Novel 2-substituted thioquinazoline-benzenesulfonamide derivatives as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors with potential anticancer activity

Benzimidazole-oxindole hybrids: A novel class of selective dual CDK2 and GSK-3β inhibitors of potent anticancer activity

A new series of benzimidazole-oxindole hybrids 8a-x was discovered as dual cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK2) and glycogen synthase kinase-3-beta (GSK-3β) inhibitors with potent anticancer activity. The synthesized hits displayed potent anticancer activity against national cancer institute cancer cell lines in single-dose and five-dose assays. Moreover, the derivatives 8k, 8l, 8n, 8o, and 8p demonstrated potent cytotoxic activity against PANC-1 cells with IC50 = 1.88-2.79 µM. In addition, the hybrids 8l, 8n, 8o, and 8p displayed potent antiproliferative activity on the MG-63 cell line (IC50 = 0.99-1.90 µM). Concurrently, the benzimidazole-oxindole hybrid 8v exhibited potent dual CDK2/GSK-3β inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 0.04 and 0.021 µM, respectively. In addition, 8v displayed more than 10-fold higher selectivity toward CDK2 and GSK-3 β over CDK1, CDK5, GSK-3α, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2, and B-rapidly accelerated fibrosarcoma. Screening of the effect of 8n and 8v on the cell cycle and apoptosis of PANC-1 and MG-63 cells displayed their ability to arrest their cell cycle at the G2-M phase and to potentiate the apoptosis of both cell lines. In silico docking of the benzimidazole-oxindole hybrid 8v into the catalytic pocket of both CDK2 and GSK-3β revealed its perfect fitting through the formation of hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with the key amino acids in the binding sites. In addition, in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion studies proved that 8a-x exhibit satisfactory drug-likeness properties for drug development.

Quinazoline-oxindole hybrids as angiokinase inhibitors and anticancer agents: Design, synthesis, biological evaluation, and molecular docking studies

Two new sets of quinazoline-oxindole 8a-l and quinazoline-dioxoisoindoline 10a-d hybrids were designed as type II angiokinase inhibitors and anticancer agents. The design strategy was adjusted to account for the quinazoline scaffold's placement in the target kinases' hinge region, where it would form hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with the important amino acids to stabilize it, and the amide group's occupation in the gate region, which would direct the oxindole scaffold toward the hydrophobic back pocket. The two sets of quinazolines 8a-l and 10a-d displayed pronounced inhibitory activity on VEGFR-2 (IC50 = 0.46-2.20 µM). The quinazoline-oxindole hybrids 8d, 8f, and 8h displayed IC50 = 0.46, 0.49, and 0.49 µM, respectively. Compound 8f demonstrated potent multikinase activity with IC50 values of 0.95 and 0.67 µM against FGFR-1 and BRAF, respectively. Additionally, compound 8f showed significant anticancer activity against National Cancer Institute's cancer cell lines, with GI50 reaching 1.21 µM. Analysis of the impact of compound 8f on the MDA-MB-231 cell line's cell cycle and apoptosis revealed that 8f stalled the cell cycle at the G2/M phase and promoted its necrosis.

Oxindole-benzothiazole hybrids as CDK2 inhibitors and anticancer agents: design, synthesis and biological evaluation

In the current study, molecular hybridization between the oxindole core and benzothiazole system through an acetohydrazide moiety was accomplished for the design of a new series of oxindole-benzothiazole hybrids 9a-r targeting CDK2 for cancer therapy. The afforded hybrids displayed promising growth inhibitory activity on NCI cancer cell lines at 10 µM. Compound 9o displayed mean GI% = 55.91%. Based on the potent activity of 9o, it was further assessed for its cytotoxic activity at five dose level and it demonstrated GI50 reaching 2.02 µM. Analysis of the cell cycle of the prostate cancer cell line DU145 after treatment with 9o confirmed its ability to arrest its cell cycle at the G1 phase. Moreover, 9o proved its ability to potentiate the apoptosis and necrosis of the same cell line. Furthermore, the oxindole-benzothiazole hybrids 9b, 9f and 9o showed IC50 = 0.70, 0.20 and 0.21 µM, respectively on CDK2. Besides, molecular docking simulation of the synthesized oxindole-benzothiazole hybrid 9o proved the expected binding mode which involves the accommodation of the oxindole moiety in the ATP binding pocket where it is involved in hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions with the essential amino acids in the hinge region while the benzothiazole moiety is oriented toward the solvent region. Investigation of the physicochemical properties of the hybrids 9a-r highlights their acceptable ADME properties that can be somewhat developed for the discovery of new anticancer agents.

