Design, synthesis, and docking studies of afatinib analogs bearing cinnamamide moiety as potent EGFR inhibitors

Bioorg Med Chem. 2016 Apr 1;24(7):1495-503. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2016.02.017. Epub 2016 Feb 9.

Abstract

Two series of afatinib derivatives bearing cinnamamide moiety (10a-n and 11a-h) were designed, synthesized and evaluated for the IC50 values against four cancer cell lines (A549, PC-3, MCF-7 and Hela). Two selected compounds (10e, 10k) were further evaluated for the inhibitory activity against EGFR and VEGFR2/KDR kinases. Seven of the compounds showed excellent cytotoxicity activity and selectivity with the IC50 values in single-digit μM to nanomole range. Three of them are equal to more active than positive control afatinib against one or more cell lines. The most promising compound 10k showed the best activity against A549, PC-3, MCF-7 and Hela cancer cell lines and EGFR kinase, with the IC50 values of 0.07 ± 0.02 μM, 7.67 ± 0.97 μM, 4.65 ± 0.90 μM and 4.83 ± 1.28 μM, which were equal to more active than afatinib (0.05 ± 0.01 μM, 4.1 ± 2.47 μM, 5.83 ± 1.89 μM and 6.81 ± 1.77 μM), respectively. Activity of compounds 10e (IC50 9.1 nM) and 10k (IC50 3.6 nM) against EGFR kinase were equal to the reference compound afatinib (IC50 1.6 nM). Structure-activity relationships (SARs) and docking studies indicated that replacement of the aqueous solubility 4-(dimethylamino)but-2-enamide group by cinnamamide moiety didn't decrease the antitumor activity. The results suggested that methoxy substitution had a significant impact on the activity and methoxy substituted on C-4 or C-2,3,4 position was benefit for the activity.

Keywords: Afatinib; Antitumor activity; Cinnamamide; Docking; EGFR inhibitors; Synthesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Afatinib
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cinnamates / chemistry
  • Cinnamates / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Design*
  • ErbB Receptors / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • HeLa Cells
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Molecular Docking Simulation*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Quinazolines / chemical synthesis
  • Quinazolines / chemistry*
  • Quinazolines / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Cinnamates
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Quinazolines
  • Afatinib
  • EGFR protein, human
  • ErbB Receptors
  • cinnamamide