Discovery of a novel CDK4/6 and HDAC dual-targeting agent for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The down-regulation of p21 after long-term CDK4/6 inhibition represents a key mechanism causing resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors in some tumor cells, while the HDAC inhibitor could upregulate the level of p21. Herein, a series of novel CDK4/6 and HDAC dual-targeting inhibitors based on the moiety of palbociclib were designed and synthesized. Among them, compound N14 potently inhibited CDK4/6 and HDAC1/6 at nanomolar levels and induced cell apoptosis and G/G phase arrest through HDAC-p21-CDK signaling pathway in HuH-7 cell line.

Design and Synthesis of c-Met and HDAC Dual Inhibitors for the Treatment of Breast Cancer.

In recent years, it has been proposed that c-mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) dual inhibition is a promising cancer treatment strategy. Herein, a series of c-Met/HDAC dual inhibitors were designed and synthesized given their synergistic anticancer effect in breast cancer cells. Compound exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against c-Met (IC = 28.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of VHL-based EZH2 degraders for breast cancer.

EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) is one of the most important histone methyltransferases (HMTs), and overexpression of EZH2 can lead to proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of tumor cells. But most of EZH2 inhibitors are only effective against some hematologic malignancies and have poor efficacy against solid tumors. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of highly potent proteolysis targeting chimeric (PROTACs) small molecules targeting EZH2.