Structure-Activity Relationship Studies of Substituted 2-Phenyl-1,2,4-triazine-3,5(2 H,4 H)-dione Analogues: Development of Potent eEF2K Degraders against Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

J Med Chem. 2024 Sep 12;67(17):15837-15861. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c01484. Epub 2024 Aug 29.

Abstract

eEF2K, an atypical alpha-kinase, is responsible for regulating protein synthesis and energy homeostasis. Aberrant eEF2K function has been linked to various human cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, limited cellular activity of current eEF2K modulators impedes their clinical application. Based on the 2-phenyl-1,2,4-triazine-3,5(2H,4H)-dione scaffold of our hits I4 and C1, structure-activity relationship analysis led to the discovery of several more active derivatives (e.g., 19, 34, and 36) in inhibiting the viability of TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231. Moreover, the most potent compound 36 significantly suppresses the viability, proliferation, and migration of both MDA-MB-231 and HCC1806 cell lines. Mechanistically, compound 36 has a high binding affinity for the eEF2K protein and effectively induces its degradation. Additionally, 36 exerts a comparable tumor-suppressive effect to paclitaxel in an MDA-MB-231 cell xenograft mouse model with no obvious toxicity, demonstrating that compound 36 could be developed as a potential novel therapeutic for TNBC treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation* / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Elongation Factor 2 Kinase* / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Elongation Factor 2 Kinase* / metabolism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Triazines* / chemical synthesis
  • Triazines* / chemistry
  • Triazines* / pharmacology
  • Triazines* / therapeutic use
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Elongation Factor 2 Kinase
  • Triazines
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • EEF2K protein, human