Discovery and structural optimization of pyrazole derivatives as novel inhibitors of Cdc25B.

Structural optimization and preliminary structure-activity relationship studies of a series of N-substituted maleimide fused-pyrazole analogues with Cdc25B inhibitory activity, starting from a high-throughput screening hit, are illustrated. A simplified 3,5-diacyl pyrazole analogue was obtained as the most potent compound (118, IC(50)=0.12 microM) with a 270-fold increase in potency.