Discovery of LDD-1075 as a potent FLT3 inhibitor.

Fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) is a valuable pharmacological target in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). LDD-1075 and LDD-1076 are indirubin derivatives, and LDD-1075 is the ester form of LDD-1076. LDD-1076 exhibited a potent in vitro FLT3 kinase activity inhibition with an IC50 of 7.89 nM, whereas, LDD-1075 demonstrated a relatively weak activity against FLT3 (IC50 of 3.19 µM). In contrast with the results of the FLT3 kinase activity inhibition assay, the LDD-1076 did not affect the growth of the MV4-11 cell line, which harbors the constitutively activated form of the FLT3 mutation. Notably, LDD-1075 exhibited a strong cytotoxic effect against the MV4-11 cells. When LDD-1075 was incubated with the MV4-11 cell lysate, the formation of LDD-1076 was observed. Treatment with LDD-1075 inhibited the FLT3 phosphorylation along with the phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 protein, which is a downstream signal transducer of FLT3. Treatment with LDD-1075 induced apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. The present study demonstrated that the LDD-1076 formed by the bioconversion of LDD-1075 is a potent FLT3 inhibitor with anti-leukemic activity.

Discovery of an Indirubin Derivative as a Novel c-Met Kinase Inhibitor with In Vitro Anti-Tumor Effects.

The c-Met protein is a receptor tyrosine kinase involved in cell growth, proliferation, survival, and angiogenesis of several human tumors. Overexpression of c-Met has been found in gastric cancers and correlated with a poor prognosis. Indirubin is the active component of Danggui Longhui Wan, which is a traditional Chinese antileukemic recipe. In the present study, we tested the anti-cancer effects of an indirubin derivative, LDD-1937, on human gastric cancer cells SNU-638. When we performed the in vitro kinase assay against the c-Met activity, LDD-1937 inhibited the activity of c-Met. This result was confirmed by immunoblot and immunofluorescence of phosphorylated c-Met. Immunoblot analysis showed that LDD-1937 decreased the expression of the Erk1/2, STAT3, STAT5, and Akt, downstream proteins of c-Met. In addition, LDD-1937 reduced the cell viability and suppressed colony formation and migration of SNU-638 cells. Furthermore, LDD-1937 induced G2/M phase arrest in the SNU-638 cells by decreasing the expression levels of cyclin B1 and CDC2. Cleaved-PARP, an apoptosis-related protein, was up-regulated in cells treated with LDD-1937. Overall, this study suggests that LDD-1937 may be a novel small-molecule with therapeutic potential for selectively inhibiting c-Met and c-Met downstream pathways in human gastric cancers overexpressing c-Met.

Novel inhibitors of lysine (K)-specific Demethylase 4A with anticancer activity.

Lysine (K)-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) is a histone demethylase that removes methyl residues from trimethylated or dimethylated histone 3 at lysines 9 and 36. Overexpression of KDM4A is found in various cancer types. To identify KDM4A inhibitors with anti-tumor functions, screening with an in vitro KDM4A enzyme activity assay was carried out. The benzylidenehydrazine analogue LDD2269 was selected, with an IC50 of 6.56 µM of KDM4A enzyme inhibition, and the binding mode was investigated using in silico molecular docking. Demethylation inhibition by LDD2269 was confirmed with a cell-based assay using antibodies against methylated histone at lysines 9 and 36. HCT-116 colon cancer cell line proliferation was suppressed by LDD2269, which also interfered with soft-agar growth and migration of HCT-116 cells. AnnexinV staining and PARP cleavage experiments showed apoptosis induction by LDD2269. Derivatives of LDD2269 were synthesized and the structure-activity relationship was explored. LDD2269 is reported here as a strong inhibitor of KDM4A in in vitro and cell-based systems, with anti-tumor functions.

Characterization of the aminopyridine derivative KRC-180 as a JAK2 inhibitor.

Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that regulates the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway. Deregulation of JAK2 signaling has previously been observed in hematologic malignancies, including erythroleukemia. In the present study, an aminopyridine derivative compound, KRC-180, exhibited direct inhibition of the JAK2 protein at the catalytic site, as demonstrated using in vitro kinase activity assays and docking analyses. In addition, KRC-180 reduced the phosphorylation of STAT3 and STAT5, downstream signaling molecules of JAK2. The growth of HEL92.1.7 erythroleukemia cells harboring a constitutively activated form of JAK2 was suppressed by KRC-180 treatment; KRC-180 induced apoptotic cell death and cell cycle arrest. The results of the present study indicate that KRC-180 is a JAK2 inhibitor with anti-leukemic properties.

Characterization of the Indirubin Derivative LDD970 as a Small Molecule Aurora Kinase A Inhibitor in Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Aurora kinase A plays an essential role in mitosis including chromosome separation and cytokinesis. Aberrant expression and activity of Aurora kinase A is associated with numerous malignancies including colorectal cancer followed by poor prognosis. The aim of this study is to determine the inhibitory effects of LDD970, an indirubin derivative, on Aurora kinase A in HT29 colorectal cancer cells. In vitro kinase assay revealed that, LDD970 inhibited levels of activated Aurora kinase A (IC50=0.37 mM). The inhibitory effects of LDD970 on Aurora kinase A, autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of histone H3 (Ser10), were confirmed by immunoblot analysis. Moreover, LDD970 inhibited migration of HT29 cells and upregulated apoptosis-related protein cleaved PARP. In cell viability assay, LDD970 was observed to suppress HT29 cell growth (GI50=4.22 µM). Although further studies are required, results of the present study suggest that LDD970 provide a valuable insight into small molecule indirubin derivative for therapeutic potential in human colorectal cancer.

The discovery of 2,5-isomers of triazole-pyrrolopyrimidine as selective Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) inhibitors versus JAK1 and JAK3.

Members of the Janus kinase (JAK) family are potential therapeutic targets. Abnormal signaling by mutant JAK2 is related to hematological malignancy, such as myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We discovered a potent and highly selective inhibitor of JAK2 over JAK1 and -3 based on the structure of 4-(2,5-triazole)-pyrrolopyrimidine. Among all triazole compounds tested, 2,5-triazole regioisomers more effectively inhibited JAK2 kinase activity than isomers with substitutions of various alkyl groups at the R2 position, except for methyl-substituted 1,5-triazole, which was more potent than the corresponding 1,4- and 2,5-triazoles. None of the synthesized 1,4-isomers inhibited all three JAK family members. Compounds with phenyl or tolyl group substituents at the R1 position were completely inactive compared with the corresponding analogues with a methyl substituted at the R1 position. As a result of this structure-activity relationship, 54, which is substituted with a cyclopropylmethyl moiety, exhibited significant inhibitory activity and selectivity (IC50=41.9nM, fold selectivity JAK1/2 10.6 and JAK3/2 58.1). Compound 54 also exhibited an equivalent inhibition of wild type JAK2 and the V617F mutant. Moreover, 54 inhibited the proliferation of HEL 92.1.7 cells, which carry JAK2 V617F, and gefitinib-resistant HCC827 cells. Compound 54 also suppressed STAT3 phosphorylation at Y705.