered PI3K deficient mice. Additionally, INK1117 does not significantly impair B and T cell function in vitro and in vivo. INK1117 in combination with targeted agents such as lapatinib or trastuzumab, displayed enhanced activity both in vitro and in vivo. Our preclinical data show that PI3K isoform-selective kinase inhibitors as a single agent can provide comparable or superior efficacy than panPI3K inhibitors in tumors with PIK3CA mutation with better tolerability. The combination of PI3K inhibitors with other oncogene-targeted drugs revealed further improved anti-tumor efficacy.

Conclusion: Selective targeting of PI3K combined with companion diagnostic presents a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with PIK3CA mutated cancer types. INK1117 is a potent and orally efficacious PI3Kα-selective kinase inhibitor currently in phase 1 clinical development.

Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr A171.