Scaffold Hopping Strategy to Identify Prostanoid EP4 Receptor Antagonists for Cancer Immunotherapy

J Med Chem. 2022 Jun 9;65(11):7896-7917. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00448. Epub 2022 May 31.

Abstract

Cancer cells can effectively suppress the natural immune response in humans, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is a key mediator in the development of tumor cell resistance to immunotherapy. As a major contributor to PGE2-elicited immunosuppressive activity, the EP4 receptor promotes tumor development and progression in the tumor microenvironment, and the development of selective and potent EP4 receptor antagonists should have promising potential for tumor immunotherapy. Aiming at improving the drug-like properties, a series of 4,7-dihydro-5H-thieno[2,3-c]pyran derivatives were designed and synthesized through a scaffold hopping strategy. The most promising compound 47 exhibited good EP4 antagonistic activity and excellent subtype selectivity, as well as favorable drug-like properties. It effectively suppressed the expression of multiple immunosuppression-related genes in macrophages. Meanwhile, oral administration of compound 47, alone or in combination with anti-PD-1 antibody, significantly enhanced the antitumor immune response and inhibited tumor growth in the mouse CT26 colon carcinoma model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Colonic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Dinoprostone
  • Immunotherapy
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype*
  • Tumor Microenvironment

Substances

  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype
  • Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP4 Subtype
  • Dinoprostone