Isocitrate dehydrogenases constitute a class of enzymes that are crucial for cellular metabolism. The overexpression or mutation of isocitrate dehydrogenases are often found in leukemias, glioblastomas, lung cancers, and ductal pancreatic cancer among others. Mutation R132H, which changes the functionality of an enzyme to produce mutagenic 2-hydroxyglutarate instead of a normal product, is particularly important in this field. A series of inhibitors were described for these enzymes of which ivosidenib was the first to be approved for treating leukemia and bile duct cancers in 2018. Here, we investigated the polypharmacological landscape of the activity for known sulfamoyl derivatives that are inhibitors, which are selective towards IDH1 R132H. These compounds appeared to be effective inhibitors of several non-receptor kinases at a similar level as imatinib and axitinib. The antiproliferative activity of these compounds against a panel of cancer cells was tested and is explained based on the relative expression levels of the investigated proteins. The multitargeted activity of these compounds makes them valuable agents against a wide range of cancers, regardless of the status of IDH1.
Sulfonates, unlike their derivatives, sulphonamides, have rarely been investigated for their anticancer activity. Unlike the well-known sulphonamides, esters are mainly used as convenient intermediates in a synthesis. Here, we present the first in-depth investigation of quinazoline sulfonates. A small series of derivatives were synthesized and tested for their anticancer activity. Based on their structural similarity, these compounds resemble tyrosine kinase inhibitors and the p53 reactivator CP-31398. Their biological activity profile, however, was more related to sulphonamides because there was a strong cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. Further investigation revealed a multitargeted mechanism of the action that corresponded to the p53 protein status in the cell. Although the compounds expressed a high submicromolar activity against leukemia and colon cancers, pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma were also susceptible. Apoptosis and autophagy were confirmed as the cell death modes that corresponded with the inhibition of metabolic activity and the activation of the p53-dependent and p53-independent pathways. Namely, there was a strong activation of the p62 protein and GADD44. Other proteins such as cdc2 were also expressed at a higher level. Moreover, the classical caspase-dependent pathway in leukemia was observed at a lower concentration, which again confirmed a multitargeted mechanism. It can therefore be concluded that the sulfonates of quinazolines can be regarded as promising scaffolds for developing anticancer agents.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.