Methotrexate gamma-hydroxamate derivatives as potential dual target antitumor drugs

Bioorg Med Chem. 2007 Feb 1;15(3):1266-74. doi: 10.1016/j.bmc.2006.11.017. Epub 2006 Nov 14.

Abstract

A series of new aminopteroyl-based hydroxamate derivatives were synthesized and tested in vitro in cell culture models as potential dual target drugs. These compounds were designed to target two families of enzymes, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and a folate enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR). These enzymes are the components of two unrelated cellular pathways and they are often over-expressed in metastasizing tumors. In addition to the synthesis and full structural characterization of the hybrid molecules, we describe their inhibitory activities against a series of MMPs (MMP-2, MMP-7, MMP-9, MMP-14) and DHFR, as well as their antiproliferative activity in three cancer cell lines. The new hydroxamate derivatives of MTX proved to be effective inhibitors of MMPs and DHFR in the micromolar and nanomolar range, respectively. Furthermore, they showed strong antiproliferative activity against A549 cells (non-small cell lung carcinoma), and PPC-1 and Tsu-Pr1 prostate cancer cell lines. Therefore, based on the present results, these bi-functional drugs may be good candidates to target specific tumors in animal models due to potential combined effects on two pathways crucial for tumor development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / drug therapy
  • Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemical synthesis
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxamic Acids / chemical synthesis
  • Hydroxamic Acids / chemistry
  • Hydroxamic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors*
  • Methotrexate / chemical synthesis
  • Methotrexate / chemistry
  • Methotrexate / pharmacology*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Structure-Activity Relationship
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase / chemistry*
  • Tumor Cells, Cultured / drug effects

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Hydroxamic Acids
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Tetrahydrofolate Dehydrogenase
  • Methotrexate