Discovery of Potent Isoquinolinequinone N-Oxides to Overcome Cancer Multidrug Resistance

J Med Chem. 2024 Aug 22;67(16):13909-13924. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00705. Epub 2024 Aug 2.

Abstract

Multidrug resistance (MDR) of human tumors has resulted in an immediate need to develop appropriate new drugs. This work outlines the development of 20 potent IQQ N-oxide derivatives in two isomeric families, both exhibiting nanomolar GI50 against human tumor cell lines. Preliminary NCI-60 tumor screening sees the C(6) isomers achieve a mean GI50 > 2 times lower than the corresponding C(7) isomers. MDR evaluation of nine selected compounds reveals that each presents lower GI50 concentrations in two MDR tumor cell lines. Four of the series display nanomolar GI50 values against MDR cells, having selectivity ratios up to 2.7 versus the sensitive (parental) cells. The most potent compound 25 inhibits the activity of drug efflux pumps in MDR cells, causes significant ROS accumulation, and potently inhibits cell proliferation, causing alterations in the cell cycle profile. Our findings are confirmed by 3D spheroid models, providing new candidates for studies against MDR cancers.

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Cell Cycle / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation* / drug effects
  • Drug Discovery
  • Drug Resistance, Multiple* / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / drug effects
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor*
  • Fluoresceins / chemical synthesis
  • Fluoresceins / chemistry
  • Fluoresceins / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Isoquinolines / chemical synthesis
  • Isoquinolines / chemistry
  • Isoquinolines / pharmacology
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Isoquinolines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Fluoresceins