Discovery of Novel Polycyclic Heterocyclic Derivatives from Evodiamine for the Potential Treatment of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

J Med Chem. 2021 Dec 9;64(23):17346-17365. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01411. Epub 2021 Nov 29.

Abstract

Evodiamine (Evo) is a quinazolinocarboline alkaloid found in Evodia rutaecarpa and exhibits moderate antiproliferative activity. Herein, we report using a scaffold-hopping approach to identify a series of novel polycyclic heterocyclic derivatives based on Evo as the topoisomerase I (Top1) inhibitor for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), which is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with limited treatment options. The most potent compound 7f inhibited cell growth in a human breast carcinoma cell line (MDA-MB-231) with an IC50 value of 0.36 μM. Further studies revealed that Top1 was the target of 7f, which directly induced irreversible Top1-DNA covalent complex formation or induced an oxidative DNA lesion through an indirect mechanism mediated by reactive oxygen species. More importantly, in vivo studies showed that 7f exhibited potent antitumor activity in a TNBC-patient-derived tumor xenograft model. These results suggest that compound 7f deserves further investigation as a promising candidate for the treatment of TNBC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Female
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / pharmacology
  • Heterocyclic Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Polycyclic Compounds / chemistry*
  • Polycyclic Compounds / pharmacology
  • Polycyclic Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Quinazolines / chemistry*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Heterocyclic Compounds
  • Polycyclic Compounds
  • Quinazolines
  • evodiamine