Discovery of an Orally Selective Inhibitor of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Using Advanced Multiple Ligand Simultaneous Docking

J Med Chem. 2017 Apr 13;60(7):2718-2731. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b01489. Epub 2017 Mar 15.

Abstract

Targeting signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is a potential anticancer strategy. However, STAT3 inhibitors with good selectivity and bioavailability are rare. The aim of this study was to discover selective direct STAT3 inhibitors with good druglikeness. By the advanced multiple ligand simultaneous docking (AMLSD) method, compound 9 was designed as an orally bioavailable STAT3 inhibitor that presented superior druggability and selectivity compared with other representative STAT3 inhibitors. 9 directly and selectively inhibited the pY705 site of STAT3 with an affinity (Ki) of 440 nM. The IC50 of 9 for MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was 184-fold lower than its IC50 for MCF-10A normal breast epithelial cells. 9 in vivo induced significant antitumor responses (better than gefitinib), and its therapeutic index should be over 100, indicating good safety of 9.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Breast / drug effects*
  • Breast / metabolism
  • Breast / pathology
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Mice, Nude
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Rats
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor