Discovery of new benzhydrol biscarbonate esters as potent and selective apoptosis inducers of human melanomas bearing the activated ERK pathway: SAR studies on an ERK MAPK signaling modulator, ACA-28

Bioorg Chem. 2020 Oct:103:104137. doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104137. Epub 2020 Jul 25.

Abstract

The recent discovery that an ERK signaling modulator [ACA-28 (2a)] preferentially kills human melanoma cell lines by inducing ERK-dependent apoptosis has generated significant interest in the field of anti-cancer therapy. In the first SAR study on 2a, here, we successfully developed candidates (2b, 2c) both of which induce more potent and selective apoptosis towards ERK-active melanoma cells than 2a, thus revealing the structural basis for inducing the ERK-dependent apoptosis and proposing the therapeutic prospect of these candidates against ERK-dependent cancers represented by melanoma.

Keywords: ACA-28; Anti-melanoma activity; Apoptosis; Benzhydrol derivatives; ERK MAPK; SAR Study.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / chemistry
  • Benzhydryl Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Carbonates / chemical synthesis
  • Carbonates / chemistry
  • Carbonates / pharmacology*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Esters / chemical synthesis
  • Esters / chemistry
  • Esters / pharmacology*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Humans
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System / drug effects
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / metabolism
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Molecular Structure
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Benzhydryl Compounds
  • Carbonates
  • Esters
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • benzohydrol