New derivatives of spicamycin modified at the fatty acid moieties of the molecule were synthesized and their structure-activity relationships were examined. The antitumor activity was greatly influenced by modification of the fatty acid moieties to tetradecadienoyl or dodecadienoyl analogues exhibiting better antitumor activity against COL-1 human colon cancer xenograft than SPM VIII.
Histone N-e-methyl lysine demethylases KDM2/7 have been identified as potential targets for cancer therapies. On the basis of the crystal structure of KDM7B, we designed and prepared a series of hydroxamate analogues bearing an alkyl chain. Enzyme assays revealed that compound 9 potently inhibits KDM2A, KDM7A, and KDM7B, with IC(50)s of 6.8, 0.2, and 1.2 mu M, respectively. While inhibitors of KDM4s did not show any effect on cancer cells tested, the KDM2/7-subfamily inhibitor 9 exerted antiproliferative activity, indicating the potential for KDM2/7 inhibitors as anticancer agents.