Structural Optimization of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor Inhibitors for Treating Solid Tumors

J Med Chem. 2023 Mar 9;66(5):3226-3249. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01507. Epub 2023 Feb 20.

Abstract

Small-molecule fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors have emerged as a promising antitumor therapy. Herein, by further optimizing the lead compound 1 under the guidance of molecular docking, we obtained a series of novel covalent FGFR inhibitors. After careful structure-activity relationship analysis, several compounds were identified to exhibit strong FGFR inhibitory activity and relatively better physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties compared with those of 1. Among them, 2e potently and selectively inhibited the kinase activity of FGFR1-3 wildtype and high-incidence FGFR2-N549H/K-resistant mutant kinase. Furthermore, it suppressed cellular FGFR signaling, exhibiting considerable antiproliferative activity in FGFR-aberrant cancer cell lines. In addition, the oral administration of 2e in the FGFR1-amplified H1581, FGFR2-amplified NCI-H716, and SNU-16 tumor xenograft models demonstrated potent antitumor efficacy, inducing tumor stasis or even tumor regression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Humans
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2*
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • Signal Transduction
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2
  • Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 1
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Antineoplastic Agents