COMBINATIONS OF MEK INHIBITORS WITH CAP-DEPENDENT ENDONUCLEASE INHIBITORS

Abstract

The present invention relates to MEK inhibitors that are capable of displaying one or more beneficial therapeutic effects. The MEK inhibitors can be used in the prevention and/or treatment of viral infection. MEK inhibitors in combination with a cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor are capable of displaying one or more beneficial therapeutic effects in the treatment of viral diseases.

Claims

1. MEK inhibitor for the use in the treatment or prevention of a viral infection in combination with a cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor.

2. The MEK inhibitor for the use of claim 1, wherein the MEK inhibitor is selected from the group consisting of CI-1040, PD-0184264 GSK-1120212, GDC-0973, PLX-4032, AZD6244, AZD8330, AS-703026, RDEA-119, RO-5126766, RO-4987655, PD-0325901, TAK-733, AS703026, PD98059 and PD184352 or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or metabolite thereof.

3. The MEK inhibitor for the use of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor is Baloxavir marboxil.

4. The MEK inhibitor for the use of claim 3, wherein the MEK inhibitor is CI-1040 or PD-0184264.

5. The MEK inhibitor for the use of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the viral infection is an infection caused by a negative RNA strand virus.

6. The MEK inhibitor for the use of to claim 5, wherein the virus is influenza virus.

7. The MEK inhibitor for the use of claim 5, wherein the influenza virus is influenza A virus or influenza B virus.

8. The MEK inhibitor for the use of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the MEK inhibitor is administered contemporaneously, previously or subsequently to the cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor.

9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a MEK inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or metabolite thereof and a cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor for use as a medicament.

10. The pharmaceutical composition for the use of claim 9 wherein the MEK inhibitor is selected from CI-1040, PD-0184264, GSK-1120212, GDC-0973, PLX-4032, AZD6244, AZD8330, AS-703026, RDEA-119, RO-5126766, R04987655, PD-0325901, TAK-733, AS703026, PD98059 and PD184352, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or metabolite thereof.

11. The pharmaceutical composition for the use of claim 9 or 10 wherein the cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor is Baloxavir marboxil.

12. The pharmaceutical composition for the use of claim 11, wherein the MEK inhibitor is CI-1040 or PD-0184264.

13. The pharmaceutical composition as defined in any one of claims 9 to 12 for the use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a viral infection.

14. The pharmaceutical composition for the use claim 13 wherein the viral infection is an infection caused by a negative RNA strand virus.

15. The pharmaceutical composition for the use claim 14, wherein the virus is influenza virus, preferably an influenza A virus or influenza B virus.

Description

FIGURES

[0015] FIG. 1 shows the antiviral activity of Oseltamivir and CI-1040 in comparison to a mock control against influenza virus H1N1 wildtype (white) and H1N1-H275Y (grey).

[0016] FIGS. 2a-b show the antiviral activity of Oseltamivir and Baloxavir marboxil in comparison to a mock control against influenza viruses H1N1 WT (white) and H11-PA-I38T (grey) as well as H3N2-WT (white) and H3N2-PA-I38T (grey).

[0017] FIGS. 3a-d show the synergistic effect between ATR002 and Baloxavir marboxil. Combinations of MEK inhibitor (ATR002) with Baloxavir marboxil (BLXM) were tested in 4×4 matrix (D) and all values normalized to Mock-infected control (DMSO). Contour and surface plots were generated by Combenefit upon processing data using three different synergy models: A) HAS; B) Bliss and C) Loewe. Areas with synergy scores above 25 are marked.

[0018] FIG. 4a shows the synergy/antagonism plotted as the Log (CI) on the y-axis versus the Fraction affected (Fa) on the x-axis.

[0019] FIG. 4b shows the Drug Reduction Index (DRI) of Baloxavir marboxil (BLXM) and ATR002 against influenza virus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed inventions, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0021] “MEK inhibitors” as used herein inhibit the mitogenic signaling cascade Raf/MEK/ERK in cells or in a subject by inhibiting the MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase). This signaling cascade is hijacked by many viruses, in particular influenza viruses, to boost viral replication. Specific blockade of the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway at the bottleneck MEK therefore impairs growth of viruses, in particular influenza viruses. Additionally, MEK inhibitors show low toxicity and little adverse side effects in humans. There is also no tendency to induce viral resistance (Ludwig, 2009). A particularly preferred MEK inhibitor is PD-0184264 also known as ATR-002.

[0022] The MEK inhibitors preferably are selected from CI-1040, PD-0184264 GSK-1120212, GDC-0973, PLX-4032, AZD6244, AZD8330, AS-703026, RDEA-119, RO-5126766, RO-4987655, PD-0325901, TAK-733, AS703026, PD98059 and PD184352 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a metabolite thereof. These MEK inhibitors are known in the art and, for example, described in Table 1 of Fremin and Meloche (2010), J. Hematol. Oncol. 11; 3:8. In the following, structural formulae of PD-0184264 and CI-1040 are shown for reference:

##STR00001##

[0023] A “metabolite” as used herein relates to an intermediate end product of metabolism of the MEK inhibitor, which arise during the degradation of the MEK inhibitor by the subject, e.g. in the liver. In a preferred embodiment, the MEK inhibitor is a metabolite of CI-1040, e.g., PD-0184264 is a metabolite of the MEK inhibitor CI-1040.

