Discovery of N-(4-(Benzyloxy)-phenyl)-sulfonamide Derivatives as Novel Antagonists of the Human Androgen Receptor Targeting the Activation Function 2

J Med Chem. 2022 Feb 10;65(3):2507-2521. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01938. Epub 2022 Jan 25.

Abstract

Androgen receptor (AR) antagonists have been widely used for the treatment of prostate cancer (PCa). As a link between the AR and its transcriptional function, the activation function 2 (AF2) region has recently been revealed as a novel targeting site for developing AR antagonists. Here, we reported a series of N-(4-(benzyloxy)-phenyl)-sulfonamide derivatives as new-scaffold AR antagonists targeting the AR AF2. Therein, compound T1-12 showed excellent AR antagonistic activity (IC50 = 0.47 μM) and peptide displacement activity (IC50 = 18.05 μM). Furthermore, the in vivo LNCaP xenograft study confirmed that T1-12 offered effective inhibition on tumor growth when administered intratumorally. The study represents the first successful attempt to identify a small molecule targeting the AR AF2 with submicromolar AR antagonistic activity by structure-based virtual screening and provides important clues for the development of novel therapeutics for PCa treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists / chemical synthesis
  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists / metabolism
  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Binding Sites
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Molecular Structure
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Receptors, Androgen / chemistry
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Sulfonamides / chemical synthesis
  • Sulfonamides / metabolism
  • Sulfonamides / therapeutic use*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • Androgen Receptor Antagonists
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Sulfonamides