Dual Targeting of Steroid Sulfatase and 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 by a Novel Drug-Prodrug Approach: A Potential Therapeutic Option for the Treatment of Endometriosis

J Med Chem. 2022 Sep 8;65(17):11726-11744. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00589. Epub 2022 Aug 22.

Abstract

A novel approach for the dual inhibition of steroid sulfatase (STS) and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1(17β HSD1) by a single drug was explored, starting from in-house 17β HSD1 inhibitors via masking their phenolic OH group with a sulfamate ester. The sulfamates were intentionally designed as drugs for the inhibition of STS and, at the same time, prodrugs for 17β-HSD1 inhibition ("drug-prodrug approach"). The most promising sulfamates 13, 16, 18-20, 22-24, 36, and 37 showed nanomolar IC50 values for STS inhibition in a cellular assay and their corresponding phenols displayed potent 17β-HSD1 inhibition in cell-free and cellular assays, high selectivity over 17β-HSD2, reasonable metabolic stability, and low estrogen receptor α affinity. A close relationship was found between the liberation of the phenolic compound by sulfamate hydrolysis and 17β-HSD1 inactivation. These results showed that the envisaged drug-prodrug concept was successfully implemented. The novel compounds constitute a promising class of therapeutics for the treatment of endometriosis and other estrogen-dependent diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • Endometriosis* / drug therapy
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Phenols / pharmacology
  • Prodrugs* / pharmacology
  • Steryl-Sulfatase
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Phenols
  • Prodrugs
  • 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • 3 (or 17)-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase
  • Steryl-Sulfatase