Barbara Parrino

Novel 1H-Pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine Derivative Nortopsentin Analogues: Synthesis and Antitumor Activity in Peritoneal Mesothelioma Experimental Models

In this study, we describe the synthesis of new nortopsentin analogues, 1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives and their biological effects in experimental models of diffuse malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (DMPM), a rare and rapidly fatal disease, poorly responsive to conventional therapies. The three most active compounds, 1f (3-[2-(5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine), 3f (3-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridine), and 1l (3-[2-(5-fluoro-1-methyl-1H-indol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]-1-methyl-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b] pyridine), which were shown to act as cyclin-dependent kinase 1 inhibitors, consistently reduced DMPM cell proliferation and induced a caspase-dependent apoptotic response, with a concomitant reduction of the expression of the active Thr(34)-phosphorylated form of the antiapoptotic protein survivin. Moreover, the combined treatment of DMPM cells with 3f derivative and paclitaxel produced a synergistic cytotoxic effect, which was paralleled by an enhanced apoptotic response. In the mouse model, i.p. administration of 1f, 3f, and 1l derivatives was effective, resulting in a significant tumor volume inhibition of DMPM xenografts (range, 58-75%) at well-tolerated doses, and two complete responses were observed in each treatment group.

Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of 3‐(2‐Phenyl‐1,3‐thiazol‐4‐yl)‐1H‐indoles and 3‐(2‐Phenyl‐1,3‐thiazol‐4‐yl)‐1H‐7‐azaindoles

Given the potent antimicrobial, antiviral, and antitumor activities of many natural products, there is an increasing interest in the synthesis of new molecules based on natural compound scaffolds. Based on a 2,4‐bis(3′‐indolyl)imidazole skeleton, two new series of phenylthiazolylindoles and phenylthiazolyl‐7‐azaindoles were obtained by Hantzsch reaction between substituted phenylthioamides and the α‐bromoacetyl derivatives. Some azaindole derivatives, tested at the National Cancer Institute against a panel of ∼60 tumor cell lines derived from nine human cancer cell types, showed inhibitory effects against all cell lines investigated at micromolar to nanomolar concentrations. Two of them exhibited a high affinity for CDK1, with IC50 values of 0.41 and 0.85 μM. These promising results will set the foundation for future investigations into the development of anticancer therapies.

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of 2,5-bis(3′-Indolyl)pyrroles, Analogues of the Marine Alkaloid Nortopsentin

2,5-bis(3′-Indolyl)pyrroles, analogues of the marine alkaloid nortopsentin, were conveniently prepared through a three step procedure in good overall yields. Derivatives 1a and 1b exhibited concentration-dependent antitumor activity towards a panel of 42 human tumor cell lines with mean IC50 values of 1.54 μM and 0.67 μM, respectively. Investigating human tumor xenografts in an ex-vivo clonogenic assay revealed selective antitumor activity, whereas sensitive tumor models were scattered among various tumor histotypes.

Synthesis of a new class of pyrrolo[3,4-h]quinazolines with antimitotic activity

A new series of pyrrolo[3,4-h]quinazolines was conveniently prepared with a broad substitution pattern. A large number of derivatives was obtained and the cellular cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro against 5 different human tumor cell lines with GI₅₀ values reaching the low micromolar level (1.3-19.8 μM). These compounds were able to induce cell death mainly by apoptosis through a mitochondrial dependent pathway. Selected compounds showed antimitotic activity and a reduction of tubulin polymerization in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, they showed anti-angiogenic properties since reduced in vitro endothelial cell migration and disrupted HUVEC capillary-like tube network in Matrigel.

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of Substituted 3[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)- 1,3-thiazol-4-yl]-1H-pyrrolo[3,2-b]pyridines, Marine Alkaloid Nortopsentin Analogues

A large number of indolyl-4-azaindolyl thiazoles, nortopsentin analogues, were conveniently synthesized. The antiproliferative activity of the new derivatives was examined against four human tumor cell lines with different histologic origin. Seven derivatives consistently reduced the growth of the experimental models independently of TP53 gene status and exhibited the highest activity against the malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (STO) cell line. The most active compound of this series acts as a CDK1 inhibitor, and was found to cause cell cycle arrest at G2/M phase, to induce apoptosis by preventing the phosphorylation of survivin in Thr(34) and to increase the cytotoxic activity of paclitaxel in STO cells.

Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of thiazolyl-bis-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridines and indolyl-thiazolyl-pyrrolo[2,3-c]pyridines, nortopsentin analogues

Two new series of nortopsentin analogues, in which the imidazole ring of the natural product was replaced by thiazole and indole units were both substituted by 7-azaindole moieties or one indole unit was replaced by a 6-azaindole portion, were efficiently synthesized. Compounds belonging to both series inhibited the growth of HCT-116 colorectal cancer cells at low micromolar concentrations, whereas they did not affect the viability of normal-like intestinal cells. A compound of the former series induced apoptosis, evident as externalization of plasma membrane phosphatidylserine (PS), and changes of mitochondrial trans-membrane potential, while blocking the cell cycle in G2/M phase. In contrast, a derivative of the latter series elicited distinct responses in accordance with the dose. Thus, low concentrations (GI30) induced morphological changes characteristic of autophagic death with massive formation of cytoplasmic acid vacuoles without apparent loss of nuclear material, and with arrest of cell cycle at the G1 phase, whereas higher concentrations (GI70) induced apoptosis with arrest of cell cycle at the G1 phase.

Synthesis and Antiproliferative Activity of the Ring System [1,2]Oxazolo[4,5‐g]indole

Brand new ring: A series of 27 derivatives of the new ring system [1,2]oxazolo[4,5-g]indole were conveniently prepared and tested at the NCI for antiproliferative studies. Several of them showed good inhibitory activity toward all tested cell lines, reaching GI50 values generally at the micromolar and sub-micromolar levels and in some cases at nanomolar concentrations. The mean GI50 values, calculated on the full panel, were in the range 0.25-7.08 μM.

Synthesis of Triazenoazaindoles: a New Class of Triazenes with Antitumor Activity

Despite improvements in the treatment and prevention of cancer, the number of new diagnoses continues to rise; this has fuelled substantial interest in the development of new and effective chemotherapeutic agents. Compounds of the triazene class, such as dacarbazine, have been used in the clinical management of many cancer types including brain, leukemia, and melanoma. A new compound class bearing a triazenoazaindole scaffold was synthesized with the aim of identifying new antiproliferative agents. Compounds 5 a–g and 6 a–c were screened against a panel of human tumor cell lines, and two of them, 5 e and 5 f, showed cytotoxicity (GI50 range: 2.2–8.2 μM) in all cell lines. These two compounds even maintained their cytotoxicity in some multidrug‐resistant cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis demonstrated their ability to induce cell death by apoptosis with involvement of lysosomes.

3-[4-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-b]pyridines, Nortopsentin Analogues with Antiproliferative Activity

A new series of nortopsentin analogues, in which the imidazole ring of the natural product was replaced by thiazole and the indole unit bound to position 2 of the thiazole ring was substituted by a 7-azaindole moiety, was efficiently synthesized. Two of the new nortopsentin analogues showed good antiproliferative effect against the totality of the NCI full panel of human tumor cell lines (~60) having GI50 values ranging from low micromolar to nanomolar level. The mechanism of the antiproliferative effect of these derivatives, investigated on human hepatoma HepG2 cells, was pro-apoptotic, being associated with externalization of plasma membrane phosphatidylserine and mitochondrial dysfunction. Moreover, the compounds induced a concentration-dependent accumulation of cells in the subG0/G1phase, while confined viable cells in G2/M phase.

Pyrazolo[3,4-h]quinolines promising photosensitizing agents in the treatment of cancer

A new series of pyrazolo[3,4-h]quinolines, heteroanalogues of angelicin was conveniently prepared with a broad substitution pattern. A large number of derivatives was obtained and the cellular photocytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro against 5 different human tumor cell lines with GI50 values reaching the nanomolar level (14.52-0.04 μM). Selected compounds were able to photoinduce a massive cell death with the involvement of mitochondria. Their photodamage cellular targets were proteins and lipids and they did not cause any kind of DNA photodamage. This latter event is of considerable importance in the modulation of long term side effects, generally associated with the use of classical furocoumarins.