From Lead to Drug Candidate: Optimization of 3-(Phenylethynyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine Derivatives as Agents for the Treatment of Triple Negative Breast Cancer

J Med Chem. 2016 Nov 10;59(21):9788-9805. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00943. Epub 2016 Oct 26.

Abstract

Herein we report the sophisticated process of structural optimization toward a previously disclosed Src inhibitor, compound 1, which showed high potency in the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) both in vitro and in vivo but had considerable toxicity. A series of 3-(phenylethynyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-amine derivatives were synthesized. In vitro cell-based phenotypic screening together with in vivo assays and structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies finally led to the discovery of N-(3-((4-amino-1-(trans-4-hydroxycyclohexyl)-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-3-yl)ethynyl)-4-methylphenyl)-4-methyl-3-(trifluoromethyl)benzamide (13an). 13an is a multikinase inhibitor, which potently inhibited Src (IC50 = 0.003 μM), KDR (IC50 = 0.032 μM), and several kinases involved in the MAPK signal transduction. This compound showed potent anti-TNBC activities both in vitro and in vivo, and good pharmacokinetic properties and low toxicity. Mechanisms of action of anti-TNBC were also investigated. Collectively, the data obtained in this study indicate that 13an could be a promising drug candidate for the treatment of TNBC and hence merits further studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Molecular Structure
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • Pyrazoles / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrazoles / chemistry
  • Pyrazoles / pharmacology*
  • Pyrimidines / chemical synthesis
  • Pyrimidines / chemistry
  • Pyrimidines / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured
  • Zebrafish

Substances

  • 3-(phenylethynyl)-1H-pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidin-4-amine
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Pyrazoles
  • Pyrimidines