Polyamine-based small molecule epigenetic modulators.

Chromatin remodelling enzymes such as the histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone demethylases such as lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) have been validated as targets for cancer drug discovery. Although a number of HDAC inhibitors have been marketed or are in human clinical trials, the search for isoform-specific HDAC inhibitors is an ongoing effort. In addition, the discovery and development of compounds targeting histone demethylases are in their early stages.

(Bis)urea and (bis)thiourea inhibitors of lysine-specific demethylase 1 as epigenetic modulators.

The recently discovered enzyme lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) plays an important role in the epigenetic control of gene expression, and aberrant gene silencing secondary to LSD1 overexpression is thought to contribute to the development of cancer. We recently reported a series of (bis)guanidines and (bis)biguanides that are potent inhibitors of LSD1 and induce the re-expression of aberrantly silenced tumor suppressor genes in tumor cells in vitro. We now report a series of isosteric ureas and thioureas that are also potent inhibitors of LSD1.