San-Qi Zhang

Discovery of novel taspine derivatives as antiangiogenic agents

VEGFR-2 plays a critical role in vasculogenesis and inhibitors of VEGFR-2 could be used in the treatment of cancer. Taspine was one of the active ingredients screened by using an endothelial cell membrane chromatography and showed inhibition against VEGFR-2. In our research, we explored how the lactone ring and biphenyl scaffold in taspine influence its potent in vitro anticancer and antiangiogenesis activities. Accordingly, we report the design, synthesis, and preliminary evaluation of four novel taspine derivatives as VEGFR-2 inhibitors. The preliminary biological test showed that one of the compounds showed much better inhibitory activities against CACO-2 (IC(50)=52.5nM) and ECV304 (IC(50)=2.67nM) than taspine. This result enlarges the interest in ring-opened taspine derivative skeleton in the search of new antiangiogenesis agents.

Discovery of 2-methoxy-3-phenylsulfonamino-5-(quinazolin-6-yl or quinolin-6-yl)benzamides as novel PI3K inhibitors and anticancer agents by bioisostere

2-Substituted-3-sulfonamino-5-(quinazolin-6-yl or quinolin-6-yl)benzamides have been proposed as novel structures of PI3K inhibitors and anticancer agents based on bioisostere. In the present study, 2-substituted-3-sulfonamino-5-(4-morpholinoquinazolin-6-yl)benzamides and 2-methoxy-3-sulfonamino-5-(4-morpholinoquinolin-6-yl)benzamides were synthesized. Their antiproliferative activities in vitro were evaluated via MTT assay against four human cancer cell lines, including A549, HCT-116, U-87 MG and KB. The SAR of the title compounds was preliminarily discussed. Compound 1a with potent antiproliferative activity was tested for its inhibitory activity against PI3K and mTOR and its effect on the AKT and p-AKT(473). The anticancer effect of 1a was evaluated in established nude mice U-87 MG xenograft model. The results suggest that compound 1a can significantly inhibit PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and tumor growth. These findings strongly support the assumption that title compounds are potent PI3K inhibitors and anticancer agents.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of N-aryl salicylamides with a hydroxamic acid moiety at 5-position as novel HDAC–EGFR dual inhibitors

A novel series of N-aryl salicylamides with a hydroxamic acid moiety at 5-position were synthesized efficiently. Their activities against EGFR kinase and HDACs were evaluated. All compounds displayed inhibitory activity against EGFR and HDACs. The antiproliferative activities of synthesized compounds were evaluated by MTT method against human cancer cell lines A431, A549 and HL-60. Compound 1o showed the most potent inhibitory activity against A431 and A549. Compounds 1k and 1n exhibited higher potency against HL-60 than gefitinib and SAHA. N-Aryl salicylamides with a hydroxamic acid moiety at 5-position is another new HDAC-EGFR dual inhibitors.

Combination of 2-methoxy-3-phenylsulfonylaminobenzamide and 2-aminobenzothiazole to discover novel anticancer agents.

The fragment of 2-substituted-3-sulfonylaminobenzamide has been proposed to replace the fragment of 2-substituted-3-sulfonylaminopyridine in PI3K and mTOR dual inhibitors to design novel anticancer agents based on bioisostere. The combination of the fragment of 2-substituted-3-sulfonylaminobenzamide with the fragment of 2-aminobenzothiazole or 2-aminothiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine, or 2-amino[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyridine produced the novel structures of anticancer agents. As a result, nineteen target compounds were synthesized and characterized. Their antiproliferative activities in vitro were evaluated via MTT assay against four human cancer cell lines including HCT-116, A549, MCF-7 and U-87 MG. The SAR of target compounds was preliminarily discussed. Compound 1g with potent antiproliferative activity was examined for its effect on the AKT and p-AKT(473). The anticancer effect of 1g was evaluated in established nude mice HCT-116 xenograft model. The results suggested that compound 1g can block PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway and significantly inhibit tumor growth. These findings strongly support our assumption that the fragment of benzamide can replace the pyridine ring in some PI3K and mTOR dual inhibitor to design novel anticancer agents.

Synthesis and antitumor activities evaluation of m-(4-morpholinoquinazolin-2-yl)benzamides in vitro and in vivo

In the present study, a series of m-(4-morpholinoquinazolin-2-yl)benzamides were designed, synthesized and characterized. The antiproliferative activities of the synthesized compounds were evaluated against two human cell lines (HCT-116 and MCF-7). Compounds with IC50 values below 4 μM were further evaluated against U-87 MG and A549 cell lines. Among these evaluated compounds, compound T10 displayed a remarkable antiproliferative effect in vitro. The hoechst staining assay showed that compound T10 caused morphological changes. The cell cycle and apoptosis assay further indicated that compound T10 can arrest HCT-116 cells in G2/M and G0/G1 phase and induce apoptosis. PI3K enzyme assays indicated that compounds T7 and T10 selectively inhibit PI3Kα. A Western bolt assay further suggested that compound T10 can block the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Moreover, compound T10 inhibited tumor growth on a mice S180 homograft model. These findings directly identify m-(4-morpholinoquinazolin-2-yl)benzamide derivatives as novel anticancer agents.

