Synthesis and in Vitro Anticancer Activity of the First Class of Dual Inhibitors of REV-ERBβ and Autophagy

J Med Chem. 2015 Aug 13;58(15):5900-15. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.5b00511. Epub 2015 Jul 23.

Abstract

Autophagy inhibition is emerging as a promising anticancer strategy. We recently reported that the circadian nuclear receptor REV-ERBβ plays an unexpected role in sustaining cancer cell survival when the autophagy flux is compromised. We also identified 4-[[[1-(2-fluorophenyl)cyclopentyl]amino]methyl]-2-[(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)methyl]phenol, 1 (ARN5187), as a novel dual inhibitor of REV-ERBβ and autophagy. 1 had improved cytotoxicity against BT-474 breast cancer cells compared to chloroquine, a clinically relevant autophagy inhibitor. Here, we present the results of structure-activity studies, based around 1, that disclose the first class of dual inhibitors of REV-ERBβ and autophagy. This study led to identification of 18 and 28, which were more effective REV-ERBβ antagonists than 1 and were more cytotoxic to BT-474. The combination of optimal chemical and structural moieties of these analogs generated 30, which elicited 15-fold greater REV-ERBβ inhibitory and cytotoxic activities compared to 1. Furthermore, 30 induced death in a panel of tumor cell lines at doses 5-50 times lower than an equitoxic amount of chloroquine but did not affect the viability of normal mammary epithelial cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemical synthesis*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Autophagy / drug effects*
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Female
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Repressor Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • NR1D2 protein, human
  • Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear
  • Repressor Proteins