Synthesis and evaluation of novel benzylphthalazine derivatives as hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors

Abstract

We report herein the design and synthesis of a series of novel benzylphthalazine derivatives as hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitors. Gli-luciferase assay demonstrated that changing piperazine ring of Anta XV to different four, five or six-membered heterocyclic building blocks afforded significant influences on Hh pathway inhibition. In particular, compound 10e with piperidin-4-amine moiety was found to possess 12-fold higher Hh inhibitory activities comparing to the lead compound in vitro. In vivo efficacy of 10e in a ptch(+/-)p53(-/-) mouse medulloblastoma allograft model also indicated encouraging results.

Keywords: Anti-tumor agents; Benzylphthalazines; Hedgehog signaling pathway; Inhibitors.