CEP-5214

CEP-5214, derived from a new indenopyrrolocarbazole template, is a potent inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor R2 (VEGF-R2) tyrosine kinase. Structurally, it features optimal substitutions at positions 9 (ethoxymethyl) and 12 (hydroxypropyl) on the indeno[2,1-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole-5-one scaffold, leading to high potency against VEGF-R2 (IC50 8 nM). Compound 21 (CEP-5214) exhibits low-nanomolar inhibition of human VEGF-R tyrosine kinases (IC50 4 nM for VEGF-R2/KDR), with good selectivity over other kinases. The compound demonstrated significant cellular and in vivo antitumor activity across various models and advanced into phase I clinical trials as a water-soluble prodrug (CEP-7055) to enhance oral bioavailability[1].

[1]A New Class of Potent Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Structure-Activity Relationships for a Series of 9-Alkoxymethyl-12-(3-hydroxypropyl)indeno[2,1-a]pyrrolo[3,4-c]carbazole-5-ones and the Identification of CEP-5214 and Its Dimethylglycine Ester Prodrug Clinical Candidate CEP-7055