Discovery of novel benzofuro[3,2-b]quinoline derivatives as dual CDK2/Topo I inhibitors

Abstract

Uncontrolled cell proliferation is a hallmark of cancer. The major regulator of the cell cycle, cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), has become a mature target for cancer treatment. Herein, we describe our efforts toward the discovery of a series of benzofuro[3,2-b]quinoline alkaloid derivatives as CDK2 inhibitors through a scaffold hopping strategy. Compound ZLHQ-5f has topoisomerase I (Topo I) inhibitory activity due to the unique structure of benzofurano[3,2-b]quinoline. Resultantly, ZLHQ-5f exhibited promising anti-proliferative and CDK2 inhibitory activities. It also arrests the cell cycle in S-phase, triggers apoptosis in HCT116 cells, and has a good safety profile in vivo. There has yet to be a report on dual CDK2/Topo I inhibitor, thus this will be a novel attempt.