Phosphonamidates that are bcl family antagonists for use in clinical management of conditions caused or mediated by senescent cells and for treating cancer

Abstract

This disclosure provides compounds with Bcl inhibitory activity based on a new chemical scaffold, as shown in Formula (I): Phosphonamidate compounds disclosed herein typically include a P-phenyl phosphonamidate moiety which is substituted with an N-aryl or N-heteroaryl group. The P-phenyl phosphonamidate moiety may be optionally substituted at phosphorus with thio (═S) instead of oxo (═O), and/or with a thioxy group or a second amino group instead of an oxy group. One of the heteroatoms attached to phosphorus may be cyclically linked to the N-substituted nitrogen atom that is attached to the phosphorus to provide a heterocyclic ring. By incorporating such a cyclic constraint between two phosphorus substituents of the core linking moiety, a favorable binding conformation may be promoted in the compounds. Selected compounds promote apoptosis in senescent cells, and can be developed for treating senescent-related conditions, such as osteoarthritis, ophthalmic disease, pulmonary disease, and atherosclerosis. Selected compounds promote apoptosis in cancer cells, and can be developed as chemotherapeutic agents.