Diphenyl urea-benzylidene acetohydrazide hybrids as fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 inhibitors and anticancer agents

Molecular hybridization between diphenyl urea and benzylidene acetohydrazide was adopted for the design of a new series of FGFR-1 targeting cancer. The designed series was synthesized and submitted to NCI-USA to be screened for their growth inhibitory activity on NCI cancer cell lines. Some of the synthesized hybrids displayed promising growth inhibitory activity on NCI cancer cell lines with a mean GI% between 70.39% and a lethal effect. Compounds 9a, 9i, 9j, and 9n-p were further selected for a five-dose assay and all the tested candidates showed promising antiproliferative activity with GI50 reaching the submicromolar range. Encouraged by the potent activity of 9a on colon cancer on the one hand and the well-known overexpression of FGFR-1 in it on the other hand, it was further selected as a representative example to be evaluated for its mechanism on the cell cycle and apoptosis of HCT116 cell line. Interestingly, 9a was found to pause the cell cycle of the HCT116 cell line at the G1 phase and induced late apoptosis. In parallel, all the synthesized hybrids 9a-p were examined for their potential to inhibit FGFR-1 at 10 µM. Compounds 9a, 9g, 9h, and 9p were found to have potent inhibitory activity with % inhibition = 63.04%, 58.31%, 60.87% and 79.84%, respectively. Molecular docking simulation of 9a in the binding pocket of FGFR-1 confirms its capability to achieve the characteristic interactions of the type II FGFR-1 inhibitors. Exploration of the ADME properties of 9a-p by SwissADME web tool proved their satisfactory physicochemical properties for the discovery of new anticancer hits.

A new framework for novel analogues of pazopanib as potent and selective human carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Design, repurposing rational, synthesis, crystallographic, in vivo and in vitro biological assessments

Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of novel aryl pyrimidine benzenesulfonamides APBSs 5a-n, 6a-c, 7a-b, and 8 as pazopanib analogues to explore new potent and selective inhibitors for the CA IX. All APBSs were examined in vitro for their promising inhibition activity against a small panel of hCAs (isoforms I, II, IX, and XII). The X-ray crystal structure of CA I in adduct with a representative APBS analogue was solved. APBS-5m, endowed with the best hCA IX inhibitory efficacy and selectivity, was evaluated for antiproliferative activity against a small panel of different cancer cell lines, SK-MEL-173, MDA-MB-231, A549, HCT-116, and HeLa, and it demonstrated one-digit IC50 values range from 2.93 μM (MDA-MB-231) to 5.86 μM (A549). Furthermore, compound APBS-5m was evaluated for its influence on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) production, apoptosis induction, and colony formation in MDA-MB-231 cancer cells. The in vivo efficacy of APBS-5m as an antitumor agent was additionally investigated in an animal model of Solid Ehrlich Carcinoma (SEC). In order to offer perceptions into the conveyed hCA IX inhibitory efficacy and selectivity in silico, a molecular docking investigation was also carried out.

Chemistry of heterocycles as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: A pathway to novel research in medicinal chemistry review

Nowadays, the scientific community has focused on dealing with different kinds of diseases by exploring the chemistry of various heterocycles as novel drugs. In this connection, medicinal chemists identified carbonic anhydrases (CA) as one of the biologically active targets for curing various diseases. The widespread distribution of these enzymes and the high degree of homology shared by the different isoforms offer substantial challenges to discovering potential drugs. Medicinal and synthetic organic chemists have been continuously involved in developing CA inhibitors. This review explored the chemistry of different heterocycles as CA inhibitors using the last 11 years of published research work. It provides a pathway for young researchers to further explore the chemistry of a variety of synthetic as well as natural heterocycles as CA inhibitors.

