ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Inhibition of Bromodomain and Extra Terminal (BET) proteins is an emerging approach for developing advanced cancer therapeutics. In 2015, at least thirty patents have been published for developing cancer chemotherapeutics by targeting BET. Currently there are seven small molecule BET inhibitors in various stages of clinical trials for the development of anti-cancer drugs. AREAS COVERED: Important patents focusing on development of BET inhibitors as potential cancer therapeutics published in 2015 have been covered. The reports are presented together with a review of the related structural chemical space. This review mainly focuses on the therapeutic applications, chemical class and structural modifications along with the molecules currently in clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION: BET sub-family proteins are one of the emerging targets to develop anti-cancer agents. Although many research groups have demonstrated the rationality of BET inhibition to combat cancer, a detailed molecular study needs to be performed to investigate the affected biological pathways. Selectivity among BET proteins should be kept in mind while developing BET inhibitors. In-silico molecular modelling studies can also provide valuable information for designing selective BET inhibitors towards anti-cancer drug discovery and development.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology , Neoplasm Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Neoplasms/drug therapy , Animals , Computer Simulation , Drug Design , Drug Discovery/methods , Humans , Models, Molecular , Molecular Targeted Therapy , Neoplasms/pathology , Nuclear Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors , Patents as TopicABSTRACT
A one-pot process has been developed for preparing alkaloid-like tricyclic skeletons by employing an Ugi reaction, an acid mediated ipso-cyclization and an aza-Michael addition. The transformation is operationally simple and provides products in a diastereo- and regioselective manner with good-to-excellent yields.
Subject(s)
Alkaloids/chemistry , Alkaloids/chemical synthesis , Catalysis , Cyclization , Molecular Structure , Spiro Compounds/chemical synthesis , Spiro Compounds/chemistry , StereoisomerismABSTRACT
A solution-phase parallel synthesis of pharmaceutically important azaspiro[4.5]trienones has been developed by performing tandem Ugi four-component condensation (U4CC), involving substituted p-anisidines, aldehydes, 3-alkyl/aryl-propiolic acids, and isocyanides, and iodine-mediated ipso-iodocyclization in one-pot. This highly atom economical process produced functionalized azaspiro[4.5]trienones in good to excellent overall yields and products were easily isolated by precipitation followed by crystallization. These vinyl-iodide bearing azaspiro[4.5]trienones were utilized for further modifications through Suzuki coupling and deiodination reaction to demonstrate the suitability of these products for various palladium catalyzed modifications. The present method provides an easy access to highly functionalized azaspiro[4.5]trienones that can be useful in drug discovery research.
Subject(s)
Aldehydes/chemistry , Alkynes/chemistry , Aniline Compounds/chemistry , Cyanides/chemistry , Propionates/chemistry , Pyrrolidinones/chemical synthesis , Small Molecule Libraries/chemical synthesis , Spiro Compounds/chemical synthesis , Cyclization , Molecular Structure , Pyrrolidinones/chemistry , Small Molecule Libraries/chemistry , Spiro Compounds/chemistryABSTRACT
A series of twenty seven oxa/azaspiro[4,5]trienone derivatives were synthesized and their anticancer properties have been explored. GI50 values of all these compounds were evaluated against four types of human cancer cell lines, i.e. MCF-7 (breast), DU-145 (prostate), A549 (lung) and HepG2 (liver). Five compounds of the series exhibited good anticancer potential against MCF-7 with GI50 values less than 2 µM. Detailed biological studies of the two representative compounds 9b and 9e revealed that they arrest cell cycle in G0/G1 phase and induce mitochondria mediated apoptosis, that was further confirmed by measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), intracellular ROS generation, caspase 9 activity and Annexin V-FITC assay. Furthermore, western blot analysis suggested that these compounds up-regulate the levels of p53, p21, p27 and Bax, and down-regulate the level of Bcl-2 confirming the apoptosis inducing properties.
