2. Academic Validation
  3. Design, synthesis and bioevaluation of PI3Kα-selective inhibitors as potential colorectal cancer drugs

Design, synthesis and bioevaluation of PI3Kα-selective inhibitors as potential colorectal cancer drugs

  • Eur J Med Chem. 2023 Nov 15;260:115754. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115754.
Xue-Mei Zheng 1,  Yuan-Si Chen 2,  Yu-Juan Ban 1,  Yu-Jie Wang 1,  Yong-Xi Dong 1,  Li Lei 3,  Bing Guo 3,  Jian-Ta Wang 1,  Lei Tang 4,  Hong-Liang Li 5,  Ji-Quan Zhang 6
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
  • 2 School of Medicine, Yunnan University, 2 Cuihu North Road, Kunming, 650091, China.
  • 3 Guizhou Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Drug Research on Common Chronic Diseases, College of Basic Medicine, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China.
  • 4 Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 5 School of Medicine, Yunnan University, 2 Cuihu North Road, Kunming, 650091, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 6 Guizhou Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Chemical Drug R&D, College of Pharmacy, Guizhou Medical University, Guiyang, 550025, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 37651880 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115754
Abstract

The dysregulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway has been implicated in various human cancers, and isoform-selective inhibitors targeting PI3Kα have received significant interest in recent years. In this study, we have designed and synthesized three series of substituted benzoxazole derivatives based on the clinical candidate TAK-117 (8a). A detailed structure-activity relationship (SAR) study has identified the optimal compound 18a bearing a quinoxaline scaffold. Compared to the control 8a, 18a exhibited 4.4-fold more potent inhibitory activity against PI3Kα (IC50: 2.5 vs 11 nM) and better isoform-selective profiles over other PI3Ks. In addition, 18a showed a 1.5-fold more potent antiproliferative effect against HCT-116 cell lines (IC50: 3.79 vs 5.80 μM) and a better selectivity over the normal tissue cells. The potential antitumor mechanism and in vitro metabolic stability of 18a were also investigated. Notably, pharmacokinetic assays indicated that 18a had a higher plasma exposure, a higher maximum concentration and shorter elimination time compared to 8a.

Keywords

Isoform-selective; Kinase inhibitor; Phosphoinositide 3-kinase; Structure–activity relationship; Synthesis.

Figures
Products