The anticancer therapeutic potential of pyrimidine-sulfonamide hybrids

Cancer as a devastating malignancy, seriously threatens human life and health, but most chemotherapeutics have long been criticized for unsatisfactory therapeutic efficacy due to drug resistance and severe off-target toxicity. Pyrimidines, including fused pyrimidines, are privileged scaffolds for various biological cancer targets and are the most important class of metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Pyrimidine-sulfonamide hybrids can act on different targets in cancer cells simultaneously and possess potent activity against various cancers, revealing that hybridization of pyrimidine with sulfonamide is a promising approach to generate novel effective anticancer candidates. This review aims to summarize the recent progress of pyrimidine-sulfonamide hybrids with anticancer potential, covering papers published from 2020 to present, to facilitate further rational design of more effective candidates.

Identification of thienopyrimidine derivatives tethered with sulfonamide and other moieties as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: Design, synthesis and anti-proliferative activity

Eighteen novel compounds harboring the privileged thienopyrimidine scaffold (5a-q, and 6a),were designed based on molecular hybridization strategy. These compounds were synthesized and tested for their inhibitory activity against four different carbonic anhydrase isoforms: CA I, II, IX, and XII. Microwave and conventional techniques were applied for their synthesis. Compounds 5b, 5g, 5l, and 5p showed the highest inhibition activity against the four CA isoforms. Compound 5p exhibited promising inhibitory activity against CA II, CA IX and CA XII with KI values of8.6, 13.8, and 19 nM, respectively, relative to AAZ, where KIs = 12, 25, and 5.7 nM, respectively. Also, compound 5 l showed significant activity against the tumor-associated isoform CA IX with KI = 16.1 nM. All the newly synthesized compounds were also screened for their anticancer activity against NCI 60 cancer cell lines at a 10 µM concentration. Compound 5n showed 80.38, 83.95, and 87.39 % growth inhibition against the leukemic cell lines CCRF-CEM, HL-60 (TB), and RPMI-8226, respectively. Also, 5 h showed 87.57 % growth inhibition against breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-468; and 66.58 and 60.95 % inhibitionagainst renal cancer cell lines UO-31, and ACHN, respectively. A molecular docking studywas carried out to predict binding modes of our synthesized compounds in the binding pockets of the four carbonic anhydrase isoforms, and results revealed that compounds 5b, 5g, 5l, and 5p succeeded in mimicking the binding mode of AAZ through metal coordination with Zn+2 ion and binding to the amino acids Thr199, His94, and His96 that are critical for activity.

Recent Advances in Structural Optimization of Quinazoline-Based Protein Kinase Inhibitors for Cancer Therapy (2021-Present)

Cancer is a complicated, multifaceted disease that can impact any organ in the body. Various chemotherapeutic agents have a low selectivity and are very toxic when used alone or in combination with others. Resistance is one of the most important hurdles that develop due to the use of many anticancer therapeutics. As a result, treating cancer requires a target-specific palliative care strategy. Remarkable scientific discoveries have shed light on several of the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer, resulting in the development of various targeted anticancer agents. One of the most important heterocyclic motifs is quinazoline, which has a wide range of biological uses and chemical reactivities. Newer, more sophisticated medications with quinazoline structures have been found in the last few years, and great strides have been made in creating effective protocols for building these pharmacologically active scaffolds. A new class of chemotherapeutic agents known as quinazoline-based derivatives possessing anticancer properties consists of several well-known compounds that block different protein kinases and other molecular targets. This review highlights recent updates (2021-2024) on various quinazoline-based derivatives acting against different protein kinases as anticancer chemotherapeutics. It also provides guidance for the design and synthesis of novel quinazoline analogues that could serve as lead compounds.

