Design of potent bisphosphonate inhibitors of the human farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase via targeted interactions with the active site 'capping' phenyls

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) are potent active site inhibitors of the human farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (hFPPS) and valuable human therapeutics for the treatment of bone-related malignancies. N-BPs are also useful in combination chemotherapy for patients with breast, prostate and multiple myeloma cancers. A structure-based approach was employed in order to design inhibitors that exhibit higher lipophilicity and better occupancy for the GPP sub-pocket of hFPPS than the current therapeutic drugs. These novel analogs were designed to bind deeper into the GPP sub-pocket by displacing the side chains of the 'capping' residue Phe 113 and engaging in favorable π-interactions with the side chain of Phe112.