AZD 4017 is a potent, selective 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (11β-HSD1) inhibitor, with an IC50 of 7 nM.
AZD 4017 displays excellent selectivity versus the related enzymes 11-βHSD2, 17β-HSD1, 17β-HSD3 (all IC50>30 μM) and shows no measurable activity against the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors. Despite having high potency for the human form of 11β-HSD1, AZD 4017 shows much reduced activity across species with the exception of cynomolgous monkey (IC50=0.029 μM). Additionally, as it is believed that adipose is a key target organ, inhibition of 11β-HSD1 activity is measured in isolated human adipocytes from nondiabetic volunteers. AZD 4017 is shown to be a potent inhibitor in this key target tissue (IC50=0.002 μM) in good agreement with the enzyme potency, thus providing some confidence that AZD 4017 is not restricted from adipose tissue by the fact that it was acidic[1].
Since AZD 4017 has lower potency against the mouse enzyme, only a limited number of preclinical pharmacodynamic measurements are performed. Increasing the dose further led to a maximal effect of approximately 70% inhibition at 1500 mg/kg, equivalent to 10×IC50 in the mouse, demonstrating the dose dependent inhibition of 11β-HSD1 by AZD 4017 in this model[1].
[1]. Scott JS, et al. Discovery of a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable acidic 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) inhibitor: discovery of 2-[(3S)-1-[5-(cyclohexylcarbamoyl)-6-propylsulfanylpyridin-2-yl]-3-piperidyl]acetic acid (AZD4017). J Med Chem. 2012 Jun 28;55(12):5951-64.