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Discovery of potential RAF selective back pocket as a promising biological site for BRAF inhibitors targeting resistant melanoma opens the door for a new generation of kinase inhibitors: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and in silico molecular simulation

Ammar, Usama; El-Din, Mahmoud Gamal; Abdel-Maksoud, Mohammed; Ali, Eslam; El-Gamal, Mohammed; Mahmoud, Zeyad; Ahn, Sunjoo; Nguyen, Nhung Hong; Kim, Eunkyoung; Jun, Park Su; Deug, Kim Young; Choi, Hong Seok; Lee, Kwan Hyi; Choi, Gahyeon; Oh, Chang-Hyun

Authors

Mahmoud Gamal El-Din

Mohammed Abdel-Maksoud

Eslam Ali

Mohammed El-Gamal

Zeyad Mahmoud

Sunjoo Ahn

Nhung Hong Nguyen

Eunkyoung Kim

Park Su Jun

Kim Young Deug

Hong Seok Choi

Kwan Hyi Lee

Gahyeon Choi

Chang-Hyun Oh



Abstract

Despite the approved combination of BRAFV600E and MEK inhibitors to treat drug-resistant melanoma, serious side effects associated with this combination have been reported, particularly referring to MEK inhibitors. In the current study, an isosteric drug design strategy and were applied leading to the discovery of KS16, a highly potent candidate with a developed pharmacokinetic profile. KS16 exhibited superior efficacy in inhibiting drug-resistant melanoma cell proliferation as a single agent. KS16 displayed a selective cytotoxic profile against melanoma cell lines over other types of cancer cell lines and inhibited RAF kinases over other protein kinases. It showed potent in vivo activity against melanoma-bearing animal models. In silico molecular docking revealed potential hydrophobic interactions with RAF selective back pocket. KS16 demonstrated improved microsomal stability, half-life, and bioavailability. It exhibited an improved safety profile over normal skin cell lines and hERG protein. Our ultimate future direction is to generate an advanced lead candidate.

Citation

Ammar, U., El-Din, M. G., Abdel-Maksoud, M., Ali, E., El-Gamal, M., Mahmoud, Z., Ahn, S., Nguyen, N. H., Kim, E., Jun, P. S., Deug, K. Y., Choi, H. S., Lee, K. H., Choi, G., & Oh, C.-H. (2025). Discovery of potential RAF selective back pocket as a promising biological site for BRAF inhibitors targeting resistant melanoma opens the door for a new generation of kinase inhibitors: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and in silico molecular simulation. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 320(Part 2), Article 145699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145699

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 30, 2025
Online Publication Date Jul 7, 2025
Publication Date 2025-08
Deposit Date Jul 8, 2025
Publicly Available Date Jul 8, 2025
Journal International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
Print ISSN 0141-8130
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 320
Issue Part 2
Article Number 145699
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.145699
Keywords BRAF kinase, Resistant melanoma, RAF back pocket, Drug design
This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-Being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

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Discovery of potential RAF selective back pocket as a promising biological site for BRAF inhibitors targeting resistant melanoma opens the door for a new generation of kinase inhibitors: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and in silico molecular si (7.7 Mb)
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Publisher Licence URL
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/








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