Design, synthesis, and in vitro activity of catamphiphilic reverters of multidrug resistance: discovery of a selective, highly efficacious chemosensitizer with potency in the nanomolar range

J Med Chem. 1999 May 20;42(10):1687-97. doi: 10.1021/jm980440p.

Abstract

On the basis of the results obtained in previous research, three series of compounds (A-C), derived from verapamil, were designed and synthesized to obtain drugs able to revert multidrug resistance (MDR), an acquired resistance that frequently impairs cancer chemotherapy. The ability of the obtained compounds to revert MDR was evaluated on anthracycline-resistant erythroleukemia K 562 cells, measuring the uptake of THP-adriamycin (pirarubicin) by continuous spectrofluorometric monitoring of the decrease of the fluorescence signal of the anthracycline at 590 nm (lambdaex = 480 nm), after incubation with cells. Cardiovascular activity, which is responsible for unwanted side effects, was also evaluated. The results obtained show that many of the compounds studied are potent reverters of MDR and are endowed with reduced cardiovascular activity. One of the compounds (7, MM36) presents a pharmacological profile (unprecedented nanomolar potency, high reversal of MDR, low cardiovascular activity) that makes it a promising drug candidate to treat MDR and a useful tool for studying P-glycoprotein.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anisoles / chemical synthesis*
  • Anisoles / chemistry
  • Anisoles / pharmacology
  • Anisoles / toxicity
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / toxicity
  • Aorta / drug effects
  • Aorta / physiology
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Heart Rate / drug effects
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Muscle Contraction / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / drug effects
  • Muscle, Smooth, Vascular / physiology
  • Nitriles / chemical synthesis*
  • Nitriles / chemistry
  • Nitriles / pharmacology
  • Nitriles / toxicity
  • Rabbits
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Anisoles
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • MM 36
  • Nitriles