Discovery of (Z)-1-(3-((1 H-Pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)-2-oxoindolin-6-yl)-3-(isoxazol-3-yl)urea Derivatives as Novel and Orally Highly Effective CSF-1R Inhibitors for Potential Colorectal Cancer Immunotherapy

J Med Chem. 2021 Dec 9;64(23):17184-17208. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c01184. Epub 2021 Nov 4.

Abstract

Inhibiting the polarization or survival of tumor-associated macrophages through blocking CSF-1/CSF-1R signal transduction has become a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Herein, a series of (Z)-1-(3-((1H-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)-2-oxoindolin-6-yl)-3-(isoxazol-3-yl)urea derivatives were designed, synthesized, and evaluated as novel and orally highly effective CSF-1R inhibitors for colorectal cancer immunotherapy. Among these derivatives, compound 21 was found to possess excellent CSF-1R inhibitory activity (IC50 = 2.1 nM) and potent antiproliferative activity against colorectal cancer cells. Compound 21 inhibited the progression of colorectal cancer by suppressing the migration of macrophages, reprograming M2-like macrophages to the M1 phenotype, and enhancing the antitumor immunity. More importantly, compound 21, as a single agent, showed significantly superior in vivo anticolorectal cancer efficacy over PLX3397, highlighting a promising candidate for the immunotherapy of colorectal cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chemotaxis / drug effects
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / immunology
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods*
  • Macrophages / drug effects
  • Macrophages / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Molecular Docking Simulation
  • Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Urea / analogs & derivatives*
  • Urea / chemistry
  • Urea / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Urea
  • Receptor, Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor