Abstract
Heat shock protein 110 (HSP110) is an emerging biological target for development of drug to treat colorectal cancer. In the present study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel small-molecule inhibitors of HSP110 based on previously reported HSP110 modulator (hit 1). Among the novel compounds, molecule 7 exhibited the most improved biological activity in vitro and anticancer efficacy in vivo. It exerted greater anti-proliferative potency against several colorectal cancer cells including HCT116 and SW480 with IC50 values of 11.59 μM and 6.05 μM, respectively. Molecular docking experiment of 7 with HSP110 protein revealed it bound well with the target in the similar way as compound 1. Mechanistic studies revealed that 7 effectively inhibited STAT3 activity and the expression of STAT3 downstream genes, VEGF, MMP7, MMP9. Moreover, 7 significantly abolished IL-6-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in HCT116 and SW480 cells. Finally, 7 exhibited stronger tumor growth inhibition than lead compound 1 at the dose of 5 mg/kg (i.p.) in an in vivo HCT116 cells xenografted nude mice model. Taken together, we identified 7 as 2nd generation of HSP110 inhibitor which exerts remarkable anti-colorectal cancer activities. This compound might serve as a new lead for developing anti-cancer drugs to treat colorectal cancer.
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