[0024] “Cap-dependent endonuclease (CEN) inhibitors” inhibit the CEN located in the N-terminal domain of the PA subunit of heterotrimeric RNA-dependent polymerase of influenza virus consisting of subunits PA, PB1 and PB2. This is essential for viral transcription and replication. In the process of ‘cap-snatching’, viral mRNA synthesis is initiated by PB2 binding to the cap structure of the host mRNA, followed by short-capped oligonucleotide cleavage by CEN. Intriguingly, CEN is well conserved among influenza virus strains and therefore considered to be an ideal anti-influenza virus drug target.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the CEN inhibitor is Baloxavir marboxil (formerly also denoted S-033188), a first-in-class antiviral drug for the treatment of influenza. After oral administration, Baloxavir marboxil may be metabolized to its active form (Baloxavir acid) that binds to CEN. The following structural formula shows Baloxavir marboxil:

##STR00002##

[0026] For the purpose of the invention the active compound (MEK inhibitor and/or CEN inhibitor) as defined above also includes the pharmaceutically acceptable salt(s) thereof. The phrase “pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable salt(s)”, as used herein, means those salts of compounds of the invention that are safe and effective for the desired administration form. Pharmaceutically acceptable salts include those formed with anions such as those derived from hydrochloric, phosphoric, acetic, oxalic, tartaric acids, etc., and those formed with cations such as those derived from sodium, potassium, ammonium, calcium, ferric hydroxides, isopropylamine, triethylamine, 2-ethylaminoethanol, histidine, procaine, etc.

[0027] As already outlined herein, Influenza viruses (IV) infection is still a public health concern worldwide. Currently, all available vaccines as well as antiviral drugs that target the virus itself are prone to resistance. It is proven that influenza viruses able to modulate and control cellular pathways involved in the viral life cycle like Raf/MEK/ERK signal pathway which the nuclear export of vRNPs is strongly dependent on the virus-induced activation. Along this line, the inventors demonstrated earlier the antiviral potential of MEK inhibitor PD0184264 (ATR002), the active metabolite of CI-1040 against influenza viruses over in vitro and in vivo levels (Example 1, see also WO 2019/076947). The newly licensed antiviral drug so-called Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), which was designed to inhibit the cap-dependent endonuclease protein, has demonstrated efficacy in a wide range of influenza viruses, including oseltamivir-resistant strains. However, the emergence of resistant variants against the newly licensed drug has already been reported.

[0028] As shown in Example 1 and FIG. 1, both oseltamivir and CI-1040 are effective against wild type (wt) strain of Influenza A/Mississippi/3/2001 (H1N1). In contrast, while investigating the antiviral potential of both drugs against the mutant Influenza strain with the H275Y mutation in the neuraminidase (NA) gene, significant reduction in oseltamivir effectiveness was observed. CI-1040, in contrast, showed a comparable antiviral effect to that observed in the wild type strain. To further evaluate the potential antiviral activity of ATR002 (the active metabolite of CI-1040), the inventors compared the antiviral activity of ATR002 versus the newly licensed anti-influenza virus drug Baloxavir marboxil (BLXM) which is designed to inhibit the cap-dependent endonuclease protein. As shown in FIG. 2A, BLXM was found to be very potent against the wild type influenza rgA/Giessen/6/09 (H1N1-WT) with an approximate complete reduction of the viral titer while ATR002 activity was lower by 13%. Conversely, the BLXM activity was lower by 37% when investigated using the mutant strain rgA/Giessen/6/09 (H1N1)-PA-I38T but ATR002 showed the same effect as found in the wild type. Likewise, while investigating the antiviral activity using rgA/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2-WT) and rgA/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2-PA-I38T) (FIG. 2B), ATR002 revealed its potency against both variants, whereas, BLXM lost about 41% of its activity in the mutant variant.

[0029] Given that both the recently licensed anti-influenza drug Baloxavir marboxil and the potential MEK inhibitor (ATR002) could be considered as a therapeutic option for influenza treatment, the inventors investigated in Example 2 whether the combination between these two drugs would augment the antiviral activity. There is a surprising increase in the antiviral activity at different concentrations of ATR002 (0.4, 2, and 10 μM) when combined with BLXM (0.008 and 0.04 nM) indicated by the reduction in viral titer compared to the individual treatment of each drug. Moreover, it can be inferred form Chou-Talalay model that the combination at lower concentrations of ATR002 and BLXM leads to a strong synergistic effect with low CI values (FIG. 4). These data were in agreement with the most widely used models (HAS, Bliss, and Loewe) which also revealed that the combinations at higher doses lead to stronger additive effect rather than synergistic effect (FIG. 3A-C).

