Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of bis(hydroxyphenyl) azoles as potent and selective non-steroidal inhibitors of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17beta-HSD1) for the treatment of estrogen-dependent diseases

Bioorg Med Chem. 2008 Jun 15;16(12):6423-35. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2008.04.073. Epub 2008 May 3.

Abstract

The 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17beta-HSD1) catalyses the reduction of the weakly active estrone (E1) into the most potent estrogen, 17beta-estradiol (E2). E2 stimulates the growth of hormone-dependent diseases via activation of the estrogen receptors (ERs). 17beta-HSD1 is often over-expressed in breast cancer cells. Thus, it is an attractive target for the treatment of mammary tumours. The combination of a ligand- and a structure-based drug design approach led to the identification of bis(hydroxyphenyl) azoles as potential inhibitors of 17beta-HSD1. Different azoles and hydroxy substitution patterns were investigated. The compounds were evaluated for activity and selectivity with regard to 17beta-HSD2, ERalpha and ERbeta. The most potent compound is 3-[5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-oxazol-2-yl]phenol (18, IC(50)=0.31 microM), showing very good selectivity, high cell permeability and medium CaCo-2 permeability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / chemistry*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / pharmacology*
  • Azoles / chemical synthesis
  • Azoles / chemistry*
  • Azoles / pharmacology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Caco-2 Cells
  • Drug Design
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry*
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Estrogen Antagonists / chemical synthesis
  • Estrogen Antagonists / chemistry*
  • Estrogen Antagonists / pharmacology*
  • Estrogens / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Molecular Structure
  • Permeability
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
  • Azoles
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Estrogen Antagonists
  • Estrogens
  • 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases
  • 3 (or 17)-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase