Evo312: An Evodiamine Analog and Novel PKCβI Inhibitor with Potent Antitumor Activity in Gemcitabine-Resistant Pancreatic Cancer

J Med Chem. 2024 Sep 12;67(17):14885-14911. doi: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.4c00213. Epub 2024 Aug 16.

Abstract

As an obstinate cancer pancreatic cancer (PC) poses a major challenge due to limited treatment options which include resection surgery, radiation therapy, and gemcitabine-based chemotherapy. In cancer cells, protein kinase C βI (PKCβI) participates in diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation, invasion, and apoptotic pathways. In the present study, we created a scaffold to develop PKCβI inhibitors using evodiamine-based synthetic molecules. Among the candidate inhibitors, Evo312 exhibited the highest antiproliferative efficacy against PC cells, PANC-1, and acquired gemcitabine-resistant PC cells, PANC-GR. Additionally, Evo312 robustly inhibited PKCβI activity. Mechanistically, Evo312 effectively suppressed the upregulation of PKCβI protein expression, leading to the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in PANC-GR cells. Furthermore, Evo312 exerted an antitumor activity in a PANC-GR cell-implanted xenograft mouse model. These findings position Evo312 as a promising lead compound for overcoming gemcitabine resistance in PC through novel mechanisms.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemical synthesis
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis* / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Proliferation* / drug effects
  • Deoxycytidine* / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxycytidine* / chemistry
  • Deoxycytidine* / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm* / drug effects
  • Gemcitabine*
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mice, Nude
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / drug therapy
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Protein Kinase C beta / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C beta / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Quinazolines* / chemical synthesis
  • Quinazolines* / chemistry
  • Quinazolines* / pharmacology
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Gemcitabine
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Quinazolines
  • evodiamine
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Protein Kinase Inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C beta