[0030] Thus, the inventors surprisingly found that the combined administration of a MEK inhibitor and a CEN inhibitor creates unexpected synergies in preventing and/or treating viral diseases, in particular the combination of a MEK inhibitor and a CEN inhibitor led to a synergistic affect in inhibiting influenza A virus and/or B virus. Indeed, as shown herein, the MEK inhibitors CI-1040, PD-0184264 GSK-1120212, GDC-0973, PLX-4032, AZD6244, AZD8330, AS-703026, RDEA-119, RO-5126766, RO-4987655, PD-0325901, TAK-733, AS703026, PD98059 and PD184352 that are orally available and at least in a phase I clinical trial, some of them are even in a phase II clinical trial or even admitted for marketing, such as PLX-4032, against cancer, demonstrate antiviral activity, both against influenza A virus and/or influenza B virus, in combination with a CEN inhibitor, such as Baloxavir. Combination treatment increased the antiviral activity of Baloxavir significantly and resulted in a synergistic antiviral effect as determined by the HAS, Bliss and LOEWE methods described herein (FIG. 3). Taken together, the results demonstrate increased antiviral activity of Baloxavir after combination with MEK inhibitors, specifically PD-0184264 and CI-1040. These data are promising for further preclinical in vitro and in vivo investigations on the way to developing new antiviral regimens against influenza.

[0031] It hence has been found by the present inventors that the combination method of the invention is such that provide a synergy in the prevention and/or treatment of viral diseases, in particular in the prevention and/or treatment of an infection caused by a negative RNA strand virus more in particular viral diseases caused by influenza virus. Even more in particular in the prevention and/or treatment of in influenza A or B virus.

[0032] The above being said, the present invention relates to a MEK inhibitor for use in a method of prophylaxis and/or treatment of a viral infection in combination with a cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor. The present invention further relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a MEK inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or metabolite thereof and a cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor for use as a medicament. As shown in the examples, MEK inhibitors in combination with cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitors show a surprising synergistic antiviral effect.

[0033] The pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be administered in a synergistic amount.

[0034] “Synergy” or “synergistic effect” may be defined as an effect that is more than additive (Chou, 2006, Pharmacolog Reviews, 58: 621-681). Synergistic interactions amongst drug combinations are highly desirable and sought after since they can result in increased efficacy, decreased dosage, reduced side toxicity, and minimized development of resistance when used clinically (Chou, 2006). The two most popular methods for evaluating drug interactions in combination therapies are isobologram and combination index (CI) (Zhao et al., 2004, Clinical Cancer Res 10:7994-8004). Numerous studies in both the cancer therapy field and anti-viral therapy field, where drug combinations to counter the development of drug resistance and to minimize drug doses, use the CI index to evaluate synergy. CI is based on the approach of Chou and Talalay 1984 (Adv. Enzyme Regul. 22:27-55) and relies on the median effect principle and the multiple-drug effect equation. CI can readily be calculated using the program CompuSyn (CompuSyn, Paramus, N.J.). Chou himself (Chou 2006) defines an interaction as slightly synergistic if the CI value is 0.85-0.9, moderately synergistic if the CI value is 0.7-0.85, synergistic if the CI value is 0.3-0.7, strongly synergistic if the CI value is 0.1-0.3, and very strongly synergistic if the CI value is <0.1. In cancer therapy literature, the values of CI that define synergism can vary, for example in Lin et al., 2007, Carcinogenesis 28: 2521-2529, synergism between drugs was defined as CI<1, and in Fischel et al., 2006, Preclinical Report 17: 807-813, synergism was defined as CI<0.8. Similar numbers are used in the anti-viral therapy field. For example, in Wyles et al., 2008, Antimicrob Agents Chemotherapy 52: 1862-1864, synergism was defined as CI<0.9 and in Gantlett et al., 2007, Antiviral Res 75:188-197, synergism was defined as CI<0.9. Based on these references, synergism can be defined as CI values of <1.9. As shown in Example 2, the Chou-Talalay as well as the highest single agent (HSA), Bliss and Loewe models computed by the Combenefit software show a synergism of the combination of PD-0184264 and Baloxavir marboxil. Highest single agent (HSA), Bliss and Loewe models are, e.g., explained and reviewed in Foucquier and Guedj 2015 (Pharmacology Research & Perspectives 3(3):e00149).

