Development of Potent Forchlorfenuron Analogs and Their Cytotoxic Effect in Cancer Cell Lines

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 24;10(1):3241. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59824-4.

Abstract

Forchlorfenuron (FCF) is a synthetic plant cytokinin widely used in agriculture to promote fruit size, that paradoxically inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion in human cancer cell lines. FCF has also been shown to affect HIF-1α and HER2, which are both known to play a crucial role in cancer cell survival. In this study, we have developed potent FCF analogs through structural modification of FCF, coined UR214-1, UR214-7, and UR214-9. Compared to parental FCF, these analogs are more effective in decreasing viability and proliferation in both ovarian and endometrial cancer cell lines. These FCF analogs also suppress HER2 expression at a concentration lower than that of FCF. In addition, we found that treatment with either FCF or its analogs decreases the expression of human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), which is commonly upregulated in ovarian and endometrial cancers. Given the association between cancer behavior and HE4 production in gynecologic cancers, our findings may provide insight useful in the development of new treatment strategies for gynecologic cancers.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Death / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Development*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / genetics
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / mortality
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / pathology
  • Phenylurea Compounds / chemistry*
  • Phenylurea Compounds / pharmacology*
  • Pyridines / chemistry*
  • Pyridines / pharmacology*
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / metabolism
  • Septins / genetics
  • Septins / metabolism
  • Survival Rate
  • WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2 / metabolism

Substances

  • Phenylurea Compounds
  • Pyridines
  • WAP Four-Disulfide Core Domain Protein 2
  • WFDC2 protein, human
  • ERBB2 protein, human
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Septins
  • N-(2-chloro-4-pyridyl)-N'-phenylurea