Abstract

Inhibition of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) results in the degradation of oncoproteins that drive malignant progression and induce cell death, thus making HSP90 a potential target of cancer therapy. 6-Chloro-9-(4-methoxy-3, 5-dimethyl-pyridin-2-ylmethyl)-9H-purin-2-ylamine (BIIB021), a synthetic HSP90 inhibitor, exhibited promising antitumor activity in preclinical models. It is currently in phase II clinical trials for the oral treatment of breast cancer. The objective of this study was to obtain both quantitative and qualitative metabolic profiles of [¹⁴C]BIIB021 in rat, dog, and human liver microsomes and hepatocytes to provide support for in vivo safety and clinical studies. The metabolites of [¹⁴C]BIIB021 were identified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry coupled with radiometric detection. BIIB021 was extensively metabolized in both liver microsomes and hepatocytes. The major oxidative metabolic pathways identified for all species were due to hydroxylation (M7) and O-demethylation (M2) of the methoxy-dimethylpyridine moiety. The majority of M7 in dog hepatocytes was further conjugated to form the glucuronide (M4). Oxidative dechlorination (M6), monooxygenation (M10), and oxidative N-dealkylation of the methoxy-dimethylpyridine moiety (M11 and M12) were observed as the minor metabolic pathways in hepatocytes of all three species. A glutathione conjugate (M18) was also identified in all species. Its formation was catalyzed, in part, by soluble glutathione transferase via direct displacement of the chlorine on the amino-chloropurine moiety. Subsequent minor secondary metabolites M13, M14, M15, and M17 were observed in human, dog, and rat hepatocytes. Results from incubations of BIIB021 with human recombinant cytochrome P450 (P450) isoforms and a P450 antibody inhibition study in human liver microsomes suggested that the formation of M7 is mainly catalyzed by CYP2C19 and CYP3A4, whereas the formation of minor metabolite M2 in human liver microsomes probably could be attributed to CYP3A4.