Syndrome (ARS), including a lethal myelosuppression due to the sensitivity of proliferating hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) to ionizing radiation (IR). No effective therapy exists to mitigate the hematologic toxicities of TBI. Herein G-Zero Therapeutics seeks to further the proprietary development of small molecule inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and CDK6 which have recently been demonstrated to ameliorate ARS and rescue survival of mice after lethal-dose TBI. CDK4/6 inhibitors induce selective cellular quiescence increasing radioresistance of human cell lines in vitro and mice in vivo. Treatment of wild-type mice with CDK4/6 inhibitors induces reversible pharmacological quiescence (PQ) of early HSPCs but not most other cycling cells in the bone marrow or other tissues. Selective PQ of HSPCs decreases the hematopoietic toxicity of TBI, even when administered well after TBI. These results demonstrate an effective method to mitigate the hematopoietic toxicity of IR in mammals. In this proposal, we seek to optimize DMPK of G-Zero's CDK4/6 small molecule inhibitors to ensure sufficient pharmacokinetic (PK) properties (T1/2 >4hrs, oral bioavailability >40%, and an attainable peak serum concentration at least 10 fold higher than its in vitro IC50). Evaluation of inhibitors for acute induction of PQ (a 4-fold or greater increase in the frequency of HSPC in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle at 24 hours post-gavage without increased cell death) will serve as a pharmacodynamic (PD) marker for in vivo efficacy. Using compounds that pass these PK and PD screens, non-GLP rodent efficacy studies will be assessed using survival and protection of blood cell counts when administered post-IR. The successful candidate will be formulated, tested for stability and manufactured under GMP conditions. This proposal will identify a commercially valuable lead candidate to provide IND-enabling preclinical animal data in support of G- Zero's capability to provide an effective radiomitigant: a simple and non-toxic pill that will enhance survival when taken up to 24 hours after lethal doses of TBI

Public Health Relevance

Exposure to significant levels of total body irradiation (TBI) induces a lethal acute radiation syndrome (ARS). No effective therapy exists to mitigate the hematologic toxicities of TBI. Herein G-Zero Therapeutics seeks to further the proprietary development of drugs which have recently been demonstrated to ameliorate ARS and rescue survival after lethal-dose TBI. This proposal will identify a commercially valuable lead candidate to provide IND-enabling preclinical animal data in support of G-Zero's capability to provide an effective therapeutic for hematologic radiation toxicity: a simple and non-toxic pill that will enhance survival when taken up to 24 hours after lethal dose TBI.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
2R44AI084284-03
Application #
8205467
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-OTC-R (11))
Program Officer
Prograis, Lawrence J
Project Start
2009-09-21
Project End
2014-06-30
Budget Start
2011-09-21
Budget End
2012-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$1,000,000
Indirect Cost
Name
G1 Therapeutics, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
828732813
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
Bisi, John E; Sorrentino, Jessica A; Roberts, Patrick J et al. (2016) Preclinical Characterization of G1T28: A Novel CDK4/6 Inhibitor for Reduction of Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression. Mol Cancer Ther 15:783-93