Background:

IC50: 0.4 nM for Pim-1, 5.0 nM for Pim-2, and 1.9 nM for Pim-3

Upregulation of Pim kinases has been observed in several types of leukemias and lymphomas. Pim-1, -2, and -3 promote cell proliferation and survival downstream of cytokine and growth factor signaling pathways. AZD1208 is a potent, highly selective, and orally available Pim kinase inhibitor.

In vitro: AZD1208 inhibited the growth of 5 of 14 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines tested. In MOLM-16 cells, AZD1208 also causes cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, accompanied by a dose-dependent reduction in phosphorylation of Bcl-2 antagonist of cell death [1].

In vivo: AZD1208 inhibits the growth of KG-1a and MOLM-16 xenograft tumors in vivo with a clear PK/PD relationship. Treatment with 10 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg of AZD1208 led to an 89% tumor growth inhibition or slight regression, respectively [1].

Clinical trials: AZD1208 is in Phase I trials evaluating the safety and tolerability profile and to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). There are two ongoing trials where AZD1208 has been orally administered in AML and solid tumor (of all types) patients

Reference:
[1] Keeton EK, McEachern K, Dillman KS, Palakurthi S, Cao Y, Grondine MR, Kaur S, Wang S, Chen Y, Wu A, Shen M, Gibbons FD, Lamb ML, Zheng X, Stone RM, Deangelo DJ, Platanias LC, Dakin LA, Chen H, Lyne PD, Huszar D.   AZD1208, a potent and selective pan-Pim kinase inhibitor, demonstrates efficacy in preclinical models of acute myeloid leukemia. Blood. 2014;123(6):905-13.