Design and Synthesis of TASIN Analogues Specifically Targeting Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines with Mutant Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC)

Despite advances in targeted Anticancer therapies, there are still no small-molecule-based therapies available that specifically target colorectal Cancer (CRC) development and progression, the second leading cause of Cancer deaths. We previously disclosed the discovery of truncating adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)-selective inhibitor 1 (TASIN-1), a small molecule that specifically targets colorectal Cancer cells lines with truncating mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) tumor suppressor gene through inhibition of Cholesterol biosynthesis. Here, we report a medicinal chemistry evaluation of a collection of TASIN analogues and activity against colon Cancer cell lines and an isogenic cell line pair reporting on the status of APC-dependent selectivity. A number of potent and selective analogues were identified, including compounds with good metabolic stability and pharmacokinetic properties. The compounds reported herein represent a first-in-class genotype-selective series that specifically target APC mutations present in the majority of CRC patients and serve as a translational platform toward a targeted therapy for colon Cancer.