Design and synthesis of iodocarborane-containing ligands with high affinity and selectivity toward ERβ

Iridium-catalyzed selective amination of B(4)-H for the synthesis of o-carborane-fused indolines

An iridium-catalyzed selective amination of B(4)-H via dehydrogenative cross-coupling of B-H/N-H bonds for the synthesis of o-carborane-fused indolines has been developed for the first time. Various types of unprecedented o-carborane-fused indolines have been synthesized, which would be potential candidates for applications in drug discovery, pharmaceutical chemistry and functional materials. This work offers a valuable reference for the designing and synthesis of o-carborane-fused heterocycles.

Anticancer or carcinogenic? The role of estrogen receptor β in breast cancer progression

Estrogen receptor β (ERβ) is closely related to breast cancer (BC) progression. Traditional concepts regard ERβ as a tumor suppressor. As studies show the carcinogenic effect of ERβ, some people have come to a new conclusion that ERβ serves as a tumor suppressor in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-positive breast cancer, while it is a carcinogen in ERα-negative breast cancer. However, we re-examine the role of ERβ and find this conclusion to be misleading based on the last decade's research. A large number of studies have shown that ERβ plays an anticancer role in both ERα-positive and ERα-negative breast cancers, and its carcinogenicity does not depend solely on the presence of ERα. Herein, we review the anticancer and oncogenic effects of ERβ on breast cancer progression in the past ten years, discuss the mechanism respectively, analyze the main reasons for the inconsistency and update ERβ selective ligand library. We believe a detailed and continuously updated review will help correct the one-sided understanding of ERβ, promoting ERβ-targeted breast cancer therapy.

Carboranes in drug discovery, chemical biology and molecular imaging

There exists a paucity of structural innovation and limited molecular diversity associated with molecular frameworks in drug discovery and biomolecular imaging/chemical probe design. The discovery and exploitation of new molecular entities for medical and biological applications will necessarily involve voyaging into previously unexplored regions of chemical space. Boron clusters, notably the carboranes, offer an alternative to conventional (poly)cyclic organic frameworks that may address some of the limitations associated with the use of novel molecular frameworks in chemical biology or medicine. The high thermal stability, unique 3D structure and aromaticity, kinetic inertness to metabolism and ability to engage in unusual types of intermolecular interactions, such as dihydrogen bonds, with biological receptors make carboranes exquisite frameworks in the design of probes for chemical biology, novel drug candidates and biomolecular imaging agents. This Review highlights the key developments of carborane derivatives made over the last decade as new design tools in medicinal chemistry and chemical biology, showcasing the versatility of this unique family of boron compounds.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of 9,12-Dibromo-ortho-Carborane

Synthesis, NMR spectral data and crystal structure of 9,12-dibromo derivative of ortho-carborane are reported.

Challenging Approach to the Development of Novel Estrogen Receptor Modulators Based on the Chemical Properties of Guaiazulene

Tamoxifen, a therapeutic agent for breast cancer, has been associated with genetic polymorphisms in the metabolism of N,N-dialkylaminoethyl substituent, which plays an important role in the expression of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) activity. To solve this problem, we developed a novel estrogen receptor (ER) modulator, Az-01, on the basis of the aromaticity, dipole moment, and isopropyl group of guaiazulene. Az-01 showed four-fold lower binding affinity for ER than E2 but had similar ER-binding affinity to that of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-HOtam). Unlike tamoxifen, Az-01 acted as a partial agonist with very weak estrogenic activity at high concentrations when used alone, and it showed potent anti-estrogenic activity in the presence of E2. The cell proliferation and inhibition activities of Az-01 were specific to ER-expressing MCF-7 cells, and no effect of Az-01 on other cell proliferation signals was observed. These findings are important for the development of new types of SERMs without the N,N-dialkylaminoethyl substituent as a privileged functional group for SERMs.

Estrogen Receptor α (ERα)-targeting Compounds and Derivatives: Recent Advances in Structural Modification and Bioactivity

Breast cancer is the most common cancer suffered by female, and the second highest cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. At present, hormone therapy is still the main treatment route and can be divided into three main categories: selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), selective estrogen receptor downregulators (SERDs), and aromatase inhibitors (AIs). However, breast cancer is difficult to cure even after several rounds of anti-estrogen therapy and most drugs have serious side-effects. Here, we review the literature published over the past five years regarding the isolation and synthesis of analogs and their derivatives.

ER subtype selectivity of m-carborane-containing phenols: C-alkyl groups on the m-carborane cage enhance ERα selectivity

Estrogen receptor (ER) exhibits two subtypes, ERα and ERβ, whose biological functions are quite different despite expression in the same tissues. We developed diiodo-m-carborane derivative 3a, which showed 14-fold selectivity for ERβ with high binding affinity toward ERβ. Interestingly, introduction of an alkyl group into the carbon atom of the m-carborane cage of 3a markedly enhanced the binding affinity toward ERα and decreased affinity toward ERβ. C-n-propyl derivative 3d showed 28-fold selectivity for ERα in an ER binding assay and promoted proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Docking simulation studies suggest that the directions of the n-propyl group and the diiodo substituent introduced on the m-carborane cage play important roles for the control of ER subtype selectivity. As 3a and 3d showed ERβ and ERα selectivity with high binding affinity, respectively, these ligands may be useful as biological tools to aid in understanding the different roles of ER subtypes.

New keys for old locks: carborane-containing drugs as platforms for mechanism-based therapies

Icosahedral carboranes in medicine are still an emerging class of compounds with potential beneficial applications in drug design. These highly hydrophobic clusters are potential "new keys for old locks" which open up an exciting field of research for well-known, but challenging important therapeutic substrates, as demonstrated by the numerous examples discussed in this review.

Efficient access to amides of the carborane carboxylic acid [1-(COOH)–CB11H11]−

The preparation of the carborane acid chloride [1-(COCl)–CB₁₁H₁₁]⁻ from the carboxylic acid [1-(COOH)–CB₁₁H₁₁]⁻ is reported. This acid chloride exhibits remarkable inertness towards moisture and can be stored under ambient conditions for several months. Reaction with amines affords secondary and tertiary carborane amides [1-(CONR¹R²)–CB₁₁H₁₁]⁻ in moderate to high yields under mild conditions. Two of the amide products were characterized by X-ray crystallography in addition to spectroscopic analysis. Preliminary studies show that the amides can be reduced to the corresponding amines and that the acid chloride has the potential to serve as a starting material for carborane ester formation.

The preparation of the carborane acid chloride [1-(COCl)–CB₁₁H₁₁]⁻ from the carboxylic acid [1-(COOH)–CB₁₁H₁₁]⁻ and subsequent amide formation are reported.