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Aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs) are responsible for the metabolism of aldehydes (exogenous and endogenous) and possess vital physiological and toxicological functions in areas such as CNS, inflammation, metabolic disorders, and cancers. Overexpression of certain ALDHs (e.g., ALDH1A1) is an important biomarker in cancers and cancer stem cells (CSCs) indicating the potential need for the identification and development of small molecule ALDH inhibitors. Herein, a newly designed series of quinoline-based analogs of ALDH1A1 inhibitors is described. Extensive medicinal chemistry optimization and biological characterization led to the identification of analogs with significantly improved enzymatic and cellular ALDH inhibition. Selected analogs, e.g., 86 (NCT-505) and 91 (NCT-506), demonstrated target engagement in a cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), inhibited the formation of 3D spheroid cultures of OV-90 cancer cells, and potentiated the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel in SKOV-3-TR, a paclitaxel resistant ovarian cancer cell line. Lead compounds also exhibit high specificity over other ALDH isozymes and unrelated dehydrogenases. The in vitro ADME profiles and pharmacokinetic evaluation of selected analogs are also highlighted.

Original publication

DOI

10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00270

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Med Chem

Publication Date

14/06/2018

Volume

61

Pages

4883 - 4903

Keywords

Administration, Oral, Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1, Animals, Biological Availability, Cell Line, Tumor, Drug Discovery, Drug Resistance, Neoplasm, Enzyme Inhibitors, Humans, Male, Mice, Paclitaxel, Quinolines, Retinal Dehydrogenase