Structure-Based Discovery and Optimization of Benzo[ d]isoxazole Derivatives as Potent and Selective BET Inhibitors for Potential Treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer (CRPC)

J Med Chem. 2018 Apr 12;61(7):3037-3058. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00103. Epub 2018 Apr 3.

Abstract

The bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) family proteins have gained increasing interest as drug targets for treatment of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Here, we describe the design, optimization, and evaluation of benzo[ d]isoxazole-containing compounds as potent BET bromodomain inhibitors. Cocrystal structures of the representative inhibitors in complex with BRD4(1) provided solid structural basis for compound optimization. The two most potent compounds, 6i (Y06036) and 7m (Y06137), bound to the BRD4(1) bromodomain with Kd values of 82 and 81 nM, respectively. They also exhibited high selectivity over other non-BET subfamily members. The compounds potently inhibited cell growth, colony formation, and the expression of AR, AR regulated genes, and MYC in prostate cancer cell lines. Compounds 6i and 7m also demonstrated therapeutic effects in a C4-2B CRPC xenograft tumor model in mice. These potent and selective BET inhibitors represent a new class of compounds for the development of potential therapeutics against CRPC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacokinetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Drug Design
  • Drug Discovery
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Isoxazoles / chemistry*
  • Isoxazoles / pharmacokinetics
  • Isoxazoles / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Models, Molecular
  • Nuclear Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant / drug therapy*
  • Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transcription Factors / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tumor Stem Cell Assay
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • BRD4 protein, human
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Isoxazoles
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • bromodomain and extra-terminal domain protein, human