Pharmacophore screening, molecular docking, ADMET prediction and MD simulations for identification of ALK and MEK potential dual inhibitors

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) fusion gene is a common driver gene in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and other related signaling pathways cause the proliferation of cancer cells. Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK, also known as MEK) is a member of the ALK-MAPK signaling cascade. Recent studies have found that the drug resistance in ALK-positive NSCLC is highly dependent on the activation of the MAPK pathway, and the combined inhibition of ALK and MEK can delay or even eliminate the resistance. In this work, dual ALK/MEK inhibitors were designed through computer-aided drug design (CADD). Ten million molecules from ZINC were screened through pharmacophore models, ADMET prediction and molecular docking. Finally, 35 hit compounds were obtained. Among them, compound 1 has the highest dual inhibitory potential. The results of molecular docking, ADMET prediction and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that compound 1 has good potential inhibitory ability to both ALK and MEK, and it also has good druggability. We further modified the structure of compound 1 , and two new compounds with significantly improved binding affinity were obtained. (c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The ALK fusion gene is a common driver gene in NSCLC, leading to cancer cell proliferation through MAPK and other signaling pathways. Drug resistance in ALK-positive NSCLC is highly dependent on MAPK pathway activation, which can be delayed by combined ALK and MEK inhibition. Dual ALK/MEK inhibitors were designed through CADD, resulting in compounds with potential inhibitory ability and druggability.