Rational design and synthesis of novel quinazolinone N-acetohydrazides as type II multi-kinase inhibitors and potential anticancer agents

In the current investigation, a new class of quinazolinone N-acetohydrazides 9a-v was designed as type II multi-kinase inhibitors. The target quinazolinones were tailored so that the quinazolinone moiety would occupy the front pocket of the binding sites of VEGFR-2, FGFR-1 and BRAF kinases, meanwhile, the phenyl group at position 2 would act as a spacer which was functionalized at position 4 with an N-acetohydrazide linker that could achieve the key interactions with the essential gate area amino acids. The hydrazide moiety was linked to diverse aryl derivatives to occupy the hydrophobic back pocket of the DFG-out conformation of target kinases. The synthesized quinazolinone derivatives 9a-v demonstrated moderate to potent VEGFR-2 inhibitory activity with IC50 spanning from 0.29 to 5.17 µM. Further evaluation of the most potent derivatives on FGFR-1, BRAFWT and BRAFV600E showed that the quinazolinone N-acetohydrazides 9d, 9e, 9f, 9l and 9m have a potent multi-kinase inhibitory activity. Concurrently, 9b, 9d, 9e, 9k, 9l, 9o, 9q demonstrated potent growth inhibitory activity on NCI cancer cell lines with GI50 reaching 0.72 µM. In addition, compound 9e arrested the cell cycle progression in MDA-MB-231 cell line at the G2/M phase and showed the ability to induce apoptosis.

Targeting carbonic anhydrases for the management of hypoxic metastatic tumors

INTRODUCTION

Several isoforms of the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) are connected with tumorigenesis. Hypoxic tumors overexpress CA IX and XII as a consequence of HIF activation cascade, being involved in pH regulation, metabolism, and metastases formation. Other isoforms (CA I, II, III, IV) were also reported to be present in some tumors.

AREAS COVERED

Some CA isoforms are biomarkers for disease progression or response to therapy. Inhibitors, antibodies, and other procedures for targeting these enzymes for the treatment of tumors/metastases are discussed. Sulfonamides and coumarins represent the most investigated classes of inhibitors, but carboxylates, selenium, and tellurium-containing inhibitors were also investigated. Hybrid drugs of CA inhibitors with other antitumor agents for multitargeted therapy were reported.

EXPERT OPINION

Targeting CAs present in solid or hematological tumors with selective, targeted inhibitors is a validated approach, which has been consolidated in the last years. A host of new preclinical data and several clinical trials of antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors are ongoing, which connected with the large number of new chemotypes/procedures discovered to be effective, may lead to a breakthrough in this therapeutic area. The scientific/patent literature has been searched for on PubMed, ScienceDirect, Espacenet, and PatentGuru, from 2018 to 2023.

Discovery of Novel Thioquinazoline-N-aryl-acetamide/N-arylacetohydrazide Hybrids as Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Agents: Synthesis, in vitro Biological Evaluation, and Molecular Docking Studies

In the current investigation, two novel series of (tetrahydro)thioquinazoline-N-arylacetamides and (tetrahydro)thioquinazoline-N-arylacetohydrazides were designed, synthesized and investigated for their antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. The thioquinazoline-N-arylacetamide 17g as well as the tetrahydrothioquinazoline-N-arylacetohydrazides 18c and 18f showed potent antiviral activity with IC₅₀ of 21.4, 38.45 and 26.4 µM, respectively. In addition, 18c and 18f demonstrated potential selectivity toward the SARS-CoV-2 over the host cells with SI of 10.67 and 16.04, respectively. Further evaluation of the mechanism of action of the three derivatives 17g, 18c, and 18f displayed that they can inhibit the virus at the adsorption as well as at the replication stages, in addition to their virucidal properties. In addition, 17g, 18c, and 18f demonstrated satisfactory physicochemical properties as well as drug-likeness properties to be further optimized for the discovery of novel antiviral agents. The docking simulation predicted the binding pattern of the target compounds rationalizing their differential activity based on their hydrophobic interaction and fitting in the hydrophobic S2 subsite of the binding site