[0035] The MEK inhibitor and the CEN inhibitor of the invention may have a synergistic effect in the treatment of a viral disease greater than the additive effect of each of the MEK inhibitor and the CEN inhibitor administered separately or in combination as predicted by a simple additive effect of the two drugs. In such a case, the synergistically effective amount of the MEK inhibitor is less than the amount needed to treat the viral infection if the MEK inhibitor was administered without the CEN inhibitor. Similarly, the synergistically effective amount of the CEN inhibitor is less than the amount needed to treat the viral infection or if the CEN inhibitor was administered without the MEK inhibitor. The synergistic amount of the MEK inhibitor and of the CEN inhibitor may be defined by the synergism factor (CI value). If defined by the synergism factor (CI value) than CI is less than about 0.9, alternatively less than about 0.85, alternatively less than about 0.8, alternatively less than about 0.75, alternatively less than about 0.7, alternatively less than about 0.65, alternatively less than about 0.6, alternatively less than about 0.55, alternatively less than about 0.5, alternatively less than about 0.45, alternatively less than about 0.4, alternatively less than about 0.35, alternatively less than about 0.3, alternatively less than about 0.25, alternatively less than about 0.2, alternatively less than about 0.15, alternatively less than about 0.1.

[0036] The combined use of a MEK inhibitor and a CEN inhibitor according to the invention provides a beneficial therapeutic effect also in case of viral disease wherein the virus or virus strain shows or has developed a resistance, in particular a resistance to a CEN inhibitor. In addition, the combined used may act to preserve the efficacy of both drugs over time because the development of resistance would not be observed at all or would be delayed in the time.

[0037] Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with CI-1040 as MEK inhibitor in the method and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with PD-0184264 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with GSK-1120212 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with GDC-0973 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with PLX-4032 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with AZD6244 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with AZD8330 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with AS-703026 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with RDEA-119 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with RO-5126766 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with RO-4987655 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with PD-0325901 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with TAK-733 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with AS703026 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with PD98059 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Baloxavir marboxil as CEN inhibitor may be used in combination with PD184352 as MEK inhibitor in the use in the treatment and/or pharmaceutical composition of the invention. Preferably, Baloxavir marboxil is combined with PD-0184264 (ATR-002) in the use in the treatment of the invention and the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

[0038] In the use of the invention, a MEK inhibitor and a CEN inhibitor may be administered contemporaneously, previously or subsequently. The MEK inhibitor and a CEN inhibitor preferably are administered contemporaneously. They may be administered as a single formulation or in separate formulations. A single formulation is also described herein as the pharmaceutical composition of the invention.

[0039] The viral infection to be prevented or be treated by the combined administration of a MEK inhibitor and a CEN inhibitor of the invention is preferably an infection caused by negative RNA strand virus. More preferably, the viral disease is caused by an influenza virus, even more preferably the viral disease is caused by influenza A or B virus. Influenza viruses are for example: H1N1, H5N1, H7N7, and H7N9. In some cases, the viruses have developed resistance against an antiviral agent, such as a CEN inhibitor. Particularly preferred are the influenza A virus subtypes H1N1, H2N2, H3N2, H5N6, H5N8, H6N1, H7N2, H7N7, H7N9, H9N2, H10N7, N10N8 and/or H5N1.

[0040] In the use in the treatment of the invention or the use of the pharmaceutical composition wherein the MEK inhibitor and the CEN inhibitor are used in combination, the patient preferably is a mammal or a bird. Examples of suitable mammals include, but are not limited to, a mouse, a rat, a cow, a goat, a sheep, a pig, a dog, a cat, a horse, a guinea pig, a canine, a hamster, a mink, a seal, a whale, a camel, a chimpanzee, a rhesus monkey and a human. Examples of suitable birds include, but are not limited to, a turkey, a chicken, a goose, a duck, a teal, a mallard, a starling, a Northern pintail, a gull, a swan, a Guinea fowl or water fowl to name a few. Human patient are a particular embodiment of the present invention. A human patient is a particular embodiment of the present invention. The terms patient and subject are used interchangeably.

[0041] The MEK inhibitor may be administered orally, intravenously, intrapleurally, intramuscularly, topically or via inhalation. Preferably, the MEK inhibitor is administered via inhalation or orally.

[0042] The CEN inhibitor may be administered orally, intravenously, intrapleurally, intramuscularly, topically or via inhalation. Preferably, the CEN inhibitor is administered via inhalation or orally.

[0043] When the MEK inhibitor and the CEN inhibitor are in a single formulation such as in the pharmaceutical composition of the invention, the formulation may be administered orally, intravenously, intrapleurally, intramuscularly, topically or via inhalation. Preferably, the formulation is administered orally or via inhalation.

[0044] The use in the treatment of the invention may comprise treating a patient in need of treatment with a therapeutically effective amount of a MEK inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and simultaneously or sequentially a CEN inhibitor as described herein.