Novel galactosylated SLN for hepatocyte-selective targeting of floxuridinyl diacetate

This paper describes the preparation and liver-targeting traits of new solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) containing floxuridinyl diacetate (FUDRA) modified with β-d-galactosides (Gn). FUDRA and Gn were incorporated, respectively, to study the drug loading (DL), drug release, and in vivo distribution property. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that the particle sizes of FUDRA-SLN, FUDRA-G2SLN and FUDRA-G10SLN were 215.3, 91.3 and 106.0 nm, with DLs of 8.20, 8.37 and 8.91%, respectively. In an in vivo study of Specific pathogen-free mice, the complexes were administered via the tail vein. Judging on the basis of 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridinum (FUDR) concentration in blood and viscera with HPLC analysis, FUDRA release was confirmed and a significant enrichment of SLN modified with Gn was observed in the liver with Gn complex (targeting rates of SLN-G2 and SLN-G10 are 11.25 and 11.43 for the liver, respectively) in comparison with FUDR-sol (targeting rate is 1.71). In mice, FUDR could be detected in the liver at 40, 160, 320 and 480 min after i.v. administration of FUDR-sol, FUDRA-SLN, FUDRA-G2SLN and FUDRA-G10SLN, respectively. These results suggest that G2 and G10 are ideal materials for preparing active liver targeting SLN. FUDRA-G2SLN and, particularly, FUDRA-G10SLN have desirable hepatocyte-selective targeting and sustained-release action in healthy mice.

Synthesis and antitumor activity evaluation of 4,6-disubstituted quinazoline derivatives as novel PI3K inhibitors

A series of 4,6-disubstituted quinazoline derivatives as potential PI3K inhibitors were designed and synthesized. All compounds exhibited significant anti-proliferative activities against HCT-116 and MCF-7 cell lines, and compounds A7, A9, and A11 displayed the most potent anti-proliferative activity against the HCT-116. Further PI3K inhibitory activity evaluation showed that compound A7 displayed high potency against PI3K enzymes. The in vivo anti-tumor study showed compound A7 can efficaciously inhibit tumor growth in a mice S-180 model. These results suggest that our designed compounds can serve as potent PI3K inhibitors and effective antitumor agents.

Synthesis and antitumor activity evaluation of PI3K inhibitors containing 3-substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-one moiety.

In present study, a series of N-(2-methoxy-5-(3-substituted quinazolin-4(3H)-one-6-yl)-pyridin-3-yl)phenylsulfonamide were synthesized. Their antiproliferative activities in vitro were evaluated via MTT assay against HCT116 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines. The SAR of title compounds was discussed. The compounds (S)-C5 and (S)-C8 displayed potent inhibitory activity against PI3Ks and mTOR, especially against PI3Kα. In addition, compound (S)-C5 can efficaciously inhibit tumor growth in a mice S-180 model. These findings suggest that our designed compounds can serve as potent PI3K inhibitors and effective anticancer agents.

Design, synthesis and antiproliferative activity evaluation of m-(4-morpholinyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)benzamides in vitro

In the present study, a series of m-(4-morpholino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)benzamides were designed, synthesized and characterized. Their antiproliferative activities against HCT-116 cell and MCF-7 cell at 10μM were evaluated by MTT assay. Compounds T6, T10, T11, T12 and T19 exhibited potent antiproliferative activities. Thus, their IC50 values against HCT-116 cell, MCF-7 cell, Hela cell, U-87 MG cell and A549 cell were measured. The SAR of the target compounds was preliminary discussed. The Western bolt assay suggested that compound T11 can block the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Hoechst staining assay indicated that compound T11 can cause morphological changes and induce apoptosis of HCT-116 cells. These findings directly identify the m-(4-morpholinyl-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)benzamide derivatives as novel antiproliferative agents and further verify the value of the benzamide fragment in drug design.

Synthesis and antitumor activity evaluation of 2-arylisoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones in vitro and in vivo

Six 2-(2-acylaminobenzothiazol-6-yl)isoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones (1a–1f) and five 2-arylisoquinoline-1,3(2H,4H)-diones (1g–1k) were synthesized by refluxing homophthalic anhydrides with 2-acylaminobenzothiazolyl-6-amine or substituted aniline in glacial acetic acid. The cytotoxic activities of 1a–1k were evaluated via MTT method against A431, A549, and PC3. Compound 1b relatively displayed a higher cytotoxic activity than the others. The antitumor effect of 1b were evaluated in established nude mice PANC-1 xenograft model. The results suggest that compound 1b could potentially inhibit tumor growth.