Tumor-associated Isozymes Research Articles

Glucoimines incorporating classical and non-classical carbonic anhydrase pharmacophores: Design, synthesis, conformational analysis, biological evaluation, and docking simulations

In this report, a series of glucoimines has been prepared by reaction of d-glucosamine and aromatic aldehydes incorporating classical and non-classical carbonic anhydrase pharmacophores. The conformational behavior of veratrole glucoimine was studied in solution and in crystalline form, by NMR and X-ray diffraction analysis, which revealed that pyranose ring adopted a 4C1 conformation. All glucoimines were tested against four isozymes of carbonic anhydrase: hCAs I and II (cytosolic, ubiquitous isozymes) and hCAs IX and XII (tumor-associated isozymes). In this study, per-O-acetylated and deprotected sulfonamide were identified as potent inhibitors of tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase isoforms. Molecular docking simulation was performed inside the active site of hCA II to evaluate the binding modes of veratrole and sulfonamide glucoimines. The last ones demonstrated the most favorable docking scores, indicating strong binding affinity towards hCAII in correlation with experimental inhibition activities. Interestingly, interaction analyses revealed distinct binding modes for ligand-hCAII complexes primarily due to the sulfonamide group.

Synthesis and Inhibition Activity Study of Triazinyl-Substituted Amino(alkyl)-benzenesulfonamide Conjugates with Polar and Hydrophobic Amino Acids as Inhibitors of Human Carbonic Anhydrases I, II, IV, IX, and XII.

Primary sulfonamide derivatives with various heterocycles represent the most widespread group of potential human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors with high affinity and selectivity towards specific isozymes from the hCA family. In this work, new 4-aminomethyl- and aminoethyl-benzenesulfonamide derivatives with 1,3,5-triazine disubstituted with a pair of identical amino acids, possessing a polar (Ser, Thr, Asn, Gln) and non-polar (Ala, Tyr, Trp) side chain, have been synthesized. The optimized synthetic, purification, and isolation procedures provided several pronounced benefits such as a short reaction time (in sodium bicarbonate aqueous medium), satisfactory yields for the majority of new products (20.6–91.8%, average 60.4%), an effective, well defined semi-preparative RP-C18 liquid chromatography (LC) isolation of desired products with a high purity (>97%), as well as preservation of green chemistry principles. These newly synthesized conjugates, plus their 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide analogues prepared previously, have been investigated in in vitro inhibition studies towards hCA I, II, IV and tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII. The experimental results revealed the strongest inhibition of hCA XII with low nanomolar inhibitory constants (Kis) for the derivatives with amino acids possessing non-polar side chains (7.5–9.6 nM). Various derivatives were also promising for some other isozymes.

Novel sulfonamides incorporating 1,3,5-triazine and amino acid structural motifs as inhibitors of the physiological carbonic anhydrase isozymes I, II and IV and tumor-associated isozyme IX

A new series of thirty s-triazinyl-substituted aminoalkylbenzenesulfonamides, incorporating a symmetric pair of amino acid moieties, is reported, together with inhibition studies of physiologically relevant human carbonic anhydrase (hCA, EC 4.2.1.1) isoforms. Specifically, against the cytosolic hCA I, II, transmembrane hCA IV and the tumor-associated, membrane-bound hCA IX.The compounds were prepared by nucleophilic substitution of chlorine atoms from cyanuric chloride (2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine) using environmentally friendly water-based synthetic conditions. The products yields ranged in the interval of 43–97%. Purity of the products was verified by the HPLC-DAD-ESI-Q-TOF MS method. Identity of the products was confirmed by the same method plus NMR and IR.The products showed weak inhibition of the cytosolic, off-target isozyme hCA II, but some of them were low nanomolar (i.e. strong) inhibitors of the tumor-associated hCA IX. The series offered representatives selective towards isozymes hCA I, IV and IX. 2,2′-((6-((4-sulfamoylphenethyl)amino)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl)bis(imino))disuccinic acid demonstrated highest selectivity to the tumor-associated isoform hCA IX over off-target isozymes, with impressive KI ratio (hCA II/hCA IX) 213.9 and inhibition constant equal to acetazolamide (KI = 25.8 nM). Although the selectivities of some other products, e.g. those conjugating Leu and Glu, were a bit lower (188.7 and 84.3, respectively) their inhibition constants were similar to acetazolamide too (24.0 and 27.1, respectively).The selected most impressive results from the inhibition study were interpreted via molecular modeling experiment (docking in Glide) revealing different inter-molecular enzyme-substrate interaction of 2,2′-((6-((4-sulfamoylphenethyl)amino)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diyl)bis(imino))disuccinic acid within specific hCA IX and hCA II microregions. Therefore, several selected compounds from this study can be considered as highly effective and selective inhibitors of hCA IX, worthy to further (preclinical) investigation.