[0045] In one aspect, a method of treating a viral infection in a patient is provided comprising (1) administering to a patient in need of treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a compound which is a MEK inhibitor or a metabolite thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and simultaneously or sequentially (2) administering to said patient a therapeutically effective amount of Baloxavir marboxil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. To put it differently, in accordance with this aspect, the method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of a MEK inhibitor or a metabolite thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient who is under treatment of Baloxavir marboxil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or administering a therapeutically effective amount of Baloxavir marboxil or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof to a patient who is under treatment with a MEK inhibitor or a metabolite thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0046] In one embodiment of the use in the treatment of the present invention, the compound MEK inhibitor can be administered orally or via inhalation at an effective therapeutic dosage, while the CEN inhibitor can be administered at a dose and dosing schedule as provided in the approved prescribing information or less, preferably at a lower dose (due to the synergistic effect). For example, according to Baloxavir marboxil label, Baloxavir marboxil is administered in capsules of 40 mg (40 to 80 kg subject weight) or 80 mg (more than 80 kg subject weight). A dosage of 40 mg or 80 mg as a single dose is the adults and adolescents standard dosage. A lower dosage may be used when Baloxavir marboxil is administered in combination with a MEK inhibitor. In one embodiment, the therapeutically effective amount of the MEK inhibitor is, e.g., from 0.1 mg to 2000 mg, 0.1 mg to 1000 mg, 0.1 to 500 mg, 0.1 to 200 mg, 30 to 300 mg, 0.1 to 75 mg, 0.1 to 30 mg.

[0047] In the sequential combination therapies discussed herein, preferably the drugs in sequential combination are administered according to their pharmacokinetic profiles such that the second drug is administered after the plasma level of the first drug is substantially reduced or removed. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the MEK inhibitor and the CEN inhibitor drugs are generally known in the art.

[0048] As outlined above, the present invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a MEK inhibitor or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or metabolite thereof and a cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor for use as a medicament. In one specific embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition of the invention is for use in the prophylaxis and/or treatment of a viral infection, preferably an infection caused by a negative RNA strand virus, more preferably by an influenza virus and most preferably by an influenza A or influenza B virus.

[0049] The pharmaceutical composition of the invention may be in the form of orally administrable suspensions or tablets; nasal sprays, sterile injectable preparations (intravenously, intrapleurally, intramuscularly), for example, as sterile injectable aqueous or oleaginous suspensions or suppositories. When administered orally as a suspension, these compositions are prepared according to techniques available in the art of pharmaceutical formulation and may contain microcrystalline cellulose for imparting bulk, alginic acid or sodium alginate as a suspending agent, methylcellulose as a viscosity enhancer, and sweeteners/flavoring agents known in the art. As immediate release tablets, these compositions may contain microcrystalline cellulose, di-calcium phosphate, starch, magnesium stearate and lactose and/or other excipients, binders, extenders, disintegrants, diluents, and lubricants known in the art. The injectable solutions or suspensions may be formulated according to known art, using suitable non-toxic, parenterally acceptable diluents or solvents, such as mannitol, 1,3-butanediol, water, Ringer's solution or isotonic sodium chloride solution, or suitable dispersing or wetting and suspending agents, such as sterile, bland, fixed oils, including synthetic mono- or diglycerides, and fatty acids, including oleic acid. The pharmaceutical compounds in the method of present invention can be administered in any suitable unit dosage forms. Suitable oral formulations also in context of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention can be in the form of tablets, capsules, suspension, syrup, chewing gum, wafer, elixir, and the like. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers such as binders, excipients, lubricants, and sweetening or flavoring agents can be included in the oral pharmaceutical compositions. If desired, conventional agents for modifying tastes, colors, and shapes of the special forms can also be included.

[0050] For injectable formulations, the pharmaceutical compositions can be in lyophilized powder in admixture with suitable excipients in a suitable vial or tube. Before use in the clinic, the drugs may be reconstituted by dissolving the lyophilized powder in a suitable solvent system to form a composition suitable for intravenous or intramuscular injection.

[0051] In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition can be in an orally administrable form (e.g., tablet or capsule or syrup etc.) with a therapeutically effective amount (e.g., from 0.1 mg to 2000 mg, 0.1 mg to 1000 mg, 0.1 to 500 mg, 0.1 to 200 mg, 30 to 300 mg, 0.1 to 75 mg, 0.1 to 30 mg) of MEK inhibitor and a therapeutically effective amount of CEN inhibitor as described above. For example, according to Baloxavir marboxil label, Baloxavir marboxil is administered in capsules of 40 mg (40 to 80 kg subject weight) or 80 mg (more than 80 kg subject weight). A dosage of 40 mg or 80 mg as a single dose is the adults and adolescents standard dosage. A lower dosage may be used when Baloxavir marboxil is administered in combination with a MEK inhibitor.

[0052] The therapeutically effective amount for each active compound can vary with factors including but not limited to the activity of the compound used, stability of the active compound in the patient's body, the severity of the conditions to be alleviated, the total weight of the patient treated, the route of administration, the ease of absorption, distribution, and excretion of the active compound by the body, the age and sensitivity of the patient to be treated, adverse events, and the like, as will be apparent to a skilled artisan. The amount of administration can be adjusted as the various factors change over time.

