In humans, mammals, and perhaps all vertebrates, sphingolipids exist as a family of cellular signaling molecules and have been shown to be involved in a wide range of biological processes ranging from proliferation to apoptosis. As such, sphingolipid signaling has garnered the attention of numerous researchers as an attractive candidate for pharmacological manipulation. The synthetic pathway of one prominent sphingolipid, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), has been implicated in a variety of disease states such as cancer, sickle cell disease, multiple sclerosis, and renal fibrosis. Formation of S1P is facilitated from the ATP dependent phosphorylation of sphingosine (Sph) through its generative enzyme's sphingosine kinase 1 and 2 (SphK1 and SphK2). Inhibition of SphK1 and SphK2 results in the manipulation of S1P levels, which has been shown to be therapeutic in various animal models of disease. While there are multiple examples of potent SphK1-selective and dual SphK1/2 inhibitors, SphK2-selective inhibitors are scarce. Herein, we describe the design, synthesis and biological testing of SphK2-selective inhibitors. We first describe the discovery that introducing a trifluoromethyl group onto the internal aryl ring of our inhibitor scaffold led to superior selectivity and potency towards SphK2. We demonstrate that the trifluoromethyl moiety is interacting with a previously unknown side cavity in the substrate binding site of SphK2 that is unique and could be exploited in the design of SphK2-selective inhibitors. The synthesis of 21 derivatives with various substituents spanning off the internal aryl ring was completed, therefore characterizing the preferred size and chemical nature of moieties positioned in that portion of the binding site. This work led to the development of the most potent SphK2-selective inhibitor known at the time. We then describe the transformation of our SphK2-selective inhibitors into an orally bioavailable drug. We explain how the guanidine functionality on our inhibitor scaffold hinders our compounds from being orally bioavailable. Consequently, a library of 24 derivatives with various modifications to the guanidine functionality was synthesized and evaluated for improved orally bioavailability. Highlighted in this work is the development of the most potent SphK2-selective inhibitor currently known 3.14 (SLS1081832), which displays a hSphK2 Ki of 82 nM and 122-fold selectivity for SphK2. Chemical modification and in vivo assessment of 3.14 (SLS1081832) prodrugs was explored. / Doctor of Philosophy / In humans, sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a signaling molecule that is generated through an ATP dependent reaction of sphingosine (Sph) via sphingosine kinase 1 and 2 (SphK1 and SphK2). Furthermore, S1P has been shown to be implicated in various diseases such as cancer, sickle cell disease, multiple sclerosis, and renal fibrosis. Inhibition of SphK1 and SphK2 has been shown to be therapeutic towards the symptoms of these diseases. Therefore, in order to alleviate these disorders, the concentrations of S1P must be controlled through pharmacological inhibition of SphK1 and SphK2. There are multiple reported examples of potent SphK1-selective and dual SphK1/2 inhibitors; however, SphK2-selective inhibitors are scarce. This work describes the synthesis and biological assessment of 21 compounds for their effectiveness in selectively targeting and inhibiting SphK2. The work led to the discovery of a previously unrecognized side cavity in the binding pocket of SphK2 that enhances inhibitor potency and selectivity towards SphK2. Furthermore, studies characterizing the preferred size and chemical nature of moieties positioned in that portion of the binding site led to the development of the most potent SphK2- selective inhibitor known at the time. Building on this work, we next focused on the transformation of our SphK2-selective inhibitors into a drug that could be administered orally. We describe the synthesis of 24 compounds with various modifications to one portion of our scaffold and their effect on improved orally bioavailability. This work led to the development of the most potent SphK2-selective inhibitor currently known 3.14 (SLS1081832).

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) has a high mortality rate and its occurrence is rising. This increase prompts the need for improved CCA treatments. Studies have suggested that CCA is highly reliant on the sphingosine-1-phosphate-receptor-2 (S1PR2) and sphingosine kinase 2 (SphK2). Recently, a competitive SphK2 inhibitor, ABC294640, has been approved for clinical trial. ABC294640 has the potential to treat CCA, which is support by a phase I clinical study that was able to temporarily treat a patient suffering from metastasized CCA with ABC294640. To determine the viability of ABC294640 as a treatment for CCA, this study focused on determining the effects of ABC294640 on rat CCA cell lines. We found that ABC294640 inhibited the growth and migration of CCA and CAFs cells. The growth and count of 3-D organotypic co-culture of CCA and CAFs, which forms the “duct-like” structures, were reduced by ABC294640. The potential of inhibiting SphK2 as a treatment for CCA is supported by our finding of increased expression of S1PR2 and SphK2 in CCA patient liver samples. In conclusion, ABC294640 represents a potential therapeutic agent for CCA.