Compositions and Methods for Treating or Controlling Anterior-Segment Inflammation

1 . A composition comprising: (a) a dissociated glucocorticoid receptor agonist (“DIGRA”), a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (b) a material selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory agents other than said DIGRA, prodrug thereof, and salt thereof, anti-infective agents, and combinations thereof.

2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein (a) the DIGRA, the prodrugs thereof, or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof; (b) the anti-inflammatory agent, when present; and (c) the anti-infective agent, when present, are included in the composition in amounts sufficient to be effective for treating or controlling an inflammatory anterior-segment disease, condition, or disorder.

3 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein said disease, condition, or disorder is selected from the group consisting of anterior uveitis, iritis, iridocyclitis, keratitis, conjunctivitis, keratoconjunctivitis, vernal keratoconjunctivitis (“VKC”), atopic keratoconjunctivitis, corneal ulcer, corneal edema, sterile corneal infiltrates, anterior scleritis, episcleritis, blepharitis, post-operative ocular inflammation, and combinations thereof.

4 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein the DIGRA comprises a compound having Formula I

wherein A and Q are independently selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted aryl and heteroaryl groups, unsubstituted and substituted cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl groups, unsubstituted and substituted cycloalkenyl and heterocycloalkenyl groups, unsubstituted and substituted cycloalkynyl and heterocycloalkynyl groups, and unsubstituted and substituted heterocyclic groups; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, substituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, unsubstituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl groups, and substituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl groups; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, substituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, unsubstituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl groups, substituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, and heterocyclylic groups; B comprises a carbonyl, amino, divalent hydrocarbon, or heterohydrocarbon group; E is hydroxy or amino group; and D is absent or comprises a carbonyl group, —NH—, or —NR′—, wherein R′ comprises an unsubstituted or substituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl group; and wherein R 1 and R 2 together may form an unsubstituted or substituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl group.

5 . The composition of claim 4 , wherein the composition causes a lower level of at least an adverse side effect in a subject than another composition comprising at least a glucocorticoid used to treat or control the same disease, condition, or disorder.

6 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein said at least an adverse side effect is selected from the group consisting of glaucoma, cataract, hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hypercholesterolemia.

7 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula I

wherein A and Q are independently selected from the group consisting of aryl and heteroaryl groups substituted with at least a halogen atom, cyano group, hydroxy group, or C 1 -C 10 alkoxy group; R 1 , R 2 , and R 3 are independently selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted C 1 -C 5 alkyl groups; B is a C 1 -C 5 alkylene group; D is the —NH— or —NR′— group, wherein R′ is a C 1 -C 5 alkyl group; and E is the hydroxy group.

8 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula I

wherein A comprises a dihydrobenzofuranyl group substituted with a fluorine atom; Q comprises a quinolinyl or isoquinolinyl group substituted with a methyl group; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted C 1 -C 5 alkyl groups; B is a C 1 -C 3 alkylene group; D is the —NH— group; E is the hydroxy group; and R 3 comprises a trifluoromethyl group.

9 . The composition of claim 6 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula II or III

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, C 1 -C 10 alkoxy groups, unsubstituted C 1 -C 10 linear or branched alkyl groups, substituted C 1 -C 10 linear or branched alkyl groups, unsubstituted C 3 -C 10 cyclic alkyl groups, and substituted C 3 -C 10 cyclic alkyl groups.

10 . The composition of claim 6 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula IV

11 . The composition of claim 10 , wherein said anti-inflammatory agent is selected from the group consisting of NSAIDs, PPAR agonists, combinations thereof, and mixtures thereof.

