Design and Synthesis of 1,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolo[2,1- a]phthalazine Hybrids as Potent Anticancer Agents that Inhibit Angiogenesis and Induce DNA Interstrand Cross-links

J Med Chem. 2019 Mar 14;62(5):2404-2418. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b01689. Epub 2019 Feb 28.

Abstract

Hybrid molecules are composed of two pharmacophores with different biological activities. Here, we conjugated phthalazine moieties (antiangiogenetic pharmacophore) and bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrole moieties (DNA cross-linking agent) to form a series of bis(hydroxymethyl)pyrrolo[2,1- a]phthalazine hybrids. These conjugates were cytotoxic to a variety of cancer cell lines by inducing DNA damage, arresting cell cycle progression at the G2/M phase, triggering apoptosis, and inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) in endothelial cells. Among them, compound 29d encapsulated in a liposomal formulation (e.g., 29dL) significantly suppressed the growth of small-cell lung cancer cell (H526) xenografts in mice. Based on immunohistochemical staining, the tumor xenografts in mice treated with 29dL showed time-dependent decreases in the intensity of CD31, a marker of blood vessels, whereas the intensity of γ-H2AX, a marker of DNA damage, increased. The present data revealed that the conjugation of antiangiogenic and DNA-damaging agents can generate potential hybrid agents for cancer treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic / prevention & control
  • Phosphorylation
  • Phthalazines / chemical synthesis
  • Phthalazines / chemistry*
  • Phthalazines / pharmacology*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / drug effects
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Phthalazines
  • KDR protein, human
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2