Naphthoquinone-Quinolone Hybrids with Antitumor Effects on Breast Cancer Cell Lines-From the Synthesis to 3D-Cell Culture Effects

Breast cancer stands as one of the foremost cause of cancer-related deaths globally, characterized by its varied molecular subtypes. Each subtype requires a distinct therapeutic strategy. Although advancements in treatment have enhanced patient outcomes, significant hurdles remain, including treatment toxicity and restricted effectiveness. Here, we explore the anticancer potential of novel 1,4-naphthoquinone/4-quinolone hybrids on breast cancer cell lines. The synthesized compounds demonstrated selective cytotoxicity against Luminal and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells, which represent the two main molecular types of breast cancer that depend most on cytotoxic chemotherapy, with potency comparable to doxorubicin, a standard chemotherapeutic widely used in breast cancer treatment. Notably, these derivatives exhibited superior selectivity indices (SI) when compared to doxorubicin, indicating lower toxicity towards non-tumor MCF10A cells. Compounds 11a and 11b displayed an improvement in IC50 values when compared to their precursor, 1,4-naphthoquinone, for both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 and a comparable value to doxorubicin for MCF-7 cells. Also, their SI values were superior to those seen for the two reference compounds for both cell lines tested. Mechanistic studies revealed the ability of the compounds to induce apoptosis and inhibit clonogenic potential. Additionally, the irreversibility of their effects on cell viability underscores their promising therapeutic utility. In 3D-cell culture models, the compounds induced morphological changes indicative of reduced viability, supporting their efficacy in a more physiologically relevant model of study. The pharmacokinetics of the synthesized compounds were predicted using the SwissADME webserver, indicating that these compounds exhibit favorable drug-likeness properties and potential as antitumor agents. Overall, our findings underscore the promise of these hybrid compounds as potential candidates for breast cancer chemotherapy, emphasizing their selectivity and efficacy.

Selective AMPK activator leads to unfolded protein response downregulation and induces breast cancer cell death and autophagy

AIMS

AMPK plays a critical role regulating cell metabolism, growth and survival. Interfering with this enzyme activity has been extensively studied as putative mechanism for cancer therapy. The present work aims to identify a specific AMPK activator for cancer cells among a series of novel heterocyclic compounds.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A series of novel hybrid heterocyclic compounds, namely naphtoquinone-4-oxoquinoline and isoquinoline-5,8-quinone-4-oxoquinoline derivatives, were synthesized via Michael reaction and their structures confirmed by spectral data: infrared; ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy (COSY, HSQC, HMBC); and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The novel compounds were screened and tested for antitumoral activity and have part of their mechanism of action scrutinized.

KEY FINDINGS

Here, we identified a selective AMPK activator among the new hybrid heterocyclic compounds. This new compound presents selective cytotoxicity on breast cancer cells but not on non-cancer counterparts. We identified that by specifically activating AMPK in cancer cells, the drug downregulates unfolded protein response pathway, as well as inhibits mTOR signaling.

SIGNIFICANCE

These effects, that are selective for cancer cells, lead to activation of autophagy and, ultimately, to cancer cells death. Taken together, our data support the promising anticancer activity of this novel compound which is a strong modulator of metabolism.

Phthalazinone Scaffold: Emerging Tool in the Development of Target Based Novel Anticancer Agents

Phthalazinones are important nitrogen-rich heterocyclic compounds which have been a topic of considerable medicinal interest because of their diversified pharmacological activities. This versatile scaffold forms a common structural feature for many bioactive compounds, which leads to the design and development of novel anticancer drugs with fruitful results. The current review article discusses the progressive development of novel phthalazinone analogues that are targets for various receptors such as PARP, EGFR, VEGFR-2, Aurora kinase, Proteasome, Hedgehog pathway, DNA topoisomerase and P-glycoprotein. It describes mechanistic insights into the anticancer properties of phthalazinone derivatives and also highlights various simple and economical techniques for the synthesis of phthalazinones.