12 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula I, wherein

(a) A is an aryl group optionally independently substituted with one to three substituent groups, which are independently selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 5 alkyl, C 2 -C 5 alkenyl, C 2 -C 5 alkynyl, C 1 -C 3 alkanoyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C 1 -C 5 alkoxy, C 2 -C 5 alkenyloxy, C 2 -C 5 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, acyl, C 1 -C 5 alkoxycarbonyl, aroyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, aminocarbonyloxy, C 1 -C 5 alkylaminocarbonyloxy, C 1 -C 5 dialkylaminocarbonyloxy, C 1 -C 5 alkanoylamino, C 1 -C 5 alkoxycarbonylamino, C 1 -C 5 alkylsulfonylamino, aminosulfonyl, C 1 -C 5 alkylaminosulfonyl, C 1 -C 5 dialkylaninosulfonyl, halogen, hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, nitro, amino wherein the nitrogen atom is optionally independently mono- or di-substituted by C 1 -C 5 alkyl or aryl, ureido wherein either nitrogen atom is optionally independently substituted with C 1 -C 5 alkyl, C 1 -C 5 alkylthio wherein the sulfur atom is optionally oxidized to a sulfoxide or sulfone;

(b) R 1 and R 2 are each independently hydrogen or C 1 -C 5 alkyl;

(c) R 3 is the trifluoromethyl group;

(d) B is C 1 -C 5 alkyl, C 2 -C 5 alkenyl, or C 2 -C 5 alkynyl, each optionally independently substituted with one to three substituent groups, wherein each substituent group of B is independently C 1 -C 3 alkyl, hydroxy, halogen, amino, or oxo;

(e) D is absent;

(f) E is the hydroxy group; and

(g) Q is an azaindolyl group optionally independently substituted with one to three substituent groups, wherein each substituent group of Q is independently C 1 -C 5 alkyl, C 2 -C 5 alkenyl, C 2 -C 5 alkynyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C 1 -C 5 alkoxy, C 2 -C 5 alkenyloxy, C 2 -C 5 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, acyl, C 1 -C 5 alkoxycarbonyl, C 1 -C 5 alkanoyloxy, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, aminocarbonyloxy, C 1 -C 5 alkylaminocarbonyloxy, C 1 -C 5 dialkylaminocarbonyloxy, C 1 -C 5 alkanoylamino, C 1 -C 5 alkoxycarbonylamino, C 1 -C 5 alkylsulfonylamino, aminosulfonyl, C 1 -C 5 alkylaminosulfonyl, C 1 -C 5 dialkylaminosulfonyl, halogen, hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, trifluoromethylthio, nitro, or amino wherein the nitrogen atom is optionally independently mono- or di-substituted by C 1 -C 5 alkyl, ureido wherein either nitrogen atom is optionally independently substituted with C 1 -C 5 alkyl, C 1 -C 5 alkylthio wherein the sulfur atom is optionally oxidized to a sulfoxide or sulfone, wherein each substituent group of Q is optionally independently substituted with one to three substituent groups selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 3 alkyl, C 1 -C 3 alkoxy, halogen, hydroxy, oxo, cyano, amino, and trifluoromethyl.

13 . The composition of claim 5 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula I, wherein

(a) A is an aryl or heteroaryl group, each optionally independently substituted with one to three substituent groups, which are independently selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 5 alkyl, C 2 -C 5 alkenyl, C 2 -C 5 alkynyl, C 1 -C 3 alkanoyl, C 3 -C 8 cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, C 1 -C 5 alkoxy, C 2 -C 5 alkenyloxy, C 2 -C 5 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, acyl, C 1 -C 5 alkoxycarbonyl, aroyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, aminocarbonyloxy, C 1 -C 5 alkylaminocarbonyloxy, C 1 -C 5 dialkylaminocarbonyloxy, C 1 -C 5 alkanoylamino, C 1 -C 5 alkoxycarbonylamino, C 1 -C 5 alkylsulfonylamino, aminosulfonyl, C 1 -C 5 alkylaminosulfonyl, C 1 -C 5 dialkylaninosulfonyl, halogen, hydroxy, carboxy, cyano, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, nitro, amino wherein the nitrogen atom is optionally independently mono- or di-substituted by C 1 -C 5 alkyl or aryl, ureido wherein either nitrogen atom is optionally independently substituted with C 1 -C 5 alkyl, C 1 -C 5 alkylthio wherein the sulfur atom is optionally oxidized to a sulfoxide or sulfone;

