Discovery and Optimization of Glucose Uptake Inhibitors

J Med Chem. 2020 May 28;63(10):5201-5211. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b02153. Epub 2020 May 8.

Abstract

Aerobic glycolysis, originally identified by Warburg as a hallmark of cancer, has recently been implicated in immune cell activation and growth. Glucose, the starting material for glycolysis, is transported through the cellular membrane by a family of glucose transporters (GLUTs). Therefore, targeting glucose transporters to regulate aerobic glycolysis is an attractive approach to identify potential therapeutic agents for cancers and autoimmune diseases. Herein, we describe the discovery and optimization of a class of potent, orally bioavailable inhibitors of glucose transporters, targeting both GLUT1 and GLUT3.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • Drug Discovery / trends
  • Glucose / metabolism*
  • Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative / metabolism*
  • Glycolysis / drug effects
  • Glycolysis / physiology
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Microsomes, Liver / drug effects
  • Microsomes, Liver / metabolism
  • Rats

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative
  • Glucose