Rational Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of Novel S1PR2 Antagonists for Reversing 5-FU-Resistance in Colorectal Cancer

J Med Chem. 2022 Nov 10;65(21):14553-14577. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00958. Epub 2022 Oct 21.

Abstract

Resistance to 5-FU reduces its clinical efficacy for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1PR2) has emerged as a potential target to reverse 5-FU-resistance by inhibiting the expression of dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD). In this study, 38 novel S1PR2 antagonists based on aryl urea structure were designed and synthesized, and the structure-activity relationship was investigated based on the S1PR2 binding assay. Representative compound 43 potently interacts with S1PR2 with a KD value of 0.73 nM. It displays potent 5-FU resensitizing activity in multiple 5-FU-resistant tumor cell lines, particularly in SW620/5-FU (EC50 = 1.99 ± 0.03 μM) but shows no cytotoxicity in the normal colon cell line NCM460 up to 1000 μM. Moreover, 43 significantly enhances the antitumor efficacy of 5-FU in the SW620/5-FU animal model. These data suggest that 43 could be a novel lead compound for developing a 5-FU resensitizing agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / pharmacology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP)
  • Fluorouracil* / pharmacology
  • Fluorouracil* / therapeutic use
  • Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors

Substances

  • Fluorouracil
  • Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic
  • Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptors
  • Dihydrouracil Dehydrogenase (NADP)