Novel 2-(2-arylmethylthio-4-chloro-5-methylbenzenesulfonyl)-1-(1,3,5-triazin-2-ylamino)guanidine derivatives: Inhibition of human carbonic anhydrase cytosolic isozymes I and II and the transmembrane tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII, anticancer activity, and molecular modeling studies

A series of novel 2-(2-arylmethylthio-4-chloro-5-methylbenzenesulfonyl)-1-(6-substituted-4-chloro-1,3,5-triazin-2-ylamino)guanidine derivatives 9–20 have been synthesized by substitution of chlorine atom at the 1,3,5-triazine ring in compounds 5–8 with 3- or 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide and 4-(aminomethyl)benzenesulfonamide hydrochloride. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity toward hCA I, II, IX and XII as well as anticancer activity against HeLa, HCT-116 and MCF-7 human tumor cell lines. The investigated compounds showed weak inhibitory potency against the human CA I, while activity toward hCA II was differentiated and depended on structure of inhibitor (KI: 5.4–933.1 nM). Compounds containing the 4-sulfamoylphenyl moiety (9–12) exhibited the strongest inhibitory activity against hCA IX with KI values from 37.1 to 42.9 nM, as well as against hCA XII in range of 31–91.9 nM. The most promising compound 12 (KI = 41 nM) showed the highest selectivity toward hCA IX versus hCA I (hCA I/hCA IX = 18) and hCA II (hCA II/hCA IX = 4). Compound 12 displayed prominent cytotoxic effect selectively toward HeLa cancer cells (IC50 = 17 μM) and did not exhibit toxicity to the non-cancerous HaCaT cells. In silico analysis suggested that despite the lack of a single binding pose, the selective affinity is conferred by specific interactions with an arginine moiety, as well as better-defined binding modes within the active site.

Synthesis and carbonic anhydrase inhibitory effects of new N-glycosylsulfonamides incorporating the phenol moiety

A small series of N-glycosylsulfonamides incorporating the phenol moiety has been prepared by Ferrier sulfonamidoglycosylation of d-glycals. N-Glycosides were tested for the inhibition of four isoforms of carbonic anhydrase. In this study, all compounds showed good inhibitory activity against hCA I and II, with selectivity against the cytosolic hCA II versus the tumor associated isozymes. These results confirm that attaching carbohydrate moieties to CA phenol pharmacophore improves and enhances its inhibitory activity.

Kinetic and docking studies of cytosolic/tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase isozymes I, II and IX with some hydroxylic compounds

A series of hydroxylic compounds (1–10, NK-154 and NK-168) have been assayed for the inhibition of three physiologically relevant carbonic anhydrase isozymes, the cytosolic isozymes I, II and tumor-associated isozyme IX. The investigated compounds showed inhibition constants in the range of 0.068–4003, 0.012–9.9 and 0.025–115 μm at the hCA I, hCA II and hCA IX enzymes, respectively. In order to investigate the binding mechanisms of these inhibitors, in silico studies were also applied. Molecular docking scores of the studied compounds are calculated using scoring algorithms, namely Glide/induced fit docking. The inhibitory potencies of the novel compounds were analyzed at the human isoforms hCA I, hCA II and hCA IX as targets and the KI values were calculated.

Design and synthesis of benzothiazole-6-sulfonamides acting as highly potent inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase isoforms I, II, IX and XII

A series of novel 2-aminobenzothiazole derivatives bearing sulfonamide at position 6 was designed, synthesized and investigated as inhibitors of four isoforms of the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), the cytosolic CA I and II, and the tumor-associated isozymes CA IX and XII. Docking and binding energy studies were carried out to reveal details regarding the favorable interactions between the scaffolds of these new inhibitors and the active sites of the investigated CA isoforms. Most of the novel compounds were acting as highly potent inhibitors of the tumor-associated hCA IX and hCA XII with KIs in the nanomolar range. The ubiquitous and dominant rapid cytosolic isozyme hCA II was also inhibited with KIs ranging from 3.5 to 45.4nM. The favorable interactions between some of the new compounds and the active site of different CA isoforms were delineated by using molecular docking which may be useful for designing compounds with high affinity and selectivity for some CAs with biomedical applications.

4-Functionalized 1,3-diarylpyrazoles bearing 6-aminosulfonylbenzothiazole moiety as potent inhibitors of carbonic anhydrase isoforms hCA I, II, IX and XII

A series of 24 novel heterocyclic compounds—functionalized at position 4 with aldehyde (5a–5f), carboxylic acid (6a–6f), nitrile (7a–7f) and oxime (8a–8f) functional groups—bearing 6-aminosulfonybenzothiazole moiety at position 1 of pyrazole has been synthesized and investigated for the inhibition of four isoforms of the α-class carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1), comprising hCAs I and II (cytosolic, ubiquitous isozymes) and hCAs IX and XII (transmembrane, tumor associated isozymes). Against the human isozyme hCA I, compounds 6a–6f showed medium-weak inhibitory potential with Ki values in the range of 157–690nM with 6a showing better potential than the standard drug acetazolamide (AZA). Against hCA II, all the compounds showed excellent to moderate inhibition with Ki values of compounds 5a, 5d, 5f, 6a–6f, 8d and 8f lower than 12nM (Ki of AZA). Against hCA IX, all the compounds showed moderate inhibition with the exception of 6e which showed nearly 9 fold a better profile compared to AZA, whereas against hCA XII, four compounds 6e, 7a, 7b and 7d showed Ki in the same order as that of AZA. Carboxylic acid 6e was found to be an excellent inhibitor of both hCA IX and XII, with Ki values of 2.8nM and 5.5nM, respectively.

Synthesis of a new series of N4-substituted 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonamides and their inhibitory effect on human carbonic anhydrase cytosolic isozymes I and II and transmembrane tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII

A series of novel N4-substituted 4-(2-aminoethyl)benzenesulfonamides 5–17 have been synthesized and investigated as inhibitors of four isoforms of zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), that is the cytosolic CA I and II, and tumor-associated isozymes CA IX and XII. Against the human CA I investigated compounds displayed KI values from 96.3 to 3520 nM, toward hCA II at range of 18.1–2055 nM, while against hCA IX ranging from 5.9 to 419 nM and against hCA XII in the range of 4.0–414 nM. The very good inhibitory activity against tumor-associated hCA IX and hCA XII was found. The six new compounds displayed a powerful inhibitory potency toward hCA IX (KI = 5.9–10.7 nM) in comparison with the clinically used CAIs AAZ, MZA, EZA, DCP and IND (24–50 nM). The most potent hCA IX and hCA XII inhibitors 11 and 12 (KI: 5.9 and 6.2 nM for hCA IX and 4.3 and 4.0 nM for hCA XII, respectively) belonged to the compounds with cationic character and presented meaningful affinity to the transmembrane isoforms hCA IX and XII than to physiologically dominant isozymes hCA I and II with the selectivity ratios hCA IX versus hCA II and hCA XII versus hCA II for 11 and 12 in the range of 10–15.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Synthesis of a novel series of 5-substituted 2,4-dichlorobenzenesulfonamides and their inhibition of human cytosolic isozymes I and II and the transmembrane tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII

A series of novel 5-substituted 2,4-dichlorobenzenesulfonamides 5a–c, 6a–d, 7a–j and 10a–i have been synthesized and investigated as inhibitors of four isoforms of zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA.EC 4.2.1.1), that is the cytosolic CA I and II, and tumor-associated isozymes CA IX and XII. Against the human CA I investigated compounds displayed KI values from 349 to 7355 nM, toward hCA II at range of 6.9 to 164 nM, while against hCA IX ranging from 2.8 to 76 nM and against hCA XII in the range of 2.7 to 95 nM. The excellent inhibitory activity against tumor-associated hCA IX was found. The twenty one new compounds displayed a powerful inhibitory potency toward hCA IX (KI = 2.8–21.7 nM) in comparison with the clinically used CAIs AAZ, MZA, EZA, DCP and IND (24–50 nM). Among them the most potent hCA IX inhibitor 7b (KI = 2.8 nM) was 8.5-fold stronger than IND (KI = 24 nM). Toward tumor-associated hCA XII compounds 6c and 10a (KI = 2.7 and 2.8 nM, respectively) showed a better inhibitory potency than reference sulfonamides MZA and IND (KI = 3.4 nM).

Computational investigation of the selectivity of salen and tetrahydrosalen compounds towards the tumor-associated hCA XII isozyme

In previous work, 14 salen and tetrahydrosalen compounds have been synthesized and tested in enzyme inhibition assays against cytosolic human carbonic anhydrase isozymes I and II (hCA I and II) and tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII (hCA IX and XII). These compounds show selectivity against hCA XII over hCA I, II and IX. In this study, molecular modeling and docking studies were applied to understand this preference of the compounds for hCA XII. Most likely, the compounds can displace the zinc-bound water molecule of hCA XII to form a direct interaction with the Zn2+ ion. In the other isozymes, the compounds might not be able to displace the water molecule nor are they expected to interact with the Zn2+ ion.

Benzenesulfonamide bearing 1,2,4-triazole scaffolds as potent inhibitors of tumor associated carbonic anhydrase isoforms hCA IX and hCA XII

Three series of novel heterocyclic compounds (3a–3g, 4a–4g and 5a–5g) containing benzenesulfonamide moiety and incorporating a 1,2,4-triazole ring, have been synthesized and investigated as inhibitors against four isomers of the α-class carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1), comprising hCAs I and II (cytosolic, ubiquitous isozymes) and hCAs IX and XII (transmembrane, tumor associated isozymes). Against the human isozymes hCA I and II, compounds of two series (3a–3g and 4a–4g) showed Ki values in the range of 84–868nM and 5.6–390nM, respectively whereas compounds of series 5a–5g were found to be poor inhibitors (Ki values exceeding 10,000nM in some cases). Against hCA IX and XII, all the tested compounds exhibited excellent to moderate inhibitory potential with Ki values in the range of 2.8–431nM and 1.3–63nM, respectively. Compounds 3d, 3f and 4f exhibited excellent inhibitory potential against all of the four isozymes hCA I, II, IX and XII, even better than the standard drug acetazolamide (AZA) whereas compound of the series 5a–5g were comparatively less potent but more selective towards hCA IX and XII.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Synthesis, and molecular structure of novel series N-substituted N′-(2-arylmethylthio-4-chloro-5-methylbenzenesulfonyl)guanidines and their inhibition of human cytosolic isozymes I and II and the transmembrane tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII

A series of novel N-substituted N′-(2-arylmethylthio-4-chloro-5-methylbenzenesulfonyl)guanidines 9–41 have been synthesized and investigated as inhibitors of four isoforms of zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA.EC 4.2.1.1), that is the cytosolic CA I and II, and cancer-associated isozymes CA IX and XII. Against the human CA I investigated compounds showed KI in the range of 87–6506 nM, toward hCA II ranging from 7.8 to 4500 nM, against hCA IX in the range of 4.7–416 nM and against hCA XII at range of 0.96–540 nM. Compounds 10, 12–14, 16, 18–20, 24–26, 31 and 32 exhibited a powerful inhibitory potency toward hCA IX (KI = 4.7–21 nM) in comparison to the reference sulfonamides AAZ, MZA, EZA, DCP and IND (KI = 24–50 nM). Compound 14 was the most potent inhibitor of hCA I (KI = 87 nM), hCA IX (KI = 4.7 nM) and hCA XII (KI = 0.96 nM), while 26 was the most effective inhibitor of hCA II (KI = 7.8 nM). The most promising compound 32 exerted the highest selectivity ratios toward hCA IX versus hCA I (hCA I/hCA IX = 261) and hCA II (hCA II/hCA IX = 26). The in vitro antitumor activity of compounds 10, 13, 14, 21, 22, 25, 32, 38 and 41 was evaluated at the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) against a panel of 60 human tumor cell lines. The most active antitumor agents 21 and 25, inhibiting 32–35 human tumor cell lines with GI50 in the range of 2.1–5.0 μM also showed relatively high inhibitory activity toward hCA IX and XII with KI from 18 to 40 nM.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Synthesis of heterocyclic 4-substituted pyridine-3-sulfonamide derivatives and their inhibition of the human cytosolic isozymes I and II and transmembrane tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII

A series of novel heterocyclic 4-substituted pyridine-3-sulfonamides 2–13, 15–20 have been synthesized and investigated as inhibitors of four isoforms of zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA.EC 4.2.1.1), that is the cytosolic CA I and II, and tumor-associated isozymes CA IX and XII. Against the human isozymes hCA I the new compounds showed KI values in the range 169–5400 nM, toward hCA II in range 58.5–1238 nM, against hCA IX in range 19.5–652 nM and against hCA XII in the range of 16.8–768 nM. Compounds 15–19 representing 4-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-3-pyridinesulfonamide derivatives showed good hCA IX inhibitory efficacy with KI = 19.5–48.6 nM comparable or more effective than clinically used sulfonamides: AAZ, MZA, EZA, DCP, IND (KI = 24–50 nM). Anticancer evaluation at a single dose 10 μM, against a panel of 60 human tumor cell lines, was performed at the US National Cancer Institute, on compounds 2, 3, 5–13, 16, 17, 19, 20. Among them 6 bearing 4-(3,4,-dichlorophenyl)piperazine moiety showed broad spectrum of growth inhibition in the range 25–89% over 26 cell lines representing all tumors subpanels.

Sulfonamides containing coumarin moieties selectively and potently inhibit carbonic anhydrases II and IX: Design, synthesis, inhibitory activity and 3D-QSAR analysis

A series of sulfonamides containing coumarin moieties had been prepared that showed a very interesting profile for the inhibition of two human carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. These compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity of the physiologically dominant isozymes hCA II and the tumor-associated isozyme hCA IX. The most potent inhibitor against hCA II and IX were compounds 5d (IC50 = 23 nM) and 5l (IC50 = 24 nM), respectively. These sulfonamides containing coumarin moieties may prove interesting lead candidates to target tumor-associated CA isozymes, wherein the CA domain is located extracellularly. Eighteen compounds were scrutinized by CoMFA and CoMSIA techniques of 3D quantitative structure–activity relationship. Nine of the compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against human macrophage.

O-Benzenedisulfonimido–sulfonamides are potent inhibitors of the tumor-associated carbonic anhydrase isoforms CA IX and CA XII

By using phthalimido-substituted aromatic sufonamides as lead molecules, a series of new sulfonamides incorporating ortho-benzenedisulfonimide moieties have been synthesized and tested against the human (h) cytosolic carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozymes hCA I and hCA II and the transmembrane, tumor-associated isozymes hCA IX and hCA XII. All these compounds showed Ki values lower than 100nM and many of them showed better Kis than the reference compound acetazolamide, a clinically used sulfonamide. The tumor-associated isozymes were better inhibited than the cytosolic ones. A molecular docking within the active site of some CA isoforms, such as hCA I, explained these findings, as the benzenedisulfonimide moiety makes favorable interactions (hydrogen bonds) with amino acid residues involved in binding of inhibitors, such as Gln92, His67, and His64.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Diazenylbenzenesulfonamides are potent and selective inhibitors of the tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII over the cytosolic isoforms I and II

