Optimization of the Natural Product Calothrixin A to Discover Novel Dual Topoisomerase I and II Inhibitors with Improved Anticancer Activity

J Med Chem. 2022 Jun 9;65(11):8040-8061. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00615. Epub 2022 May 25.

Abstract

Calothrixin A (CAA) is a dual Topo I and II inhibitor but exhibits poor antiproliferative activities and water solubility. Herein, a library of novel CAA analogues was synthesized. Among them, compound F16 exhibited superior water solubility (>5 mg/mL) as compared to CAA (<5 μg/mL). The mechanism of action studies confirmed that F16 acted as a dual Topo I and II poison. Furthermore, F16 displayed potent antiproliferative activities against high Topo I and II expression cell lines A375 and HCT116, with IC50 values of 20 and 50 nM, respectively. In xenograft models, F16 reduced the tumor growth at a dose of 10 or 20 mg/kg without apparent effect on the mouse weight, while the clinically used Topo II inhibitor VP-16 dramatically reduced the mouse weight. Collectively, our data demonstrated that F16 could be a promising lead for the development of novel dual Topo I and II antitumor agents.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Biological Products* / pharmacology
  • Biological Products* / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I / metabolism
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II / metabolism
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Indole Alkaloids
  • Mice
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Water / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biological Products
  • Indole Alkaloids
  • Topoisomerase I Inhibitors
  • Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
  • calothrixin A
  • Water
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type I
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II