Discovery of novel quinoline-based analogues of combretastatin A-4 as tubulin polymerisation inhibitors with apoptosis inducing activity and potent anticancer effect

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A new series of quinoline derivatives of combretastatin A-4 have been designed, synthesised and demonstrated as tubulin polymerisation inhibitors. These novel compounds showed significant antiproliferative activities, among them, 12c exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity against different cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HL-60, HCT-116 and HeLa) with IC50 ranging from 0.010 to 0.042 µM, and with selectivity profile against MCF-10A non-cancer cells. Further mechanistic studies suggest that 12c can inhibit tubulin polymerisation and cell migration, leading to G2/M phase arrest. Besides, 12c induces apoptosis via a mitochondrial-dependant apoptosis pathway and caused reactive oxygen stress generation in MCF-7 cells. These results provide guidance for further rational development of potent tubulin polymerisation inhibitors for the treatment of cancer. Highlights A novel series of quinoline derivatives of combretastatin A-4 have been designed and synthesised. Compound 12c showed significant antiproliferative activities against different cancer cell lines. Compound 12c effectively inhibited tubulin polymerisation and competed with [3H] colchicine in binding to tubulin. Compound 12c arrested the cell cycle at G2/M phase, effectively inducing apoptosis and inhibition of cell migration.