A series of diazenylbenzenesulfonamides, azo-dye derivatives of sulfanilamide or metanilamide incorporating phenol and amine moieties, were tested for inhibition of the tumor-associated isozymes of carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), CA IX and XII. These compounds showed moderate-low inhibitory activities against the cytosolic isoforms CA I and II (offtargets) and excellent, low nanomolar inhibitory activity against the transmembrane CA IX and XII ( K Is in the range of 3.5–63 nM against CA IX and 5.0–69.4 nM against CA XII, respectively). The selectivity ratio for inhibiting the tumor-associated CA IX over the offtarget CA II was in the range of 15–104 for these diazenylbenzenesulfonamides, making them among the most isoform-selective inhibitors targeting tumor-associated CAs (over the ubiquitous CA II). Since CA IX/XII were recently shown to be both therapeutic and diagnostic targets for hypoxic solid tumors overexpressing these proteins, such compounds held promise for the management of hypoxic tumors, which are largely non-responsible to classical chemo- and radio-therapy.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors; Fluorinated phenyl sulfamates show strong inhibitory activity and selectivity for the inhibition of the tumor-associated isozymes IX and XII over the cytosolic ones I and II

A series of fluorinated-phenylsulfamates have been prepared by sulfamoylation of the corresponding phenols and the inhibition of four physiologically relevant carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) isozymes, the cytosolic CA I and II (off-targets), and the transmembrane, tumor-associated CA IX and XII is investigated. Unlike the lead molecule (phenylsulfamate), a very potent CA I and II inhibitor and a modest CA IX/XII inhibitor, the fluorinated sulfamates were stronger inhibitors of CA IX ( K Is of 2.8–47 nM) and CA XII ( K Is of 1.9–35 nM) than of CA I ( K Is of 53–415 nM) and CA II ( K Is of 20–113 nM). Some of these compounds were selective CA IX over CA II inhibitors, with selectivity ratios in the range of 11.4–12.1, making them interesting candidates for targeting hypoxic tumors overexpressing CA IX and/or XII.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Biphenylsulfonamides with inhibitory action towards the transmembrane, tumor-associated isozymes IX possess cytotoxic activity against human colon, lung and breast cancer cell lines

Reaction of 4,4-biphenyl-disulfonyl chloride with aromatic/heterocyclic sulfonamides also incorporating a free amino group, such as 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide, 4-aminoethyl-benzenesulfonamide, 6-chloro-4-aminobenzene-1,3-disulfonamide or 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-sulfonamide afforded bis-sulfonamides which have been tested as inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4..2.1.1). The compounds were rather modest inhibitors of isozymes CA I and XII, but were more efficient as inhibitors of the cytosolic CA II and transmembrane, tumor-associated CA IX (inhibition constants in the range of 21–129 nM gainst hCA II, and 23–79 nM against hCA IX, respectively). The new bis-sulfonamides also showed inhibition of growth of several tumor cell lines (ex vivo), with GI50 values in the range of 0.74–10.0 μg/mL against the human colon cancer cell line HCT116, the human lung cancer cell line H460 and the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.

Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors: Bioreductive Nitro-Containing Sulfonamides with Selectivity for Targeting the Tumor Associated Isoforms IX and XII

2-Substituted-5-nitro-benzenesulfonamides incorporating a large variety of secondary/tertiary amines were explored as inhibitors of the zinc enzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), with the aim of designing bioreductive inhibitors targeting the hypoxia overexpressed, tumor-associated isozymes. The compounds were ineffective inhibitors of the cytosolic isoform I, showed a better inhibition of the physiologically relevant CA II (KIs of 8.8-4975 nM), and strongly inhibited the tumor-associated CA IX and XII (KIs of 5.4-653 nM). Some of these compounds showed excellent selectivity ratios for the inhibition of the tumor-associated isozymes over the cytosolic ones (in the range of 10-1395). The X-ray crystal structure of the adduct of hCA II with the lead molecule 2-chloro-5-nitro-benzenesulfonamide as well as molecular modeling studies for interaction with hCA IX afforded a better understanding of factors governing the discrimination of the two isoforms for this type of bioreductive compound targeting specifically hypoxic tumors.