Structure–Activity Relationships of UTX-121 Derivatives for the Development of Novel Matrix Metalloproteinase-2/9 Inhibitors
作者:Hirari Yamahana、Yuki Komiya、Takahisa Takino、Yoshio Endo、Hisatsugu Yamada、Chikako Asada、Yoshihiro Uto
DOI:10.1248/cpb.c21-00549
日期:2021.10.1
Celecoxib, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been reported to have antitumor and antimetastatic activities, and it has potential for application in cancer treatments. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2/9 is strongly correlated with cancer malignancy, and inhibition of these MMPs is believed to be effective in improving the antitumor and antimetastatic effects of drugs. We have previously revealed that UTX-121, which converted the sulfonamide of celecoxib to methyl ester, has more potent MMP-2/9 inhibitory activity than celecoxib. Based on these findings, we identified compounds with improved MMP inhibitory activity through a structure–activity relationship (SAR) study, using UTX-121 as a lead compound. Among them, compounds 9c and 10c, in which the methyl group of the p-tolyl group was substituted for Cl or F, showed significantly higher antitumor activity than UTX-121, and suppressed the expression of MMP-2/9 and activation of pro MMP-2. Our findings suggest that compounds 9c and 10c may be potent lead compounds for the development of more effective antitumor drugs targeting MMP.
塞来昔布是一种非甾体抗炎药,据报道具有抗肿瘤和抗转移活性,有潜力应用于癌症治疗。基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2/9的表达与癌症恶性程度密切相关,抑制这些MMP被认为能有效增强药物的抗肿瘤和抗转移效果。我们之前揭示了UTX-121(将塞来昔布的磺酰胺转化为甲酯)比塞来昔布具有更强的MMP-2/9抑制活性。基于这些发现,我们以UTX-121为先导化合物,通过构效关系(SAR)研究鉴定出具有改善MMP抑制活性的化合物。其中,化合物9c和10c,将苯环上的甲基替换为氯或氟,显示出比UTX-121更显著的抗肿瘤活性,并抑制了MMP-2/9的表达以及前体MMP-2的激活。我们的发现表明,化合物9c和10c可能是开发针对MMP的更有效抗肿瘤药物的有力先导化合物。