Discovery of Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2) and Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Dual Inhibitors as a Novel Strategy for the Combinational Treatment of Leukemia and Invasive Fungal Infections

J Med Chem. 2018 Jul 26;61(14):6056-6074. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00393. Epub 2018 Jul 14.

Abstract

Clinically, leukemia patients often suffer from the limited efficacy of chemotherapy and high risks of infection by invasive fungal pathogens. Herein, a novel therapeutic strategy was developed in which a small molecule can simultaneously treat leukemia and invasive fungal infections (IFIs). Novel Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) dual inhibitors were identified to possess potent anti-proliferative activity toward hematological cell lines and excellent synergistic effects with fluconazole to treat resistant Candida albicans infections. In particular, compound 20a, a highly active and selective JAK2/HDAC6 dual inhibitor, showed excellent in vivo antitumor efficacy in several acute myeloid leukemia (AML) models and synergized with fluconazole for the treatment of resistant C. albicans infections. This study highlights the therapeutic potential of JAK2/HDAC dual inhibitors in treating AML and IFIs and provides an efficient strategy for multitargeting drug discovery.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Candida albicans / physiology
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Histone Deacetylase 6 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Histone Deacetylase 6 / chemistry
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Invasive Fungal Infections / drug therapy*
  • Janus Kinase 2 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Janus Kinase 2 / chemistry
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / drug therapy*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Mice

Substances

  • Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors
  • Janus Kinase 2
  • Histone Deacetylase 6