Targeting gliomas with triazene-based hybrids: Structure-activity relationship, mechanistic study and stability

Eur J Med Chem. 2019 Jun 15:172:16-25. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.03.048. Epub 2019 Mar 22.

Abstract

Herein we report novel hybrid compounds based on valproic acid and DNA-alkylating triazene moieties, 1, with therapeutic potential for glioblastoma multiforme chemotherapy. We identified hybrid compounds 1d and 1e to be remarkably more potent against glioma and more efficient in decreasing invasive cell properties than temozolomide and endowed with chemical and plasma stability. In contrast to temozolomide, which undergoes hydrolysis to release an alkylating metabolite, the valproate hybrids showed a low potential to alkylate DNA. Key physicochemical properties align for optimal CNS penetration, highlighting the potential of these effective triazene based-hybrids for enhanced anticancer chemotherapy.

Keywords: Histone deacetylase inhibitors; Multi-targeted glioma therapy; Triazenes; Valproic acid.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Glioma / drug therapy*
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Triazenes / chemical synthesis
  • Triazenes / chemistry
  • Triazenes / pharmacology*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Triazenes