[0053] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a pharmaceutical kit is provided comprising, in a compartmentalized container, (1) a unit dosage form of a MEK inhibitor such as PD-0184264, PLX-4032, AZD6244, AZD8330, AS-703026, GSK-1120212, RDEA-119, RO-5126766, RO-4987655, 01-1040, PD-0325901, GDC-0973, TAK-733, PD98059 and PD184352 and (2) a unit dosage form of a CEN inhibitor such Baloxavir. Optionally, the kit further comprises instructions for using the kit in the combination therapy method in accordance with the present invention.

Definitions

[0054] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integer or step. When used herein the term “comprising” can be substituted with the term “containing” or sometimes when used herein with the term “having”.

[0055] When used herein “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. When used herein, “consisting essentially of” does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim. In each instance herein any of the terms “comprising”, “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of” may be replaced with either of the other two terms.

[0056] As used herein, the conjunctive term “and/or” between multiple recited elements is understood as encompassing both individual and combined options. For instance, where two elements are conjoined by “and/or”, a first option refers to the applicability of the first element without the second. A second option refers to the applicability of the second element without the first. A third option refers to the applicability of the first and second elements together. Any one of these options is understood to fall within the meaning, and therefore satisfy the requirement of the term “and/or” as used herein. Concurrent applicability of more than one of the options is also understood to fall within the meaning, and therefore satisfy the requirement of the term “and/or” as used herein.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Comparison Between MEK Inhibitors and Other Standard of Care

[0057] Reagents

[0058] A549 cells (ATCC® CCL-185™), 0.3% triton-x-100, MDCK II cells (ATCC® CRL-2936™), 0.1% tween 20, Phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, Gibco Cat. No.: 14190144), PBS+10% FCS+0.1% tween 20, Infection PBS, Roti®-Histofix 10% (Roth, Cat. No.: A146.1).fwdarw.Prepare working solution 4%, TPCK-trypsin, Primary antibody (anti-NP; AA5H, Cat. No.: MCA400), 2×MEM, Secondary antibody (peroxidase-labeled anti-mouse antibody, Cat. No.: 115-035-003), Albumine fraction V solution, KPL True Blue™ (Cat. No.: 5510-0049), Avicel 2.5% (RC-581, FMC BioPolymer).

[0059] Method

[0060] Day 1

[0061] 1—Plating two 24-well plates [0062] a. Cell type: A549 [0063] b. Seeding density: 0.5×105 cell/ml

[0064] 2—Incubate for 24 h

[0065] Day 2

[0066] 3—Check the confluency of the prepared 24-well plates

[0067] 4—Remove media and wash 2× with PBS

[0068] Virus Dilution

[0069] 5—Perform tenfold serial dilution of the virus (titer: 6.0×107 pfu/ml)

[0070] 6—Inoculate each well with 0.001 MOI

[0071] 7—Incubate for 45 min

[0072] Preparation of Concentrations of the Tested Substance

[0073] 8—Add TPCK-trypsin at final conc. 2 μg/ml to infection media

[0074] ATR002 [0075] Tested compound: ATR002 [0076] Solvent: DMSO [0077] Concentration: Stock solution 10 mM, working solution: 1 mM [0078] Prepare the following concentrations: 50, 10, 2, and 0.4 μM in infection medium

[0079] Baloxavir Marboxil [0080] Tested compound: Baloxavir Marboxil (BLXM) [0081] Concentration: stock solution 1 mM solvent: DMSO [0082] Working solution: 100 nM [0083] Prepare the following concentrations: 1, 0.2, 0.04 and 0.008 nM in infection medium

[0084] 9—Prepare combinations in a 4×4 matrix

[0085] 10—Prepare DMSO control at final conc. 1% in infection medium

[0086] The 24-Well Plate and Test Substance

[0087] 11—Check confluency of the plate after incubation

[0088] 12—Remove the inocula

[0089] 13—Add 1 ml of each conc. to each well

[0090] 14—Incubate for 22 h

[0091] Preparing 96-Well Plates

[0092] 15—Prepare thirteen 96-well plates [0093] a. Cell type: MDCK II [0094] b. Seeding density: 3×10.sup.5 cell/well

[0095] 16—Incubate for 24 h

[0096] Day 3

[0097] The 24-Well Plates and Tested Substances

[0098] 17—Make two aliquots of each conc. in Eppendorf 1.5 ml, 300 μl in each tube. Store one in −80 C

[0099] Preparing 96-Well Plates (U-Shape)

[0100] 18—Prepare the same number of previously prepared 96-well plates by adding 100 μl infection PBS in each well of U-shape

[0101] 19—Add to the first well of each column 50 μl of its corresponding conc. [0102] Each plate has two columns corresponding to −ve and +ve controls

[0103] 20—After adding conc. to each first well, make serial dilution by moving 50 μl form the first well to the following one. At the end, discard the last 50 μl

[0104] The MDCK II 96-Well Plates

[0105] 21—Check confluency

[0106] 22—Remove the growth media and wash 2× with PBS

[0107] 23—Transfer the dilutions prepared in U-shape 96-well plates to MDCK II plates

