Potent triazolothione inhibitor of heat-shock protein-90

Chem Biol Drug Des. 2009 Jul;74(1):43-50. doi: 10.1111/j.1747-0285.2009.00833.x.

Abstract

Heat-shock protein-90 is an attractive target for anticancer drugs, as heat-shock protein-90 blockers such as the ansamycin 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin greatly reduce the expression of many signaling molecules that are disregulated in cancer cells and are key drivers of tumor growth and metastasis. While 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin has shown promise in clinical trials, this compound class has significant template-related drawbacks. In this paper, we describe a new, potent non-ansamycin small-molecule inhibitor of heat-shock protein-90, BX-2819, containing resorcinol and triazolothione rings. Structural studies demonstrate binding of BX-2819 to the ADP/ATP-binding pocket of heat-shock protein-90. The compound blocked expression of heat-shock protein-90 client proteins in cancer cell lines and inhibited cell growth with a potency similar to 17-(allylamino)-17-demethoxygeldanamycin. In a panel of four cancer cell lines, BX-2819 blocked growth with an average IC(50) value of 32 nM (range of 7-72 nM). Efficacy studies demonstrated that treatment with BX-2819 significantly inhibited the growth of NCI-N87 and HT-29 tumors in nude mice, consistent with pharmacodynamic studies showing inhibition of heat-shock protein-90 client protein expression in tumors for greater than 16 h after dosing. These data support further studies to assess the potential of BX-2819 and related analogs for the treatment of cancer.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Benzoquinones / chemistry
  • Benzoquinones / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Computer Simulation
  • Crystallography, X-Ray
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • HT29 Cells
  • Humans
  • Lactams, Macrocyclic / chemistry
  • Lactams, Macrocyclic / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Transplantation, Heterologous
  • Triazoles / chemistry
  • Triazoles / pharmacology*
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • BX-2819
  • Benzoquinones
  • HSP90 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Lactams, Macrocyclic
  • Triazoles
  • tanespimycin