pubmed-article:19256507 | pubmed:abstractText | In this communication, we report the discovery of 1S (apremilast), a novel potent and orally active phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibitor. The optimization of previously reported 3-(1,3-dioxo-1,3-dihydroisoindol-2-yl)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propionic acid PDE4 inhibitors led to this series of sulfone analogues. Evaluation of the structure-activity relationship of substitutions on the phthalimide group led to the discovery of an acetylamino analogue 1S, which is currently in clinical trials. | lld:pubmed |