[0108] 24—Incubate for 1 h

[0109] Preparation of the Avicel Overlay

[0110] 25—Mix 1:1 2×MEM media and 2× Avicel

[0111] 26—Add TPCK-trypsin at final conc. 2 μg/ml

[0112] 27—After the incubation period, discard the inocula, and apply 100 μl/well of the Avicel overlay

[0113] 28—Incubate for 22 h

[0114] Day 4

[0115] Fixation and Staining

[0116] 29—After 22 h, fix with 4% paraformaldehyde solution for 30 min at 4° C. and washed 2× with PBS

[0117] 30—Add 100 μl/well 0.3% triton-x-100 prepared in PBS and Incubate 10 min

[0118] 31—Discard it then add 100 μl/well 10% FCS (fresh prepared in PBS)

[0119] 32—Incubate on shaker for 10 min

[0120] 33—Discard it then add 50 μl primary antibody (anti-NP; AA5H)

[0121] 34—Incubate 60 min on shaker

[0122] 35—Wash (3×) for 5 min with (PBS+0.1% tween 20)

[0123] 36—Add 50 μl secondary antibody (peroxidase-labeled anti-mouse antibody)

[0124] 37—Incubate 30-60 min on shaker

[0125] 38—Wash (3×) for 5 min with (PBS+0.1% tween 20)

[0126] 39—Add 50 μl True Blue™ for 10 min

[0127] 40—Wash with water then let it to dry

[0128] 41—Perform data analysis

[0129] Results

[0130] As depicted in FIG. 1, both oseltamivir and CI-1040 are very effective against wild type (wt) strain of A/Mississippi/3/2001 (H1N1). In contrast, while demonstrating the antiviral potential of both drugs against the mutant strain with the H275Y mutation in the NA gene, significant reduction in oseltamivir effectiveness was observed while CI-1040 showed a comparable antiviral effect which quite similar as the wild strain.

[0131] To further evaluate the potential antiviral activity of ATR002 (the active metabolite of CI-1040), the inventors compared the antiviral activity of ATR002 versus the newly licensed anti-influenza virus drug Baloxavir marboxil (BLXM) which designed to inhibit the cap-dependent endonuclease protein. As shown in FIG. 2A, BLXM was very potent against the wild type rgA/Giessen/6/09 (H1N1-WT) with an approximate complete reduction of the viral titer while ATR002 activity was lower by 13%. Conversely, the BLXM activity was lower by 37% when investigated using the mutant strain rgA/Giessen/6/09 (H1N1)-PA-I38T but ATR002 showed steady effect as found in the wild type. Likewise, while demonstrating the antiviral activity using rgA/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2-WT) and rgA/Victoria/3/75 (H3N2-PA-I38T) (FIG. 2B), ATR002 revealed its potency against both variants, whereas, BLXM lost about 41% of its activity.

Example 2: Synergistic Effect Between ATR002 and Baloxavir Marboxil

[0132] Material and Methods

[0133] Drugs

[0134] The MEK inhibitor ATR-002 (PD0184264) [2-(2-chloro-4-iodophenylamino)-N-3,4-difluoro benzoic acid, the active metabolite of CI-1040, was synthesized at ChemCon GmbH (Freiburg, Germany).

[0135] Baloxavir marboxil, the cap-dependent endonuclease of influenza virus, was purchased from Hycultec GmbH (Cat: HY-109025) and prepared for a working solution 1 mM according to the manufacturer instructions.

[0136] Cells and Viruses

[0137] Human lung adenocarcinoma cells (A549, ATCC® CCL185™) and Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK II, ATCC® CRL2936™) were purchased from ATCC and cultured in Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM) supplemented with 10% FBS and 100 U/ml Penicillin-Streptomycin.

[0138] Influenza virus H1N1 was used in the virus inhibition experiments with 0.001 MOI

[0139] Virus Inhibition Assay

[0140] The susceptibility of influenza virus to ATR-002 or other drugs such as Baloxavir marboxil was determined by measuring the reduction in FFU in the presence of the drugs. Different concentrations (0.4-50 μM) of ATR-002 and (0.008-1 nM) Baloxavir marboxil were prepared by making 5-fold serial dilution in influenza virus infection medium (DMEM media supplemented with 0.2% BSA, 1 mM MgCl.sub.2, 0.5 mM CaCl.sub.2, 100 U/mL penicillin, 0.1 mg/mL streptomycin, and 2 μg/ml TPCK-treated Trypsin) supplemented with 1 μg/ml L-tosylamido 2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone (TPCK)-treated trypsin. A549 cells (Human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (A549, ATCC® CCL185™) was purchased from ATCC and cultured in Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM) supplemented with 10% FBS and 100 U/mL Penicillin-Streptomycin). Cells were kept in a 37° C. and 5% CO.sub.2 atmosphere and were infected with H1N1 in 24-well plate and incubated for 45 min. After incubation, the inocula were removed, the confluent monolayers washed with PBS and supplemented with infection medium containing the tested drugs. The cell culture supernatant corresponding to each treatment was collected after 24 h and subjected to focus reduction assay using MDCK 11 (Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK 11, ATCC® CRL2936™) were purchased from ATCC and cultured in Iscove's Modified Dulbecco's Medium (IMDM) supplemented with 10% FBS and 100 U/mL Penicillin-Streptomycin. Cells were kept in a 37° C. and 5% CO.sub.2 atmosphere) as previously described (Matrosovich et al., 2006, Virol J. 31(3):63).

