N-Aryl-N'-(chroman-4-yl)ureas and thioureas display in vitro anticancer activity and selectivity on apoptosis-resistant glioblastoma cells: screening, synthesis of simplified derivatives, and structure-activity relationship analysis.
A series of chroman derivatives previously reported as potassium channel openers, as well as some newly synthesized simplified structures, were examined for their in vitro effects on the growth of three human high-grade glioma cell lines: U373, T98G, and Hs683. Significant in vitro growth inhibitory activity was observed with 2,2-dimethylchroman-type nitro-substituted phenylthioureas, such as compounds 4o and 4p. Interestingly, most tested phenylureas were found to be slightly less active, but more cell selective (normal versus tumor glial cells, such as 3d, 3e, and 3g), thus less toxic, than the corresponding phenylthioureas. No significant differences were observed in terms of chroman-derivative-induced growth inhibitory effects between glioma cells sensitive to pro-apoptotic stimuli (Hs683 glioma cells) and glioma cells associated with various levels of resistance to pro-apoptotic stimuli (U373 and T98G glioma cells), a feature that suggests non-apoptotic-mediated growth inhibition. Flow cytometry analyses confirmed the absence of pro-apoptotic effects for phenylthioureas and phenylureas when analyzed in U373 glioma cells and demonstrated U373 cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase. Computer-assisted phase-contrast videomicroscopy revealed that 3d and 3g displayed cytostatic effects, while 3e displayed cytotoxic ones. As a result, this work identified phenylurea-type 2,2-dimethylchromans as a new class of antitumor agents to be further explored for an innovative therapeutic approach for high-grade glioma and/or for a possible new mechanism of action.
Laboratoire de Chimie Pharmaceutique, Centre Interfacultaire de Recherche du Médicament (Drug Research Center), Université de Liège, C.H.U., 1 Avenue de l'Hôpital, tour 4 (+5) Sart-Tilman, B-4000 Liège, Belgium.
Eric
E
Goffin
Delphine
D
Lamoral-Theys
Nicolas
N
Tajeddine
Pascal
P
de Tullio
Ludivine
L
Mondin
Florence
F
Lefranc
Philippe
P
Gailly
Bernard
B
Rogister
Robert
R
Kiss
Bernard
B
Pirotte
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004354:Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D005909:Glioblastoma / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D054086:KATP Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013890:Thiourea / Q000138:chemical synthesis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D054086:KATP Channels; D013890:Thiourea