Design, Synthesis, <i>In Vitro</i> and <i>In Vivo</i> Characterization of CDC42 GTPase Interaction Inhibitors for the Treatment of Cancer
Nicoletta Brindani, Linh M. Vuong, Isabella Maria Acquistapace, Maria Antonietta La Serra, José Antonio Ortega, Marina Veronesi, Sine Mandrup Bertozzi, Maria Summa, Stefania Girotto, Rosalia Bertorelli, Andrea Armirotti, Anand K. Ganesan, Marco De Vivo
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide CDC42 GTPases (RHOJ, CDC42, and RHOQ) are overexpressed in multiple tumor types and activate pathways critical for tumor growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Recently, we reported the discovery of a novel lead compound, ARN22089, which blocks the interaction of CDC42 GTPases with specific downstream effectors. ARN22089 blocks tumor growth in BRAF mutant mouse melanoma models and patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) in vivo . ARN22089 also inhibits tumor angiogenesis in three-dimensional vascularized microtumor models in vitro . Notably, ARN22089 belongs to a novel class of trisubstituted pyrimidines. Based on these results, we describe an extensive structure–activity relationship of ∼30 compounds centered on ARN22089. We discovered and optimized two novel inhibitors ( 27, ARN25062, and 28, ARN24928), which are optimal back-up/follow-up leads with favorable drug-like properties and in vivo efficacy in PDX tumors. These findings further demonstrate the potential of this class of CDC42/RHOJ inhibitors for cancer treatment, with lead candidates ready for advanced preclinical studies.