Design, Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation of a Potent Dual EZH2-BRD4 Inhibitor for the Treatment of Some Solid Tumors

J Med Chem. 2023 Feb 23;66(4):2646-2662. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01607. Epub 2023 Feb 12.

Abstract

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) mediates the trimethylation of histone 3 lysine 27 (H3K27) to promote gene silencing. Inhibition of EZH2 is a viable strategy for cancer treatment; however, only a small subset of hematological malignancies are sensitive to small-molecule EZH2 inhibitors. EZH2 inhibitors cause H3K27 acetylation in most solid tumors, leading to drug resistance. Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitors were reported to enhance the sensitivity of solid tumors to EZH2 inhibitors. Thus, we designed and evaluated a series of dual EZH2-BRD4 inhibitors. ZLD-2, the most promising compound, exhibited potent inhibitory activity against EZH2 and BRD4. Compared to the EZH2 inhibitor GSK126, ZLD-2 displayed potent antiproliferation activity against breast, lung, bladder, and pancreatic cancer cells. In vivo, ZLD-2 exhibited antitumor activity in a BxPC-3 mouse xenograft model, whereas GSK126 promoted tumor growth. Thus, ZLD-2 may be a lead compound for treating solid tumors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Cell Cycle Proteins* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Design*
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Enzyme Inhibitors* / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors* / pharmacology
  • Histones / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Transcription Factors* / metabolism

Substances

  • BRD4 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • EZH2 protein, human
  • Histones
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Antineoplastic Agents