Synthesis and photodynamic effects of new porphyrin/4-oxoquinoline derivatives in the inactivation of S. aureus

New porphyrin/4-oxoquinoline conjugates were synthesized and shown to be excellent photosensitizing agents in the inactivation of S. aureus by the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy protocol.

Zn-catalyzed hydrohydrazination of propargylamides with BocNHNH2: a novel entry into the 1,2,4-triazine core

Hydrohydrazination of propargylamides with BocNHNH₂ under Zn(OTf)₂ catalysis gave dihydro-1,2,4-triazines which can be efficiently aromatized in situ with K₃[Fe(CN)₆]. This provides a new entry into the medicinally important 1,2,4-triazine core.

Discovery of pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazine-3-carboxamides as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors

A new class of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors was discovered using a rationally designed pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazine-3-carboxamide scaffold. Preliminary studies identified (R)-(2,2-dimethylcyclopentyl)amine as a preferred C4 substituent on the pyrrolopyridazine core (3b). Incorporation of amino group to 3-position of the cyclopentane ring resulted in a series of JAK3 inhibitors (4g-4j) that potently inhibited IFNγ production in an IL2-induced whole blood assay and displayed high functional selectivity for JAK3-JAK1 pathway relative to JAK2. Further modifications led to the discovery of an orally bioavailable (2-fluoro-2-methylcyclopentyl)amino analogue 5g which is a nanomolar inhibitor of both JAK3 and TYK2, functionally selective for the JAK3-JAK1 pathway versus JAK2, and active in a human whole blood assay.

An expedient and new synthesis of pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazine derivatives

The reaction of 2-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-oxo-1-phenylethyl]-4-methyl-3-oxo-pentanoic acid phenylamide with tertiary butyl carbazate and subsequent condensation of the resulting carbamate derivative with a chalcone provided a facile new approach to pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazine derivatives.

Synthesis and X-ray structure of a new pyrrolo[1,2-b]-pyridazine derivative

The synthesis, characterization and X-ray crystal structure of 2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-7-methylpyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazine are reported. The compound crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/c (No.14) with a =3.8568(1), b = 11.0690(3), c = 26.4243(7) A, beta =92.777(1) degrees and Z = 4. Accurate molecular parameters for the novel heterocyclic system were obtained from intensity data collected at 113K. The molecule assumes a planar conformation in the crystal and the packing is based on pi-pi stacking with interplanar spacing 3.400 å, typical of aromatic molecules with potential for displaying useful optical properties.

Synthesis of 5-Azaindolizine Derivatives by the Palladium-Catalyzed Intermolecular Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition of Alkylidenecyclopropanes with 1,2-Diazines

The palladium-catalyzed formal [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of alkylidenecyclopropanes with 1,2-diazines proceeded smoothly to give the corresponding 5-azaindolizine derivatives in good to allowable yields. For example, in the presence of 5 mol % of Pd(PPh(3))(4), the reaction of 1-propylhexylidenecyclopropane with phthalazine or with pyridazine proceeded at 120 degrees C without solvent, and the corresponding 2-(1-butylpentyl)pyrrolo[2,1-a]phthalazine or 6-(1-butylpentyl)pyrrolo[1,2-b]pyridazine was obtained in 61% or 49% yield, respectively.

Biological activity of new aza analogues of quinolones

A series of novel derivatives of 4H-pyrido[1,2-]pyrimidine, 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-1,5-naphthyridine and 1,4-dihydro-4-oxo-1,6-naphthyridine were prepared and their biological activity was compared with that of nalidixic acid. The in vitro antibacterial activity of the tested compounds was lower than that of nalidixic acid except for two agents, 1b and 2c, with a higher activity against Enterococcus faecalis. The compounds were tested for their ability to cure four plasmids from two species of Enterobacteriaceae. The derivatives eliminated three plasmids (pKM101, pBR322, F'lac) at one-half or one-quarter of the minimal inhibitory concentration. Plasmid RP4 was unaffected by the treatment. None of these compounds showed better antichloroplast activity than nalidixic acid.