Design and synthesis of 1H-benzo[d]imidazole selective HDAC6 inhibitors with potential therapy for multiple myeloma

Abstract

Pan-HDAC inhibitors exhibit significant inhibitory activity against multiple myeloma, however, their clinical applications have been hampered by substantial toxic side effects. In contrast, selective HDAC6 inhibitors have demonstrated effectiveness in treating multiple myeloma. Compounds belonging to the class of 1H-benzo[d]imidazole hydroxamic acids have been identified as novel HDAC6 inhibitors, with the benzimidazole group serving as a specific linker for these inhibitors. Notably, compound 30 has exhibited outstanding HDAC6 inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 4.63 nM) and superior antiproliferative effects against human multiple myeloma cells, specifically RPMI-8226. Moreover, it has been shown to induce cell cycle arrest in the G2 phase and promote apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. In a myeloma RPMI-8226 xenograft model, compound 30 has demonstrated significant in vivo antitumor efficacy (T/C = 34.8%) when administered as a standalone drug, with no observable cytotoxicity. These findings underscore the immense potential of compound 30 as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of multiple myeloma.