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Drug design and novel anti-cancer therapeutics : inhibitors of 17β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3

Herein, we describe the design and synthesis of novel inhibitors of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 which convert androstenedione into testosterone, which is then converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This isozyme has been implicated in the growth of prostate cancer. Using an in silico pharmacophore model initial targets were planned, based around a diphenylether hydrophobic head linked to a 4-substituted piperidine ring. Over 45 compounds were synthesised and many show significant biological activity when evaluated in a 17β-HSD type 3 biological assay. The most potent compound in this series is 1-(4-[2-(4-chloro-phenoxy[-phenylamino]-piperidin)1-yl) ethanone with an IC₅₀ of 700 nM. The amine linked compounds are significantly more active than the amide equivalents. Synthesis of the amine-linked compounds was problematic and led to the development of a novel and general microwave assisted procedure for the reductive amination of anilines, enabling aromatic amine-linked compounds to be synthesised in excellent yields. A series of benzylamine linked inhibitors was also prepared. Over 30 analogues were synthesised and several show very promising biological activity. The most active compound is N-(2-([2-(4-Chloro-phenoxy)-phenylamino]-methyl)-phenyl)-acetamide, which exhibits an IC₅₀ of 900 nM. The synthesis of compounds with a benzophenone linked hydrophobic head group led to an unexpected product. X-ray crystallography was used to determine the structure, as a quinoline derivative. This led to optimisation of a novel modification of the Friedländer synthesis of quinolines. The potent inhibitors synthesised are selective over 17β-HASD Types 1 and 2. One inhibitor also shows potentially interesting activity against the leukaemia cell line CCRF-CEM, in the NCI screening, with a GI₅₀ of 10 nM.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:512267
Date January 2007
CreatorsBailey, Helen Victoria
ContributorsPotter, Barry ; Vicker, Nigel
PublisherUniversity of Bath
Source SetsEthos UK
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeElectronic Thesis or Dissertation

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