Radiolabel Uncovers Nonintuitive Metabolites of BIIB104: Novel Release of [14C]Cyanide from 2-Cyanothiophene and Subsequent Formation of [14C]Thiocyanate

BIIB104 (formerly PF-04958242), N-((3S,4S)-4-(4-(5-cyanothiophen-2-yl)phenoxy)tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)propane-2-sulfonamide, is an α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor potentiator investigated for the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia. Preliminary in vitro metabolism studies with non-radiolabeled BIIB104 in rat, dog, and human liver microsomes (RLM, DLM, and HLM) showed O-dealkylation in all three species, tetrahydrofuran hydroxylation dominating in DLM and HLM, and thiophene hydroxylation prevalent in RLM. However, a subsequent rat mass balance study with [nitrile-¹⁴C]BIIB104 showed incomplete recovery of administered radioactivity (∼80%) from urine and feces over 7 days following an oral dose, and an exceptionally long plasma total radioactivity half-life. Radiochromatographic metabolite profiling and identification, including chemical derivation, revealed that [¹⁴C]cyanide was a major metabolite of [nitrile-¹⁴C]BIIB104 in RLM, but a minor and trace metabolite in DLM and HLM, respectively. Correspondingly in bile duct-cannulated rats, [¹⁴C]thiocyanate accounted for ∼53% of total radioactivity excreted over 48 hours postdose and it, as an endogenous substance, explained the exceptionally long plasma radioactivity half-life. The release of [¹⁴C]cyanide from the 2-cyanothiophene moiety is postulated to follow an epoxidation-initiated thiophene-opening based on the detection of non-radiolabeled counterpart metabolites in RLM. This unusual biotransformation serves as a lesson regarding placement of the radioactive label on an aryl nitrile when material will be used for evaluating the metabolism of a new drug candidate. Additionally, the potential cyanide metabolite of nitrile-containing drug molecules may be detected in liver microsomes with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry following a chemical derivatization.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Using [nitrile-¹⁴C]BIIB104, non-intuitive metabolites of BIIB104 were discovered involving a novel cyanide release from the 2-cyanothiophene motif via a postulated epoxidation-initiated thiophene-opening. This unusual biotransformation serves as a lesson regarding placement of the radioactive label on an aryl nitrile when material will be used for evaluating the metabolism of a new drug candidate.