Discovery of Novel Isoquinoline Analogues as Dual Tubulin Polymerization/V-ATPase Inhibitors with Immunogenic Cell Death Induction

J Med Chem. 2024 Feb 22;67(4):3144-3166. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c02399. Epub 2024 Feb 9.

Abstract

Cancer immunotherapy has revolutionized clinical advances in a variety of cancers. Due to the low immunogenicity of the tumor, only a few patients can benefit from it. Specific microtubule inhibitors can effectively induce immunogenic cell death and improve immunogenicity of the tumor. A series of isoquinoline derivatives based on the natural products podophyllotoxin and diphyllin were designed and synthesized. Among them, F10 showed robust antiproliferation activity against four human cancer cell lines, and it was verified that F10 exerted antiproliferative activity by inhibiting tubulin and V-ATPase. Further studies indicated that F10 is able to induce immunogenic cell death in addition to apoptosis. Meanwhile, F10 inhibited tumor growth in an RM-1 homograft model with enhanced T lymphocyte infiltration. These results suggest that F10 may be a promising lead compound for the development of a new generation of microtubule drugs.

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Apoptosis
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Humans
  • Immunogenic Cell Death
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology
  • Isoquinolines / therapeutic use
  • Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Polymerization
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tubulin / metabolism
  • Tubulin Modulators / pharmacology
  • Tubulin Modulators / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Tubulin Modulators
  • Tubulin
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • Isoquinolines