Design, Synthesis, and Structure-Activity Relationship of 7-Propanamide Benzoxaboroles as Potent Anticancer Agents

J Med Chem. 2019 Jul 25;62(14):6765-6784. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.9b00736. Epub 2019 Jul 2.

Abstract

Benzoxaboroles, as a novel class of bioactive molecules with unique physicochemical properties, have been shown to possess excellent antimicrobial activities with tavaborole approved in 2014 as an antifungal drug. Although urgently needed, the investigation of benzoxaboroles as anticancer agents has been lacking so far. In this study, we report the design, synthesis, and anticancer structure-activity relationship of a series of 7-propanamide benzoxaboroles. Compounds 103 and 115 showed potent activity against ovarian cancer cells with IC50 values of 33 and 21 nM, respectively. Apoptosis was induced by these compounds and colony formation was effectively inhibited. Furthermore, they also showed excellent efficacy in ovarian tumor xenograft mouse model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents