Discovery of Novel Dual-Target Inhibitor of Bromodomain-Containing Protein 4/Casein Kinase 2 Inducing Apoptosis and Autophagy-Associated Cell Death for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Therapy

J Med Chem. 2021 Dec 23;64(24):18025-18053. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01382. Epub 2021 Dec 15.

Abstract

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) is an attractive epigenetic target in human cancers. Inhibiting the phosphorylation of BRD4 by casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a potential strategy to overcome drug resistance in cancer therapy. The present study describes the synthesis of multiple BRD4-CK2 dual inhibitors based on rational drug design, structure-activity relationship, and in vitro and in vivo evaluations, and 44e was identified to possess potent and balanced activities against BRD4 (IC50 = 180 nM) and CK2 (IC50 = 230 nM). In vitro experiments show that 44e could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis and autophagy-associated cell death of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 cells. In two in vivo xenograft mouse models, 44e displays potent anticancer activity without obvious toxicities. Taken together, we successfully synthesized the first highly effective BRD4-CK2 dual inhibitor, which is expected to be an attractive therapeutic strategy for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Casein Kinase II / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BRD4 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Casein Kinase II