(b) R 1 and R 2 are each independently hydrogen or C 1 -C 5 alkyl, or R 1 and R 2 together with the carbon atom they are commonly attached to form a C 3 -C 8 spiro cycloalkyl ring;

(c) B is the methylene or carbonyl group;

(d) R 3 is a carbocycle, heterocyclyl, aryl, heteroaryl, carbocycle-C 1 -C 8 alkyl, aryl-C 1 -C 8 alkyl, aryl-C 1 -C 8 haloalkyl, heterocyclyl-C 1 -C 8 alkyl, heteroaryl-C 1 -C 8 alkyl, carbocycle-C 2 -C 8 alkenyl, aryl-C 2 -C 8 alkenyl, heterocyclyl-C 2 -C 8 alkenyl, or heteroaryl-C 2 -C 8 alkenyl, each optionally independently substituted with one to three substituent groups;

(e) D is the —NH— group;

(f) E is the hydroxy group; and

(g) Q comprises a methylated benzoxazinone.

14 . A method for treating or controlling an inflammatory anterior-segment disease, condition, or disorder, the method comprising: (a) providing a composition comprising a DIGRA, a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (b) administering to a subject an amount of the composition at a frequency sufficient to treat or control the disease, condition, or disorder in the subject.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the composition further comprises a material selected from the group consisting of anti-inflammatory agents other than said DIGRA, prodrug thereof, and salt thereof, anti-infective agents, and combinations thereof.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula I

wherein A and Q are independently selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted aryl and heteroaryl groups, unsubstituted and substituted cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl groups, unsubstituted and substituted cycloalkenyl and heterocycloalkenyl groups, unsubstituted and substituted cycloalkynyl and heterocycloalkynyl groups, and unsubstituted and substituted heterocyclic groups; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, substituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, unsubstituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl groups, and substituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl groups; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, substituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, unsubstituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl groups, substituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, and heterocyclylic groups; B comprises a carbonyl, amino, divalent hydrocarbon, or heterohydrocarbon group; E is hydroxy or amino group; and D is absent or comprises a carbonyl group, —NH—, or —NR′—, wherein R′ comprises an unsubstituted or substituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl group; and wherein R 1 and R 2 together may form an unsubstituted or substituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl group.

17 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said DIGRA is represented by Formula II or III.

18 . The method of claim 14 , wherein said DIGRA is represented by Formula IV.

19 . A method for manufacturing a composition for treating or controlling an inflammatory anterior-segment disease, condition, or disorder, the method comprising:

(a) providing a DIGRA, a prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof;

(b) providing a material selected from the group consisting of: (1) anti-inflammatory agents, anti-infective agents, and combinations thereof; and

(c) combining (i) said DIGRA, prodrug thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; and (ii) said material with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula I

wherein A and Q are independently selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted and substituted aryl and heteroaryl groups, unsubstituted and substituted cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl groups, unsubstituted and substituted cycloalkenyl and heterocycloalkenyl groups, unsubstituted and substituted cycloalkynyl and heterocycloalkynyl groups, and unsubstituted and substituted heterocyclic groups; R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, substituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, unsubstituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl groups, and substituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl groups; R 3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, substituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl groups, unsubstituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl groups, substituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl and heterocycloalkyl groups, aryl groups, heteroaryl groups, and heterocyclylic groups; B comprises a carbonyl, amino, divalent hydrocarbon, or heterohydrocarbon group; E is hydroxy or amino group; and D is absent or comprises a carbonyl group, —NH—, or —NR′—, wherein R′ comprises an unsubstituted or substituted C 1 -C 15 linear or branched alkyl group; and wherein R 1 and R 2 together may form an unsubstituted or substituted C 3 -C 15 cycloalkyl group.

21 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula II or III

wherein R 4 and R 5 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, cyano, hydroxy, C 1 -C 10 alkoxy groups, unsubstituted C 1 -C 10 linear or branched alkyl groups, substituted C 1 -C 10 linear or branched alkyl groups, unsubstituted C 3 -C 10 cyclic alkyl groups, and substituted C 3 -C 10 cyclic alkyl groups.

22 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the DIGRA has Formula IV