Optimization of a 5-oxopyrrolopyridine series based upon structure-activity relationships (SARs) developed from our previous efforts on a number of related bicyclic series yielded compound 2s (BMS-767778) with an overall activity, selectivity, efficacy, PK, and developability profile suitable for progression into the clinic. SAR in the series and characterization of 2s are described.
        
Title: Presence or absence of at least one epsilon 4 allele and gender are not predictive for the response to donepezil treatment in Alzheimer's disease Rigaud AS, Traykov L, Latour F, Couderc R, Moulin F, Forette F Ref: Pharmacogenetics, 12:415, 2002 : PubMed
The objective was to evaluate the effects of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype and gender on the response to donepezil treatment in Alzheimer's disease. ApoE genotyping was performed on 117 patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease who were included in a 36-week open label trial of donepezil therapy. Of these 117 patients, who constituted the intent-to-treat population (ITT), 80 completed the trial, and constituted the evaluable population. Patients were treated blindly in relation to ApoE genotype. Outcome measures were Alzheimer's disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Component (ADAS-Cog), the Mini Mental State Examination, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, and the Caregiver-rated Clinical Global Impression of Change. ITT analysis did not reveal significant differences between the responses of epsilon 4- and epsilon 4+ carriers according to the ADAS-Cog (P = 0.28). No differences were found either between the responses of men and women (P = 0.81), and there was no significant interaction between genotype and gender (P = 0.09). Other outcome measures all exhibited similar patterns of change to those seen using the ADAS-Cog. Consequently, these results do not support the hypothesis that the ApoE phenotype and gender are predictors of the response to donepezil in Alzheimer's disease patients.
The objective of our study was to evaluate the effects of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) phenotype and gender on the response to tacrine treatment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). ApoE phenotyping was performed on 76 patients treated with tacrine for AD. This group comprised 33 ApoE epsilon4 allele carriers (epsilon4+) and 43 non-epsilon4 carriers (epsilon4-). Patients were treated blindly in relation to the ApoE phenotype, with incremental tacrine dosages ranging from 40 mg/day up to the highest dosage (160 mg) tolerated without side-effects. At least 6 weeks elapsed between each increase. Changes in the scores for the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Component (ADAS-Cog) between baseline and each increment in dosage were assessed in the epsilon4- and epsilon4+ groups. The cut-off point for being considered as responsive to tacrine treatment was a 4-point decrease in the ADAS-Cog score. There was no tendency for the epsilon4- carriers to respond better than the epsilon4+ carriers. When patients were stratified by gender, no differences were found between the effects of the treatment on men and women. Consequently, these results do not support the hypothesis that the ApoE phenotype and gender are predictors of the response to tacrine in AD patients.