[0141] Analysis of Synergy/Antagonism from Combination Studies

[0142] In order to determine the possible additive and synergistic effects when using combinations of PD0184264 with Baloxavir marboxil, the data from virus inhibition assay were first analyzed using the Combenefit software (Di Veroli et al., 2016, Bioinformatics 32(18):2866-2868), which simultaneously assesses synergy/antagonism using three published models (Highest single agent (HSA), Bliss, and Loewe).

[0143] Dose-response curves were also included for each individual compound to generate a dose-response surface for the reference models, from which the experimental surface and modelled surface were then compared. At each combination, deviations in the experimental surface from the modelled surface were attributed a percentage score indicating the degree of either synergy (increased effect) or antagonism (decreased effect). The “Contour” and “surface” plots were selected as graphical outputs for the synergy distribution.

[0144] Data were also analyzed according to the Chou-Talalay model using CompuSyn software (Chou, 2010, Cancer Res 70(2):440-446). The software calculates the combination index (CI) for each drug combination, where a CI value <1 indicates synergy, CI=1 is additive and CI>1 indicates antagonism.

[0145] Results

[0146] Influenza viruses (IV) infection is a public health concern worldwide. Currently, all available vaccines as well as antiviral drugs that target the virus itself are prone to resistance. It is proven that influenza viruses able to modulate and control cellular pathways involved in the viral life cycle like Raf/MEK/ERK signal pathway which the nuclear export of vRNPs is strongly dependent on the virus-induced activation. Along this line, the inventors demonstrated earlier the antiviral potential of MEK inhibitor PD0184264 (ATR002), the active metabolite of CI-1040 against influenza viruses over in vitro and in vivo levels (Example 1, see also WO 2019/076947). Recently, a newly licensed antiviral drug so-called Baloxavir marboxil (Xofluza), which was designed to inhibit the cap-dependent endonuclease protein, has demonstrated efficacy in a wide range of influenza viruses, including oseltamivir-resistant strains. However, the emergence of resistant variants against the newly licensed drug has already been reported.

[0147] Given to both the recently licensed anti-influenza drug Baloxavir marboxil and the potential MEK inhibitor (ATR002) as a therapeutic option, the inventors investigated whether the combination between these two drugs would augment the antiviral activity. Surprisingly, there is an increase in the antiviral activity at different concentrations of ATR002 (0.4, 2, and 10 μM) when combined with BLXM (0.008 and 0.04 nM) indicated by the reduction in viral titer compared to the individual treatment of each drug. Moreover, it can be inferred form Chou-Talalay model that the combination at lower concentrations of ATR002 and BLXM leads to a strong synergistic effect with low CI values (see FIG. 4A and Table 1). Table 2 and FIG. 4B also show a strong synergistic effect as expressed in the drug dose reduction index (DRI). These data were in agreement with the most widely used models (HAS, Bliss, and Loewe) which also revealed that the combinations at higher doses lead stronger additive effect rather than synergistic effect (FIG. 3).

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Combination Index (CI) values for drug combos Conc. BLXM Conc. ATR002 (nM) (μM) CI 0.008 0.4 0.17469 1 10 0.24757 0.008 10 0.28142 1 50 0.29305 0.2 50 0.35104 0.008 50 0.42303 0.008 2 0.44177 0.2 10 0.63435 0.04 2 0.91172 0.04 0.4 1.18204 1 2 1.31281 0.2 2 1.62481 1 0.4 1.94132 0.2 0.4 2.31597 0.04 10 2.92652 0.04 50 3.32808

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Drug Dose Reduction (DRI) data example of BLXM and ATR002 predicted combos Dose BLXM Dose.sup.a ATR002 DRI DRI Fa .sup.b (nM) (μM) BLXM ATR002 0.99 4.23358.sup.a 879.684.sup.a 4.23358 17.5937 0.97 1.50936.sup.a 228.8.sup.a 7.54681 4.57599 0.95 0.92466 120.664.sup.a 115.583 2.41327 0.9 0.4644 49.0947 2.32201 4.90947 0.88 0.38452 38.3704 48.0652 3.83704 0.6 0.08906 5.68262 11.133 2.84131 0.58 0.08253 5.14432 10.316 12.8608 0.57 0.07947 4.89711 1.98684 2.44855 .sup.apredicted dose that shift from its empirical estimation .sup.b fraction of uninfected infected cells or inhibitory effect